Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 24 September 2004 Elder Kenneth Johnson, Seventy and President of the Australia-New Zealand Area, admonished university faculty, staff and students at the devotional held on September 23, 2004, to live according to covenants made with the Lord.

Before he spoke, Elder Johnson's wife, Pamela, related a story from their life that exemplified Elder Johnson's personal commitment to covenants made with the Lord.

The birth of their only son came with complications that threatened the little boy's life. In a heartfelt prayer only a parent could offer, Elder Johnson pleaded with the Lord to spare his son's life. In return, Elder Johnson covenanted that he would turn his life over to the Lord.

Men's Water Polo

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 15 September 2004 BYU-Hawaii's 2004 annual career fair featured representatives from over 60 organizations, giving students ample opportunity to network with employers in their field and from their country.

Employers included NCH Corp., the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, all of which hired BYU-Hawaii students in the recent past. Alumni Charles Tuigamala of NCH Corp. and Paul Dulan of the NSA returned to campus to help connect students with future employers.

Along with businesses, companies and organizations, LDS placement ambassadors from Korea, Japan, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa and the Philippines were on campus to meet with students and help them seize career opportunities in their home countries.

President Ronald K. Hawkins, president of the Honolulu Hawaii Mission, encouraged university faculty, staff and students to seek the Lord in finding strength beyond their own in the campus devotional on Thursday, September 9, 2004.

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 3 September 2004 In this year's annual convocation, Vernice Wineera, director of the Pacific Institute, addressed several challenges facing the community of Laie and the role that BYU-Hawaii plays in the fulfillment of its prophetic destiny.

Wineera began by referencing the prophetic vision and circumstances that led to the foundation of BYU-Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Laie, Hawaii Temple - the three institutions at the heart of Laie.

Furthermore, she alluded to the purpose and destiny that these same institutions and the community of Laie must fulfill.

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 30 August 2004 During an 11-day tour of its men's basketball team, Brigham Young University Hawaii strengthened relationships and promoted good will toward the university and the Church in the People's Republic of China.

Head coach Ken Wagner described the trip as a great success. "It was a great opportunity for our hosts to learn about us, about BYU-Hawaii and about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," he said. "For instance, when we were setting up the trip they wanted to schedule a game for Sunday. It gave us an opportunity to explain about our beliefs and why we wouldn't play on the Sabbath."

"There is a lot of respect for our religious beliefs and the way we carry ourselves," said assistant coach Brandyn Akana. "Just by our examples, we are able to have a positive influence on those we work with.

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 23 August 2004 Dr. Michael Allen, professor of history and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was named teacher of the year by the president's council in the annual teacher "ohana" meeting held in the McKay Auditorium on Wednesday, August 18.

"Because of his exemplary performance in every area, the president's council is pleased to name Michael Allen as the president's council's choice of teacher of the year," said President Eric B. Shumway in a tribute to Dr. Allen.

"Michael has received outstanding teacher ratings by students as he continues an aggressive scholarly agenda and supports the administration of the Arts and Sciences as the associate dean," President Shumway continued. "Beyond this, Michael is a man of profound spiritual dimension."

Joseph Curdy, a 2001 English and theater graduate of BYU-Hawaii, is cast in the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) current production of Hamlet.

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 20 August 2004 In its 2005 index of best colleges released this week, U.S. News and World Report ranks BYU-Hawaii in the top tier of best comprehensive colleges in the Western United States for the sixth consecutive year.

Over the past several years, BYU-Hawaii has climbed the U.S. News rankings from the third tier to the second tier, and then to the top tier where it has been sixth for the last two years.

"It means a lot to us to receive a consistently high assessment from a reputable third party like U.S. News," said Keith Roberts, vice president of academics. "It shows that year in and year out, we're doing many things well. We now officially have a reputation, and that reputation continues to grow."