BYU-Hawaii's commencement ceremony on June 19 at the Cannon Activities Center honored the largest graduating class in school history and also included the largest number of international students.
Approximately 400 students from 37 countries donned black and silver gowns and caps, culminating four years of rigorous academic instruction. The number of students marks a new high for a June commencement, topping last June's total of 345 graduates. The 37 representing countries is also seven more than last year's high mark of 30.
Elder L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the graduates on the shifting of values in our present day society.
"We are becoming more and more worldly and are drifting further and further from our basic value systems," Elder Perry said. "We have allowed some of our traditional culture and family values to slip away from us."
"The challenge is squarely before you. As you emerge now from the special opportunities you had at BYU-Hawaii, what will you do to build you life on stable, enduring values in the face of such opposition?" he asked.
He explained in contrast to the shifting values in society, the values taught by the prophets and the foundation of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon have remained constant over the centuries.
lder Perry stressed "these values -- trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, obedience to God's commandments, testimony of the word of God, and humility -- will endure forever. If you will build your life, your family, and your community on this firm foundation, you will not fall."
"Your graduation today marks the completion of a special phase in your lives," he added. "You will be leaving behind you many friendships and associations which have meant so much to you here on campus. Will those future reunions be times of rejoicing because you still have a common purpose and are still on a common course, and have found each other strong in knowledge, sound in understanding and still searching diligently to know the word of God?"
ndrew Miller, valedictorian of the graduating class, also referred to prophetic foundations.
"In the words of President David O. McKay and the mission statement of BYU-Hawaii, this school is to train the hearts and minds of students who will influence the establishment of peace internationally," said Miller. "Fellow graduates, on this day of our graduation, it behooves us to reflect on the prophetic purpose of this university we will soon call our Alma Mater."
Miller, born and raised in Laie and a graduate of Kahuku High School, shared personal experiences that had symbolic meaning and gave perspective to his life.
"We must always keep our eye fixed on the Light of Christ -- 'an eye single to the glory of God,'" he added. "Let us continue to live the standards we learned and lived here at BYU-Hawaii -- the standard of excellence; the standard of achievement; the standard of truth; the standard of honor; the standard of selfless love and service; the standard of moral leadership."
The rising number of graduating international students directly reflects the university's mission of increasing the overall international student body and training the students to become leaders back in their home countries.
The 149 international graduates is a 50 percent rise from the 94 that walked last June. In countries outside the U.S., Japan had the highest number of graduates at 20 with South Korea following at 14. The Philippines were close behind with 11 and Fiji and New Zealand both had ten graduating seniors.