Elder Paul V. Johnson, General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of the Church Educational System, is scheduled to be the speaker during Brigham Young University–Hawaii's online commencement presentation. The presentation will celebrate and recognize candidates for graduation following the Fall 2020 Semester and is scheduled for Friday, December 11, at 9:30 am HST. The event will available at byuh.edu/live-stream, on the BYU–Hawaii YouTube channel, and BYU–Hawaii Facebook page.
The event will also feature remarks BYU–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III. Following their remarks, a slide presentation will recognize graduates who have earned 232 bachelor's degrees and eight associate's degrees. Fall 2020 graduates are from 31 countries and 22 states and range in age from 20 to 50 years-old.
Elder Paul V. Johnson was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2005. At the time of his call he had been serving as a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah North and Utah Salt Lake City Areas. He has served as Commissioner of the Church Educational System, First Counselor in the Chile Area Presidency, administrator of religious education and elementary and secondary education, and President of the Europe Area. He is currently serving at Church headquarters as Commissioner of the Church Educational System.
Elder Johnson received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in zoology in 1978and a master’s degree in counseling and guidance in 1982. He went on to receive a doctorate in instructional technology from Utah State University in 1989.
Elder Johnson has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Norway Oslo Mission, counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, bishop, elders quorum president, and Young Men president. Elder Paul Vere Johnson was born in Gainesville, Florida, on June 24, 1954. He married Jill Washburn in August 1976. They are the parents of nine children.
Though we wish we could enjoy our traditional ceremony with reverence and approbation as well as lei, music, and celebration, the university ohana sends its love and aloha. We commend and congratulate each graduate and hope you will join us virtually in this unique experience and celebrate with your families and a safe and meaningful way.