With less than two months remaining before our Golden Jubilee week from October 15-23, the August and September 2005 Alumni eNewsletters will contain Jubilee news at the top, while the rest of this issue contains the following:
If you're coming, please register online
If you're planning to come to the 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee week
celebration, tickets for some events are going fast, so please...
There is a $9 registration fee (which increases to $15 after September 23). The online registration process allows you to:
If you have questions about registration, or any other aspect of the Golden Jubilee, please
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Pre-orders the new BYU-Hawaii souvenir photobook
The University Advancement office is accepting pre-orders for the new BYU-Hawaii souvenir photobook, From This School..., which will first be distributed during Golden Jubilee week. The book features many beautiful new images of the campus, student life and Laie that have never been published before. For more information on the book...
Call 808-293-3660 or email ua@byuh.edu to order your copy. There is a $5 discount off the regular price of $50 for pre-orders received before the Golden Jubilee week.
Barbara Barrington-Jones — a dynamic, slender woman of Mexican heritage who overcame an abusive first marriage, and became a ballerina, international image consultant, author, business woman, fashion designer, beauty pageant advisor, internationally acclaimed speaker for the past 20 years, mother and grandmother — has been coming to BYU-Hawaii since 1996 to conduct her popular A New You workshops for thousands of women. In the process, she became one of the early members of the President's Advisory Council of donors and has since convinced many of her workshop participants to join her in giving to the university.
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Barbara Barrington-Jones |
Jones, whose second husband, Hall, died two years ago, spoke at the August 5 devotional on how divine destiny works all the years of our lives. "We are here on this earth on a mission," she said. "You need to be open to the spirit."
She explained, for example, that even though "Mary and Eve were two of the greatest women who ever lived, they were not chosen to live today. You were." Likewise, she said, there have been many other great men and women in scriptural history, "but they were not saved for this day. Prophets and others have said you are the chosen generation."
"Why?" Jones asked. "You have the courage not to fear the world at it's very worst. You must be on the right channel, though," she continued, stressing that is the "thy will be done channel," but adding — as Elder Boyd K. Packer observed — that it's the enemy's job to "jam the lines of communication."
Jones also said it takes a good measure of faith to pursue our divine destiny. "I wonder where you will be 40 years from now?" she asked. "Do you think 40 years ago President Shumway knew he would be president of this great university and a general authority? No, he had no idea."
Likewise, she said she never dreamed she would lecture around the world. "Before I joined the Church, I had never given a talk in my life," noting that she was converted five years after the death of her first husband while at the Visitors Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. During the closing moments of a movie depiction of the Savior she was watching there, she heard him say, "Barbara, come follow me...and I knew."
Later, her patriarchal blessing told her she would "know people and their needs" and would teach self-discipline.
Before a recent five-week Church Public Affairs speaking tour of 75 venues in Africa, Jones wondered, "Why would Heavenly Father want me there?" As it turned out, she met media, addressed the "poorest of the poor," spoke to 10,000 teenage school girls, and stood before numerous Chambers of Commerce business people and university faculty. "It was the most exhausting, spiritual exhilarating experience of my life."
"I never had any time for preparation. I had to rely 100% on the Lord. He told me to tell them the story of your life. Tell them of your abuse."
She recalled telling the university honor society that "the most important part of life is giving," and before leaving, convinced them "to do something in your life to give of yourself." They ended up making a contribution to the girls Jones had earlier addressed.
"It wasn't my message. It was the message of Heavenly Father," Jones continued. "You must tune into the 'thy will be done' channel. There is a spiritual part to all of us."
She also said we must have discipline, using her second husband as an example: He was born in poverty but made himself into a successful businessman and put himself through college. "He never stopped working, and at the end of his life he owned 13 companies in the San Francisco Bay area with hundreds of employees. He was a self-made man. He was disciplined."
"Heavenly Father has this wonderful, divine destiny for each of us," Jones said. "Never forget, everyone in this room is a part of that destiny at this great university. How blessed we are to be a part of the prophetic destiny."
