The September 2006 BYU-Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter contains the following:
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Alumni Executive Director Rowena Reid ('76, Social Work), recently summarized the state of our association by reporting:
Reid also reported on significant achievements so far this year, most of which have previously been covered in the eNewsletter, including:
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Chapter distribution |
"We're also planning to hold a combined chapter chair conference the week of February 12–16, 2007," Reid continued. "For the first time, we're scheduling the conference during the same period as the School of Business Entrepreneurship Conference. This will allow our chapter chairs to connect with the university, the students and facilitate returnability, strengthen alumni networking, magnify the spirit of giving, and at the same time, help us recognize our Genuine Gold honorees."
"I want to emphasize that as alumni, we are the people President David O. McKay referred to when he said: ...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."
"More and more, that role will increase as student alumni become our graduate alumni," she continued. "To that end, our association is committed to three desired results":
"Much of this would not be possible without your support and aloha," Reid said. "For example, we appreciate all the activities that go on with all the chapters worldwide. Whenever we're in the field, we feel your spirit and love to visit with you when you return to campus."
"I especially want to extend my appreciation to the Chapter Chairs, and encourage all of you who live near an organized chapter to please support their efforts and establish connections with the students from your areas."
President Shumway urges singles to acquire marriageable qualities
In the first devotional of the 2006-07 school year, BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway stressed the need for single students "to acquire those personal attributes that will sustain a happy marriage. If you learn all this school has to offer, but fail to acquire these qualities that sustain a marriage and family, your education will be sorrowfully incomplete," he said. Read more...
BYUH women's volleyball team breaks into top-10
The BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team — undefeated as of 'press' deadline — was recently ranked number nine in the NCAA II Division. As reported in the August 2006 Alumni eNewsletter, the team started off in preseason rankings at number twenty-one, and claimed the number-10 spot on September 12, moving up to their current spot the following week. Go, Siders!
The team has a perfect 9-0 win-loss record so far this season, with a 5-0 record in the Pac West Conference and is one of only four NCAA II undefeated teams in the nation. Junior outside hitter Michelle Tuli Peters — daughter of alumni Mary Tanuvasa Peters ('02, Special Education) and the late Ken Peters ('97) — came up with 31 digs in a recent victory over UH-Hilo and leads the NCAA II in kills.
The brand-new women's soccer team is also enjoying a winning season. For more BYU-Hawaii sports news...
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BYUH/PCC Asian Executive Management alumni in Xi'an |
New alumni chapters form in China, Tennessee-Alabama, Wyoming:
The Alumni Association board recently approved the formation of new chapters in:
Association Executive Director Rowena Reid explained that Mitchell Colling, a BYU-Hawaii student intern currently in China, has been helping organize the widespread group, which is planning to provide support during the Concert Choir's tour to China and Mongolia in 2007. For example, Colling emailed that he recently met with alumni in Xi'an, who "really appreciate the Alumni pins as a treasured token. I have also give out 'Y Lighting the Way' pins for those who are not alumni, but would like or are planning to be." Colling added he's also setting up a blog to help the alumni do further networking.
Alumnus named first government minister in Tonga:
Fineasi Funaki ('91, History/Political Science) was appointed as Tonga's Minister of Tourism on May 17, making him the first Church member to serve as a cabinet-level government minister in the kingdom. His appointment ceremony was held at the Liahona High School campus.
"This new post gives me a greater opportunity to be of service to all the people of Tonga. Being minister of tourism, I have been given the full responsibility of ensuring that the tourism sector provides the economic strategy which is one of Tonga's brightest hopes in developing our small island nation,"He was recently quoted in The Church News. "Without the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I definitely would not have gone this far. The principles and teachings of the restored gospel truly work in all or any circumstance, place, and anyone's life, regardless of who you are, what you do and where you live."
Prior to his new appointment, Funaki served as the second People's Representative of the Ha'apai Islands Group in Parliament. The late William Harris ('61) of Tonga served as Secretary of Commerce and Labor for the kingdom in the 80s, and was also a member of parliament for Vava'u.
Alumnus heads BYUH David O. McKay Center:
Dr. Chad Ford ('95, History), Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies, was recently named Director of the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding. "Chad's background in media and conflict resolution make him an ideal director for the center. We look forward to the work of the center in fostering the mission of BYU-Hawaii of developing intercultural understanding and of establishing peace internationally," wrote Academic Vice President Dr. Keith Roberts in announcing the appointment.
