The May-June 2009 BYU–Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter includes:
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Elder Snow (photos by Monique Saenz, '02) |
Elder Steven E. Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reminded 205 Brigham Young University–Hawaii graduates from 34 countries that as leaders of tomorrow, "with your education comes a responsibility. You have not labored these past years simply to insure greater lifetime earnings."
"This university has blessed the lives of many who have gone before you. They in turn have blessed the lives of countless others. And so it will be with you," he said. "What you have learned here can and should bless others. You are leaders of tomorrow, and it is about leadership that I would like to speak briefly today.
Elder Snow, formerly an attorney in Utah's Washington County, served as a member and president of his local school board, was chairman of the Utah State Board of Regents, and also chairman of the Western States Commission of Higher Education, which includes Hawaii.
He shared eight characteristics of a good leader from his own observations with the graduates gathered in the Cannon Activities Center on June 6, 2009:
Be responsible: "It is a choice blessing to be someone people can count on. Such an honor does not come easily or quickly. It is earned. But if you achieve it, it will bring great dividends."
Work hard: "There is absolutely no substitute for hard," he said. "By completing your education you have proven you understand the importance of hard work. Your studies will also help you work smarter."
Have a vision of the future: "Visualize what you can accomplish and then take the necessary steps to make it happen... Vision makes things happen!"
Don't be afraid to fail: "If you do make a mistake accept blame, make things right and move on. If you are completely adverse to risk, you will have a miserable life," Elder Snow continued.
Be quick to say thank you and be generous in praise: "I have never heard anyone complain for having been thanked too much. Remember, people thrive on praise and recognition."
Live a balanced life: "Balance your hard work with play. Do not take your young health for granted. If you do it will let you down. Exercise and eat right. Follow the counsel of the Word of Wisdom in Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants," Elder Snow said. "Treasure your family. If you are not yet married, plan for that day. Cherish, strengthen and support one another as husband and wife. As the children come, give them your time. Be diligent in holding family prayer, family home evening, family gospel study and wholesome family activities together. Above all, remember that true happiness comes from obedience to the commandments."
Don't take yourself too seriously: "Humor is the balm of life, so apply it liberally."
Always find time to give back: "Not just in Church service, but community service as well." Quoting Nathan C. Shaefer, Elder Snow said, "At the close of life, the question will be not, how much have you got, but how much have you given; not how much you have won, but how much have you done; not how much you have saved, but how much you have sacrificed; how much you have loved and served, not how much you were honored."
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Roger Christensen |
Roger G. Christensen, Assistant to the Commissioner of the Church Educational System and Secretary to the Board of Trustees for all CES universities, who accompanied Elder Snow, used several Biblical themes to suggest to the graduates that as "you go about ‘doing good' [referring to Acts 10:38], you also need to make sure you are going in the right direction."
"As you look forward into your future and think about your pathway through life, it is important to understand that the Lord has a plan for you to take you where He wants you to be," he said. "Your responsibility is to try to understand that plan and then pursue the path that leads to it. Be cautious of distractions that will divert your attention and keep you from being on the right path."
"As you seek direction from the Lord along your life's path, whether is is related to career, family, relationships with others, or fulfilling a calling, always ask our Heavenly Father in prayer, 'What would thou have me do?' Then with faith respond as the Savior did, 'Not my will but thine be done [Luke 22:42]'."
Quoting Elder Richard G. Scott of the Twelve, Brother Christensen said the answers to such prayers sometimes come in the form of strong and specific impressions; "general feelings of comfort and assurance that you are on the right track or that what you are asking is correct"; or "times whey you may feel no specific direction or answer to your prayers." Regarding the latter, he advised the graduates to follow President Gordon B. Hinckley's credo, "Go forward with faith. If you are trying to do what is right, the Lord will not allow you to go too far astray until He nudges you back onto the right path."
"As you leave this great institution, regardless of the path you may take in pursuit of your life's goals, each of you must learn to ‘trust in the Lord with all [your] heart; and lean not unto [your] own understanding' [Proverbs 3:5]," he added.
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President Wheelwright |
BYU–Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley, who said of education, "life is more than science and mathematics, more than history and literature. There is a need for another education, without which the substance of our secular learning may lead only to our destruction."
"I refer to the education of the heart, of the conscience, of the character, of the spirit — these indefinable aspects of our personalities which determine so certainly what we are and what we do in our relationships one with another."
