The September-November 2007 BYU-Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter contains the following:
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As thousands of BYU-Hawaii students, faculty, PLC members, community residents, special guests, other university presidents, government and Church leaders watched November 6 in the Cannon Activities Center, President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, installed Dr. Steven C. Wheelwright as the ninth president of BYU-Hawaii.
As is usual on such occasions, the faculty and some of the special guests donned academic regalia and marched in procession to the CAC, including President Eyring; Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who is chairman of the Executive Committee of the Church Educational System (CES) Board of Trustees; Elder W. Rolfe Kerr, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and current CES Commissioner; the presidents of BYU in Provo, BYU-Idaho, LDS Business College, the University of Hawaii and Chaminade University of Honolulu; and Honolulu Mayor and Church member Mufi Hannemann. President Wheelwright's five children and 15 grandchildren also came from the mainland for the occasion.
As we have since learned, President Gordon B. Hinckley appointed President Wheelwright in March to succeed President Eric B. Shumway, who had been called along with his wife, Carolyn, to preside over the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple. President Hinckley publicly announced the appointment in early June, and immediately after commencement President Wheelwright took over from President Shumway, who retired from BYUH after 41 years of association with the university.
During the inauguration we learned President Eyring had been President Wheelwright's doctoral business studies professor at Stanford about 40 years ago, and the two obviously held each other in mutual respect.
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President Eyring |
President Eyring's charge
Following a protocol, President Eyring installed President Wheelwright on behalf of the First Presidency and the Board of Trustees, conferring on him "the authority, the prerogatives and the responsibilities associated with this high and sacred office." He also charged President Wheelwright "to lead the university to new heights of service, achievement and recognition as a unique institution. You follow and enhance a tradition of striving to achieve visions of great possibilities seen by prophets of God," he said, then asked for the newly installed president's response.
President Wheelwright's inaugural response
First, President Wheelwright noted that President Hinckley's call was "totally unexpected, but today I accept this most important undertaking, armed with a willingness to work and an abiding faith in the Savior and His divine guidance." He also expressed his appreciation for President Eyring, dating back to his student days at Stanford:
"I am sure that almost 40 years ago, when I was a struggling Ph.D. student working under the direction of the Professor Eyring, neither he nor I would ever have imagined that I might one day be in a position such as this. It is indeed a great privilege, on this very special occasion, for me to respond to President Eyring, whom I have long admired and from whom I have long sought to learn."
President Wheelwright said that since he and his wife, Margaret, came to BYU-Hawaii in June, they have been impressed with "first, BYU-Hawaii's past, that is, its heritage; and second, BYU-Hawaii's future, its inspired possibilities." He traced the history of the Church's growth in Hawaii and Laie, and noted that "faithful Saints diligently worked to follow the guidance of a loving Father in building His Kingdom" here.
"We on this campus reap the harvest of the early members of the Church here in Hawaii... These pioneers proceeded trustingly, unsure of the final result of their efforts, but confident that the Lord was at the helm. Their great legacy of faith and diligence has created a solid foundation on which we can and must continue to build."
"BYU-Hawaii's mission aims to focus this responsibility along two themes which we now pursue":
He quoted President Spencer W. Kimball, who said of BYU-Hawaii: The uniqueness of [this university] lies in its special role — education for eternity — which it must carry in addition to the usual task of a university. This means concern, curricular and behavioral, for not only the whole man, but for the eternal man.
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President Wheelwright |
"The young men and women who come to this campus are special," President Wheelwright continued. "Training them to become leaders in both the world's sense and the gospel's sense, will require all those who work and serve here to model the qualities that the Lord would have His children learn. Indeed, the faculty and staff must emulate the characteristics that we have been asked to develop in our students."
"We will strive to build the character and integrity of these outstanding students so that they can provide leadership in their homes, their communities, and in their professions, ultimately building the Kingdom in their homelands."
To begin to do this, President Wheelwright pointed out "some of the next steps we need to take are already coming into focus":
He also indicated he agrees with the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve, who said of BYU-Hawaii: The best lies ahead! There will be even wider radiating effects which pulsate outward from this place as the Lord makes His facilitating moves on the checkerboard of the nations... [Indeed], tens of thousands in the world who will never set foot on this campus will be blessed and served by the thousands who have been blessed to be here.
