The March-April 2007 BYU-Hawaii Alumni eNewsletter contains the following:
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The PLC honored President and Sister Shumway (Photo by Monique Saenz, '02, Art) |
As he often does, BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway used a proverbial Tongan saying to start his most recent, and perhaps final address to the BYUH/PCC Presidents' Leadership Council during their meeting the first week of April in Salt Lake City, Utah:
Hifo ngahelehele, hake pā 'ehē: go out noiselessly [to do your fishing], come back rejoicing loudly.
"That is, the prudent fisherman is very quiet about his preparation and departure on his fishing venture. He does not advertise to the village that he is going fishing. Loud talk will be taken as overconfidence or braggadocio and will surely prompt ridicule if he is unsuccessful. But if quiet and then successful, he can come back laughing and rejoicing with as much noise as he wants," President Shumway said, noting he uses such sayings "not just because I love the Tongan language but because [they] are so apt in whatever language."
President Shumway will retire in June after serving at BYU-Hawaii for 41 years. Soon after, he and Sister Carolyn Shumway ('94, Elementary Education) will assume their new callings to preside in the Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple. The First Presidency has not yet announced his successor at BYU-Hawaii.
He started the remainder of his presentation to the PLC, "Remembrances and Thank Yous," by describing a historical photo that "captures our beloved prophet, President David O. McKay, hands clasped, standing on sand in the middle of a cane field surrounded by a small group of local Saints and members of the Board of Trustees of the new school. We know what President McKay is saying in his prayer. It is recorded. He is pronouncing blessings and promises, almost inconceivable at that time, as to what this Institution would be."
"It was in this prayer that he declared what has become the central and overriding principle governing the institution, the community and which would also include the creation of the Polynesian Cultural Center, namely the ‘missionary factor' that would embrace not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of people, those who came to the community or would be influenced by those who would go out from the campus as ambassadors of international peace."
"My eyes are always drawn away from President McKay to look at Vaughn Clissold holding the shovel during the prayer, symbolizing the essential truth that prophets may prophesy and God himself may pronounce great promises, but it is in the hands and hearts of faithful people who believe and are willing to work to bring about the prophetic utterances that make such a difference."
President Shumway told the council members he is "struck with wonder" at the dedication and ability of how Vaughn Clissold and his associates made President McKay's vision happen; and he compared them to "Brother Clissold holding the shovel, you who have come in a later time when the University needed the wherewithal to rise to a new level of efficiency and influence."
More specifically, because of their generous help, "BYU-Hawaii is much stronger, much more influential, and in a greater position to influence the world for good," he said. He added the school is also "more beautiful physically, more academically renowned and reputable. It has greater capacity to fulfill its mission in terms of recruiting, training, mentoring, internshipping, and placing students back in the target area to build the Church. It has higher status and influence with its peer institutions even within the Church."
President Shumway noted that "donor dollars" have also helped establish programs and curricula that make BYU-Hawaii "enviable among sister institutions," including the following initiatives and priorities which were all approved by Church leaders:
Other donor-funded enhancements include:
"How can I thank you enough for what you have done for the University?" President Shumway asked. "Many times we say to our students that they may think they have come to BYU-Hawaii for whatever reason, but the fundamental reason is that they were guided here, and we have been able to receive more students because of the scholarships and programs generated by folks like you."
He also urged the PLC members to "remember always that our support of BYU-Hawaii is focused on students not on the personality of the president or presidents. I know many of you have become very intimate and personal friends. But I hope you will love and support the new president in the fundraising efforts as you have supported me."
"My final joy today is to bear my testimony of the immense value of BYU-Hawaii and PCC to the lives of the individual students and to the millions of people that will be blessed by them. Elder Neal A. Maxwell pointed this out at my inauguration [in 1994] when he talked about the ‘tens of thousands in the world who will never set foot on this campus, [but who will be] blessed and served by the thousands who have been blessed to be here.' "
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The Alingano Maisu in Majuro |
Hawaiian Studies faculty members participate in historic journey
Two BYUH alumni and Hawaiian Studies faculty members — R. Kamoa'e Walk ('87, Business Management), Assistant Director of the Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian Language and Cultural Studies; and Kawika Eskaran ('84, Art), the center's Special Projects Coordinator — recently participated in the open-ocean journey of two traditionally designed voyaging canoes from Hawaii to Micronesia to present one of the vessels to the man responsible for restoring non-instrument wayfinding or navigation to Hawaiians and other Polynesians over the past 30-plus years. Read the magazine-length article...
