October 20, 2025
This week, Columbus State University (CSU) is leading a delegation from Columbus, Georgia, to the 2025 Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship in Jinju, South Korea. The trip aims to showcase the local spirit of servant leadership and foster ties between communities.
Key highlights of the delegation’s activities include:
- Signing a sister-city agreement between Columbus and Jinju.
- Establishing a student and faculty exchange agreement with Gyeongsang National University.
- Meeting with business and government leaders to strengthen international economic relations.
- Touring JS Link, a South Korean company investing $223 million in a new manufacturing facility in Columbus. This project is expected to create hundreds of jobs and enhance clean energy initiatives.
- CSU’s President and Provost will attend the Eighth US Army’s Change of Command in Pyeongtaek.
This visit follows an earlier trip by CSU staff and students to Korea, which set the stage for these new partnerships. The delegation members include:
- Skip Henderson, Mayor of Columbus
- Dr. David F. Lewis, Superintendent of Muscogee County Schools
- Missy Kendrick, President and CEO of Choose Columbus
- Chris Woodruff, CEO of The Cotton Companies and CSU Foundation Trustee
- Stuart Rayfield, President of CSU
They will participate in a discussion on October 27, focusing on economic development and Columbus’s emerging role as an entrepreneurial hub. “Columbus State is proud to represent our community on this global stage,” said President Rayfield. “This collaboration highlights how education, business, and community leadership can drive economic growth together.”
The group will also meet with Georgia’s Economic Development Office in Seoul to explore investment opportunities and promote Georgia as a business-friendly location.
The Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship, now in its third year, provides a platform for entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers to discuss pressing global issues. The theme for 2025 is “The Age of Global Transformation: The Role of Entrepreneurship,” focusing on challenges like climate change, technological advancements, and sustainable development.
This event is expected to draw participants from varied sectors, including representatives from the United Nations and top global universities. For more about the Forum, visit their official site here.
