The January 2005 Alumni eNewsletter contains the following:
The tradition of celebrating jubilees — or 50-year anniversaries — goes back thousands of years to when Moses of old wrote: ...ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you... (Lev. 25:10). The custom has continued in our day, when it's become common to observe golden jubilees (the first 50th anniversary), centennials, sesquicentennials (150 years), bicentennials (200 years), and so forth. Now it's BYU-Hawaii's turn.
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President McKay (with the
shovel) at the groundbreaking for the Church College of Hawaii, which became BYU-Hawaii in 1974. — photo by Elder Lee Cantwell, courtesy of BYU-Hawaii |
Almost exactly 50 years ago President David O. McKay stood in a section of cleared sugar cane field in Laie to bless the site of the permanent campus:
...we invoke Thy blessings, Thy divine blessings and Thy divine guidance upon the Board of Education, upon the President and the faculty of this institution, upon the people throughout these islands and especially upon this land of Laie. May it from this time forward be what Thou would have it become. May their vision then, and the vision of these choice men who stood so valiantly by that prophecy, be realized; and to that end we again consecrate this land.
We dedicate our actions in this service unto Thee and unto Thy glory and to the salvation of the children of men, that this college, and the temple, and the town of Laie may become a missionary factor, influencing not thousands, not tens of thousands, but millions of people who will come seeking to know what this town and its significance are.
A few minutes earlier, President McKay described the products, of this new institution as:
First, the things pertaining to God and his kingdom, the testimony of the existence of deity, know that He lives and that He is our Father, the father of all mankind and ruler of brothers; what that means toward establishing peace in the world.
Secondly, that those who are obeying those principles will develop… character, and make noble men and women. The world needs them.
One man said the world needs men who cannot be bought or sold, men who will scorn to violate truth, genuine gold. That is what this school is going to produce. More than that, they will be leaders. Not leaders only on this island, but everywhere. All the world is hungering for them, and, best of all, the world is recognizing them…
You mark that word, and from this school, I’ll tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally.
In fact, the steering committee selected President McKay's phrase, "...from this school...," as a theme for the golden jubilee to evoke the prophetic vision that overshadows the founding, establishment and growth of the Church College of Hawaii/Brigham Young University Hawaii.
Dr. Vernice Wineera ('77, English), Director of the Pacific Institute and co-chair of the BYU-Hawaii's golden jubilee celebration steering committee — along with Dr. Rex Frandsen ('68, Business Management) — recently noted that one of the more intriguing aspects about a 50th anniversary, unlike a centennial or a sesquicentennial, is that there are still quite a few people around with first-hand experience who were here from the beginning or most of the years in between: faculty members, administrators, alumni, labor missionaries, Church leaders and community members.
All are invited and encouraged to participate in this year's celebration; and to help, the University, schools, departments, organizations, Polynesian Cultural Center, and various committees have planned a year's worth of wide-ranging activities, including:
Users can search the Calendar page by any day of the jubilee year by using the pull down menu or the arrows on either side of the month's name to select the desired month, then clicking on the numeric date. Some dates are subject to change, but the information is frequently updated. The current day's calendar entries also appear on the jubilee web site's home page.
The Genuine Gold page name refers to President David O. McKay's description of CCH/BYU-Hawaii alumni. It contains interviews with and submissions by your fellow alumni. Shorter forms of some of these interviews will also appear on the Genuine Gold wall that will be displayed in the Aloha Center starting in February. The display will change occasionally, while the number of interviews on the web site will continue to grow through the year. We continue to request that you share your own genuine gold stories with us, or nominate graduates from 1990 or earlier. Criteria include professional, community and/or government service and spirituality.
The Interviews page broadens the scope of stories beyond those who were students at CCH or BYU-Hawaii, to include faculty, staff, friends, community members, etc. Like the Genuine Gold page, this page will also grow throughout the year, and we invite you to either submit your own or suggest people the staff can interview.
