David Namkoong

5/23/2024 NASA's Glenn Research Center posted on FB & IG:

David Namkoong was a research engineer in the Power Systems Division at NASA's Lewis Research Center (now, NASA Glenn). Namkoong, shown here in April 1976, studied the use of photovoltaic energy for terrestrial applications.

In honor of Heritage Month, NASA Glenn is highlighting employees who have contributed at our center throughout the years. More: nasa.gov/glenn-celebrates-aanhpi-heritage

Image Credit: NASA/Marty Brown


https://www.facebook.com/NASAGlenn/posts/pfbid07NqPMD3PnVBAKJ6mGfGcB2HEkFwP316opRRAqJy5LFLdMNYNRAdKCZsJ1F3rAWztl

David Namkoong was a research engineer in the Power Systems Division at NASA's Lewis Research Center (now, NASA Glenn). Namkoong, shown here in April 1976, studied the use of photovoltaic energy for terrestrial applications.

In honor of Heritage Month, NASA Glenn is highlighting employees who have contributed at our center throughout the years. More: nasa.gov/glenn-celebrates-aanhpi-heritage

/ NASA History

David and Francis Namkoong, 13 June 2012

Namkoong, David and Francis (Interviewees) ~ Halligan-Taylor, Gabriela (Interviewer)

In this 2012 interview, David and Frances Namkoong describe their journey from Cincinnati to Cleveland in the early 1960s. Encountering anti-Asian discrimination, they soon moved to the Ludlow community where they became actively involved in the integration movement. As the Civil Rights movement was beginning to stir in the US, the Namkoongs agree, that for Ludlow, the movement was quick and was "thrust" upon them. As the Fair Housing Act approached, the couple began to shift focus to their Asian-American heritage and used writings and radio to spread the importance of Asian-Americans to the history of the United States.

David and Francis Namkoong, 13 June 2012 In this 2012 interview, David and Frances Namkoong describe their journey from Cincinnati to Cleveland in the early 1960s. Encountering anti-Asian discrimination, they soon moved to the Ludlow community where they became actively involved in the integration movement. As the Civil Rights movement was...

July 17, 2003
HISTORY OF OCA GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER
By Dr. Alex Mark and David Namkoong

The Greater Cleveland Chapter was organized under the leadership of Dr. Alex Mark in the spring of 1982. Originally the name of the chapter was the Northeast Ohio Chapter. The application for membership to the National OCA was submitted and approved at the OCA National Meeting in June 1982 at Washington, D.C. It was the 22nd chapter to be so accepted. The Chapter was incorporated in the State of Ohio as a nonprofit organization and received the IRS tax exemption under the 501(c)(3) classification.

Dr. Alex Mark was elected the first president of the OCA – Northeast Ohio Chapter (OCA-NEO). One of the first issues faced by the new chapter was supporting the National OCA position in speaking out against the injustice of the court decision in the Vincent Chin case.

The chapter was one of the charter members in forming the Asian/Pacific American Federation (A/PAF) together with the Japanese American Citizens League, Oberlin Asian American Alliance, the Asian Cultural Society, the Philippine American Society of Ohio, Korean Association of Greater Cleveland (renamed as the Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland, and the Federation of India Communities Association. These members were later joined by the Taiwanese Association of Greater Cleveland and the Vietnamese American Association of Greater Cleveland. Cleveland OCA’ers were always active in A/PAF programs, particularly during the Annual Heritage celebration in May.

OCA-NEO focused more of its activities in the economic, civic and public affairs arena. During the decade of the eighties, Leadership Development and Voter Registration programs helped develop future leaders of the community. OCA-NEO supported the formation of the Chinese Senior Citizens Association which helped to provide luncheon, cultural, health and housing programs for the Chinese elderly, particularly those living in the downtown Chinatown area. In an effort to meet the needs of senior citizens in the Chinatown area, a Board of Directors was organized to build a senior citizen apartment building. Half of the Board were Cleveland OCA members. The result was the building of the 43-unit Evergreen Apartments utilizing HUD funds. This was the first building of its kind in the state of Ohio.

Besides the OCA-NEO, there were other Chinese American groups operating in the Greater Cleveland area. One was the Chinese Association of Greater Cleveland (CAGC) who stressed cultural and social activities for the community. Many OCA-NEO members were also part of the CAGC. In 1992, both groups elected to merge. The new organization was to be called the Organization of Chinese Americans of Greater Cleveland (OCAGC) and would continue operating as an OCA chapter. In 1993, Frances Namkoong was elected president of this newly merged organization.

The OCAGC continued its activities as a civil rights organization, but also undertook to provide cultural and social activities. Celebrations of Chinese New Year, Moon Festival and a Christmas Dinner-Dance became annual affairs. Through the ‘90s and into the new century, OCAGC supported National OCA issues such as affirmative action. Locally, members became active in such efforts as the Hate Crimes Task Force initiated by the FBI/U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The chapter used its good office to serve as a counselors or mediator for aggrieved community members who sought support against perceived wrongs against them. Bridge building to other Asian and mainstream organizations has been a priority function but has accelerated with the increasing turmoil caused by global events. The recent OCA formation in Columbus, Ohio has resulted in better communications between our chapters and more interrelationships on matters of concern.

OCAGC has had a close relationship with National OCA in that Clevelanders actively participated in the workings of the National OCA Board. Alex Mark was one of the founders of the National organization and was elected President. Thereafter, he became President of OCA’s
Endowment Fund, served on an advisory council (of past presidents), and other committees for National. Fran Namkoong worked on several task forces including the Glass Ceiling and Civil Rights legislation which resulted in white paper reports for the organization. She served on the National OCA Board as VP of Public Affairs. David Namkoong also served on the National Board, as VP of Communications.

OCAGC has had a fluctuating membership over the years, but has shown a steady increase most recently. The chapter recently won an OCA award for the most improved in membership. OCAGC expects a continual rise in meaningful activities and membership.