Ford, who went on from BYUH to earn a master's in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University and a juris doctorate with an emphasis on international conflict resolution from Georgetown University, both in Washington DC, recently produced an intriguing ESPN story on how a basketball program might help peace efforts among Israeli and Palestinian youth.
Student Alumni chapter hears report on Shenzhen, China internship project:
Psychology professor Dr. Ronald M. Miller recently reported to the Student Alumni Association that a group of BYU-Hawaii interns and counterparts from the Shenzhen Tourist College completed a mentored marketing survey for the largest entertainment-based company in China "that they estimate would have cost about $5 million U.S.," he said. Read more about the unique internship...
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Alum Dr. Don Stokes (left) and his partner, Dr. Tom Grant Jr., donated six samples of their nerve stimulating devices to BYU-Hawaii. |
Alumnus, partner donate invention products to EXS:
Two chiropractors — a BYU-Hawaii alumnus and his partner — have donated six new biomechanical vibrational stimulators to the Exercise & Sports Science department to conduct independent research and see how athletes respond.
"We hope to develop improved user techniques," said Dr. Don Stokes ('78) of Atlanta, Georgia, who with his partner, Dr. Tom Grant Jr. of Alpine, Utah, donated the StimTrainer™ devices each worth about $500 retail. He added they also hope to establish dialog with the international entrepreneurial program at BYUH to determine how people in other countries might respond to the new invention, which just came on the market within the past month.
Dr. Stokes, who went on from Laie to become a chiropractor, met his partner when they were in the same ward in Atlanta. Dr. Grant, who had worked in the electronics industry before becoming a chiropractor in his mid-40s, invented the patent-pending device. They have been developing and testing the product for the past three years.
"There are plenty of vibrational devices in the market, but nothing that does this," said Dr. Grant. He explained the StimTrainer™ "works off mechanical vibrations and a blend of frequencies that start low and ramp up high," and works best when worn around the back of the neck for 6-10 minutes at a time.
"There are different levels of results," he continued, noting this might be cause by tight muscles vs. tight muscles plus scar tissue, or poor training habits; "but everybody seems to see results pretty quickly."
"We've tested this on hundreds of people at random, and they all gain increased flexibility," Dr. Stokes said. For example, he noted one male student on campus, in a pre-test, "struggled to touch the ground with his fingertips on the ground when he bent over, and his lifelong goal, he said, was to get his knuckles on the ground. Within about two minutes time [of using StimTrainer™] he got his knuckles on the ground. The StimTrainer also helps people train muscle memory" and is working with a major golf company."
"BYU-Hawaii holds a very dear and tender spot in my heart," said Dr. Stokes, who attended here for one semester. "I just loved it here. I loved the experience. It's where the Lord led me to find my wife [Barbara Presler Stokes ('78), who also attended for one semester], and of all the places we could have taken it, I feel the same way about the need for bringing the StimTrainer here first."
Of BYU-Hawaii, Dr. Grant added, "I love it here. It's an awesome campus, and people are incredibly friendly."
PCC This is Polynesia cassettes available:
The Alumni Association office, in cooperation with the Polynesian Cultural Center, is selling music cassettes of the PCC's 1980s night show, This is Polynesia, for for $2 each (plus shipping and handling). The cassette includes This is Polynesia, Queen's Jubilee, Siva Lapa Lapa, Karanga Mai, Bula Laie, the Hawaiian War Chant (PCC Brass Band) and The Gathering Place. For more information, contact the Alumni office...or call 808-293-3648.
Utah alumni launch Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce:
A group of Polynesians and others now living in Utah recently formed the Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce, with Ben Au Jr. ('73, Social Work) as its first chairman.
Au, who grew up in Laie and now runs his own high-tech aircraft simulator design and engineering company in Sandy, Utah, explained, "We're doing this to help all Pacific islanders in the community. I know we have a lot of BYU-Hawaii alumni spread across the western states; but we're not limited to Utah, and you don't have to be Polynesian. Anyone interested in working with us is welcome. This is the first organization of its kind we're aware of."
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(Left-right) Dr. William Neal, Matt Bright ('95), Kaleo Enos (BYUP), Mike Bright ('96), and his father Dean Bright in the Colorado Chapter golf tournament. |
In addition to Au, other officers currently include Bev Uipi, president, whose father, Phil Uipi ('72) is an alum; Viliami Hemaloto ('65, Mathematics), secretary; and Julian Kau, a retired Navy officer and civil engineer who was involved with building four LDS temples.