"The education of the heart...consists of what we prepare our hearts to receive, embrace and desire," President Wheelwright said. "Our hope is that during your time on this campus that you have filled your hearts with faith in Christ and His Plan, gratitude for His atonement, and a steadfast desire to follow Him in all you do."
"Indeed, our greatest desire for you is that you have expanded your capacity to obey His commandments and have committed to serve Him with all your heart. I believe that this is the essence of an education of the heart."
He stressed this type of education is important to all because "it will shape the determine the development of your character and your eternal destiny. This education will determine what you value and love — whether it be the things of this world of the things of God. It will determine how you spend your time and the nature of your relationships you will have with others. And as the scriptures confirm, it will determine your ability to love God, to love your fellowmen, and to love your spouse and your own family. This education of the heart will determine the type of love that will fill your hearts and your lives."
Responding on behalf of the students [BYU–Hawaii no longer names a valedictorian], R. Alex Storm, an accounting graduate from Monroe, Washington, told the faculty, administrators, service missionaries, parents, friends and family "who have sacrificed and labored diligently to bless each of us graduates with an education in both spiritual and secular pursuits [that] we are greatly indebted to all who have given selfless service to each of us."
"We are in debt to all of those who have sacrificed to raise us into the people we are today," said Storm, who served a mission in Sendai, Japan, prior to enrolling at BYU–Hawaii. He plans to pursue a master's in accounting degree at BYU Provo.
As is traditional in Hawaii, family and friends shared their aloha with the graduates outside the Cannon Activities Center after the commencement ceremony by giving them flower leis and gifts.
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Tew |
New Dean of Business, Computing and Government named
The CES Board of Education recently approved the appointment of BYU–Hawaii accounting professor and Accounting and Finance Department Chair Dr. Glade Tew as the new Dean of the College of Business, Computing and Government, succeeding Dr. Clayton Hubner in the second week of June.
Dr. Max L. Checketts, BYU–Hawaii Vice President for Academics, explained in a May 14 online letter to the campus ohana ["family"] that the faculty and staff of the college, along with President Steven C. Wheelwright and him, worked diligently and prayerfully over the preceding months toward inviting a new dean to serve.
Tew, who earned his doctorate at Oklahoma State University, has been teaching at BYU–Hawaii for the past 13 years and is a former Teacher of the Year. He and his wife, Donnette, have five adopted children. "I want to help our college be the best it can be. I want to be supportive of the university and its prophetic mission. I want to be of service to the students," he responded.
"We would like to extend a special thank you to Clayton Hubner for the work he has done...over the past three years," Checketts wrote. He is excited for the future opportunities that he has here on our campus, and especially pleased to be back in the classroom." One of Hubner's new assignments is to oversee the new business management associate's degree program.
BYU–Hawaii SIFE team among top-12 in the nation:
The BYU–Hawaii Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team took their spirit of aloha to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, where on May 12 they qualified for their highest-ever top-12 finish among 120 other universities — moving up from previous top-40 national placements in the past 12 years.
SIFE is an international nonprofit organization whose mission to develop community outreach projects in market economics, success skills, financial literacy, business ethics and environmental sustainability is an excellent fit for BYU–Hawaii's students and advisors. During the East Coast journey, the 22 students and 12 faculty and other advisors also toured Washington DC and networked with CEOs from more than 50 large corporations during a career fair. Read more...
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The Iosepa at Hukilau Beach — photo by Mike Foley ('70) |
Community marks latest Iosepa launch:
Reminiscent of the original ceremonies on November 3, 2001, approximately 1,000 people — including all the students from Laie Elementary School as well as community kupuna or elders — gathered at Hukilau Beach on May 5 to honor the latest launch of the Iosepa, Hawaiian Studies' traditional 57-foot twin-hulled [wa'a kaulua] Hawaiian sailing canoe, its faculty captains — R. Kamoa'e Walk ('87, Business Management) and Kawika Eskaran ('84, Art) — and student crew members.
Hawaiian chants, speeches, and presentations of leis, songs and ho'okupu [traditional offerings] by school children and other groups marked the sunny morning event, which was dedicated to the recently deceased William K. "Uncle Bill" Wallace III ('72, History), former director of the Hawaiian Studies program.
The captains and crew of the Iosepa originally planned to go to Kawaihae on the island of Hawaii, where they have previously trained; however, a delay in escort vessel arrangements cut their plans to sailing to Molokai, Wallace's home island. The canoe returned to Hukilau Bay on May 29. For BYU–Hawaii "Newsroom" coverage, go to:
For additional information on the launch...
