BYU–Hawaii News

An electrical engineer for NASA on the Apollo Lunar Landing Program, Ray Thompson (top), is known to BYU–Hawaii students simply as "Elder Thompson." Recently, BYU–Hawaii's Honors Program recently had the opportunity to hear from him personally at their weekly colloquia. Read Full Story

BYU–Hawaii's new Physician's Assistant, Aaron Jensen (top), is a graduate of the school. "I went to elementary, high school and college here, and now I work here," he said. Jensen earned a master's degree in Health Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. "[After college] I was in plastic surgery for a year and I enjoyed it," Jensen said. Read Full Story

Liz Shropshire, Founder & Director of the Shropshire Music Foundation, spoke at BYU–Hawaii's devotional this past Tuesday about creating peace amidst countries ravaged by war. Her address centered on her own experiences in Northern Ireland, Uganda, and Kosovo, aside from other places she has traveled to. Read Full Story

Jonathan Miles Smith, a recent returnee from Egypt, gave a presentation concerning his study abroad on Wednesday, January 20. Read Full Story

Chad Ford, director of the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding, gave a recent entrepreneurship lecture sharing his extensive experience prior to teaching at BYU–Hawaii. He began by teaching the importance of fulfilling David O. McKay's vision—that from this school will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good toward the establishment of peace internationally. Read Full Story

"As I looked around at all those descendants of Hyrum Smith, I wondered about the research I had been asked to do. Why me? With all those descendants, why should I be asked to do the work? In the midst of my contemplation, an unmistakable voice whispered to my soul, 'Because you are willing.' Looking back, I now see that message as typical of Hyrum's life. In fact, I came to feel that it was Hyrum's voice," said Jeff O'Driscoll, of his experience in preparing his book, titled, "Hyrum Smith: A Life of Integrity". Read Full Story

HONOLULU—On Monday morning, January 18, the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Day parade began as participants slowly made their way through the streets to Kapiolani Park. In the midst of the march were BYU–Hawaii volunteers—students representing their school clubs and home countries of Africa, Samoa, the Philippines, Tonga, Tahiti, Japan, Fiji, Mongolia, and Indonesia. Whether in cultural garb or donning tee shirts with the 'Peace by Piece' slogan of the current BYUHSA presidency, these students personified Dr. King's statement of, "I have a dream that one day … little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers" (http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html). Read Full Story

The Reading and Writing Center at Brigham Young University–Hawaii can be a valuable resource for students. Dafka Yadamsuren, sophomore in social work from Mongolia, said, "I go there for help with writing my papers. It is really helpful to me." Read Full Story

"The power to ask questions—and ask the right questions—is both formidable and fundamental. Think in the scriptures how often parables or sermons are the direct response to a really soul stretching question," said David B. Thomas, Deputy General Counsel for Brigham Young University, at the January 19 devotional held at the Cannon Activities Center. Read Full Story

BYU–Hawaii's newly launched iLead website highlights one of the university's main goals—instilling leadership. Dr. Peter Chan, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, was the brains behind this concept, which helps to fulfill President David O. McKay's prophecy. The website functions as a resource for current and prospective students, and faculty, highlighting professional cases as well as campus cases of leadership. Read Full Story