Colorado:
Chapter chair Mike Bright ('96, International Business Management) reports BYU-Hawaii alumni in Colorado — meeting together with the Colorado Management Society as well as BYU-Idaho and BYU chapters — helped raise over $23,000 for their scholarship fund during their recent annual golf tournament.
During the tournament, Bright continued, the alumni honored Ron Hagmeyer "for his past and current contributions to BYU-Hawaii. Ron is not a member of the Church, nor is he an alumnus of any of the campuses, but he believes in the quality education and environment that BYU provides to all of its students."
Bright explained Dr. William Neal, Assistant to BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway, also attended the event and presented Hagmeyer with a hand-carved Maori patu [war club] in recognition of his generosity and service on the School of Business Executive Advisory Committee. Dr. Neal added that Hagmeyer "remains a strong advocate of our programs and continues to mentor outstanding alumni, such as Mike Bright. This event also demonstrated how alumni from all Church entities can work together to support prospective students who need assistance in their education expenses. The event was extremely well organized, the scholarship endowment was expanded, and the participants enjoyed associating with each other. This could be a model that could be used in other areas as well."
On another note, Bright invited BYU-Hawaii alumni in Colorado to join BYU fans for a fireside with BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall and members of the football team on Friday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fort Collins Stake Center, 600 E. Swallow Road. He also invites you to a tailgate party on November 4 at 2:00 p.m. in Fort Collins before the Cougar-Colorado State football game scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. For the burrito bar lunch, there is a $10 charge for adults ($5 for children). For advance orders, contact Craig Spouse or Bright. To purchase tickets for the game, call 1-800-491-RAMS, and ask for the BYU seats in Section I ($42.50) or Section 110 ($27.50).
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The Kous, Taiwan chapter chairs, along with seminar leader, Dr. Chen (center) |
Taiwan:
Chapter chair Alex Wai Ho Kou ('96, Accounting) — along with his wife, Mei-yi Pao Kou ('96, Commercial Art) — reports Taiwan alumni held a "successful seminar evening" on September 16, and because of overwhelming response, plan to hold another focused on international business negotiation on December 16, with a full slate of activities already planned for 2007.
Reminders:
In case you missed them in a previous issue, or you're new to our Alumni eNewsletter:
The Washington state chapter will hold its Hana Hou 2006 Alumni 'Ohana Luau on Saturday, October 14 from 6-9 p.m. at Federal Way Stake Center, 34815 Weyerhauser Way S, Federal Way, WA. For more info...or call 425-898-1154.
Three new Golden Jubilee-themed DVDs are now available for sale for $10 each (plus shipping and handling) through the BYU-Hawaii Bookstore:
1950s & 60s
Congratulations to "Uncle" Joe Ah Quin ('64, Music Education) and "Aunty" Malia Ah Quin who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a rather awesome luau at their Naniloa Loop home.
Dr. Alan M. Uyehara ('68, Asian Studies) former Chair of Continuing Education at BYU-Hawaii, has been named Dean of Workforce and Learning Resources at Galveston College in Galveston, Texas, having responsibility for Technical Programs, Distance Education and Continuing Education. After leaving Laie, Uyehara served as Director of the Center for International Studies at Salt Lake Community College and Dean of Transportation and Trades at Honolulu Community College. He and his wife, Dawn Bailey Uyehara ('74), live in Galveston.
1970s
In memoriam: Mechail 'Caila' Sumbad Lealaitafea ('78) was killed in an auto accident on September 6 in Utah, where she had been living in West Jordan since 1979. Originally from Laupahoehoe, Caila worked for Delta Airlines and enjoyed singing with the Utah Polynesian Choir. She is survived by her husband, Lester Lealaitafea ('78), six children, nine grandchildren and many other relatives.
1980s
Crystal Flake Petersen ('81) recently wrote to say how much she enjoyed attending BYU-Hawaii. She and her husband, Darrell Petersen ('86, Physical Education), now live in Enterprise, Utah.
In memoriam: Carl Tuitavuki ('84, Vocational Management), who was the Laie Hawaii Temple engineer, died on September 1 as the result of a tree trimming accident. He is survived by his wife, Ofa Hoeft Tuitavuki ('85, Secretarial Science), two sons, five daughters, five grandchildren and other family members.
Bryan Bowles ('85), who was also a former vice president at the Polynesian Cultural Center and a bishop in Laie, was recently named the 2007 Utah state school "superintendent of the year." Read more about it...
Dean Wilson ('89), who went on to play golf for BYU in Provo, recently became the first Hawaii pro to win a PGA tournament on the mainland. Read more...
