BYU–Hawaii News

The BYU–Hawaii art department’s recent addition of a graphic design emphasis has resonated well with students. Brandon Truscott, a faculty member in the art department, was hired one year ago with the special task of assisting in the creation of the graphics track. He currently teaches three of the four required classes in the track. “Fortunately or unfortunately,” Truscott laughs, “anyone going through this track is going to learn [graphic design] from me and from their own investigation.” Read Full Story

Brother Clayton Christensen of the Harvard Business School urged students, faculty, and staff at a devotional on April 19, 2011, to “follow God’s ways, and not our own, as we wield our sickles with our might.” Brother Christensen recounted some of his personal experiences with missionary work and gave some tips for sharing the gospel more effectively. Read Full Story

On April 19, 2011, EcoEffect radio (KGU-AM 760) featured students from BYU–Hawaii on its daily sustainability show. The show, “Charlene on Green” is hosted by Charlene Brown, a graduate from BYU (Provo), and focuses on household and organizational efforts to move toward a more sustainable community. BYU–Hawaii students Chad Jansrikesorn, Lani Harris, Molly Alofipo, and Theresa Holmes discussed various campus initiatives they have been involved in through employment and academics. Read Full Story

During the winter semester, BYU–Hawaii Marketing Research students participated in a consulting project with Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku, and on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the students presented their recommendations to Turtle Bay Resort executives, including the general manager and resort manager. The project dealt particularly with the Turtle Bay Escape Club and was given to students early in the semester with a Request for Proposal. Throughout the semester, students prepared a proposal, conducted and transcribed two focus groups, wrote and collected data on two surveys, and analyzed the data before presenting their findings and recommendations to the manager of the Escape Club. Dr. Lenard Huff, the Marketing Research professor, stated, "The general manager was so impressed that she wants to talk with us about setting up some permanent student internships for BYU–Hawaii students." Read Full Story

Approximately 380 students participated in the BYU–Hawaii commencement exercises on April 9, 2011. As the distinguished guest speaker, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared his vision of the future with graduates. The audience laughed at his observation, "There is good news and bad news," and listened intently to his hope for the future. Read Full Story

BYU–Hawaii President Steven Wheelwright unveiled the university’s new Framework for Student Learning with students in March 2011. Four sessions were held to accommodate students’ schedules and to create a more personal setting. Introducing the Framework, President Wheelwright passed out a case study, then broke the audience into groups of four to six people and asked the students to discuss the issue with a specific question in mind: “Why don’t students often learn what we plan for them to learn?” Read Full Story

LDS Life Launch-2, a seminar for members of the President’s Leadership Council and other donors, was held Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26, on the BYU–Hawaii campus. “The seminar exceeded our expectations,” said Dr. Mark Matheson, seminar director. “The presenters came at their own expense and shared deeply moving stories of how God loves his children and cares for them through using people just like us. Many participants expressed that they won't be the same after this weekend.” Read Full Story

Often, when the average university student is asked what they want to do after graduation, they can provide a passionate explanation of their life’s dreams; however, further inquiries about specific strategies for fulfilling those dreams may result in a blank stare. Chances are that every student at BYU–Hawaii has desires to do something meaningful with their education, and further, with their lives. The challenge lies not with desire, but with opportunity and connections. Read Full Story

Students at BYU–Hawaii were mentored and inspired by successful people from all walks of life in the Empower Your Dreams conference held on campus on March 24 and 31. Read Full Story

1,000 paper cranes in the shape of a Japanese flag are displayed proudly in the Aloha Center at BYU–Hawaii. The flag, held up by another 1,000 paper cranes, is a symbol of the university’s support for the Japanese students and the people of Japan who have been affected by the recent natural disasters. Read Full Story