"I believe the best does lie ahead," President Wheelwright said. "President Eyring, I am pleased to state today in the presence of so many who love this great university, that I will do all that I can to strengthen and enhance this university so that it can indeed accomplish all that a loving Father has in store for His sons and daughters as they come here for both their spiritual and academic development. And I pledge to do so in a manner consistent with His teachings and His truths. I know that with His help we can become the type of institution that so many of His inspired leaders have envisioned."
President Eyring's remarks
President Eyring, a former president of Rick's College (now BYU-Idaho) and also a CES commissioner, then told President Wheelwright of their student-professor days at Stanford, "I wish I could have seen as clearly then as I do now that students, teachers and presidents are best seen as members of an ideal family."
Drawing on his own family, President Eyring recalled that his father set high standards for him in principle and practice, even predicting he would be a university president some day, and always treating him "not as I was but as he foresaw I could be." His older brother also set "a perfect example of industry and competence, and then he treated me as if I could do things which seemed to me impossible — if I would only try."
Again referring to Stanford, he said, "If you had watched the four of us working together you might have wondered who the teachers were and who the students were. The teachers were a little older, but not much. The teachers were no smarter, but a little more experienced. You would have seen that Steve [President Wheelwright] worked the longest hours, did the best work and did it with a perpetual happy smile. I never felt a moment of competition among us."
President Eyring also praised former President Shumway's service, comparing the overhauling of the curriculum done during his tenure to an accomplishment that could only have been completed in a "close-to-an-ideal university family."
"I have to be careful not to overidealize what we have here," President Eyring continued, noting that "President Wheelwright will not and cannot be another President Shumway"; but he will "help lift the university to the heights the Lord has in store for it. He was prepared for that contribution I know he will make, and the faculty was prepared to join him in taking that next step in the rise of this university."
"I can see only the dim outlines of what that rise will be, and yet the metaphor of an ideal family points the way," President Eyring said. "Success will be realized as young people gain greater power to make the world better for others. Success won't be in accolades for the president or the teachers. It won't be in recognition for the university. It won't be in new and better buildings or equipment. It won't be more efficiency, although efficiency will be one cause of the success and a by-product. Success will be an increase of the power of students to improve families, communities and the world."
Citing President David O. McKay's vision for influencing peace internationally, President Eyring traced the source of that influence to the power of the Atonement to change hearts. "That is the way people can feel peace themselves; and that is the way they will gain the power to influence others to choose the path to peace."
"President Wheelwright will receive the answers to his prayers to know how the Lord would lift students at this university even higher," he continued. "He will succeed to the extent that the teachers and all who serve here receive the same vision of what should be accomplished and how to get there. And on this campus — where there is a practical belief that God answers prayers, that He cares deeply about the students who study here, and that we are all brothers and sisters, His children — prayers will be answered and we will go forward united."
Earlier in the program...
Earlier in the program, Elder Nelson, who conducted the inauguration ceremony, told of just returning from the South Pacific where, among other assignments, he rededicated the Tonga Temple. "We met many parents who asked us to say hello to their student sons and daughters here. They're very proud of you, and so are we," he said.
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"This is a great day in the history of this university," remarked CES Commissioner Elder Kerr, who explained the worldwide Church Educational System serves more than a million students in three universities, a business college, the Seminary and Institute programs, elementary and secondary schools in Mexico and the Pacific islands, and in an extensive continuing education program. Elder Kerr also praised the Shumways, as did President Eyring earlier, "who served so well and so long at this university and also those who preceded the Shumways in the great responsibility of presiding over this university. Each has contributed to the building of the university and to the preparation for this particular time of transition."
"I believe that timely transitions are good for institutions and for people, notwithstanding the tradition and quality of this university, the strength of its faculty and programs, the dedication of its staff, the goodness and diversity of its students and the greatness of leadership of those who have gone before," he continued. "I am convinced this is a timely transition. The university will become stronger. It will become more widely known. The students will be better served, and they will be better prepared to contribute more ably to their families, to the Church, and to their occupations and the communities where they will live in the future.
"This transition is timely because it provides an opportunity to assess institutional strengths and limitations, and to strengthen operational efficiency and effectiveness; but most importantly, this is a timely transition to ensure the spiritual development and testimony of every student who attends this institution."
"President Steven C. Wheelwright is a master teacher and an extraordinary leader," Elder Kerr said. "He is prepared to lead you through this time of transition. This is the time to renew the vision of the university. The president is the focal point in the shared vision of the future."
