Alumni Award

History may not repeat itself, but it can provide subsequent generations with important lessons. Young W. Kihl ’59, a thoughtful and prolific author on Asian security and Korean politics, offers perspectives on historical and political events that will guide future leaders.

Kihl graduated from Grinnell with degrees in political science and economics. He went on to earn a master’s degree in international relations and a doctorate degree in political science from New York University.

Since 1974, he has been a professor of political science at Iowa State University. His scholarly work includes more than a dozen books and 150 articles on topics including nuclear issues in U.S.-Korea relations and South Korea’s transition to democracy. His work has been critically acclaimed as rigorous, authoritative, and wise. In 2005, he received the Global Korea Award, given for his “unselfish commitment to the well-being of the Korean community and global society.”

His skill as a scholar is matched by his skill as a teacher. In 2005, he earned Iowa State’s Regents Faculty Excellence Award.

More recently, he has been editor-in-chief for the International Journal of Korean Studies and contributing editor to Korea Journal.

For his determined efforts to promote understanding between Korea and the rest of the world, Grinnell is proud to honor Young W. Kihl ’59