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Learning the Business of Finance PAGE 6
Bridges to the Future
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SUMMER 2019
Chaminade Quarterly A Lab on a Mission
PR E S IDEN T ’S LET T ER
Aloha friends, One of the most incredible things about the Chaminade ‘ohana is the breadth of expertise and knowledge that surrounds our community. Our faculty members make incredible strides in research and meaningful advancements in their fields—and our students uncover hidden passions and worldclass opportunities in partnership with them. Take Dr. Claire Wright, associate professor of biology, for example. As you will read in our feature story, Dr. Wright is fostering a love of research in the next generation and opening up invaluable doors for students while dramatically improving our understanding of premature births in Hawai‘i. The creativity and inspiration of our faculty carries over to our students, as was evident at our Na Liko Na‘auao conference this spring—students from all academic disciplines showcased their work, which included many interdisciplinary research projects. And because of our Marianist Catholic faith, our students learn to become well-rounded, responsible citizens who develop strong values for giving back and building community. I feel blessed each and every day to work alongside a faculty, staff and student body with such passion and talent. May this new school year bring even more exploration, innovation and creativity.
Mahalo and God bless,
Lynn M. Babington, Ph.D. President
PRESIDENT
Lynn M. Babington, Ph.D. P R OVO S T
Lance Askildson, Ph.D.
Board of Regents C H A N C E L LO R
CHAIR
Rev. Oscar Vasquez, S.M. FIRST VICE CHAIR
Shelley J. Wilson
John D. Field, Jr., M.B.A. ‘84
S E CO N D V I C E C H A I R
S E C R E TA RY
Roy J. Panzarella, Ph.D.
Violeta A. Arnobit Carolyn Berry Wilson Lesley J. Brey, M.B.A. ’88 Bro. William J. Campbell, S.M., Ed.D. Melissa Ching Benjamin Daniel L. Colin Jerry J. Correa, Jr. Keiki-Pua S. Dancil, Ph.D. Ismael Eustaquio ’88 Lori Forman, Ph.D. Daniel D. Goo ’81 Rodney Harano, M.B.A. ’83 Karen Knudsen Bro. Joseph Markel, S.M. Ralph Mesick Bennette E. Misalucha Lance A. Mizumoto, M.B.A. ’92 Bro. Ronald Overman, S.M. Michael M. Rockers, Ed.D.
Ruth Ann Becker
Jean Rolles, M.S.J.B.S. ’93 Martha B. Smith, M.B.A. ’91 Laurie K.S. Tom, M.D. Dr. Lawrence K.W. Tseu, DDS, FAGD Bro. Edward A. Violett, S.M., Ph.D. Richard F. Wacker Terrence L. Walsh, Jr. ’93 Jeannine M. Wiercinski Hon. Patrick K.S.L. Yim, L.L.B.
EMERITUS REGENTS
Gary E. Liebl, Chair Emeritus
S E CO N D V I C E C H A I R
Sharon McPhee
Arnold M. Baptiste, Jr. Richard J. Blangiardi John C. Brogan Margery S. Bronster, Esq. Sai Cheong Chui ’76, M.B.A. ’78 Walter A. Dods, Jr. Adelia C. Dung Eddie Flores, Jr. William H. Garrett Col. Christine M. Gayagas, USA (Ret.) Robert S. Harrison Warren H. Haruki Ed Hogan Gary G. Hogan Lynn Hogan Matthew D. Howard ’89 Bro. Robert Juenemann, S.M. Richard C. Lim, M.B.A. ’78 Dawn O. MacNaughton, M.B.A. ’93
4 Premature Birth Rates At All-Time High
6 Students Learn the Business of Finance
7 Student Leaders Recognized at Co-Curricular Awards
8 Undergraduates Showcase Their Research at Na Liko
9 Mahalo Scholarship Luncheon and Athletics Gala
Dr. Claire Wright and her team of researchers seek answers
10 Chaminade Celebrates Spring Commencement 2019
CHAIR
Michael F. Kerr, J.D. Anton Krucky
Table of Contents
EX OFFICIO
Lynn M. Babington, Ph.D. Michael F. Kerr, J.D. Bro. Jesse O’Neill, S.M. Eva Washburn-Repollo Rev. Oscar Vasquez, S.M.
Board of Governors
VICE CHAIR
S U M M E R 2019
12 Bridges to the Future Campaign S E C R E TA RY
Blaine Rand Y. Lesnik, Psy.D.
Joseph Melehan RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P.M., USPHS (Ret.) Donald D. Rodrigues Walter Randall Schoch Marti S.N. Steele ’92 Richard E. Tanaka David Underriner James J. Viso Gulab Watumull Julie T. Watumull Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, USA (Ret.) Jim R. Yates Adm. R.J. Zlatoper, M.S.A., USN (Ret.)
13 Honolulu to London
A student’s study away story
14 Alumni Class Notes 17 Cardinal Peter Turkson Visits Campus 18 Notables
EX OFFICIO
Lynn M. Babington, Ph.D. John D. Field, Jr., M.B.A. ‘84 Diane Peters-Nguyen
Chaminade Quarterly Chaminade Quarterly is produced by: University Communications and Marketing 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816-1578 ucm@chaminade.edu Chaminade Quarterly is published by Chaminade University of Honolulu. ©2019 All rights reserved.
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LAB ON A MISSION BY MARY VORSINO
In 2008, the March of Dimes gave Hawai‘i a “D” on its annual premature births report card. ONLY A HANDFUL OF STATES PERFORMED WORSE.