Representatives of the faculty, alumni and students also officially welcomed the newly installed BYU-Hawaii president. For example, Dr. Mark James ('79, TESOL), chair of the Faculty Advisory Council, said, "We wish to officially welcome you as our helmsman. We pray as a faculty, with all of our hearts, that God will grant unto you the wisdom of Solomon, for surely in the weeks and months ahead there will come before you many mothers and many difficult decisions." He also pledged the faculty's dedication, "and we wish you Godspeed as you seek to learn the mind and will of the Lord regarding this, His campus."
Arapata Meha ('83, Music), Dean of Admissions and Alumni Association president, reminded President Wheelwright that "more than 60,000 individuals throughout the world have enjoyed the privilege and blessing of attending this unique and special institution of higher learning. Since its humble beginnings, students, faculty and staff have been led to Laie, heeding the promptings of the Spirit. The original buildings on this campus were erected by the hearts and hands of labor missionaries who responded to the inspired building program across the Pacific islands."
"The Alumni Association wants you to know, President Wheelwright, that you can count on all the alumni to give our full support as you lead this institution we dearly love," he added. "I therefore call on our alumni from the past 50 years to step forward and continue to contribute as you have done in the past, making it possible for future generations of students to experience the education that is BYU-Hawaii."
Mayor Hannemann said he is "very grateful for educational institutions such as BYU-Hawaii...and the Church which continues to stress the importance of its members' education, not only in spiritual matters, but obviously in temporal matters." He added that part of what makes Honolulu "a great city is having academic institutions that produce great students who go on to serve their respective communities here in Hawaii, throughout the Pacific-Asian Basin and throughout the world."
The BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir and several other musicians provided music for the inauguration, and BYU-Hawaii Army ROTC students posted and retrieved the U.S. and Hawaii State flags. After the ceremony, Hawaii State Governor Linda Lingle attended the inaugural luncheon.
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PLC convenes on campus; BYUH, PCC break ground for Iosepa's new home; and the second annual International Business Conference meets, too
Three other major events took place on campus the same week as President Wheelwright's inauguration:
If you're not sure what the PLC is, or want to know about their meeting, read more here...
We're so grateful for the generosity and work of the PLC members on behalf of BYUH and the Cultural Center. And, of course, it was fun at the meeting to run into some PLC members and LDS Philanthropies staff who are also Seasider alumni. For example, Rosita "Sita" Ah Ching Jasper ('74, TESOL), who has just been named as a 2008 Genuine Gold representative; former CCH student body president Earl Cropper ('69, Business Management) and his wife, Anna Faaumu Cropper ('69, Child Development & Family Relations); Hinanui Cave Hunkin ('71) of Las Vegas, whose daughter, Temanuata "Tema" Hunkin ('98, English) — also of Las Vegas — is a Donor Liaison Hawaii for LDS Philanthropies. Other LDSP staff alumni at the meeting included Lei Kalama Cummings ('86, Information Systems), BYUH-based Donor Liaison Hawaii; Jannifer Lesuma ('04, Pacific Island Studies), Staff Assistant at BYUH; and Rose Freytag ('88, Human Resource Development), Staff Assistant in Provo.
President Wheelwright hosts monthly Q&A meetings:
Once a month, BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright meets with anyone who has a question, or who has submitted a question by email about the university that they would like answered. He rotates the meetings from early morning, mid-day and afternoons to provide more opportunities for those who are in class or working. His latest session tended to focus on new distance-learning initiatives, upcoming organizational streamlining and a possible trimester system. Read more...
Annual Asia-Pacific basketball tournament shows BYUH strengths:
The annual AMG Asia-Pacific pre-season invitational basketball tournament clearly showed that the men's team is going to be very strong this year. This year the tournament — featuring teams from China, Fiji, American Samoa and Hawaii — also included women. Read more about it...
First international French Music Conference will meet at BYUH:
Scholars from around the world studying French music will meet at BYU-Hawaii from November 15-21 for a conference that includes 13 live performances and 10 lecture/recitals by masters of the genre. Read on...
Mentored project in Brazil goes beyond an internship:
While the number of international students going on internships has increased dramatically, a smaller number are participating with faculty members on mentored projects abroad . . . such as the one last summer with five students and three faculty members in Brazil. They helped create a series of instructional videotaped mental health case studies. Read of their achievements...