US News and World
Report ranks BYU-Hawaii
at fourth in the west...
For the seventh consecutive year, US News and World Report magazine
has ranked BYU-Hawaii in its top-tier of comprehensive undergraduate universities
in the western United States at fourth-place — our highest-ever recognition.
Read more about the honor...
Michigan university taps alumna Amy Sun
as head tennis coach
Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, has named BYU-Hawaii
alumna Jing
'Amy' Sun ('05, Parent and Child Education) as its head tennis coach. Sun
will also serve as co-head tennis professional for Ferris' Racquet and Fitness
Center, the school's Professional Tennis Management (PTM) program and assistant
director for summer camps.
Sun, who is originally from Beijing, China, played for the Lady Seasiders from 2001-04, helping win three consecutive national championships, claiming Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II Singles All-America accolades by finishing 16th overall in the ITA's final 2003 national rankings and posting a four-year singles record of 123-0 in dual match competition.
During the past school year, Sun served as assistant to BYU-Hawaii head tennis coach Dr. Dave Porter. She also worked as the BYU-Hawaii fitness center supervisor from 2002-05.
A new chapter forms in Mongolia
Associate Dean of Admissions and Alumni Board Member Arapata
Meha ('83,
Music) recently formed a new chapter in Mongolia,
with Anand
Sangaa ('04, Accounting)
and his wife, Namuuna Dashdorj ('03, Accounting)
named as chapter chairs.
Meha reported Anand and Namuuna, who had been living in Washington, recently returned to Ulaanbaatar, and can be reached at P.O. Box 488, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. "They are a great couple and should be able to help find the current mailing addresses of other alumni in Mongolia," Meha said. He added that Ariunchimeg Tserenjavin ('03, Accounting) and her husband are also "more than willing to help the chapter succeed. They are very busy holding three callings each in their branch and establishing their cashmere business."
Meha also reported the new chapter held a dinner as well as a fireside on August 7 with "alumni, parents, students and future students."
Reminders and repeat notices
We've run these items before, but they're still timely:
Utah:
Utah chairs Dr. David
Settle ('76, Accounting) and his wife, Sue
Settle ('92) reported that the chapter held a "wonderful reception with
lots of aloha spirit for our scholarship recipients, Ligaya Idos and Richard
Greer" on August 10." They explained the one-time half-tuition awards came after
"six years of contributions from dedicated alumni and friends who have donated
their time, talents and money in support of the chapter scholarship award. To
all who have contributed we say mahalo nui loa. Please know that you are a part
of the fulfillment of a modern day prophecy."
Idos is the daughter of alumna Marilou Paderanga ('74), the first Filipino graduate to return home were she met and married Rodel Idos who is currently in the Philippines defending his doctoral dissertation. Greer "comes from a long line of CCH/BYU-Hawaii alumni, beginning with his dad, Dennis Greer, an accounting teacher from 1971-73 and again in 1986-87," the Settles said. "His mom attended CCH in '71, and Richard's older brother, Kevin Greer ('88), and sister Bambi Michelle Greer Robertson ('96), also graduated in accounting from BYU-Hawaii ."
Washington DC:
The Washington DC chapter will hold a meeting with PCC promo team members before
they perform near the U.S. capital in September at the Marriott ranch for
an annual gathering of international diplomats.
1950s & 60s
Bruce May ('65), who lives in Bozeman, Montana, and retired last year as a fisheries biologist, wrote he got his start on the educational path at Church College of Hawaii, which is where he also met his wife, Diane May Murdoch ('65). He went on to earn a master's degree in Colorado.
In memoriam: Dr. James Dumaguin ('68, Physical Education), who went on to earn his master's and Ed.D. degrees from BYU and retired as principal of Konawaena High School, passed away August 17 in Kailua-Kona, where he and his wife, Laurai Elkington Dumaguin, lived for many years.
Earl Veloria ('69, Physical Education) and his wife, Audrey Davenport Veloria ('66, Elementary Education) of Hawi, Hawaii, have recently been called as president and matron of the Kona Temple. President Veloria, who just helped his daughter enroll as a freshman at BYU-Hawaii, said he takes over November 1. At that time he and his wife will live in the temple president's quarters in Kailua.