Among the alarming figures highlighted: the rate of premature births in the islands—10.4 percent—has actually increased in recent years. And the populations that see the greatest health disparities are at even higher risk for pre-term births. Premature birth rates among Asians and Pacific Islanders, for example, were a startling 41 percent higher than those for whites. It’s statistics like those that motivate Dr. Claire Wright and her team. Her lab at Chaminade University is studying one of the key causes of preterm births—problems with the placental membranes—and they’re garnering attention (and funding) for their work. Wright says despite the significant strides made to help premature babies survive, science still doesn’t fully understand the physiological causes of early births. But studying why pre-term births happen, she says, could shed light on how to prevent them. And that, in turn, could have more widescale public health implications. “What most people don’t realize is even if you’re born late pre-term there are implications
even into adulthood,” she said, during a recent interview in her laboratory. “You’re predisposed to cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disease and Type II diabetes. So when we’re thinking about this as a health disparity and a social injustice, that’s a really important thing. It’s impacting people all the way into their adult life and impacting their quality of life.” Wright started at Chaminade in 2011, after completing her graduate studies in her native United Kingdom and post-doctoral fellowships at Imperial College London and the University of Hawai‘i. Her doctoral work was focused on seniors and Alzheimer’s Disease, but her research interests have since refocused on the other end of the age spectrum: childbirth.
A lab on a mission
Wright, an associate professor of biology at Chaminade, launched and leads the university’s Laboratory of the Placental Membranes' Integrity. The lab’s mission is twofold: to understand the mechanisms that control the strength of the placental membranes during pregnancy, and to use that newfound knowledge to improve women’s healthcare and
neonatal outcomes. She has a diverse team of researchers helping her pursue those goals. Among them are a post-doctoral fellow, a graduate student studying development and reproductive biology at the University of Hawai‘i, and a biochemistry undergraduate student at Chaminade. And her work also recently received a major funding boost. In summer 2018, Wright received a highly competitive National Institutes of Health grant to further her lab’s work. The three-year, $438,000 award is aimed at funding scientific projects to better understand exactly how the placental membranes work in the body—even in the cases of regular, fullterm pregnancies. The placental membranes surround the fetus during pregnancy. And in normal pregnancies, they naturally fail after nine months, leading to what’s commonly referred to as a woman’s “water breaking.” Wright said studying how the tissue operates normally is a vital first step. “If we don’t understand how this tissue weakens normally then it’s really hard for us to compare it to a premature situation,” she said.
LA B ON A MI SS I ON
might mimic the processes at work when the placental membranes weaken—early or not. As part of the research, Padron, whose background is in molecular biology, and the other members of the lab use a highly specialized machine that “stretches” cells (much as they might be stretched by inflammation in the body) to see how mechanisms in the cells are affected. The newest member of the lab is Dr. Chelsea Saito Reis, a postdoctoral researcher who completed her undergraduate degree at Chaminade and then went on to get her doctoral degree at the University of New Mexico. Reis, who started at the lab in January, said research into the placental membranes is nascent, and there’s still much more work to be done. “For something that’s such a normal process, there is still a lot that is unknown.”
An opportunity to shine
“How do we study it when it goes wrong if we don’t even know the normal process?”
The lab at work
For most sophomores, time spent in the lab is for a grade and not in the pursuit of a scientific research project. But Nainoa Norman Ing isn’t most sophomores. The Chaminade University undergraduate spent the summer of his freshman year tackling work at a research lab at Vanderbilt University, and when he returned was intent on further honing his skills. He found that challenge in Wright’s lab, where he’s studying how the placental membranes respond to stressors. The biochemistry major is interested in how the immune system might play a role in how the tissue behaves, triggering inflammation that could weaken it. On a recent day at the lab, he struggled to explain his research to a non-scientist. “It’s called the ‘mom test,’” Wright laughed. “How would you describe this to your mom?” Researcher Justin Padron wasn’t doing much better. He’s working in the lab as part of his graduate studies at the University of Hawai‘i, and is also pursuing experiments that
Wright, who has been studying premature births for 15 years, is highly regarded in reproductive studies and has published extensively in scientific journals. Every year, she heads to the Society of Reproductive Investigation conference, and this March she attended along with the three other members of her lab—two of whom also presented at the event. The conference, held in Paris, France, offered a unique venue to learn and develop as a team. For Norman Ing and Padron, it was a chance to hear from some of the foremost experts studying childbirth. And for Saito Reis, who previously hadn’t focused on reproductive biology research, it was an opportunity to get caught up on the cutting-edge research in the field. Norman Ing was also the only undergraduate student to present at the conference. He joked that he learned more at the weeklong event than during an entire semester. “I mean, they have years and years of experience and knowledge behind them,” the undergraduate said. “It’s a little eye-opening. You can hear in the way that they talk that they’ve thought about the subject a lot. There’s a huge amount of time behind what they say. So even if they just ask a simple question, it has deeper meaning.” The conference was also a chance for the team to bond and enjoy the sights of Paris. The
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Louvre. The Moulin Rouge. The Eiffel Tower. They visited them all. Saito Reis especially delighted in seeing the Mona Lisa. “It’s smaller in person,” she realized. While the group was there, they also saw the Yellow Vest demonstrations that have garnered headlines worldwide, and described them as something out of a movie. It was the architecture and history of Paris, though, that really spoke to Norman Ing. “Paris is a city of inspiration,” he said. “Staying in such a place has reminded me that life is so much more than the mundane routine. Goals exist which one should strive for. The creation and conquest of this world seems to be the spirit of the city.”