Other recent BYU-Hawaii sports highlights:
Seasider athletes have been busy this semester, winning several championships. Some of their most recently accomplishments include:
2008 'Genuine Gold' Alumni named
The Alumni Association Board of Directors and the BYU-Hawaii President's Council have recently named the following representatives of President David O. McKay's description of CCH/BYU-Hawaii alumni as "Genuine Gold" for 2008:
Alumni Association Executive Director Rowena Reid ('76, Social Work) notes the 2008 Genuine Gold representatives "will be officially honored and recognized on campus during Homecoming week in February. They will be introduced to the student body and take part in a special presentation on February 14, followed by a special luncheon. In addition, their respective BYU-Hawaii schools and departments are also expected to honor their Genuine Gold majors." She added that more information on the latest Genuine Gold representatives will eventually also be placed in the Aloha Center display and online.
Alumni deliver campus devotional, other addresses:
A number of BYU-Hawaii alumni have recently shared their insights during traditional Thursday morning devotionals and other on-campus presentations, including:
IAAP names alumna 'exec of the year,' Piena promoted:
The Laie-based Mahalo No Ka Hana chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) named BYU-Hawaii Vice President of University Advancement V. Napua Kalama Baker ('59) its "executive of the year" on October 17. Read more...
And Lupe Funaki Piena, MPA, JD ('94, English) was recently named acting director of International Student Services, succeeding Charles W.H. Goo. Follow this link for more info on Piena...
Alumni women face off with the volleyball team:
Some of our alumni who played for the BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team showed they still have game in the annual alumni-varsity game in September. Read how they did...
Check out the Southern U.S. chapters' regional newsletter:
Southern U.S. chapters regional Alumni directors Dave and Sue Settle have put together a very nice newsletter for their area, from which we excerpted the Bakersfield report and picture below. Read it here...
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Alaska Chapter members at their recent recruitment fireside |
Alaska Chapter:
Valoula Scanlan Suapaia ('91, English) reports the Alaska Chapter helped host a recruiting fireside with Assistant Dean of Admissions Mike Sudlow on September 16: "We had a good turnout of 150-plus people — parents, students, and others interested in learning more about BYU-Hawaii. Our ward choir sang two numbers and Mike did a great job to engage everyone with his excellent communication skills and leadership style throughout his presentation. There were many positive remarks about BYUH and people expressed interest. Many parents were encouraged to know that their students can have a chance to apply for admission to BYUH if they meet the requirements."
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The Bakersfield, California park activity |
Bakersfield, California Chapter:
Laura Allred ('01, Social Work) reports: "Tyler Ellinger ('04, Accounting) recently moved to Utah and Kristi Cook Aunai ('97, Elementary Education) and I have committed to being co-chairs. We are excited about the future of this chapter. There are so many alumni here who share our love or BYU-Hawaii. We look forward to getting this chapter off the ground, and feel we are on our way.
We have had two activities over the past several months. First was our new student send-off fireside. We actually were invited by BYU in Provo alumni to a joint fireside inviting all new students to come and meet with past students. For BYUH we had one new student come, one existing student and I represented the former students. It was fun to talk to these 'kids' and to see them get so excited about Hawaii. We shared experiences and it was nice to answer any questions they had about the university. We exchanged email and phone numbers and have opened that line of communication for when they return. For our second activity we hosted Paradise in the Park. We had a BBQ/potluck at the park and invited all alumni. We didn't have a huge turnout, but the people who came had a great time and were well fed. We talked a lot about future activities and asked a few to join our committee. We hope to be organizing our committee very soon. We are excited to be doing this. This connection to the university we share is powerful."
Guam Chapter:
Fredivic Nicerio ('94, International Business Management) reports: "We recently had a very successful fireside with Michael Sudlow and Brother Hiagi Wesley ('70). Brother Wesley was a Guam District President in the early 1990s when he was on the faculty at the University of Guam. A total of 97 members and several former BYUH students as well attended the fireside which was aimed in attracting potential students from Guam and Micronesia. The two BYUH representatives also toured Saipan and Palau and participated in the Annual CES Conference which was held at the Guam Hilton Resort and SPA as conducted by Pita Hopoate ('74, Elementary Education), CES Country for Guam and Micronesia.
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The Tuilevukas |
Southern Nevada Chapter:
The Nevada Chapter has new leaders: Colin Tuilevuka ('01, Political Science) and his wife, Charlotte Tupaea Tuilevuka ('03, Biochemistry). The couple, their one daughter and three boys, live in Henderson (near Las Vegas). She works for US Airways, and he works for Fire Pro.