As of the newsletter deadline and with very little promotion or publicity, our alumni and others have already submitted almost 100 entries to the Favorite Faculty 'Blog' (web log), which will eventually contain the names of all regular faculty members at CCH/BYUH over the past 50 years. If your "favorite" faculty is not listed by the middle of February, please let us know. Users can search for a faculty member by name, date, subject matter, or as the blog continues to grow, any keyword contained in the postings. For example, input the name Smith in the "Search by Name or Keyword" puka, then click the SEARCH button, which brings up more than 10 faculty named Smith. Click on "your" Smith, which will bring up a brief info window with an "Add Comment" button. Click on that, fill out as much of the form as you wish, and submit it. If you included your e-mail address, you will automatically receive an e-mail confirmation that the comments have been received and are under review. As soon as they're reviewed and posted, you'll automatically receive another e-mail letting you know your comments are now posted on the blog. At the moment alumni Beverly Eiser Markham ('70), Choon James ('79, English) and Kenneth Aitken ('72) lead the pack in submissions. Mahalo.
The Scrapbook, like the "favorite faculty" page, is actually a 'blog' where you are invited to submit your mana'o — thoughts, memories, recollections, and of course, old pictures. In other words, talk story about the good old days in Laie — your roomies, high adventure, interesting experiences. This blog, which will continue to grow through the jubilee year, can also be searched by keywords. Submission to both the Favorite Faculty and Scrapbook blogs are reviewed before posting, and subject to minor editing. Photos are subject to optimization.
The BYU-Hawaii Timeline is another interactive web page that can be searched by date or keyword.
Other pages offer registration, souvenirs, help with travel arrangements, PCC tickets information, and more. Please check them out and check back frequently, as the jubilee web site will be updated throughout the year. At the end of the year, we are also tentatively planning to publish copy of the entire site, including photos and video clips of other on-campus events, on a "yearbook" DVD.
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Wineera |
"We actually started planning all of this in November 2002. We pulled together names of people we knew had the ability and talents to bring this together. It was a very exciting idea to be involved. Over those next two years we were meeting once a month. We formed sub-committees so that everyone on the steering committee also had responsibilities with one or more sub-committees, where the detailed work is done," said Wineera.
"We've picked the pace up as the fall 2004 semester started, meeting twice a month, and we'll have to increase that further in the next little while," she continued. "Now that we've actually started, it seems that finally the whole school realizes we're in the jubilee year. We're coming together with new ideas, and I can feel the excitement and anticipation building."
Wineera acknowledged planning the jubilee has been challenging. "There will be challenges with housing. While the school has grown dramatically, the community has really not kept pace in housing, so we're hoping that people will check the web site registration link [as soon as it comes online]. Another challenge that everybody feels is that we're all volunteers from BYU-Hawaii, the PCC, HRI, the Temple and the community — all of us; but the success of our celebration will result from the coming together of the whole community."
"I want to thank all those already involved, and all those who I know will come together in all the events," Wineera said. "I for one so value the contribution of the community families. Laie always comes through and always puts on stunning shows. It's the spirit of the Gospel, the spirit of the culture and the spirit of the members of the community by which we always live together and give what we can."
"More and more as the various dates get closer, I also question what can I bring to events and what can I contribute. I also think that if each of us considers the spiritual jubilee — how we can celebrate it not physically or intellectually, but spiritually — then we'll have the right kind of experience while we're here. It will be a table of riches."
But Wineera added she doesn't want people to think the Golden Jubilee is going to be solely "a real solemn time. We're going to have exciting times and so much fun, and we're going to make history."
"Once Jubilee Week comes to its conclusion [on October 23, 2005], I hope we will have perceived some of the initiatives we want to take into the future," she said. "I don't see the jubilee as a culmination of anything, but more as the beginning of another era. We'll be revitalized and reaffirmed in our blessings that this place has brought into our lives. As with all blessings, there's the responsibility that we grow and share them and help them increase among others."
President Shumway conveys Prophet's appreciation
Following the memorable
visit of President Gordon B. Hinckley in December
to address the BYU-Hawaii graduates and dedicate the Hale La'a Blvd. beautification
project and the new front entrance to the University, President Shumway relayed
the following message: "President Hinckley was very pleased with the time he
spent on our campus and made several positive comments about his experiences."