Next steps
Wright says she’s proud of the projects underway in her lab and the tough research questions her team is taking on. But she’s also delighted to be offering a space for educational growth to the next generation of scientific discoverers, from undergrads to postdocs. “One of the reasons why having a research lab is so important at Chaminade is it provides completely different opportunities,” she said. For Saito Reis, the lab offers a chance to build her career. For Padron, it’s a way to expand his skills as he pursues further studies. And the research in the lab is giving Norman Ing a “foundation of skills and experiences.” A formative experience in a cuttingedge lab, Wright said, “can change their life’s trajectory.” It can open doors, ignite passions and build relationships. Saito Reis couldn’t agree more. She said she’s honored to be working on a tough research project with real-world implications— implications that could change lives for the better. “It’s a specific niche,” she said. “But it’s very important. A lot more research needs to be done.”
Students Learn the Business of Finance A RECENT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY AND HAWAI‘I STATE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (HAWAI‘I STATE FCU) HAS PROVEN TO OFFER AN INVALUABLE REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE TO STUDENTS. THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP, CHAMINADE BUSINESS STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A 15-WEEK INTERNSHIP AT ONE OF THE LARGEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE.
The internship program was the brainchild of Ismael Eustaquio, Chaminade alumnus and senior department manager of project development at Hawai‘i State FCU. The not-for-profit credit union, like Chaminade, is committed to serving the community and investing in education. As a Chaminade alum and Board of Regents member, Eustaquio thought an incredible way to give back to the community would be to pass on the knowledge and skills of Hawai‘i State FCU’s employees to emerging leaders at Chaminade. Eustaquio worked with the School of Business and Communications and Dr. Scott Schroeder, dean of the School of Business and Communication, to get the internship up and running. What sets the Hawai‘i State FCU paid internship program apart from other internships available to students is the combination of academic learning and realworld practice. “In our programs, we are always looking to help students integrate what they learn in their courses with actual industry practice,” said Dr. Schroeder. “Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union thinks similarly and has blended classroom lessons and work experience into their internship program, providing a distinctive approach that aligns well with our aims at Chaminade.” So far, two cohorts comprising three students each have completed the Hawai‘i State FCU internship program. Throughout the program, Chaminade interns complete a curriculum that is divided between the classroom and the field. Program participants take 12 leadership courses; spend time rotating between the company’s
15 departments; meet regularly with a mentor; and present a final group project to their mentors, Chaminade professors and the credit union’s executive board and CEO. Students are carefully selected based on professor recommendations, and Chaminade receives feedback from the credit union before, during and after the program regarding the performance of its students. “My experience at Hawai‘i State FCU left such a remarkable impression on me and really impacted me in a way that I am able to carry on with me throughout my future endeavors,” said Mailani Faniel, senior business administration major. “It helped me understand people better, understand myself more clearly and learn how to do business with people from all walks of life.” Faniel and the five other interns underwent a rigorous application process prior to their acceptance into the program. In order to even be considered by the credit union, they had to be nominated by their business professors and Dr. Schroeder. Once they were nominated, the students would complete an application and interview as if they were applying for a real job. “That interview gave me so much insight into the company, I could sense their passion for their line of work,” said Elijah Abramo, a sophomore accounting major and communication minor. “That was the reason I accepted this internship over another. I didn’t know much about the financial industry or credit unions prior to the internship, but I was intrigued because it was a partnership with Chaminade, so I knew learning would be a priority.”
C OMMUN I T Y
According to Eustaquio, when reviewing applicants, the credit union looks for junior and senior students with business acumen and an interest in the financial industry, and relies heavily on professor recommendations. Once accepted into the program, students complete in-class training on a variety of topics pertaining to industry knowledge such as the business of banking, emotional intelligence, communication and leadership styles. These classes are the same ones offered to the credit union’s management team and are condensed from the normal two days to half a day. Interns also participate in half-day rotations at different branches where they talk to employees, observe how employees interact with clients, interview branch personnel about their responsibilities and dayto-day operations, and get insight from branch management on their strategy for assisting members. The rotation also includes visits to the Loan Department, the Marketing Department and back-office operations. What is perhaps a unique part of the internship is the mentorship component. Interns are paired with Hawai‘i State FCU mentors who are middle managers and have worked their way up in the company. Mentors assist with the final project, guiding their mentees through research and strategy development, and reviewing content to prepare interns for their presentations. Mentors also share their wisdom and experiences regarding life in the workforce. Each internship cohort is assigned a final project—a different case based on a real and current challenge that the credit union is facing. The cohort must work as a team to provide solutions rooted in applicable strategies that can be measured and delivered. The first cohort’s project dealt with new training for business documentation, and the second project was about the value of employee training. “In school, we are assigned a project and the professor tells us what they want to hear, what they want to see and how they will grade it,” said Kai Rivera, senior business administration major and computer information systems minor. “At the credit union, like in real life, the managers had us figure it out. It was a lesson in problem solving, critical thinking and leadership. We had to work together to navigate a project with broad guidelines and differing opinions. Looking back, I enjoyed the experience. I feel more confident as a business student and as a future leader.” Upon completing the internship, students walk away with a more refined understanding of the financial industry and a multitude of networking connections. “The financial industry is transforming before our very eyes because of technology and the way people bank today,” Eustaquio said. “I would encourage an applicant to take advantage of this internship because they’ll be exposed to the dynamic world of change that’s going on right now.” This summer, Dr. Schroeder and the business faculty are preparing nominations for the next cohort of students that will be participating next fall. They’re also leveraging this partnership to build similar relationships with other organizations around the island. “This model partnership has allowed us to talk with other organizations about possibilities for preparing our students for life after college in other industries,” said Dr. Schroeder. “The opportunity to have a real partner in Hawai‘i State FCU has been amazing. We’re incredibly grateful for their support and encouragement of our students.”