Cafeteria cultural event wins national award:
The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) recently presented BYU–Hawaii Food Services' The Club dining facility with a first-place award in its Dining Awards Special Events Competition small schools division for its Sakura Matsui celebration on November 20, 2008. Following months of preparation and cooperation between Food Services and the on-campus Japanese Club, cafeteria diners that evening enjoyed yakitori, pork cutlets, sushi, raw fish rolls and yakisoba noodle bowls, with shave ice and mochi for dessert. The Japanese Club also provided demonstrations of judo, kendo [stick fighting], karaoke and yo-yo [similar to American bobbing for apples]. Read more about the event and award...
Sports round-up — tennis and soccer:
Both the BYU–Hawaii men and women's tennis teams were knocked out of the recent NCAA II national tournament in Altamonte, Florida; and the coaching staff for the Seasider men and women's soccer teams has undergone reorganization:
For more BYU–Hawaii sports information...
Alumni Office hosts new graduates reception
The semiannual Alumni Office reception for graduating seniors, family members, guests and faculty on June 4 in the Cannon Activities Center provided a unique BYU–Hawaii blend of elegant chamber music by a student trio, traditional Hawaiian hula and, of course, heavy pupu [snacks].
At the outset, BYU–Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright thanked the parents for the "trust you've put in us with your sons and daughters. We are grateful for all that they stand for and the things that they will represent as they go forward with the next stage of their lives."
Debbie Hippolite Wright ('78, Social Work), BYU–Hawaii Vice President for Student Development and Affairs which includes oversight of the Alumni Association, congratulated the graduate candidates as both a university administrator and alumna "for coming this far in your academic and professional preparation. This is a significant accomplishment and a milestone for you."
The new 'Connect Red' service: Hippolite Wright also announced that "the BYU–Hawaii alumni ohana [family] is introducing a new online community later this summer: Connect Red offers new, enhanced features to better serve you and fellow graduates, and best of all, it's a free service to benefit you. You will be impressed by its features and options. Think Facebook™ but better," she said, "because it connects directly to your alma mater.
She explained that alumni currently using other popular social networks can link those accounts "so you can use them seamlessly. It has the best of both worlds. Connect Red allows you to search for classmates and contact them, share photos and videos, register for alumni events, post your résumé for others to see, participate in online discussions, create blogs and even create your own groups, both personal and professional, and much more."
"You'll have direct links to the latest university news and information so you can easily stay in touch and know what is happening on campus," Hippolite Wright continued. "Graduates, we want to keep in touch with you, and we hope you'll keep in touch with us and your Seasider friends and colleagues."
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The Tongas |
Parents as well as alumni: Some of those at the reception were both proud parents and CCH/BYU–Hawaii alumni. For example:
Celeste Ormsby Tonga ('77, Travel Industry Management) and her husband, Kingi Tonga ('77, Social Work) came from their home in Ogden, Utah, for the graduation of their son, Ammon "Moni" Tonga ('09, ICS), who plans to go to graduate school at the University of Hawaii. Kingi, who is originally from Tonga, is a program coordinator for the Utah State Youth Corrections System; and Celeste, who came to BYU–Hawaii from New Zealand, works for Continental Airlines at home.
Several other new graduate alumni also shared their plans:
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Elder Choi (photo by Mike Foley, '70) |
Elder Choi called to First Quorum of the Seventy:
The First Presidency announced the calling BYU–Hawaii alumnus Elder Yoon Hwan Choi ('88, Business Information Management) to the First Quorum of the Seventy during the April 2009 General Conference of the Church. Elder Choi, who lives in Seoul, South Korea, previously served as Area Authority Seventy there, and will continue in his calling as Second Counselor in the Asia North Area Presidency. After graduating from BYU–Hawaii and earning a master's from Utah State University, Elder Choi returned to Korea where he had a successful business career before going into full-time Church service. BYU–Hawaii and the Alumni Association honored Elder Choi as a 2008 "Genuine Gold" representative.
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Furuto (photo by Monique Saenz, '02) |
David Furuto brings Math Bowl 'home':
BYU–Hawaii mathematics professor and CCH alumnus Dr. David Furuto ('67, Math) never dreamed he would some day attend the university when he was growing up on the nearby north shore. In fact, he didn't even plan to go to college, and after he finally enrolled, he almost flunked math. By the time he graduated, however, his GRE [Graduate Record Examination] math scores "beat out people from Harvard, Stanford and MIT," and his career path was set.
