The BYUH Student Association recognized the accomplishments of seven current undergraduates during the 49th annual homecoming banquet on February 11 while the CCH/BYU-Hawaii Alumni Association honored four of its members and named a retired professor an honorary alumnus.
The BYUHSA first presented its awards to Chelsea Smith, exercise and sports science; Ikaika Perreira, elementary education; Kaisu "Teddy" Zhuang, computer science; Manea Tuahu, School of Business; Natalia Martins, international business management; Juri Widiger, political science; and Tanya Morimoto, English.
The Alumni Association presented its awards to:
Chad Ford, a 1995 history major who went on to earn both a master's degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University in Washington, D.C., and a juris doctorate with an emphasis in international conflict resolution from Georgetown University, also in Washington, in 2000. He now lives in Connecticut and is a senior editor with ESPN.
Benjamin Lim, a 1989 Business Information Management major who has worked for Microsoft for the past nine years and recently earned a master's degree in project management from City University in Bellevue, Washington. Lim and his wife, Cathryn Hosack Lim, have served for the past six years as exceptionally conscientious alumni chapter chairs in Seattle, Washington.
Sosaia and Marie Nin Paongo, received the Service to Family Award. After graduating from CCH, the Paongos returned to Tonga for the next 27 years where he served in many positions at work and in church, and she raised eight children, all of whom attended BYU-Hawaii -- five of them as David O. McKay scholarship winners. Six of them graduated from BYU-Hawaii, while one went to Provo to play football and the last one, who is currently serving a mission in Ghana, Africa, plans to graduate from here when he returns.
Retired Professor and BYU-Hawaii administrator Jack V. Johnson, who was named an honorary alumnus of the University. In addition to his 37 years of professional service to BYU-Hawaii, five of Johnson's seven children (and most of their spouses) are alumni, while the youngest two are current students.
Ford, whose work with the media has taken him to some of "the most dangerous places in the world" over the past few years, where he has "seen violence, hatred, anger, greed, poverty," said coming back to BYU-Hawaii was a "powerful reminder" of the special spirit that surrounds the University.
"I'm a writer and speaker by trade, yet I do not have the words to say the smallest part that I feel about being back here again," he said. "I do not have the words to express the deep gratitude to the professors and students here who have blessed my life so richly."
"I do not have the words to convey the love I have for this University, for President Shumway and his leadership, and to my Heavenly Father for the inspiration to build this place; and to his Son for His example -- His spirit that permeates this place."
Lim, who is ethnic Chinese but was raised in the Philippines, said "it's a great honor to be recognized for the work that I love to do. That is, serving this University that I love so much. Of course, this recognition wouldn't come about except for the people who serve with me. I'm very fortunate to have such a great [chapter] team."
Marie Paongo, who initially said, "For once I'm at a loss for words," quickly recovered and had the audience laughing at the story of her 40-year-old picture painted by LaMoyne Garside that still hangs in the Aloha Center. "I'm grateful for the part BYU-Hawaii has played in our lives," she added.
Her husband, Sosaia, shared a Tongan proverb: Ko e koloa o Tonga, ko e fakamalo. "They say, the only wealth of the Tongans is an expression of thank you. So on behalf of my wife and I, we feel very honored to accept this award on behalf of all alumni families."
He also thanked Marie for "her willingness to go with me to a place so unknown. I could never have done it without her."
Johnson, who retired in January, said, "There is no institution like this institution. My 37 years here have been remarkable in many ways. I've had many spiritual experiences. I've had experiences here that change the way you view things."
In response, BYU-Hawaii vice president of University Advancement Napua Baker drew inspiration from a training workshop the day before with Stephen L. Covey on synergy:
"Synergy is living the gospel. It is here. We feel it. We live it. We share it. There are no other church institutions on this earth that have what we have here," she said, adding that she is "so grateful to be at this institution. I thank all of you for being such a beacon of light to me...and wonderful examples."