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Student Leaders are Recognized at Co-Curricular Awards TO ACKNOWLEDGE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMINADE COMMUNITY WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COMMUNITY, CHAMINADE HOSTED ITS 14TH ANNUAL CO-CURRICULAR AWARDS DINNER ON APRIL 17 IN CLARENCE T.C. CHING CONFERENCE CENTER. TWENTY-SEVEN AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO THREE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, ONE STAFF MEMBER AND 18 STUDENTS.
The Division of Student Affairs, Campus Ministry and the Office of Advising and Career Development presented the awards at the celebration. Every recipient demonstrated outstanding leadership by playing an integral part in making Chaminade a better place to learn. A few of the awards presented included the Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards; the Dean of Students’ Special Recognition award; and the Brother Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence, which are presented to one freshman, sophomore, junior and senior each year who have displayed exceptional leadership in co-curricular activities throughout the academic year. In addition to honoring outstanding individuals, awards were given to the Chaminade Student Nurses’ Association and the Rotaract Club, student organizations that have fostered a positive environment at the university. The students, staff and student-run organizations recognized at the Annual Co-Curricular Awards, and others sharing the same commitment to leadership and service, are what make receiving an education at Chaminade so special.
Undergraduates Showcase Their Research at Na Liko Na‘auao THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, CHAMINADE STUDENTS ACROSS EVERY ACADEMIC MAJOR MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR FIELDS OF STUDY THROUGH ORIGINAL RESEARCH PROJECTS, CREATIVE WORK AND SCHOLARSHIP.
Chaminade’s annual undergraduate conference, Na Liko Na‘auao, recognizes these pursuits and provides students the opportunity to share their work with peers, faculty and the public. This year’s 17th annual Na Liko Na‘auao conference, planned by the Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research, took place on April 26 at Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center, where a total of 91 students showcased their academic projects. Every project at Na Liko Na‘auao has been developed over the past academic school year under the mentorship of a faculty member. So participating in the conference affords undergraduate students the invaluable experience of beginning a research project with a question, developing it with the guidance of a professor and publicly presenting their findings and receiving feedback. Na Liko Na‘auao broadens students’ résumés, gives them practice at public speaking, creates a positive environment for scholarly discussion and offers an experience valuable to graduate schools. During the conference, Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center became a gallery of artwork and poster presentations. Observers could peruse the displays and ask questions of presenters for the first few hours of the conference, which was open to the Chaminade community as well as friends and families of students. Following the presentations was a formal program, including a blessing by students Savannah Lyn Delos Santos and Andrew Trapsi, an oli by Kawena Ryan Phillips, remarks by Chaminade University President Lynn Babington and presentations of awards by Dr. Janet Davidson, associate provost for academic affairs.
Two awards are presented at Na Liko Na‘auao each year that honor an outstanding student and faculty mentor. This year’s winner of the President Mackey Prize was English professor Dr. Justin Wyble, who was nominated by his mentee, senior and English major Nicole Sagapolutele. Recipients of this award are honored for their ongoing commitment to providing students with research and creative experiences that go above and beyond the classroom experience. The President Sue Wesselkamper Prize recognizes a student who demonstrates outstanding scholastic achievement by conducting research outside of course requirements, presents that research on and off campus, and has contributed significantly to Chaminade and the community through 20 or more hours of service per semester. Chloe Adrienna Talana was this year’s winner of The President Sue Wesselkamper Prize and was nominated by Joel Blankson, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Na Liko Na‘auao is a unique and valuable educational experience on campus for students considering graduate school, students looking to broaden their academic portfolio, or those who just want more practice presenting in a formal setting. It’s also a time to gather with peers from different disciplines and learn about what they’ve been developing all year. And ultimately, it’s a reminder that Chaminade is thriving as a higher-education institution and that students and faculty are responsible for several important contributions to academia.
MA H A LO
Mahalo
to our incredible donors for supporting our students, attending our Mahalo Scholarship Luncheon on February 8, 2019, and for helping us raise nearly $170,000 at our 11th Annual Intercollegiate Athletics Gala on March 14, 2019.