BYUH School of Business launches new public management minor
The BYU-Hawaii School of Business recently started a new public management minor that is open to all students. Read more...
BYUH co-sponsors 2nd annual Japan Business Plan Competition
The BYU-Hawaii Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship and the Gene and Allyson recently co-sponsored the second annual Japan Business Plan Competition, with the finals held April 6 in Tokyo, and are planning on extending the program to other Asian countries. Read more...
SIFE team bound for nations, following regional win
The BYU-Hawaii Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team won their regional competition held March 23 on campus, and for the tenth consecutive time are bound for the national competition to be held this year in Dallas, Texas, from May 6-8. Last year the BYUH team placed in the top-40 nationally. SIFE, an international nonprofit organization, challenges university based teams to develop community outreach projects in the areas of market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business ethics. Read more...
BYUH web 'newsroom' gets new name and look
As initially explained in previous Alumni eNewsletter issues, the University Advancement Team has converted several news-bearing web pages and features into Na Leo Ho'omaluhia — Voices for Peace, a new BYU-Hawaii news portal at http://newsroom.byuh.edu/
The page features a beautiful new look created by senior designer Anthony Perez ('02, Art) and lots of back-end programming the university IT Team — especially Albert Candari ('00, Information Systems), who has since changed assignments, and more recently University Advancement "web guy" Jason Faga ('06, Information Systems). The product of their creative and technical efforts enable such new features as an events calendar, video clips, links to other information including our Alumni eNewsletter and back issues of BYU-Hawaii Magazine, room for special sections — such as reports on the upcoming BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir tour to China and Mongolia — and more. Please check it out.
Pacific Institute premieres final video in Tonga trilogy
President Eric B. Shumway and two BYU-Hawaii alumni recently completed and premiered Tuku Fonua — The Land Given to God, the final video in a three-part series that BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center produced over the past 10 years through the Pacific Institute on behalf of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga.
President Shumway, who holds the Tongan chiefly title of Faivaola, is the executive producer of the series and narrates Tuku Fonua. Institute Director Dr. Vernice Wineera ('77, English) is the producer and assistant editor; and Gary B. Smith ('76, Communications), a communications consultant to BYU-Hawaii, is the director and editor. "What took us five-to-six months on the previous films only took us about five-to-six weeks on this one because the [computer and digital video] technology is so different from 10 years ago," Wineera said of their latest production. For more information...
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The 1984 BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team — photo courtesy of BYU-Hawaii Archives |
Old photos now available online
BYU-Hawaii Archivist and alum Matt Kester ('99, History) has announced that 200-plus old Church College of Hawaii and BYUH photos are the first now available for online viewing at http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/browse.php?CISOROOT=/byuh. More will be added over time, he said.
PCC seeks alumni stories
PCC Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing P. Alfred Grace ('88, Travel Management) recently issued the following statement:
The Polynesian Cultural Center is very close to publishing a book depicting its history from the early beginnings of President McKay's prophetic statements about the surrounding community and school, to the present time. We want this book to be rich in detail about the educational and cultural aspects of the Center and the impact it has had on students, BYU-Hawaii (CCH for you old-timers), tourism, the Church and of course, the visitors.
One of the most important features of this book will be the personal experiences of those who have worked at the Center. The Center has collected a wide range of personal stories from current and former employees but we want more, many more! So if you would like to possibly see your experiences published in the Polynesian Cultural Center history book, this is your big chance. There is no guarantee that your story will be published, but all stories will be reviewed and secured in the PCC archives for future generations. By submitting your story you will be authorizing PCC to use it without compensation in this publication or any other manner of our choosing in perpetuity.
Please email your stories to naihes@polynesia.com. Make sure to include your name, where you are from, the date of your story and your college major, if applicable. Thank you in advance for taking the time to contribute. We look forward to remembering with you.
Coach Porter receives U.S. tennis education award
BYU-Hawaii tennis coach Dr. David T. Porter recently received one of three 2006 Tennis Educational Merit Awards at the United States Tennis Association annual meeting. Dr. Porter, a U.S. Professional Tennis Association Master Profession, has accumulated an impressive record of championships at BYU-Hawaii and is also active in teaching tennis coaches and players in China. For more information...