Washington DC Chapter:
The Washington DC Chapter participated in the Pacific Fun Day activity on September 8, which they reported "was great and the excess amounts of food were
'ono! Thanks to all those who attended the Officer's meeting too.
Because it is Fall we wanted to get an outing together to attend a
Kahuku football game, but we couldn't find a day that fit everyone's
flight schedules. So we decided to have our own football game on Oct. 13.
Additionally, back by popular demand, we had an alumni temple
session on Nov. 3, followed by a potluck. Last year's alumni temple session was one of the best activities of the
year."
"A big mahalo to everyone who helped with the summer's luaus and dance
performances. We are still being approached by individuals and wards
who would like us to perform at their events. This is great in that it
is the main and virtually only source of income for our scholarship
fund. The other source of scholarship income is the annual membership
dues of $30 ($15 for current students). Contact Stephanie Guillen for more information on how to pay the dues or
donate directly to the scholarship fund."
1950s & 60s
Alice Steed Newberry ('62) wrote, "I now live outside of Portland, Oregon, and have retired from teaching but am working in a business partnership. I have four grown kids and eight grandchildren. I am married to an architect, Mark Newberry. I loved CCH and talked about it so much that three of my kids went there also. I loved the music and the dancing. Joanie Wilson, are you out there? Clipper Watene is still a good friend. She and her husband are on their second mission now in European Russia. Where are all the New Zealand labor missionaries? I think Percy Te Hira is still there [he is retired and lives in Laie]. Where is Tom Murray? Keep in touch."
Ani Clipper Watene Maxfield ('62) responded, "Yes, I am alive and well. I am enjoying my mission with husband Phillip in Rostov, Russia. After graduating from BYU (too many years ago), we settled in Spanaway, Washington, to raise five amazing children. That last sentence would go in more than one book! Nephi Georgi had to be a 'seer,' for he wrote in my first CCH yearbook these unforgettable words: It is man's privilege to surround himself, or be surrounded, by friends. That has truly been my lot, dear friends of my happy days at CCH. As we say in Kiwi Land, kia kaha!"
Geraldine Gahan Koga ('62), who now lives in Canal Winchester, Ohio, writes: "I was in Dorm 1 and my sister, Billie Gahan Hutchinson ('69, Elementary Education). We were the first group that danced at the PCC. We hung around Ned Aikau, Janice Takaki, Inoa Goo and Carol Paik. My husband, Donald Koga, who is from Hanalei, Kauai, attended CCH from 1967-68. He's working for a computer company now, and we have a retirement home in Queen Creek, Arizona."
The community of Kaneohe and Windward Community College recognized D. Alan Barcarse ('64, English) for his years of service to the town and hula on Saturday, September 22. He was also recognized for his Hawaiian cultural work at the World Hula Festival on November 10 at the Waikiki Shell. "He's now confined to a wheelchair," writes Gary Wong, "but his mind and sense of humor are as sparkly as ever; and he's written a new composition that's a real tear-jerker."
Irene Holmes Tukuafu ('64) and her husband, Tomasi Tukuafu ('67, Biological Sciences) now live in Nauvoo, Illinois. She wrote: "Yes, that's where we are living now and we'll be building a home on some land that has been given to us on the Mississippi about two miles out the town limits. I married this wonderful man in July 1964. We just borrowed a car and went to the Temple and got married. I was still hemming up my wedding dress and didn't get there in time for the cute Japanese photographer...so no wedding pictures (boo hoo). No one told me that you could take pictures in a week or so after the wedding. None of our family came...I guess they figured it wouldn't last. ha. we fooled 'em all. Tomasi and I were both converts and so we had no party or celebration and we didn't expect one. Now, 43 years later, and 14 grown children and 42 grandchildren... We celebrate every day for our happiness. We're still very grateful that we met at CCH. I only attended there one year, 1963-64, my senior year, but I had no intention to get a paper degree. I only wanted to have my MRS. degree and marry an intelligent man. I got my prize. Tomasi and I work in the Nauvoo Temple two days a week and TOTALLY love it. He's writing a book about William Mariner and I make harps, psalteries and dulcimers. I didn't start doing this until we had all our children. I was 48 when I started taking up the harp."