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Chaminade Celebrates 2019 Graduates at Commencement THE EVENING OF MAY 13 WAS A TIME OF CELEBRATION FOR CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU’S CLASS OF 2019 AS FAMILY, FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF JOINED THEM AT THE NEAL S. BLAISDELL ARENA FOR CHAMINADE’S 61ST COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. Following the oli, a traditional Hawaiian welcome chant and blessing delivered by Chaminade class of 2014 graduate Kaipo Leopoldino, University President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomed graduates and guests to celebrate new beginnings and the work of faculty, as well as to reflect on changes in the university since its founding in 1955. In her welcome, Dr. Babington highlighted one of the five characteristics of a Marianist education that Chaminade, the only Catholic university in the state of Hawai‘i, emphasizes: educate for adaptation and change. These values and Chaminade’s commitment to service proved to be a consistent theme throughout the evening’s exercises leading up to the graduation of nearly 500 students from 25 undergraduate and six graduate degree programs. Among the honored guests in attendance were Governor David Ige and his wife, Dawn Amano-Ige, who gave the commencement address. “You made it,” Amano-Ige said as she began her speech. “You own it. This is your moment. Tonight is your night as we honor you and your achievements.” Amano-Ige became the first lady of Hawai‘i in December 2014 when her husband was sworn in as Hawai‘i’s eighth governor. She has also been an alumna of Chaminade since 1986 when she graduated with her master’s degree in business administration. In her address, Amano-Ige bestowed a few pieces of wisdom on the soon-to-be graduates. She encouraged them to make the most of every opportunity they’re given, to be realistic when starting off in their careers and to take action in moments of uncertainty instead of holding back or withdrawing. The first lady, similarly to Dr. Babington, emphasized how valuable a Chaminade education is because of its values. “You are so fortunate to be graduating from a place where diversity is celebrated in culture-based learning and where ethical leadership is the focus,” Amano-Ige said. “The rich combination of the two gives you the power to make a difference. When done collectively with your classmates, that power is multiplied to have a great impact on our community.” Savannah Lyn Relox Delos Santos, the undergraduate speaker, delivered an equally impactful speech in which she conveyed the gratitude she feels toward the Chaminade community and her family. Delos Santos, who earned her bachelor’s degree in business marketing, has spent her years at Chaminade serving as a peer mentor and tutor, student office assistant and president of the Residence Hall Association— all while excelling in her classes, working and volunteering. She was also an active participant in Campus Ministry, student government and Chaminade’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Program. Her commitment to service and the university’s Marianist values earned her the prestigious Founders’ Award earlier this year. Delos Santos’ dream is to be the second and youngest Native Hawaiian fashion designer to present their work at New York Fashion Week and plans to move to the Philippines after graduation to pursue her professional goals and learn more about her roots.
“TOMORROW, YOUR FOCUS SHIFTS TO PUTTING YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION TO GOOD USE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR HAWAI‘I, FOR THE WORLD AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.”
“Our differential advantages are the Marianist values and the Aloha Spirit,” Delos Santos said. “We are the only university with both, and we all live it in our Chaminade community. So embrace it, use it, because we are so blessed.” Both Amano-Ige and Delos Santos were the first college graduates in their families and shared how education and Chaminade were significant contributors to who they are today. And finally, after many semesters of hard work and sacrifice, the Chaminade Class of 2019 turned their tassels and became alumni, forever part of the Chaminade family. “Your passion, along with your education and experiences here at Chaminade, will be part of the sometimes messy but beautiful process we call life,” Amano-Ige said. “So tonight be jubilant, be proud, go out and celebrate—safely of course—the joy of your achievement. Tomorrow, your focus shifts to putting your college education to good use for your community, for our Hawai‘i, for the world and for generations to come.”
C OMME N C E ME N T
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PR E S IDENT
Bridges to the Future Campaign CHAMINADE DONORS, FACULTY, STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS GATHERED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 23 TO CELEBRATE THE CAPPING OF THE BRIDGES TO THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN. Several students spoke at the event about the impacts the campaign has had on their time at Chaminade, including second-year ‘Aulani Oka, who received a scholarship because of the campaign. “I may have only been here for two years, but as a beneficiary of this campaign I can honestly say it’s changed my life,” she said. “I would not be standing here right now without your help. You have made a difference in my life, and the lives of many other students. I will do my best to prove myself worthy of this honor, and hopefully pay it forward to others in the future.” The campaign was the university’s most ambitious fundraising campaign, raising $118 million. Funds raised supported student access and success, academic excellence, athletics programming, a vibrant campus environment and impacts in the community. Some notable impacts from the campaign include: • The creation of 46 new privately funded scholarships • A brand-new School of Nursing, now tied for No. 1 in the nation due to its 100-percent pass rate of the national licensure exam • A new Silversword Athletics Training Center and Locker Rooms and renovated athletics facilities • Renovations to 100 percent of the major buildings on campus • 34,650 meals served to homeless individuals and families at the Next Step Shelter Mahalo to all who helped make this campaign a success! In the words of fourth-year student Antonio Bonnetty, “Your contributions have an impact on students here because they allow students to achieve their dreams, they allow for change and they allow students like me to breathe again.” “I WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE RIGHT NOW WITHOUT YOUR HELP. YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE, AND THE LIVES OF MANY OTHER STUDENTS. I WILL DO MY BEST TO PROVE MYSELF WORTHY OF THIS HONOR, AND HOPEFULLY PAY IT FORWARD TO OTHERS IN THE FUTURE.”
AC H I E V E ME N T
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Honolulu to London: A Student’s Study Away Story IN FALL 2018, STUDENT KRISTEN PERREIRA PACKED HER BAGS AND TRADED HER KANEOHE-TO-HONOLULU BUS COMMUTE FOR A SEAT ON LONDON’S TUBE—ALL THANKS TO CHAMINADE’S STUDY AWAY PROGRAM.