In other BYU-Hawaii sports news
CCHers Alumni Network (1955-74) plans 2008 reunion, changes email procedures, other reports:
CAN, as they call themselves, is planning a "MEGA-REUNION" from July 24-27, 2008, in Laie. A planning committee, headed by Dottie Anderson-Uchima ('62, Business Management) has reported that "dorm beds will be available for $35 per person, first come-first served.
CAN, which now includes all CCH alumni (1955-74), leaders asked that the following information be included in our eNewsletter:
CAN leader Gary Wong ('60) asks for the following "BIG TIME KOKUA" [help], even if previously submitted:
In other CAN news:
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Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann (with lei) congratulates Jolene Bradshaw and family |
Alumni named Hawaii 'Young Mother of the Year':
The American Mother's Inc. organization has named Jolene Keliiliki Bradshaw ('89) as Hawaii "Young Mother of the Year." Bradshaw is the wife of Scott Bradshaw ('00) and mother of daughter Jordyn, 16. The family lives in Ewa Beach, Oahu, where he serves as bishop of the 2nd Ward and helps in his family's businesses. Jolene works in facilities management for the Church, overseeing the upkeep of three stakes on Oahu and one on Kauai. She'll represent Hawaii at a national convention later this month in Las Vegas.
BYUH 14th Ward alumni set up website
Julie Harman Azares ('03, ICS Communications) recently stopped by the Alumni Office to let us know she has created a website for BYU-Hawaii 14th Ward members under Bishop Jeffrey Tyau. Julie further reported she and husband, Ryan Azares ('03, ICS Communications) who now live in Draper, Utah, "have all lived in several states and have felt a great need to reconnect. In January I was contacted by [the bishop's wife] Eloise Goo Tyau ('77) to hold reunion at our home. This started the frenzy from many other former ward members to reunite, and that is when I decided to build and gather 65 ward members and their families information onto one website where we can stay connected and talk about current topics and happenings in Laie and BYU-Hawaii. I would love to share this website with more of the BYUH staff and faculty so that you can stay current on the students I have been connecting. It would be a great dream of mine to return to BYUH and do this kind of thing for others! Hope you like what you see
Showcase alumni get their own blog:
Christie de Rama-Faux ('78, Travel, Hotel, Restaurant Management) has created a website for all Showcase Hawaii alumni at http://showcasehawaii.blogspot.com. Check it out.
Alumni present at annual Mormon Pacific Historical Society meeting
During the Mormon Pacific Historical Society's annual conference on March 17, two BYU-Hawaii alumni now serving on the faculty presented papers: Isaiah Walker ('97, History) shared information on his ancestor, Abraham Fernandez, a descendant of Hawaiian ali'i [chiefs] who served in many Church leadership positions and is also known for baptizing Hawaii's Queen Lili'uokalani; and Tevita Ka'ili ('93, Accounting), an anthropologist, discussed how the culture of Tongan Saints living outside their home islands carries over into some of their ward and Church activities. Read more...
Alumni in Canada get new chapter
BYU-Hawaii alumni in the Calgary, Alberta, Canada area will officially open their new chapter when President and Sister Shumway come for a "fireside" on Monday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the LDS Welfare Services Center, 7040 Farrell Road SE. For more information, contact Frank Hin Fan Lau ('79, Business Management).
Alaska:
Chapter chair Carol Fautanu ('89, Mathematics Education) reports Alaska-based alumni "had a wonderful time playing volleyball and basketball" at their February 24 "family night" activity. "Everyone enjoyed it so much they want to have another one soon."
Mid-Atlantic:
The Mid-Atlantic Chapter — aka the Washington DC Chapter — is planning "a festive night of Pacific Island music and dances on Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 pm. in the Washington DC Temple Visitors Center. The dancers and musicians will share
their cultural heritage from Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji,
and Hawaii. Please join us for a fast moving, unforgettable evening.
Children and adults will delight in the color and pageantry of the
Island dancers and their joyous music," writes chapter chair Salei'a Fa'amuli.
