Heo '09 Named Luce Scholar

April 9th, 2009 Stacey Kutish

Heo '09 Named Luce Scholar

by Stacey Kutish
4/09/2009

Yongjun Heo '09

Yongjun Heo '09
Yongjun Heo '09 of Newburgh, Ind., has been named a Luce Scholar for 2009-2010. As a recipient of the scholarship, Heo will receive a stipend and an internship opportunity that will enable him to live, work, and learn in Asia for one year. The Luce Scholars program is unique among American-Asian exchanges in that it is intended for young leaders who have had no prior experience in Asia and who might not otherwise have an opportunity to come to know Asia or their Asian counterparts. Heo is one of 18 young Americans selected as Luce Scholars this year.

Heo, a double major in biology and public policy, plans to spend his scholarship year learning about public health initiatives. His interest in public health grew out of a summer spent volunteering with a doctor in rural Venezuela. While at Swarthmore he founded Pemón Health Inc., a nonprofit organization that brings together college students, health professionals, and indigenous Pemón people in Venezuela in an effort to improve villager health through the implementation of a sustainable community health programs.

Heo is currently working on a senior thesis about implementing a social safety net program to improve health in rural developing areas in the world. "It relates to my work in Pemón villages and allows me to connect theoretical models with real communities," he says. In addition to his public health work, Heo serves as the Swarthmore Student Council President and has run with the Men's Track and Field team for four years.

Read more about Heo and his plans for his Luce Sholarship in The Phoenix.

Learn more about the Luce Scholarhip from the Fellowships and Prizes Office.