After earning a PhD. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and teaching at several other universities, Furuto and his wife, Social Work professor Dr. Sharlene Maeda Furuto ('68), returned to their alma mater. Among his many contributions over the past 30-plus years of teaching, he helped bring the Hawaii State Math Bowl to campus and serves as vice president of its board of directors. Read more about Dr. David Furuto...
Oahu alumni serve on neighborhood boards:
A number of CCH/BYU–Hawaii alumni were recently elected, or re-elected, to serve on regional neighborhood boards which advise the City and County of Honolulu, including:
Koolauloa: Jimmy Leonardi (’94), Kahuku; John Elkington Jr. (’75, Business Management), Norman Kaluhiokalani (’69, Physical Education), Kela Miller and Les Steward (’73, Business Management), Laie; Richard Fale (’04, International Business Management) and Moana Kalua’u (’90, Travel Management), Hauula; and Waimanalo: Wilson Ho (’64) and Rosina Ho.
Alum named to 2009 "forty under 40":
Honolulu-based Pacific Business News has named David E. Evans ('00, EXS-Physical Education) — whose Evans Construction company was given Home Depot's number-one private contractor award in Hawaii for two years in a row — to its PBN 2009 Forty Under 40 list of outstanding business leaders under the age of 40.
Financial advisor Richie Norton ('04, International Business Management) wrote that his former neighbor "is a recognized industry leader and innovated an unprecedented business process that has empowered him and his employees to work on multiple projects at the same time with high success — building higher quality homes and lowering the costs. He is selfless and actively fulfilling his vision to serve and improve the community, create jobs and increase the quality of life in Hawaii."
"Literally thousands of people in the Koolauloa region have been blessed and influenced by his contributions," Norton continued. "David is a catalyst in building strong character and work ethic in his employees and individuals in the community. He is also able to balance his success and contributions to the community by involving his wife — Amy Combe Evans ('00, EXS) and five children (two of which are twins). Indeed, he lives a balanced life and all that he has accomplished at such a young age is commendable."
Kokua [help] with a survey, please:
The university and Alumni Office are requesting your help in taking a survey about redesigning our web site at:
https://apps.byuh.edu/drupal6/?q=alumni
Plan ahead for Maui, Tahiti reunions:
Now is the time to start planning ahead for the next two CCHer reunions:
Maui, Summer 2010: Chairperson Daphne Cummings-Sing ('61) has indicated the 2010 reunion on Maui is tentatively set for June 18-20 or July 16-18. More details are forthcoming.
Tahiti, Summer 2011: Chairs Hutia Tekurio Ka'anapu ('78) and her husband, Peter Ka'anapu Jr. ('78, Business Management) are in the process of putting together their committee and exploring the logistics of having an international reunion in French Polynesia.
Please update your alumni contact info:
Too often we hear from some alumni that they are not receiving the Alumni eNewsletter or other BYU–Hawaii communications. Please take the time to update your contact info by sending an email to the Alumni Office at:
Utah-Provo/Orem Chapter:
Co-chairs Christoph Malzl ('96) and Laura Sepulveda Malzl ('95) wrote to say that the "Aloha Run" previously planned for May has been postponed until August 29.
1955-60s
Ken Ching ('63) e-mailed: "I thoroughly enjoyed the latest edition of the BYU–Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter. Keep up the good work." Ken and his wife, Aileen Ching ('71, Elementary Education), living in Makakilo, Oahu.
Retired BYU–Hawaii sociology and anthropology professor Dr. Max Stanton ('63), who is also a Church College of Hawaii alum, recently e-mailed similar sentiments: "Mahalo nui for the e-Aloha newsletter. I read it through twice, and look forward to the next one. I got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye as I read through everything." Stanton and his wife, Marge Butler Stanton ('64) still own a home in Laie but spend part of their time on the U.S. mainland.
1990s
John Dorff ('90, Accounting) recently sold his Tokyo-based company, Global Access Advisory Partners, to TMF Group Holding Co. headquarter in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Dorff remains on the board as an equity partner and is TMF's director of the office in Tokyo, where he and his wife, Hiroko Watanabe Dorff ('00, Elementary Education) live.
Brandon Hunter ('97) and his wife, Megan Doxey Hunter ('97), who live in Saugus, California, recently a professional network for Latter-day Saints at www.ForSaleBYMormon.com that offers business profiles, classifieds and advertisements.
Chad Bevan ('99, Hospitality & Tourism Management) has been named Director of Event Management for the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa at the Casa Magna Cancun Resort in Mexico.
