On Friday, January 9, an honorary doctorate award ceremony was held at the Conference Room in Stephen Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan Hall to commemorate the 170th anniversary of The Catholic University of Korea. Lucia Shih-Ling Lin, President of Providence University in Taiwan, received an Honorary Doctorate in Education in recognition of her contributions to sustainable innovation in higher education, international cooperation, and the promotion of Catholic educational values.

The ceremony was attended by prominent figures from the educational and administrative sectors, both domestic and international, including Kuo-wei Ku, Representative of the Taipei Mission in Korea. Following the conferment of the degree, Representative Ku delivered a congratulatory speech, which was followed by an acceptance speech from President Lucia Lin. The event also featured celebratory performances, including a Korean traditional dance titled "Chunhyang, the Scent of Spring" by Professor Young-in Cho from the Department of Performing Arts and Culture, as well as vocal performances by faculty members from the Department of Music.

In his conferment speech, President Jun-kyu Choi stated, "President Lucia Lin has contributed to strengthening the international solidarity of Catholic higher education as an educator who combines academic expertise with practical leadership. Her educational philosophy and dedication are deeply aligned with the spirit of The Catholic University of Korea, which pursues respect for humanity and the realization of the common good."

President Lucia Lin is a distinguished scholar and administrator in the field of education, holding a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Florida State University. For over 30 years, she has led the development of higher education systems and innovation in educational policy. Currently, as the President of Providence University in Taiwan, she is spearheading university development strategies, expanding international cooperation, and embodying Catholic identity.