People in Laie are still talking about the Prophet's latest visit.
A 'living treasure'
The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii recently named Tuione Pulotu ('68)
of Laie a "living treasure" for his
vast contributions to Polynesian carving and craftsmanship. Pulotu, who came
to Laie over 40 years ago as a labor missionary to help build the second phase
of the Church College of Hawaii campus and the Polynesian Cultural Center, most
recently carved the University's 57-foot twin-hulled Hawaiian voyaging canoe,
Iosepa. He previously carved a 105-foot double-hulled canoe in Tonga.
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Subscribe to the PCC newsletter
The Polynesian Cultural Center invites you to subscribe
to its online newsletter. Les
Steward ('73, Business Management), who is both Assistant to
the President at PCC and our Alumni Association president, indicated the Cultural
Center is contemplating the possibility of putting together a version of the
newsletter that's more directed to alumni. "That's one of the reasons why
we want to see how much interest there is among our BYU-Hawaii alumni, many of
whom worked at the PCC," he said. "Please sign up now, if you haven't
already done so."
Brothers provide musical backup for ESPN
The musical quintet, TOA, comprised of Norris
Alaiasa ('98, Pacific Island Studies) and his four brothers — Kalili, Steve
Napoleone ('01), Donny and Moepulou — recently provided background
music for an ESPN television special on Polynesians in the National Football
League.
TOA also recently completed a new CD entitled Silence that Alaiasa said is "rated PG...'positive grooves' that fall within the gospel genre. It's all about building the Kingdom, and this is our way of communicating it to the world. The lyrics are filled with Mormon idioms such as 'Choose The Right' and 'The Still Small Voice.'"
"The music is our missionary tool in which the gospel seeds are planted," added Alaiasa, who comes from a family of 11 siblings — nine of whom served full-time missions.
Dr. Smith alumni invited to sing again
Speaking of music, alumni who sang in any of Dr. James A. Smith's
choirs — including the community-based Laie Choral Union — are
invited to join an alumni choir reunion on Saturday,
April 9, starting at 9 a.m. in the Student Multistake Center on campus
for a
day of festivities, food and rehearsals culminating in a public concert led by
Dr. Smith in the Cannon Activities Center. Dr. Smith
is retiring after the spring term.
The first half of the concert, which starts that evening at 7 p.m., will feature the 2004-2005 Concert Choir. They will then be joined by the alumni choir. Former members of the Laie Choral Union will be invited to join the choirs for two concluding numbers. Request more information online or call the Center for Instructional Technology & Outreach (CITO) at 808-293-3780.
Dr. Smith's choirs include the original A Cappella Choir, the Concert Choir, the Seaside Singers, Chamber Ensemble, Men’s Choir, University Chorale, Women’s Choir and the Laie Choral Union.
BYU-Hawaii sports reports
The BYU-Hawaii men's basketball team continues their hot streak on the
road, recently coming from behind in a last-minute victory over Western New Mexico,
74-70, on January 20. The latest win brings the Siders' record to 4-0 in the
Pacific West Conference, and 9-4 overall for the season. In an earlier road game,
BYU-Hawaii edged out Montana State-Billings, 100-99.
For more BYU-Hawaii sports news...
New Student Alumni Association forges
ahead
The BYU-Hawaii Student Alumni Association, that was started last semester,
is progressing stronger than ever.
The SAA falls under the BYUHSA umbrella, with vice president Spencer Whitlock leading activities, training and efforts to connect current students with alumni. One of those activities includes a one-credit leadership training course. "We wanted to provide leadership training for our student alumni chapter leaders, so we've formalized a class through the Student Development office. The course will include Stephen Covey's 7 Habits program by Human Resources trainer Arlene Anderson," said Rowena Reid, Alumni Association Executive Director.
Reid added that former BYUHSA President Richard Norton ( '04, International Business Management) has been hired as an assistant to focus on working with the new Student Alumni Association, in addition to other duties.