2000s
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(Left-right) McKinney, Ju and Ve'ehala in Beijing |
TESOL [Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages] professor and alum Dr. Mark James ('79, English-TESOL) recently shared information on three BYU–Hawaii alumnae who recently came together at Church in Beijing, China:
Wen-Shuai "Eric" Weng ('03, Accounting) and Shirley Sun Tsai ('03, Hospitality and Tourism Management) and their respective families were prominently featured in a recent online Church News article about their lives and work in Taiwan. Eric works for the Church finance department in Taipei as a senior accountant.
Rachael Aitu ('05, Art) wrote: "I recently moved on from BYU–Hawaii where I worked in the CITO/DOC department, and just got a human resources job at a health care group in Pennsylvania that I start in June. I'm so excited."
Masami Taura ('06) was recently named as Internal Auditor for Nippon Otis Elevator Corp. in Tokyo, Japan.
Masanori Kyotani ('07) emailed: "After I graduated from BYU–Hawaii two years ago, I interviewed with a company called NCH Corporation and began working in January 2008 for their Certified Laboratories division that sells industrial maintenance products, including oils, grease and cleaners. The training took place in Dallas, Texas, where my family and I were from March-August last year. Now I work in Osaka, Japan, where I grew up...so I'm following the BYU–Hawaii responsibility of return-ability."
Kalen Summers ('08, International Business Management) has been accepted into the graduate economics program at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY-Buffalo) where he will study financial economics and econometrics.
Kunakorn Kanakorn ('08, Biochemistry), who is originally from Thailand, is now serving as a missionary in the Micronesia Guam Mission.
Lanping Maddux ('08, International Business Management), who is from Houston, Texas, has been called to serve a mission in Australia.
Hyungoak "Ogi" Park ('08, Psychology) recently wrote to say that she has been working for the Church in South Korea and was recently called as the Young Single Adult president in her stake to help prepare a YSA conference for Koreans worldwide. "Even though I haven't found someone special yet, I feel happy and haven't give up on meeting him," she added.
Dr. Duane Roberts, recently retired BYU–Hawaii Director of Communications & Public Relations, told his Facebook friends that he and his wife, Susan Roberts, who volunteered in the university's EIL program, were preparing to serve as English language teacher volunteers through BYU Provo's Kennedy International Center at Jingtao University in Shanghai, China.
The following CCH/BYU–Hawaii alumni and/or staff members have recently died:
• David Kekuaokalani ('60) of Laie passed away on June 7 while staying with family members in Seattle, Washington. Kekuaokalani, one of the labor missionaries who helped build the BYU–Hawaii campus, retired from Pan American World Airways and then worked for the Polynesian Cultural Center maintenance department before retiring again. He is survived by his children: Kamaile Nihipali — a BYU–Hawaii IT employee, Kawai Tupou ('90), Sam Kekuaokalani ('98, Physical Education), Jelaire Fitzgerald ('97) and DJ Kekuaokalani ('01); sisters Sunday Mariteragi ('70, Physical Education) and Ellen Gay Dela Rosa ('75, Physical Education); grandchildren and others. The funeral will be held at Laie North Stake Center on June 16, and he will be buried in Laie Cemetery.
• Gerhardt Bolli, a recently returned-home volunteer who was on special assignment with BYU–Hawaii Student Development & Services, died May 22 in Utah. His family said Bolli, who had also served a full-time mission in Hawaii, told them serving at BYU–Hawaii, even for a short time, "was an answer to his prayers." Services were held in Ephraim, Utah, on May 26.
Editor's Note: The wonderful June 6, 2009 commencement ceremony was marked by inspirational wisdom, the beaming faces of the newest alumni, and the deep aloha of family and friends as they draped their grads with gifts and colorful leis. It was also fun to see among those family and friends quite a few alumni from years past, on campus to honor their children and — in some cases — grandchildren, who are now also BYU–Hawaii alumni. It was a proud and beautiful occasion, both now...and then, for many of us.
— Mike Foley ('70, TESL), Editor
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The BYU–Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter is published for the BYU–Hawaii/CCH Alumni Association by the University Relations office, under the direction of Dr. William G. Neal, Assistant to the President; Dr. Debbie Hippolite Wright, Vice President for Student Development and Affairs; Kimbrelyn Austin, Director of Career and Alumni Services; and Michael Johanson, Director of Communications & Public Relations.
Brigham Young University–Hawaii, which was known as the Church College of Hawaii from 1955-74, is a four-year comprehensive undergraduate institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Approximately 2,400 students from over 70 nations are currently enrolled.
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