In other chapter news, the officers are meeting at the Fa'amuli home on May 20. They are planning the chapter's Annual Luau on June 9 at Calleva Farm in Poolsville, Maryland. "Last year's luau was a great success and we raised a little money from donations to start our scholarship fund. This year will be an even bigger success and we hope to receive enough donations to award a scholarship to a BYU-Hawai'i student from the Mid-Atlantic area. So keep the day open, invite your friends and family, and get ready for some ono grinds and great entertainment! This is a great activity for the whole family as the farm has lots of room for kids to run around and enjoy themselves," Fa'amuli added in her report.
The chapter is also supporting a Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association-East Coast hula seminar on June 16 at the Hayfield High School Lecture Hall (7630 Telegraph Road) in Alexandria, Virginia. The seminar features instruction from Kumu Hula Holoua Stender of Ka Pa Hula O Kamehameha, and Snowbird Bento and Hi'ileiokalani Costa of Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehua, in both hula 'auana (modern) and hula kahiko (ancient) styles. More details are coming.
Oahu-Honolulu:
The Oahu-Honolulu Chapter hosted the BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir, which had performed for Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in Honolulu Hale earlier that afternoon, on March 23 at the Honolulu Tabernacle. The choir did a half-hour presentation. Then Alumni Association president Les Steward ('73, Business Management) presented a certificate of appreciation to outgoing chapter leaders Rob Hardisty ('77, Accounting) and his wife, Mary Lou Holmes Hardisty (89, Physical Education), and officially welcomed new chapter chairs Marlo Lopez ('84, Biology) and his wife, Memnet Panes Lopez ('84, Biological Science). The Honolulu Hawaii Mission President and some of the missionaries also attended.
Reminders:
In case you missed them in a previous issue, or you're new to our Alumni eNewsletter:
We invite you to submit your comments and memories of President and Sister Shumway to the Alumni Blog at http://w2.byuh.edu/alumni/blog/index.php
1950s & 60s
Rosemary Weiland sent an email explaining that her mother, Penny Florence Tolman, "was the first valedictorian of the Church College of Hawaii. She is now a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, who attended school while her parents served a second mission to Hawaii. I would love to see her recognized somehow. She is a 70-year-old widow who hasn't had the money to travel back since her graduation."
Bev Littler Luke ('60), who now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, sent the following to the CCHers email system: "While going through a box of memories, up popped — of all things — my acceptance to CCH way back in July of 1958, signed by our own Ross Allen. It wasn't in a place that I thought it should be and I wasn't looking for it, but I thought it was interesting, none the less. It clearly was in the days of typewriters, as some of the letters weren't aligned properly; computers make our lives so much easier and I'm afraid that we take them for granted. Just thought I'd share this little piece of paper that started me on the path to a lifetime of memories with wonderful friends."
Joycelyn Tanabe Pukahi ('59, Business Administration) and her husband, Daniel Pukahi, live in Oceanside, California. She works for the MCCS Semper Fit Division at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, and writes: "Just recently, I purchased the three DVDs of the CCH reunion — the graduation luau, the testimony meeting and the potluck at the beach. My husband and I stayed up all night watching and enjoying and just remembering the good times at the old CCH dorms and the new dorms that I was one of the first students to enjoy. I remember how very close all of the students were, the camaraderie we shared was unbelievable. I had come to attend this school from the island of Maui and was so naive in things. Thank goodness the transition to college life was easy because of the fact that most of us believed in the same things. We were able to get along well in this new school, with the wonderful professors that we had. I especially remember Joseph R. Smith who was the head of the Business department. He was instrumental in me graduating with an AS degree. The best years of my life were attending CCH and then upon graduating, working at the CCH library for three years under Brother Kenneth Slack. Also the Assistant Librarian, J. Carlyle Parker, was a great friend. I thank my Heavenly Father and my parents that I made the decision to attend school at CCH."
Family and friends of Tevita Mohetau were thrilled recently when the retired BYU-Hawaii Physical Facilities employee and former labor missionary was safely found following a three-day search of the community. Mohetau, who most recently served as a member of the Laie Hawaii Temple presidency but has been suffering memory loss possibly brought on by a car accident, had wandered off the evening of March 31 from Laie McDonald's and was found mauka [inland] on the Hauula side of the Polynesian Cultural Center. Dozens of relatives, community members, BYU-Hawaii faculty and staff joined in the search that ended successfully.