Chaminade offers study away opportunities in 23 countries through partnerships with American Institute for Foreign Studies, Study Abroad at Sea and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center. While earning course credit at comparable tuition costs to Chaminade, students who study away get to experience unfamiliar cultures, exercise their independence, meet new people and make lifelong memories—which is exactly what Perreira did. “One hundred percent yes, study abroad,” said Perreira, reflecting on her three-and-a-half months spent in London. “I think everyone, if they’re able, should do it.” Monday through Wednesday, the communication major spent her time at Richmond, The American International University in London, studying feature writing, celebrity and fan culture, modern popular music and Chinese. Thursday through Sunday she set
aside for European exploration, which included trips with friends to Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris, and a solo trip to Rome. But living in a new place meant that the Kāne‘ohe native experienced some culture shock. “Hawai‘i’s diverse, but London’s diverse in a different way,” Perreira said. Her train rides on the Tube were often characterized by conversations spoken in different languages by people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. As the only student from Hawai‘i at Richmond, Perreira was exposed to different cultures through her peers, who were from across the U.S. and Mexico. She enjoyed her four classes abroad, but said the grading system was different from what she’s used to at Chaminade. Grades are dependent on three writing-heavy assignments and a two-hour written exam at the end of the semester.
“HAWAI‘I’S DIVERSE, BUT LONDON’S DIVERSE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.”
Overall, Perreira reflects on her time in London fondly, often reminiscing about her favorite spot, Hyde Park near Kensington Palace, home to members of the British royal family. Though London was Perreira’s study abroad location of choice, students can also apply to summer- or semester-long programs in other exciting countries like Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa and more, in addition to numerous study away opportunities on the mainland.
Alumni Class Notes
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1960s
1970s
Willibrord “Willie” K. Tallett
Gordon Umialiloalahanauokalakaua (Umi) King Kai
B.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ‘61
Tallett reflects on his time at Chaminade while with his granddaughter, Haelee Tallett ’18, and daughter, Theresa Edwards ’89, both Chaminade alumni. “Back in the day, everything was small. We didn’t have dormitories, just temporary student housing where the Mystical Rose Oratory now stands. Our teachers were excellent. The real value of what I got was advancement of my knowledge in business and accounting.” This knowledge allowed Tallett to go on to a successful career as a senior executive at C. Brewer and Co., Ltd. “As a student,” notes Haelee Tallett ’18, “my relationship with the faculty stands out as very special because my professors were so committed to helping us along the way. They would always go the extra mile and my classmates and I knew we could count on them to help us, even if it wasn’t directly related to our classwork.” With a quiet smile, Willie’s daughter (Haelee’s aunt), Theresa Edwards ’89, recalls the pathway that led her to Chaminade and on to a career in educational administration with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. “What was exciting for me was being able to be a part of creating something new, beginning during my time as a student. I was getting my degree in Early Childhood Education with a certification in Montessori Teaching. My student teaching was done first at Haiku Hale ‘o Keiki, and then later we opened another lab school for Chaminade students to teach at, which was the Bamboo Shoots program in downtown Honolulu.”
B.S. MARKETING ‘73
King Kai was the recipient of the 2019 Ho‘okahiko Award, presented by Duke’s Waikiki. Ho‘okahiko is the Hawaiian word for “to cling to the traditions.” The award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the finest traditions of Hawai‘i. It is because of Umi Kai’s dedication to perpetuating Hawaiian culture and keeping the aloha spirit alive that he was honored with this award.
Jeannette Paulson Hereniko B.G.S. EDUCATION ’78
Hereniko was the featured speaker at the Building Bridges event of the East West Center and Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) luncheon at the Halekulani Hotel. Ms. Hereniko has over 40 years of experience in the Asia Pacific film industry as a film festival director, distributor and film producer. She started the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) while working at the East West Center from 1980 to 1990 and served as HIFF’s founding director from 1981 to 1996.
1980s Thomas Latvala MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ‘83
Latvala lives in Tokyo, Japan and is the resident director at Third Axis Nihon, Y.K. He has fond memories of Hawai‘i and the Chaminade MBA program. He moved to Japan after graduating and has been there ever since.
Rodney Harano MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ‘83
A warm welcome to Rodney Harano, who was recently elected to Chaminade University’s Board of Regents. Harano is a partner at CW Associates, CPAs and has over 30 years of experience in public accounting. Harano obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Chaminade University after graduating from the University of Hawai‘i with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He is a certified public accountant, licensed in the State of Hawai‘i, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He is a past president of the Hawai‘i Society of CPAs and was Hawai‘i’s first member of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). He continues to serve on select committees of the AICPA. Harano is also a past president of O‘ahu Country Club and served as the treasurer of the Honolulu Council of The Navy League.
Pamela K. Isom B.A. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MANAGEMENT ’88 B.S. COMPUTER SCIENCE '88
In July 2018, Isom was selected as the deputy chief information officer for architecture, engineering, technology and innovation and chief data officer for the United States Department of Energy. Her passion is collaboration, safety and leading value-centric digital business transformation with service excellence. Isom is the principal corporate officer of current and future enterprise information and data science, and she leads both integration and engineering of advanced technology solutions such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
A LUMN I
Henry “Jamie” Holcombe
Dr. Raymond Jardine, Jr.
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’88
B.G.S. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ‘91
Holcombe is set to take over as the chief information officer at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Washington, DC. Holcombe joins the USPTO after 20 years of experience building and leading teams in the information technology and financial industries. He recently served as vice president and general manager at Harris Corporation in Herndon, Virginia, where he was responsible for the delivery of communications and IT services to federal intelligence, defense and civilian markets as well as commercial telecom, energy and e-commerce customers. In addition to his Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University, he holds a Master of Science in computer science from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Dr. Jardine received the American Savings Bank 2018 Business Leader of the Year award from Pacific Business News at the annual event held at the Sheraton Waikiki. Known for his support for small businesses, the veteran community, and STEM education leading to job creation on the island of Molokai, it’s an award well deserved.
