President Gordon B. Hinckley was among those 300-plus who received degrees during the BYU-Hawaii June 2003 commencement when University officials bestowed a Doctorate of Christian Service and Leadership honoris causa upon the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In conferring the special degree, BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway described President Hinckley as "a man of prodigious talents and accomplishments" and said, "President Hinckley does not need this honor, but we have a great need to bestow it. We feel a sincere and compelling need to express our gratitude to him."

"We honor you because you symbolize all that we hope to be as Latter-Day Saints," President Shumway continued, noting that President Hinckley has spent his life fulfilling the vision of President David O. McKay. "President Hinckley's life ignites in all who follow him the desire to follow the great exemplar, Jesus Christ," he added.

President Hinckley

"Thank you very much. I deeply appreciate this honor. I hope to live worthy of it," responded President Hinckley, who turned 93 two days later. He stopped over in Laie to participate in the commencement en route home from dedicating the Temple in Brisbane, Australia. He also made stops in Hobart, Tasmania; Christchurch and Hamilton, New Zealand; Port Vila, Vanuatu; and Christmas Island before arriving in Hawaii.

"What a wonderful privilege it is to be here with you at this commencement. I've been to many commencements, but I've never been to one like this, with the great variety of people from many lands, all mingling together," President Hinckley said.

After warmly congratulating the graduates, he told them they have a compelling responsibility to build upon the foundation of their BYU-Hawaii degrees and "assist others to live better. I challenge you to go forward to lead. Your education demands that in the future you will do much better than if you had not come here."

"This Church is a great body of volunteer workers," President Hinckley continued. "You will grow as you serve. Your talents will multiply. I remind you that there is no unimportant calling in the Church of Jesus Christ. You may not become a general authority or a stake president...but you can become leaders in the programs of the Church. How these programs need your skills and influence...which can make such a huge difference."

President Hinckley cited the late President Harold B. Lee, who "used to encourage us to survey large fields, and cultivate small ones." He also encouraged the graduates to "lead out in things of the mind."

Telling the story of how the Apostles Peter and John healed the lame man asking alms at the temple gate called Beautiful in Jerusalem [Acts 3:1-8], President Hinckley urged the graduates "to reach out in matters of the heart...in the desire to help and improve. You and I, brothers and sisters, must stand taller than those in need."

"Poverty is so rampant. Hunger is so prevalent. There are millions on this earth who cry out for a helping hand. Reach out," the living prophet said, telling the story of how a senior missionary couple in Laos from Orem, Utah, recently launched a clean-up campaign along the banks of the Mekong River. "They did so day after day," President Hinckley said, "and when asked why, they replied: We love your beautiful country. Others slowly began to help."

"What a great difference you too can make. I could wish nothing more for any of you than each of you will find yourself in a position where you are well compensated. But never forget, you have been educated, so you must serve the Church...otherwise your education has been wasted."

"Stand tall, reach down, and help those who cry out for your strong arms. Wherever you go, there will be opportunities to serve," President Hinckley said. "There are so many conditions that need attention, and with your bright minds, you can improve them."

In conclusion, President Hinckley recognized the spirit of aloha that permeates the BYU-Hawaii experience. "Take it with you, and never shed it," he said. "May your dreams be great and your desires uplifting. How I love you for the goodness of your lives, and the strengths of your desires."

Elder L. Tom Perry, who accompanied President Hinckley on his trip to the South Pacific, also shared insights from his career in the military and accounting before becoming a general authority with the graduates. "I want to encourage all of you to seek after your goals. This is a commencement," he said. "Do not be satisfied until you reach the goals you're seeking."

In his valedictory address, Ben Eliason ('03, History) said, "I can not imagine a better school than this, or a richer experience than I have had." He also stressed "two very important things":

"Our education has not and will not end. We must continue to learn and improve, honing our skills and knowledge." And, "Keep the world and its material things in perspective. The Lord and the Church has invested greatly in us. It is now time for us to pay back."

Approximately 1,000 BYU-Hawaii graduates, family members, friends, and Alumni Association leaders filled the floor of the Cannon Activities Center on June 19 for the graduation luau.

