At the BYU-Hawaii/Church College of Hawaii Alumni Association winter graduation banquet on December 13 in the Cannon Activities Center, Elder Paul K. Sybrowsky [pictured at left] — a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, Australia Area President, and a former CCH student — encouraged the upcoming graduates "to learn what God wants us to learn."
Noting that his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Shauna Sybrowsky, would be among the graduates on December 15, Elder Sybrowsky explained he first came to CCH in January 1963.
"I came to this university from a less active family. I came as a boy who had a simple testimony that God lived, Jesus is the Christ and the Church is true, but had not grown up with those teachings and things at home," he said. "This institution became that home. This is where I learned those teachings."
Indicating he and the graduates "stand on the shoulders of those who came before," Elder Sybrowsky paid tribute to some of his CCH professors and Church leaders. "My first bishop, what a powerful influence he was on me, and I stand on his shoulders," he said. "I believe it's true that we stand on the shoulders of all of those who have gone before."
Elder Sybrowsky asked the graduates to "find a way to give that will keep you connected" to BYU-Hawaii, "and you want to be connected." He further told them they do not "need to be connected to a leadership position to give leadership. You do not need to be called to a leadership position to lead: Lead by example."
Citing Mosiah's advice to his sons who had been "taught in all the languages of our fathers" so they could become "men — and I will insert, women — of understanding," he said, "May we do all that we can do to foster all of the good that we have obtained from this marvelous institution that has given to us so much."
"May our shoulders be broad as we go forth and dot this earth, so that as others stand on our shoulders, we'll not bend, but we'll stand strong."
"Even more important than what you make happen is how you make it happen," responded BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright [pictured at right], suggesting the following methods of accomplishing that:
- Develop a reputation for honesty and integrity. "There really is no substitute in doing things in keeping with the Lord's standards," he said. "The world desperately needs people who are honest and can be trusted, and they will turn to you, and look to you for leadership, as you exhibit that honesty and integrity."
- Develop the characteristics of great leaders. "The scriptures are filled with numerous examples of wonderful leaders; and one of the reasons we search the scriptures is to understand how those people lived their lives so that they can become models and examples for us," he continued. "Look for ongoing heroes and models."
- Pursue career opportunities that have the attributes that will make you a better person, President Wheelwright continued, recommending three ways of doing that:
- "Make sure it's personally engaging and exciting. People always do their best work when they're engaged and excited."
- "Look for an organization whose values and purposes you can identify with personally, so that you don't just have a job...but you actually believe in what you're doing, and the difference and impact it will have; because that will make you a better person."
- Look for an organization that "attracts people and approaches that are consistent with your values and the attributes that you want to have in your life; because you will undoubtedly pick up some of the attributes those organizations have, whether or not they're consistent with the gospel."
- "Continue strengthening the relationships you formed here," President Wheelwright said, "but also look for opportunities to build other relationships...of trust, enduring friendship, and deep abiding love as sons and daughters of God."
"I would encourage each of you to make a difference, and to pay attention to how you make that difference."
Earlier in the graduation banquet program, 1981 graduate Herbert M. Yuen [pictured at left] of Maui recalled BYU-Hawaii taught him "how I should treat my family, and how I should be involved in the community as well as in my Church callings."
He quoted President Spencer W. Kimball, who said: "Whether we recognize it or not, we are connected with our past, and we can fashion a better future if we draw upon the inspiration of the past and the lessons of history, both as a people and as individuals."
"I truly believe that," Yuen said. "This is where we all started, where we in our learning become disciples of our Heavenly Father, to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He has for us."
— Photos by Mike Foley