The David O. McKay essay contest
One of the SAA's first activities, co-sponsored by the Alumni Association,
is the David O. McKay essay contest, which includes categories for native and
non-native English speakers. The contest theme is the same as the Golden Jubilee's: From
this school...
The contest is open to all currently enrolled BYU-Hawaii students. Entries up to 500 words (typed, double-spaced) must be submitted to the BYUHSA or Alumni Association office by 5 p.m. on February 3. Identify entries with a Student ID Number, contact number, and the category entered but not a name.
First and second prizes of $100 and $50, respectively, will be awarded in each category. The winners will be announced at the unveiling of the Genuine Gold Wall on February 12.
Alumni 'connections' web site also coming
online
A new Alumni Association "connections" web site will also be
tentatively put online at February 12. For several years chapter chairs have
been requesting such an online database that will allow alumni to update their
own profiles, search for fellow alumni, gain access to the career network and
job placements, as well as include a message board to communicate with each other.
Stay tuned for more information on this development.
'Genuine Gold' nominations sought
The Alumni Association is seeking nominations for "Genuine Gold" honoree
recipients who have done exceptionally well since graduating (or leaving CCH/BYU-Hawaii)
and are deserving of this recognition.
The Alumni Association board awards subcommittee suggests honoree candidates meet the following selection criteria: 1) Preferably graduates, prior to 1990. 2) They have rendered outstanding service in their profession, community, or nation. 2) They represent widespread geographic, gender, and academic major diversity. 4) They continue to demonstrate spirituality and have rendered significant service to the Church. 5) In the case of international students, they have returned to their home countries or otherwise rendered valuable service to their homelands.
Alumni Association Executive Director Rowena Reid asks that the full name of the nominees, year of graduation (if known), mail and/or e-mail address, phone number, bishop's name and phone number, and a brief description of why you are nominating this person . . . should be sent to alumni@byuh.edu or faxed to 808-293-3279. For further information, contact the Association office at 808-293-3648.
Golden Jubilee calendars on sale
Copies of the beautifully illustrated and informative BYU-Hawaii Golden
Jubilee 2005 calendar are now on sale through the Alumni
Association office for
$5, including postage.
Chapter chair conference in October
This year's two-day chapter chair conference will be held October 17-18,
in conjunction with the BYU-Hawaii
Golden Jubilee week celebration, from October
16-23, 2005. Chapter chairs are encouraged to attend. Please contact the Alumni
Office for further information on travel and housing arrangements.
Idaho:
Chapter co-chair Grant
Guinn ('93, Travel Industry Management), who works for the Hilton
Hotel Corporation, wrote that his company "recently
sent out a communication to all the corporate staff encouraging us to refer qualified
students to apply for a scholarship from the Hilton-sponsored
Asian & Pacific
Islander American Scholarship Fund. It
looks like there will be 100 $2,000-scholarships
given out in May. I
think some new BYU-Hawaii students could have a real good chance of getting some
of the money. This program is a natural fit for BYUH, but the
deadline for submitting applications is February 15, 2005."
Applications
are now available online for scholarships offered by the Asian
and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)
for college-bound students of Asian and Pacific Islander American
descent who will be freshmen during the 2005-06 school year.
The amount of each scholarship award is a maximum of $2,000
and will be awarded in Washington, DC.
To qualify, a
student must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national (including citizens of American
Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
and Puerto Rico), a permanent U.S. resident, or a citizen of the Federated States
of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. Students
must have also achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher
on a 4.0 scale, or a General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
Koolauloa, Oahu:
Co-chairs Choon
James ('79, English) and Professor Mark
James ('79, TESL) need help. The Koolauloa Chapter is helping accommodate
the 41-member championship BYU Ballroom Dance Company from April 25-28, 2005. "If you have a spare bed, please kokua. A bed, mattress on the floor
or hide-a-bed are acceptable. Due to the stress of tours, sleeping bags on
the floor or cots are not appropriate," said Choon, who can also be
reached at 293-9111.