The Polynesian Cultural Center promo team presents appropriate graduation luau entertainment. — Luau photos by Elder Warren Bybee

Following entertainment by the Polynesian Cultural Center promo team and the traditional luau meal, President Eric B. Shumway stressed in his remarks that BYU-Hawaii is unique:

"The word unique has been too often loosely employed to describe anything," he said. "Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus, however, has been aptly described as truly unique. BYU-Hawaii is a beacon of hope and opportunity, particularly to the growing population of Church members in Asia and the Pacific."

"BYU-Hawaii is unique, first in the revelatory nature of its origin. This university stands by revelation given to a prophet," President Shumway reminded the audience. He also said the University is unique in its Hawaiian heritage, its construction by labor missionaries, its special relationship with the holy Temple, and its relationship with the Polynesian Cultural Center.

"BYU-Hawaii, as good and as great as it is, could not be what we are without the Polynesian Cultural Center. The PCC is truly our symbiotic companion and sister as we serve the young men and women of the world," President Shumway said, explaining that the PCC provides the rest of the "formula that combines classroom learning with practical work experience."

President Shumway said BYU-Hawaii is also unique within the framework of the international mission of the Church: "To invite all to come unto Christ."

To illustrate, he shared the story of a psychotherapist who is not a member of the Church but is related to the family of a faculty member. The woman, who is professionally involved in cross-cultural therapy and mediation, said after touring the campus that her life-long stereotype of the Church "had just been dismantled after witnessing how our students interact."

President Shumway

"She had believed that the Church as a whole was intolerant of cultural difference and perpetuated, rather than arbitrated, cultural conflict," President Shumway continued. "She explained that she had never witnessed different cultures and races come together with such respect and warmth."

"She explained that while race and ethnicity have been used to divide people in the cities where she has worked, here at BYU-Hawaii these differences are not only overcome but celebrated, then merged into a single body.  She claimed that she felt a 'spirit' of some kind that brought people together in ways she thought were impossible."

"Remember, you are representing the Lord Jesus Christ," President Shumway told the graduates.

President Shumway also expressed gratitude for "faculty and staff who are worthy." For example, he told of one of the graduates who suffered a tragedy that could have derailed her education; "but others, including the president of PCC, prayed with her and helped lift her out of her despair."

President Shumway then encouraged the graduates to share their legacy with others yet to come.

As is traditional, an alumni representative and several graduates also shared remarks during the program. Former alumni president Frank Kalama ('64, Accounting; '66, Business Education), who received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in February, spoke of the impact BYU-Hawaii has on families, starting with his own which moved to Laie in 1955 when his mother, the late Lily Lindsay, was asked to be secretary to the new university's first president. He added he and his wife, Gladys Chu Kalama ('61, Elementary Education) and their children have all since graduated from BYU-Hawaii.

"We're so thankful for all the blessings this university has given our family," Kalama said. "May it be our lot to do all that we can to help the gospel grow. May we continue to feel the blessings of BYU-Hawaii in our lives."

Graduate Yuhua Michelle Zhou ('03, International Business Management), who is originally from Beijing and recently joined the Church, said she was grateful for "how much I have learned and gained" at BYU-Hawaii and for "loving and humble teachers."

"I had never imagined a place so harmonious," Zhou said. "I have learned how appreciation brings love to life. Appreciation, faith and humility — these create the true spirit of BYU-Hawaii. It's very hard to leave here; but whenever I look back, I will say I had a wonderful life here."

Graduate Luke Mease ('03, Biological Science), who first came in 1997, said he was "immediately enamored of the diversity and aloha spirit on the campus." He added he thought he was leaving that behind when he left for his mission in Panama, but his first companion was a Samoan, the last was a Tongan, and about half of the others were Polynesians.

"Since I've returned to Hawaii, I've learned to love this beautiful place even more deeply. I am grateful for the extraordinarily rich support BYU-Hawaii gives to its undergraduates," Mease said. "From BYU-Hawaii we carry certain things that will leave us well prepared for life: confidence, the fire of faith and a sure knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Asia Tour Helps Energize Chapters