Dr. Carol Ann Torsak Lenhart ('69), a retired language professor living in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, writes she was "executive secretary to the Academic Dean of Church College of Hawaii between 1966-70, first for Dr. Kay J. Anderson and then Dr. Nephi Georgi. During that time I took a few classes and participated in theatrical productions. I even received a 'best actress' award for my role as Madame Doubonet in The Boyfriend. It was so much fun living and working there. I loved the close feeling of camaraderie among the faculty, staff and students, and felt like I really belonged to the community. I was particularly impressed by the genuine friendships I saw among the students. Also among the faculty and staff there seemed to be a oneness without the status consciousness that one often sees in an academic institution. I think the kind of self-respect and respect for others that I saw among seemingly ordinary people at CCH exemplifies the gospel of Jesus Christ. After my time in Hawaii, I was influenced to pursue a career teaching international students. Those, too, were good years. However, the spirit of intercultural brotherhood which I experienced in Laie remains unique. I miss the wonderful people I once knew there. Though many have since died, they remain very much alive inside me, along with the old Laie that has since blossomed into a maturity I never thought to dream of."
1970s
Pat Corpus Holland ('71, CDFR/Elementary Education) wrote: "I was given the chance to step out of my comfort zone and take over as student body secretary for the rest of the year. Ted Maeda, the student body president at the time, had seen potential that I never realized was there. His encouragement and trust in my abilities helped me to learn new things, gain more self-confidence, and begin to overcome my fear of people. I became more connected to the college experience and became more confident that I could graduate. I am forever grateful for Ted's insight, his Christ-like example as a leader and his friendship." Pat and her husband, Neil Holland ('72, History), live in Anchorage, Alaska.
In memoriam: Moses Faualo ('75), who went on to graduate in law enforcement from BYU, recently passed away in Honolulu.
1980s
Verna Faune-Wall, RN ('81), is a school nurse in Tulare, California, and lives in nearby Visalia. She writes, "Traveling with Showcase Hawaii under the direction of [the late] Greg Tata to the South Pacific, with President and Sister Shumway as our main chaperones, touched people's lives spiritually and attracted many potential students to attend BYU-Hawaii. My attendance helped me improve many aspects of my life. For example, it was there that I developed my talents, gained a strong testimony of the gospel, made many friends, learned different cultures and improved my comprehension of English (my second language). Absolutely I would do it again, if I had to."
Keith Rivera ('82) lives in Pukalani, Maui, and is a computer specialist for Maui Electric Company.
Anne Haenga ('87) is now a Maori language preschool teacher teacher in Huntley, New Zealand, who says she wants to send "my son to BYU-Hawaii one day."
1990s
Gary Min Yuan Syau ('91, Travel, Hotel & Restaurant Management), a tour manager in Burlingame, California, writes the "friendly, lovely people of BYU-Hawaii always remind me of the aloha spirit that holds a special place in my heart."
Michelle Hooks ('93, History/Political Science), who lives in Draper, Utah, said her experience at BYU-Hawaii was "life changing. I not only received a secular education, I also received a cultural and spiritual one as well. I consider Hawaii as my second home and will the rest of my life. I visit the islands and the campus at least once a year."
Valerie Cravens Anae ('93, Business Management), who recently moved back to Laie from San Diego, California, has succeeded her sister-in-law, Wendy Anae ('97), as varsity girls basketball coach at Kahuku High. Wendy is now coaching in Utah.
In memoriam: Dr. William Arthur Hansen, who taught tourism and hospital management from 1987-93, passed away in Salt Lake City on July 14th.