Pualani Merriellen Howell Graham writes: "I was at CCH from '62-65, and I joined the Church in '64. From '65-67 I served a mission in Mexico. Two years ago my husband and I returned from Central America where he was the medical advisor to the 12 missions in those seven countries. Yes, it was great to serve the Lord full time. Former P.E. professor Boyd Jarman works in the temple with me and said to send his aloha to everyone. He is doing well. I also saw Brother Craig Mayfield in the temple a while ago. He is looking well."
1970s
Can't stop writing: For those of you who want online news of Laie (as well as Hauula and Kahuku), Mike Foley ('70, TESL) has recently published an online version of Kaleo: Koolauloa News at http://kaleo.info. Mike previously edited a similar community newspaper, Kaleo o Koolauloa, sponsored by Hawaii Reserves, Inc, that had the same URL. HRI has allowed the new Kaleo to link to all of their online back issues. By the way, the new Kaleo is sponsored by a hui of people with strong ties to Laie: Moa Mahe ('88) who along with his wife, Riana Kaka Mahe ('06, EXS) are members of the PLC; Aaron Campbell ('93), his brother Eldon Campbell of Laie, and Al Gardner — co-chair of the PLC. The four are partners in a venture to develop affordable housing just Laie-side of Kahuku, on the mauka side of Kamehameha Highway. Also, Christian P. Wilson ('84, Business Management), a member of the Alumni Board, has done much of the back-shop work and search engine optimization (SEO) on the site.
David Seymon ('73), who now lives in Pleasanton, California, wrote: "I am considered totally disabled, yet I attended this wonderful institution, was baptized in the ocean in '72, and met many people from many lands I had only read about in National Geographic Magazine. This venture helped me grow. Now I have been married almost 26 years, have written and published my first book, Reflections of Gratitude — not a best-seller yet, but I am patient. Though brain trauma was a setback, meeting the right woman has placed on the correct path. Love is good! I would enjoy any of my schoolmates dropping me a line (or two)."
1980s
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Delbert Kim ('83, Travel, Hotel and Restaurant Management) and his wife, Claire Septon Kim ('82, Secretarial Science) and their business, Xtreme Fun Rentals, were featured as the July 4 Midweek cover story. Del wrote: "We have lived in Wahiawa since graduating from BYU-Hawaii. We operate our own little party and event company. Our children are all out of the house: Janzell Kim Tutor ('04, Hospitality & Tourism Management) is married to Ben Tutor ('04, Information Systems) and they reside in Salt Lake City, Utah; Randell is married to Kylee Hull and they are current BYUH students; and our youngest, Jamie, is a sophomore at BYU in Provo. Randell and Kylee were both part of the BYUH choir that toured China and Mongolia this past May. We love BYU-Hawaii and enjoy seeing our former classmates at different events around the islands."
Jarrin Akana ('89) was recently named assistant coach for player development of the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. Akana played one year for the BYUH Seasiders before serving a mission in Chile. Upon returning, he played Division I basketball and graduated from UH with a degree in communications. He also served as an assistant coach at UH and then back at BYUH from '97-'00, after which he got involved in professional basketball: Akana spent a year with the Dallas Mavericks as assistant director of player development, then six seasons with the Denver Nuggets in a similar position and as a scout. He has also been active in helping coach the Chinese National Team and working with Pete Newell's Big Man's Camp. Jarrin's wife, Karla Ribeiro Akana ('01, Hospitality and Tourism Management) is a former standout player for the BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team who played professional volleyball in Brazil before coming to Laie.
1990s
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Nicholes (right), his wife Joyce and family |
J. Aaron Nicholes ('93, Business Management) writes that after graduating from BYU-Hawaii, "I went to Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management in Salem, Oregon. Technically I received a Master of Management degree, which combines and MPA with an MBA, but just about nobody outside academic circles knows (or cares about) what that is, so I just say MBA for short! Most of the Atkinson school's graduates go on to public careers in government, and I explored that for a while, but really preferred straight business. We lived in Oregon and Chicago from 1993-2000, working for various behemoth-size publicly-held companies. I didn't really enjoy that much! Then, in 2000, my brother-in-law, who had served in the Air Force as a dermatologist, asked me if I wanted to manage his new private practice in Post Falls, north Idaho. It was the right move for our family, and we have been here ever since. I'm about as far away from using the international aspects of my education as I can get, but we are in the right place and are very happy. I was called last February as stake president here after four years as bishop, so I think we will be here a while!"