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The Pauga family in Texas |
1990s
Dr. David Slack ('92), former BYU-Hawaii athletic director and head trainer, recently joined the faculty at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, as athletic training coordinator. Dr. Slack and his wife, Pamela Slack ('91) live in Topeka.
Lori Lynn Lathen Sharum ('94, Business Management), a recruiting manager in Woodridge, Illinois, writes: "BYU-Hawaii provided an excellent education and I have so much appreciation for all the leaders and professors that shaped my life in my early 20's. Thank you so much!" She and her husband, Tad, live in Plainfield, IL.
Moe Masoe ('95, Elementary Education), Religious Education Coordinator for the CES-Samoa, writes: "I am forever grateful for the opportunity granted to me and my family, by the university, to get my degree and grow spiritually at BYU-Hawaii. The experiences we enjoyed there changed my life for the better, especially learning to put first things first through budgeting time over family, Church callings, classes, work, and recreational activities. I would do it again if I ever get another opportunity."
Joey Pauga ('97, Business) recently started working as a consultant on electronic marketing channels for Texas Instruments in Dallas. "We focus on moving with technology and the market, that way we can optimize our marketing dollars, so it's a fun challenge," he says of his latest career move.
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Kiri Close and husband in Hong Kong |
2000s
Kiri Chamberlin Close ('00, ICS Humanities), who earned a doctoral degree from the European Graduate School in Switzerland where she also held a Chair in Cultural Studies, now lives in Boston with her husband, Robert Close. Originally from American Samoa, Kiri fondly recalls working at PCC as a night show dancer and canoe show emcee. She currently teaches film, literature and philosophy, and is preparing for law school. In her "free time," she said she pursues modern dance, foreign languages, new recipes, Indie and foreign film venues, East Coast travel with Rob, and classes and conferences at Harvard.
Stacy Eccles Eagar ('00, International Business Management), who now lives in Akron, Ohio, is a homemaker for her three children and husband. Matthew, who's "attending medical school to become a foot and ankle surgeon. We both miss Hawaii and parts of our hearts will always be there," she wrote.
Ann Sivilai Sarafian ('01, TESOL) reports she and her husband, Michael Sarafian ('01, Information Systems) are living in Kingswood, NSW, Australia. "My best experience at BYU-Hawaii was meeting the right friends with good moral standards who encouraged me to excel in all aspects of life. I was able to grow and develop spiritually, socially, emotionally, mentally at a rapid rate. I still dream I am back at BYUH doing the same things over again, like a longing to continue to excel in that positive environment. BYU-Hawaii has changed my heart and my thinking about many things."
Kristina Potter Tauti ('01, EXS) recently placed first in a National Physique Committee competition in New York City, which qualified her to become a professional body builder. Read more...
Fenny Hakim ('03, Psychology) recently started teaching at an international preschool in Singapore. She writes: "We mainly communicate and teach in English and Mandarin. I have so much fun working together with the children, who are so adorable! I am happy to be a teacher. I also got called to be the editor for the Liahona magazine in Indonesia. I am going to be trained in Hong Kong in the month of November. The Lord has been so wonderful to me. I am grateful to have the honor to serve him in my hometown."
Theresa Cowden-Seely ('05, Special Education) now lives in Kohala on the Big Island.
Dae Won Eddie Jung ('06, Accounting) has returned home and is working for an multinational cleaning supplies company as the finance and accounting manager, controller. "I'm really happy to live and work in Korea," he writes. "My decision to come back was very wise and good." He and his wife, Hyo Sun Cho Jung ('05, TESOL), live in Seoul.
Editor's Note: This issue, more than others, it seems, is loaded with alumni news. From the lead article, for example, you can tell our association is very proactive in reaching out to existing chapters, forming new ones, and encouraging greater participation. Our eNewsletter has been a great way to help spread the word; but communication, even in the Internet age, is a challenge . . . and we wish we had current email addresses for more of you. It's such a great medium. It's also good way to hear of your accomplishments and individual feedback. Quite simply, with every issue my heart swells with pride to be associated with you over the years of aloha we shared in Laie, and since.
— Mike Foley ('70, TESL), Editor
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The BYU-Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter is published by the University Advancement office, under the direction of Napua Baker ['59-61 and '70-72], Vice President; Duane Roberts, Director of Communications & Public Relations; and Rowena Reid ['76, Social Work], Alumni Relations Executive Director. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a four-year comprehensive undergraduate institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 2,400 students from over 70 nations are currently enrolled.
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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