Leslie Au MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’89
Au retired from the federal civil service in 2013 and started a real estate career in July 2018. She is now a realtor associate at the monetary banking organization Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.
1990s The Honorable David Tapp M.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT ’90
Judge David Tapp was nominated for a spot on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by President Trump in March 2019. Tapp is a native of Morehead, Kentucky and has been circuit judge for Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties since 2005.
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2000s Matt Morgan B.A. COMMUNICATION ‘00
Dr. Frank Bailey B.A. HISTORY AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’94
Bailey just earned tenure and a promotion to associate professor of history in the Humanities and Fine Arts Division at Chaminade University.
Joseph Kiefer MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’94
Kiefer was recently appointed as a judge for Maricopa County Superior Court by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Kiefer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science. He earned an MBA from Chaminade and a law degree from William & Mary Law School.
Sherman Wong MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ’97
Sherman Wong serves as a Senior Account Manager at Gordian. Previously, he worked as design-build manager in the Office of Project Delivery at the University of Hawai‘i. He managed design-build projects of various sizes and in various stages of construction. Wong also worked as a pre-construction manager and as a project engineer for Kiewit Building Group and Castle & Cooke Homes. He has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and an MBA from Chaminade.
Morgan has gone on to become a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstar, and is currently the deputy mayor of his city of Longwood, Florida. Morgan tells us that while attending Chaminade he worked for the Chaminade general fund and he looks forward to receiving his Chaminade University license plate frame.
Tavita Nuusa B.S. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE ‘05
Nuusa is employed by U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, where he conducts felonylevel investigations with Army interest at Schofield Barracks, Hawai‘i. He married his college sweetheart, Jan Balajadia ’06, M.S. ’09. They have two beautiful children—a son, Landon, who is 11, and a four-yearold daughter, Laneah.
Dr. Dustyn Kainoa Ragasa B.A. RELIGIOUS STUDIES ‘07
Dr. Ragasa has just accepted a tenure-track position as assistant professor of religious studies in the Humanities and Fine Arts Division at Chaminade. He also has an M.A. in Theology and Philosophy from The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology (2010), and a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union (2018). He will join the Chaminade faculty in August 2019 to teach religious studies and to work with the MPT and Diaconate Formation programs.
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A LU M N I C LASS NOT ES
In Memoriam
Devin and Kyoko Westberg
Kalei Akaka
B.A. ENVIRONMENTAL + INTERIOR DESIGN ‘08
B.A. COMMUNICATION ‘04
The Westbergs met while studying at Chaminade. They recently made headlines when they opened up a new coffee shop in Marin County, California called Fox & Kit. The space was designed with both parents and their children in mind, with features that include a sleek indoor playground, a reading nook and a room full of costumes.
Akaka was successful in her bid to become an O‘ahu Trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Ms. Akaka is the granddaughter of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.
Rogelio Simon ’65
Alison “Bo” Tanaka
Barbara W. Thuesen ’75
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ‘15
Jackie Robinson ’79
Congratulations to Tanaka, who was inducted into Chaminade’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Program Advisory Board in December 2018.
2010s Derek Kawakami B.A. MANAGEMENT ‘01
Michael Sakazaki Congratulations to Derek Kawakami, who was elected Mayor of Kauai, the Garden Isle, in a landslide victory.
B.S. ACCOUNTING ‘17 MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION ‘18
Sakazaki is currently an assistant branch manager at Bank of Hawai‘i.
Erenio A. Anncorayan ’72 Michael Gallagher ’73 Brother Bob Hoppe, S.M.
Karin I Waugh ’84 Stay Connected
alumni.chaminade.edu Do youcuhalumni have an update or @cuhalumni story to share? Pleasecuhalumni send your stories to alumni@chaminade.edu and include photos. We’ll share them in our alumni e-news or our next edition of Chaminade Quarterly.
Sissy Lake-Farm
Stay Connected
ENGLISH AND ENVIRONMENTAL + INTERIOR DESIGN
chaminade.edu/alumni
After earning degrees in English and interior design from Chaminade, Lake-Farm moved to Maui where she founded a hālau, Na Hanona Kulike ‘O Pi‘ilani. She now serves as the executive director of Hale Ho‘ike‘ike, a former home of missionaries and now Hawai‘i’s largest collection of pre-contact Hawaiian artifacts.
cuhalumni @cuhalumni cuhalumni
S UPPORT A LUMN I|
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Cardinal Peter Turkson Visits Campus ON JANUARY 15, CHAMINADE WAS PLEASED TO WELCOME CARDINAL PETER TURKSON AT MYSTICAL ROSE ORATORY AS PART OF HIS LARGER HAWAI‘I VISIT. CARDINAL PETER TURKSON IS A TOP VATICAN OFFICIAL AND ADVISOR TO POPE FRANCIS. HE HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY POPE FRANCIS AS THE FIRST PREFECT OF THE NEW DICASTERY FOR PROMOTING INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. The Cardinal spoke to Chaminade students, faculty and staff about climate change, labor and education in light of Catholic social teaching. Cardinal Turkson grew up in Ghana in West Africa. His father was a carpenter and his mother grew vegetables. From a young age, his family instilled in him a deep relationship with the environment.
