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KwanJangNim |
The
University of Northern Iowa is acclaimed internationally for its
teachers, and the UNI Tae Kwon-Do Club strives to reflect the values of
great teaching in all of its programs. It is my experience that students
who actively participate in Tae Kwon-Do training, have a higher
graduation rate. I believe there is a direct correlation between
participation in the Tae Kwon-Do Club's activities and one's discipline to perform
well in academic classes, which reflects well upon the values I instill
as an instructor. I can truly say, I have enjoyed every one of my 44
years at this fine University.
My students range in age from an 85
year old Catholic Nun, to 5 year olds learning the values of
Discipline, Courtesy, and Respect. They range in skill from agile
students
capable of flying 20 feet laterally to devastate a target, to those capable of breaking
5 boards. They range in athletic ability from those who enjoy burning up to 2000 calories per class, to those who need crutches
or wheel chairs for mobility. My students also include an Ordained Priest who earned his 2nd Dan during his undergraduate studies. He is now Pastor of two Catholic Parishes. Tae
Kwon-Do truly is for everyone, and it's a fun way to exercise. My 53 years of experience has
enabled me to tailor the 2500 year
old Korean Art form to fit the needs of anyone. My adult Black Belts are re-certified
annually, and thus, remain qualified to officiate in national
competition. Many of my students have gone on
to become lifelong students of Tae Kwon-Do, integrating its physical and
mental training into their daily lives well beyond graduation from
college.
Since my advancement to 9th Dan in 2020, I have
proudly served as the most senior non Asian Traditional Tae Kwon-Do
Black Belt in the world. I am humbled by the wisdom of the Korean Grand
Masters, and honored by the trust they have placed in me.
My resume and career accomplishments...
1969 * Began Tae Kwon-Do training in Des Moines
1969 * To Present -- Have consistently placed 1st in National
Form Competition
1976 * First American to earn
Instructor
Certification
1985 * First French Creole (African American) to become a Tae Kwon-Do Master
1985 * Received Certification as an International Judge and Referee (Tournament
Official)
1985 * Served as ACTA Chairman and Chief Instructor to more than 15,000
students
1985
*
including 3,000 Black Belts in Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota (1985 to
1990)
1988 * Presided as Chief Judge for ACTA Promotional Testings (1988 to
1990)
1999 * Served as a Judge at the
Olympic Training Center
in Colorado Springs
2007 * First non-Asian respected as KwanJangNim (Head of Household)
2008
*
(three years before promotion to 8th Dan)
2010 * First non-Asian Promoted to 8th
Dan, (Jr. Grand Master)
2010 *
As per "TTA" procedures, non Asians promoted to the 8th
Dan, are referred to the
2010 *
apprentice title, "Jr. Grand Master" for approximately 9
years, then are recognized
2010 *
with the journey title "Grand Master"
2013 *
First
Collegiate Tae Kwon-Do program in America to produce 700 Black Belts
2017 * Instructor of the
UNI Tae Kwon-Do Club
from 1976 to 2017
2019 * Advanced to the journey title "Grand Master"
2020 * Fulfilled collaboration for 9th Dan recognition
2022 * Have produced 962 Distinguished Black Belts
2008
*
including a Grand Master, 6 Senior Masters, 29 Master Instructors,
2008
*
and 424 Junior Black Belts
Other
accomplishments...
*
General
Aviation Pilot
since 1990
* Member of the Disabled American Veterans (100% Service Connected)
* CPR and First Aid Instructor for the American Red Cross
* Member, Board of Directors Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts
* Member, Board of Directors Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center
* Member, Black Hawk County Economic Development Board
* Commandant, Black Hawk Detachment of the Marine Corps League
* Proud Gold Sponsor of UNI's Relay for Life 2005 -- 2015
* Recipient of the Iowa Governor's
Golden Dome Award
for Excellence in 2008
* Recipient of the
International Association of Workforce Professionals'
*
individual and group awards for working with FEMA and the
*
Waterloo Natural Disaster Relief Team after the EF5 Parkersburg tornado
in
2008
* Proud Contributor to
St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital
2015 --
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