Utah:
The Utah Chapter — co-chaired by David ('76,
Accounting) and Sue
Settle ('92) — is
the first to list their jubilee year activities on their
BYU-Hawaii chapter web page. They held their first activity, a fireside with
former BYU-Hawaii President Alton L. Wade, on January 22nd.
Chapter member and former Alumni board officer Craig Huish ('68) reports the fireside was "soooo good." He said President Wade told of some of his early experiences at the helm of BYU-Hawaii and the inspiration that helped him compose his well remembered devotional address, "The Prophetic Destiny of CCH/BYUH." Huish is a member of the Utah Polynesian Choir, which sang at the fireside under the direction of Irwin Purcell ('69).
1950s & 60s
In memoriam: In the November 2004 newsletter, we noted the passing of former Dean of Students Ralph Olson. We now note that three weeks later his wife of 65 years, Delsa Adamson Olson, passed away in Ogden, Utah.
1970s
Jeanette Harris LaRondelle ('71), a medical transcriptionist in Napa, California, writes: "When I arrived at CCH in 1968, I was a non-member who had never been out of California. I had the experience of a lifetime. I was baptized within months and learned to love Hawaii and the spirit of aloha. It took me almost 25 years to return, and now you can't keep me away. It is the place where I center my soul. When I walk on campus, I am immediately 18 years old again and all the memories come rushing back. Even though I did not actually graduate from CCH, the education I received made me a better person and better able to experience life itself. I hope to return many more times."
Kathleen Ann Smith Carson ('71) now lives in Boca Raton, Florida.
"Bradah" Ned Aikau ('72) and his wife, Sharon Foote Aikau ('68) live in Orem, Utah, where he is a retired elementary school teacher. He writes: "Attending CCH was an experience I will never forget and have often shared with my children and the students that I taught, so much so that a few of my students attended BYU-Hawaii. The bonds of friendship are so strong that they are more like members of my family whom my children refer to as 'uncle' and 'aunty.' Personally, I had the grandest time of all: the dorm raids, mud fights, entertaining the haole girls, the luaus, eating late-night in the dorms, etc. There is nothing better than having good friends and fond memories. Let's get together again at the 50th jubilee."
Alumni board member Bill Kwong ('74, Business Management), who owns a travel business in Los Angeles, wrote the same day he received it: "I am very touched by the wonderful newsletter that arrived at my home this morning, especially the opportunity of reading the message from President Hinckley. I am very pleased to see BYU-Hawaii has done such a great job for the past 50 years. I am always proud to be a graduate of BYUH; there is nothing that can compare with it on this face of earth — a unique place to gain an education and also at the same time a testimony of Jesus Christ that lasts for ever. I enjoyed the multi culture experience the most. Again, much mahalo for changing my life and offering me an education. BYU-Hawaii, you are the best."
1980s
Shelly Soentpiet Brady ('80, Commercial Art), who now lives in Gresham, Oregon, where she is a homemaker, author and motivational speaker, writes: "BYU-Hawaii is a beautiful place with a beautiful spirit. I joined the Church on Kauai, after moving there with my family, when I was 12 years old. I always dreamed of attending BYUH. It was a dream come true and now a fond memory. There is nothing like the aloha spirit combined with the true gospel of Jesus Christ. My years at BYU-Hawaii strengthened my testimony and helped prepare me for motherhood. My education and experience in the Theater Department has helped me as a wife, serving in the Church, and in my profession. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Mahalo."
Maryella Barber-Scharnhorst ('87) and her husband, Roger Scharnhorst ('87) live in Scottsdale, Arizona. She writes "one of the greatest stepping stones in both mine and my twin sister's life was attending BYU-Hawaii. Wonderful friendships and experiences were developed there."
1990s
Neela Sakulsinghdusit ('94, Business) and her husband, Rajin Sakulsinghdusit ('87) now live in Surry, British Columbia, Canada, where she is an administrative assistant in a child development center. She writes that BYU-Hawaii was "a lifetime experience. I remember vividly the friendliness of staff, classmates, schoolmates, co-workers, the environment, the work, the weather and above all, the gospel."