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(Photo by Merv Tano) |
CORRECTION: Beaver Ho Ching ('67), recently released Area Authority Seventy in Samoa and president of a family business in Nu'uuli, American Samoa, was called as president of the Philippines Quezon City Mission (and not Samoa, as incorrectly reported to an early version of the last eNewsletter). Kala mai (sorry) for any confusion.
You may remember that Mervyn Tano ('69, History) — now an attorney and president of the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management in Denver, Colorado — was quite a photographer back in the day. He wrote to say he was recently going through some old "slides" (including this one on the right) and wondered if anyone is collecting, cataloging and/or archiving old photos: Please see the story above re the online collection of old CCH/BYUH photos, or contact BYU-Hawaii Archivist Matt Kester ('99, History).
In the News: The March 17 issue of Church News carried an intriguing story about the erosion of Tahitian language in French Polynesia, featuring Victor Cave ('69). Cave went on from CCH to earn a degree in social work from BYU in Provo. Cave — who later served as a mission president, Area Seventy and counselor in the Australia New Zealand Area Presidency — now lives in Salt Lake City and works for the Church.
1980s
You can read a nice write-up by former Alumni Association president, Robert "Bobby" Akoi Jr. ('80, Travel Management; '85, Elementary Education), in the Honolulu Advertiser's "Expressions of Faith" section. Bobby's home-town newspaper, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, carries a similar story with more details.
Lee Ann Johansen DeLima ('82, Elementary Education), who went on to earn a master's in educational administration from the University of Hawaii, was recently named headmaster at Kamehameha Schools Maui. DeLima, who lives in Kihei, previously served as principal of both the Maui campus' elementary and middle schools, and most recently served as interim headmaster.
Sandy Nesbit Money ('82, Secretarial Science), who lives in Phoenix, Arizona, shared the following: "President Shumway was my Tongan teacher also. The first couple of phrases I learned in the class were how to say 'monkey face, toilet face,' etc. I still have my syllabus from the class, and yes we did learn other phraseology. One thing for sure was that you knew he loved the language and the people of Tonga. That's exciting news to hear he'll be back serving in Tonga again. I always enjoy reading the e-newsletter and then I send it on to my six brothers and sisters. Six of us were students at BYU-Hawaii, while the seventh went to BYU-Provo."
Hiram Akina ('83, Physical Education) was recently named the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West conference "coach of the year" for his work in leading the Mililani High School boys basketball team to a perfect 12-0 season championship.
Shannon Spencer Heslop ('84), who lives in Turlock, in California's Central Valley and describes herself as a "domestic engineer," wrote: "My experience at BYU-Hawaii was such a highlight of my college experience. I don't think anyone could have had a better experience. The campus, my roommate, being part of Showcase, the environment, the experience of being a minority — it all was fabulous. It helped prepare me for my mission, which soon followed. I've reflected on that experience again and again with gratitude!"
Yoon Hwan Choi ('88, Information Systems) was called as an Area Authority Seventy for South Korea at the recent General Conference. He and his wife, Bon Kyung Koo ('88, Travel Management) live in Seoul.
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Naeata (left) and Baker |
1990s
Joe Baker ('91, English and History Political Science) and M. Clarence Naeata ('95, Accounting) are flying for Mesa Air Group — built on a partnership of four large airlines — that operates go! Airlines in Hawaii. Joe and his wife, Kristen Phyfe Baker ('87, TESOL) live in Matthews, North Carolina; and Clarence and his wife, Suitumua Alaiasa Naeata ('00, Social Work) live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Steve Oler ('01, Psychology) also works as a First Officer with Mesa flying out of Phoenix, Arizona. The Mesa Air Group recently signed an agreement with Shenzhen Airlines in China to form a regional carrier.
Sun Joo Ann Marie Coburn Allred ('92, Elementary Education) recently returned to Laie to put on a fundraiser that will benefit the orphanage in Kwangju, South Korea, where she lived before the late CCH math professor Richard Coburn and his wife Lillian Coburn, who still lives in the family home on Naniloa Loop, adopted her into their family that ultimately totaled 16 children. "I believe that I was the first Korean baby to be adopted into the State of Hawaii. Today, the orphanage that I came from takes care of 180 severely handicapped or wheelchair-bound children. Although they receive a government stipend, they must rely upon donations from other charitable groups or donors because they are simply unable to meet the needs of all of these children on what their government gives them. Hence, our family decided that we wanted to do something to help. I just want to be able to give something back to the kind and gentle people that gave me a place to call 'home' when I did not have one. Yes, this is a very personal endeavor, but one that I feel is so very worthwhile!" Sun Joo has set up A Child's Hope Foundation.
