The BYU-Hawaii 'ohana filled the McKay Auditorium this week, to meet Elder Cecil Samuelson, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the newly named president of Brigham Young University.
"If you think about that and his willingness to come over here, that should indicate his great desire and love to be helpful and provide leadership, friendship and support," said BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway of Samuelson, who was only in the 13th day of his new assignment. "He has had a full and continuous 'baptism by immersion' for the past 24 hours on campus, and I am amazed at how much he has to offer."
BYU-Hawaii Hawaiian Studies director "Uncle" Bill Wallace, his staff and a number of students welcomed President Samuelson with chanting and a hookupu (gift) of a large paddle created by master carver Tuione Pulotu from the same wood he used to carve the BYU-Hawaii sailing canoe, Iosepa.
"As you begin your journey as president of BYU, we thought a very appropriate gift would be a paddle that could help you in several ways. You can use your imagination," Wallace said. "The designs on the paddle symbolize strength and courage, and the desire to proceed forth."
Student body president and vice-president Jan Lesuma and Nelson Fotu also gave the new president gifts of hula, stories of the students and the Savior, and two crimson-and-gold BYU-Hawaii sweatshirts, which President Shumway noted are a little closer to his University of Utah alma mater colors, than the blues of BYU.
"It's great to be part of the Brigham Young University family," President Samuelson responded. "I've been very pleased to learn how closely aligned the Laie and Provo campuses are. I have to tell you how impressed I am to be here. You know you're in a very special place, and I know you also know that."
President Samuelson, a former professor and Dean of Medicine at the University of Utah, shared some insights into his call as the twelfth president of BYU.
"When you get a note handed to you in a meeting that President Hinckley would like to meet you right away, if it's convenient, it's convenient," he said.
President Samuelson said this, and his sustaining a few weeks later at a BYU devotional, "tells us a great deal how our trustees feel about these institutions: They believe that the universities are integral to the mission of the Church. I have the greatest respect for the trustees and the mission of the university. I [also] have great, great respect for the prophecies of David O. McKay."
"David O. McKay was the prophet of my youth, just as President Hinckley is the prophet of our current students," he continued. "What President McKay said about BYU-Hawaii was prophetic. It is an institution that was established by God, through his servants. Our prophets do not make trivial statements, nor do they make outlandish claims. Many would consider the beginnings of this institution as something unusual."
"I have seen things on this campus and around this community that give me great comfort, and know that all the promises President McKay made will be fulfilled. The question really is, do we want to be part of it?" President Samuelson stressed.
He added, "That doesn't mean we won't have challenges. We'll never have all of the money, all of the space, or all of the equipment we need, but I have heard the other General Authorities say we will always have enough."
"This institution will lift other nations. I suspect that our primary focus will always be the Pacific and Asia," he said. "The gospel is true, and this institution is part of it and it is viewed so by the prophets."
Elder Cecil O. Samuelson succeeded Merrill J. Bateman, also member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on May 1. Bateman had served as president of BYU since January of '96.