Daisy Foley Kim ('94), who just had her fourth child — all boys, left BYU-Hawaii before the Hawaiian Studies major started to get her degree in that subject from UH-Hilo, where she now lives. "The people at BYU-Hawaii were so loving and gospel-centered. They really cared about other people. I grew a lot and enjoyed my experiences at BYU-Hawaii. It also helped strengthen my testimony and helped prepare me for my experiences in Hilo."
Roy M. Brewer ('97), who went on to graduate from Provo in Exercise Physiology, now lives in Huntington Beach, California, and has worked the last four years testing, editing, marketing, packaging and doing technical writing for Bandai America, Inc. video games. "The industry is always looking for new talent. A big reason I got the job is because I'm bilingual and can actually play Japanese video games. It escalated from there. I love BYU-Hawaii: The intimacy of the classes. You get to know your professors, get to ask questions and feel like you're cared for. With little or no effort, you get to meet everybody on campus."
2000s
Kathy Vuki ('00, TESOL), who lives in Layton, Utah, with her husband Mosa Vuki ('00, Mathematics), writes: "Currently, Mosa is working as a lab technician in North Salt Lake, Utah, and I'm a stay-at-home mom. We have three boys: Micah is 6, Sunia is 4 and Tevita is 8 months. We have been home for one year from Tonga, where we spent three years at Liahona High School after graduating from BYU-Hawaii. We miss Tonga and the islands, but we're doing good. We love reading the updates in the email newsletter about other alumni. Thanks."
Michelle Zhou ('03, International Business Management) recently wrote to report she's been working for over a year with window covering company, "and mostly interact with our manufacturers in China. I feel I'm needed here and am enjoying my job," she said, adding that she eventually plans to take the GMAT test.
Julie Nichols, who now lives in Cedar City, Utah, wrote: "Going to BYU-Hawaii was the BEST choice I have made in my life. The people that I met there and the experiences I had will forever change my life. The spirit of the school is unbelievable and amazing, just as are all my fellow classmates and friends. I have never felt so welcomed or that I belonged as I did while attending BYUH. The education I received there will always remind me of the importance of this gospel, the importance of the wonderful Polynesian life and the beautiful island. I long to live that life again. BYU-Hawaii and the amazing spirit of the people will always hold a special place in my heart. I love BYUH! As people say, I, too, am a misplaced Polynesian."
Editor's Note: What a great year lies ahead of us. Though committees have been working on the Golden Jubilee for the past two years, the excitement definitely kicked up when the calendar turned to 2005. I want to extend a big mahalo to our former webmaster who recently graduated and returned to the Philippines, Joachim Guanzon ('04, Information Systems), university programmer John Lynn ('03), senior graphic designer Anthony Perez ('02, Art), and Elder Robert Parchman, a service missionary who recently retired from the LDS Foundation, for all their hard work in compiling and getting the new Golden Jubilee web site up. We hope you find it not only useful but also enjoyable and inspiring. Our University Advancement team strives through the newsletter, the web site, the BYU-Hawaii Magazine, and other means to keep you connected to our great 'ohana or family — especially those of you who live far away or who are not able to return as often as you would like. We hope you feel the kinship and aloha spirit that has permeated this great institution for 50 years now.
— Mike Foley ('70, TESL), Editor
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The BYU-Hawaii Alumni Newsletter is published by the University Advancement office, under the direction of Napua Baker ['59-61 and '70-72], Vice President; Rob Wakefield ['75, Asia/Pacific LTM], Director of Communications and Media Relations; and Rowena Reid ['76, Social Work], Alumni Association Director. Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus is a four-year comprehensive undergraduate institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 2,400 students from 70 nations are currently enrolled.
You have received this e-newsletter because you are an affiliate of BYU-Hawaii. If necessary, please update your alumni profile. If you have received this e-mail inadvertently, or wish to unsubscribe, please send a message with NEWSLETTER UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject line and your e-mail address in the body to alumni@byuh.edu. If you are aware of other BYU-Hawaii alumni who have not received this newsletter, please forward a copy and encourage them to update their profiles. Mahalo.
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