Alumni Association board member P. J. Rogers ('94, International Business Management), who went on to earn an MBA and is working on his Ph.D. at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, surprised some of us with his fun and very classy "From Here to Eternity" booklet that tells the story of his romance and marriage to Lori Cannon — both of whom are originally from Texas. You can even see P. J.'s proposal online; and friend Rick Daynes ('97, History) submitted an Alumni Blog item that said he "had to fly to Seoul to witness the event and make sure that it wasn't a hoax!" with the results posted on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXlA2d1LK5k. Rogers has his own media business in Seoul and Lori, who is half-Korean, teaches and coaches at Seoul American High School. Best wishes to the new family.
Inez Campbell ('98, Elementary Education) lives in Hamilton, New Zealand, and works as a training manager for the War Pension Services. She writes: "Hawaii will always be my second home. I will always be grateful for the friends I made and the education I received. I often talk to the youth of my various wards about the benefits of attending university and encourage them to further their education. I have always had a passion for learning, that has only increased through my attending BYU-Hawaii."
2000s
Yohei Araki ('02, ICS Communications) wrote to say he recently landed his "dream job" doing public affairs and military intelligence-related work for a large defense contractor company that does works for a U.S. government agency on Oahu.
Yousun Hwang ('03, Art) and her husband, Joonjoe Jo ('05, Computer Science), are currently living in Provo, Utah. She writes: "One thing that I like the most in BYU-Hawaii is teachers. They are so great. They are not only teaching knowledge but also how to live our lives, and they show good examples. One day I had a miscarriage so I couldn't attend classes; one teacher visited me to give some food and encouragement. I'll never forgot that day. I feel their love. They really wanted me to grow in school. I love my BYU-Hawaii."
"I will always have fond memories of my Vanagon study/snooze sessions in the student parking lot and, of course, all the great friends I met at school in between those sessions," wrote Shirrell Longeuay Lallatin ('05, International Business Management), who now lives in Haleiwa.
• Richard "Snake" Torres (60s), passed away February 21 in Placentia, California, at the age of 56. After attending CCH, Richard went on to Long Beach State and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He spent most of his career working for a steel mill in El Monte, California. Torres, who is survived by his wife and other family, was buried in Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Carlene Okimoto Mossman ('92, Elementary Education), 40, passed away March 27 due to an amniotic embolism during childbirth. She and her husband, Vaughn Mossman ('93), and family had been living in Sandy, Utah. Carlene grew up in Laie, graduated from Kahuku High and received a David O. McKay Scholarship to attend BYU-Hawaii. While in school, she danced at the Polynesian Cultural Center and served a mission in Sendai, Japan. After graduating and marrying Vaughn, she taught at Kahuku Elementary School. She is survived by her husband, seven children and numerous other family members. She is buried in Laie.
• Levi Wilmott ('01, Biology) passed away March 8 at his parents' home in Brisbane, Australia. Levi and his wife, Shalon Knight, and their children had been living in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he was a biology instructor at Western Wyoming Community College until he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor about a year ago. Friends may contact his family through his sister, Cassie.
• Bertha Samoa ('01), a former music student at BYU-Hawaii who went on to become a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, recently passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah. The choir sang four numbers at her funeral on March 26.
• Former History volunteer professor Dr. R. Davis Bitton passed away April 13 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bitton, the author of an award-winning biography of 1850's Hawaii missionary George Q. Cannon and a former Assistant Church Historian, taught at BYUH during the 2005-06 school year. He frequently submitted articles to the online Meridian Magazine and shared his thoughts on "diary hunting" at an April 13, 2006, devotional on campus.
Editor's Note: Everyone on campus is wondering who the next president of BYU-Hawaii will be, and also wondering when the official announcement will be made; but so far, no word yet. Meanwhile, we have been blessed with President Shumway's presence for the past 41 years. He has championed programs and changes that will affect us far into the future. He is the senior faculty member, and he has had an inestimable impact on the university that radiates beyond campus to the PCC, the community, and most importantly, to all of us. Fakafeta'i [honorable thanks] to President and Sister Shumway, and their family.
— 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; Dr. 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.
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