Jerolyn Jane Newell ('94), who lives in Tempe, Arizona, wrote she remembers "showing up at BYU-Hawaii with very little money. I knew I would need to find a job and I wanted it to be on campus. I went to the campus job board and saw that they were hiring campus gardeners -- you know, the ones who rake all around — at the Physical Plant area. Since I didn't know my way around that area of campus I ended up in the paint shop where Lilo Aiu and Hitler Mauia said they would hire me to be on the their crew. When I told my three best friends — Marilyn Johnson, Stephanie Pilling and Jana Gulbranson, they also got jobs. We became the ‘painting princesses' and to this day I think those are some of the best memories. As we drove around in the red painting trucks with Lilo and Hitler, I think we thought that we really were their ‘princesses,' as they thought they were crazy to hire four palagi girls who knew nothing about painting. However, we did learn by their example and it was their love for the job and culture that made Lilo and Hitler such great men. They and the job will forever be in my memory. Thank you, Lilo and Hitler. I love you both."
Christopher Crippen ('97, Elementary Education) and his wife, Sherelda Lei Gleason-Crippen ('96, English), live in Elk Ridge, Utah, where he's a teacher and she "works for her five sons." He writes: "There is no institution in all the world as multiculturally enriching as BYU-Hawaii. Our experience there was unforgettable and has been an influential part of our lives. I loved the Performance Series, devotionals, food fests, basketball and volleyball games and beach trips. What a paradise."
"I often reflect on my time at BYU-Hawaii and know that choosing to attend school there was one of the best decisions of my life. It has brought many blessings and has been the source of much happiness as I remember the times spent there. The friendships and the spirit are what I truly gained and I will always be thankful for the time I could be at BYU-Hawaii," writes Jason Knight ('98, English). He and his wife, Hyun-Jung Yi Knight ('97) live in Henderson, Nevada.
Shawn Petty ('99, Business Management), an operations manager at Walt Disney World in Florida, writes: "My best experience at BYU-Hawaii was the overwhelming sense of the aloha spirit when one arrives at the university. In the four years I spent there, I never got over how friend, Christ-like and caring the faculty, students and the locals were. It truly is a blessed place."
2000s
Camise Janan Burr De Silva ('02, Elementary Education) and her husband, Prasan Joseph De Silva ('02, Hospitality and Tourism Management) now live in Las Vegas. She writes: "My education at BYU-Hawaii was irreplaceable. I couldn't have been better prepared for my teaching career in the Clark County School District. While just completing my master's degree in teacher leadership, I recognized how far ahead I was in my knowledge of many subject matters in comparison to my classmates, because they had been topics I had already been taught by the wonderful faculty in the School of Education. My BYU-Hawaii education is definitely second to none. Not only was I prepared well for my career and further studies, but I was prepared for every aspect of my life, including being a wife and mother. I would do it again in a heart beat."
Vicky Hurford Opie ('03, Accounting), an accountant in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, writes, "When I think back over my time at BYU-Hawaii, I realize that it is where I changed from a kid to an adult. Not only did I study and learn about what I wanted to do professionally, but I also learned about who I wanted to be as a person, both spiritually and temporally. Not a day goes by when I don't think about someone or some experience that happened in beautiful Laie. I can't wait to go back for a visit."
Nicolas Rodriguez ('04, ICS: Communications), who now lives in Longmont, Colorado, writes: "I enjoyed being one of the few Latinos on campus and tried to share what it means to be Latino from my point of view. The ICS Communications program is a major where an individual can express points of view about world problems that affect us today. The professors were intellectual and wanted everyone to express their opinions. Being a graduate has changed my thinking on how I view the world, not only in employment but how I view people and their social backgrounds. Thank you, ICS, for the education. You have all taught me cultural communication. It is not about how much money you make, but progression through excellent communication. It is a degree all should think about when learning to interpret the world and how others interpret what you say."
Editor's Note: The steering committee meetings — co-chaired by Dr. Vernice Wineera ('77, English) and Dr. Rex Frandsen ('66, Business Management) — are definitely getting more intense as the countdown to Golden Jubilee week gets shorter and seemingly faster. Meanwhile, the lines are forming at the cashier's office, and the level of excitement is tangibly growing as everyone gears up for fall semester 2005 to begin on August 31. Remember those days?
— 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 Relations Executive 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.
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