“We are all made from the earth’s elements,” teaches Cardinal Turkson. “God intended us to be co-creators of this earth, but somewhere along the way with consumerism and economic growth, we have become irresponsible co-creators.” Cardinal Turkson advocated for a return to a tender relationship with creation. Our concept of labor and work are overdue for a review. Labor, he said, refers to the way we exercise our talents and creativity. It is an expression of our dignity. It is through tender, peaceful, creative work that we can create transformation and truly become God’s co-creators. “The future of the world is not just in the hands of the politicians,” says Cardinal Turkson. “Change can come from each of us.”
MEET ONE OF OUR STUDENT SCHOLARS
Scholarship Spotlight Ezekiel Bernardo-Flores ’20 S C H O L A R S H I P S : Office of Native Hawaiian Partnerships Scholarship, The Peggy and Keith Chock Scholarship for Student Athletes, Halenani Hawaiian Club Scholarship and Accounting Scholarship M A J O R : Accounting M I N O R : Computer Information Systems
“My older sister has always been a role model to me. When she left home to come to Chaminade, I was the oldest one at home and had to work to help out my family. But seeing her do all these successful things in college made me want to follow in her footsteps. I came to Chaminade because of the scholarships. Chaminade is able to offer a lot of different scholarships to all types of people, and it really does help. Now, my little brother comes here too.”
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N OTA BL ES
Notables Dr. Lance Askildson
Dr. Katelyn Perrault
PROVOST
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, FORENSIC SCIENCES
Dr. Askildson joined the Chaminade ‘ohana as provost on July 1, 2019. He comes to Chaminade with over 15 years of distinctive higher education leadership experience across three institutions, most recently at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Dr. Kate Perrault received the 2019 Satinder Ahuja Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science. In the 16 years this award has been presented, Dr. Perrault is the first female to receive the honor.
Dr. Gail Grabowski
Dr. Helen Turner
DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY AND INNOVATION AND DEAN, DIVISION OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS
Earlier this year, Dr. Grabowski was interviewed by KITV about the impacts and inefficiencies of a closed fishing season along the Waikīkī to Diamond Head coastline.
Dr. Turner was interviewed by Honolulu Civil Beat about the demand for data scientists in Hawai‘i and beyond, and the new data science major that begins at Chaminade University in fall 2019.
Dr. Rhoberta Haley
Dr. Michio “Mitch” Yamasaki
DEAN, SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS
PROFESSOR, HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL STUDIES
Dr. Rhoberta Haley, RN, FNP, joined Chaminade as dean for the School of Nursing and Health Professions on May 1. Dr. Haley brings an extensive background in nursing education and leadership as an expert in curriculum development, new program development and student success.
Dr. Yamasaki was recently elected chairman of the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities (HCH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the public humanities to support educational programs, grants and projects in collaboration with other local nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Frédérique Kandel ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, BIOLOGY
Dr. Kandel was voted in as presidentelect of the Hawai‘i Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, effective April 13, 2019. She will serve one year as president-elect followed by one year as president.
Best Wishes to our 2019 Retirees Brother Jose Degorio ARCHIVIST, RECORDS
Father Paul Fitzpatrick DIRECTOR, MASTER OF ARTS IN PASTORAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Margaret “Peggy” Friedman ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, BUSINESS
Dr. Elizabeth Park ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, EDUCATION
Dr. Park was recently interviewed by KHON about a new program at Saint Francis Intergenerational Center in Ewa Villages that brings the Montessori approach to education to elderly residents with dementia.
Linda Mistysyn SUPERVISOR, LIBRARY CIRCULATION
Harlene “Mitzi” Simonelli PROFESSOR, PSYCHOLOGY
Helen Whippy PROVOST
FU N D FOR C H A MI N A DE
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THE FUND FOR CHAMINADE “Coming to Chaminade, I didn’t know what school was to me. I always thought to myself, ‘I’m not educated’; I always thought I couldn’t do this. I thought college was just going to be something that I’ll go in my first year and then I’ll fail out or something and I won’t be that good at it. But coming here and meeting people, and my professors especially, they taught me that I can be more than just a jock—I also have the power of my brain, too. And I can do things, incredible things, that I thought I could never do before.”
ANTONIO BONNETTY ‘19 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR 2018–19 STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT
Every day, with your support, Chaminade University changes lives. Your donation to the Fund for Chaminade goes directly toward providing opportunities for students like Antonio.
Give today: chaminade.edu/give
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Calendar of Events AUGUST 15
O C TO B E R 7
Assumption of Mary
Fall term begins for online and graduate students
Mystical Rose Oratory
Save the date for our first-ever
Chaminade Giving Day Thursday, October 10, 2019 Get ready for 24 hours of supporting our students! Sign up for more information: chaminade.edu/givingday
AUGUST 23
O C TO B E R 1 0
Academic Convocation
Chaminade Giving Day
Mamiya Theatre
Stay tuned for more information
AUGUST 26
O C TO B E R 13
Fall term begins for day undergraduate students
Mackey Lecture Mystical Rose Oratory
AUGUST 30
O C TO B E R 1 8
Spiritual Convocation and MEA Recommitment
Blessing of Hands for Nursing and Office of Health Professions
Mystical Rose Oratory
SEPTEMBER 6
Athletics Booster Kick-off Henry Hall Courtyard
S E P T E M B E R 11
9/11 Prayer Service Mystical Rose Oratory
Mystical Rose Oratory
O C TO B E R 1 8
Pacific Island Review Sullivan Family Library Lawn
N OV E M B E R 1
All Saints Day Mass Mystical Rose Oratory