Daniel Schubert ('93, Hotel and Restaurant Management), and his wife, Cheryl Blair-Schubert ('92, Biology) who is originally from Tucson, Arizona, and their daughter now live in Anger, Germany. Gary Wong, who met them in Church on Kauai, reported they recently started a travel business, so they often check out other places, with Hawaii as one of their favorite destinations. "In sharing his testimony, he had some difficulty fighting back the tears as he expressed his love for Hawaii and especially BYUH," Wong said.
2000s
Federica Tonon ('06, Interdisciplinary Studies) recently emailed the School of Business that she has been busy as a professional volleyball player, and recently won a tournament in Saipan where she met several BYU-Hawaii friends. "Since I've been back in Italy I've had a lot of bad luck: My partner was injured with a broken finger. I had to change partners every tournament for three-fourths of the season, and then we were both injured; but I still won the individual rank in the national master tournament, and also got the bronze medal at the national finals, losing only one game in the entire tournament. Of course, I miss the BYU-Hawaii environment, but for now I'm staying in Italy. It's hard to live in Hawaii if you don't have a good job, but I'm planning to visit in February or March. Ciao."
• Kenneth Slack, 87, the original librarian when Church College of Hawaii opened in 1955, passed away on October 31 in Lakeside, Arizona. Later he worked as a librarian at Arizona State University in Tempe, the University of Utah and Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. His wife, Dorothea, preceded him in death. Slack is survived by their six children, 39 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He returned to Hawaii a number of times over the years, most recently to celebration the Golden Jubilee in 2005.
• Kimball Young ('62) passed away on September 30 while getting ready to go to Church, according to his wife, Millie. Young, who retired from the Navy after 20 years, was one of CCH's oldest students when he first registered in 1957, and then soon became the student Bookstore manager. His friend and schoolmate, Ishmael Stagner II recalled after Young graduated he became a substitute teacher for the Hawaii Department of Education "and remained one clear into his 80s. He and his wife were childless and were married for over 60 years. We were in the same ward, Kaneohe 2nd, for the past five years and he was my Gospel Doctrine class, contributing away like made. He was was our High Priest's group secretary, and often he and I would team up in the local schools to talk about the Dec. 7, 1941, attack, when he was a sailor at Pearl Harbor and I was ducking bullets in our burning house on Pearl City Peninsula."
• Dorothy "Dottie" Leilani Behling Hemaloto ('59), a former instructor at BYU-Hawaii and a Family History missionary in Salt Lake City, Utah, died October 20 of lung cancer. Born in Honolulu, Dottie's family moved to Los Angeles for 15 years before her parents, Earl and Hilda Behling, were called back to Laie as labor missionaries. Dottie graduated from Kahuku High and CCH, before going on to Provo. After graduating from BYU, she served a mission in Florida, and then returned to BYU in Provo to earn a master's in speech and drama. She also worked at the BYU Motion Picture Studio. She devoted much of her later life to conducting Polynesian genealogical research, and was responsible for extracting thousands of names. She married her classmate, Viliami Hemaloto ('65, Math/Science Teaching) in January of this year and was serving her third family history mission when she passed away.
Editor's Note: An amazing confluence of special events descended on BYU-Hawaii during the first week in November, which is one of the reasons we held off the publication of this newsletter a little: Thousands filled the CAC on Nov. 6th to experience Elder Henry B. Eyring, new Second Counselor in the First Presidency, inaugurate Dr. Steven C. Wheelwright as the ninth president of the university; then that afternoon a much smaller group of BYUH and PCC officials, Presidents' Leadership Council members, Hawaiian kupuna and community members gathered in the Cultural Center's Hawaiian village to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new halau wa'a [learning compound] that will permanently house BYUH's sailing canoe Iosepa; and the remainder of the week on campus included the second annual International Business Conference. In a single inadequate word, it was all awesome. We hope the articles above do even just a little justice to the events . . . and help you feel in touch with our beloved CCH/BYU-Hawaii. ALOHA,
— Mike Foley ('70, TESL), Editor
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The BYU-Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter is published by the University Advancement office, under the direction of Napua Baker ['59-61 and '70-72], Vice President; Dr. Duane Roberts, Director of Communications & Public Relations; and Rowena Reid ['76, Social Work], Alumni Relations Executive Director. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a four-year comprehensive undergraduate institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 2,400 students from over 70 nations are currently enrolled.
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