Campus Community

I-Hsuan (Annie) Hwang, has been named the 2013 ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Women’s Senior Player of the Year. Her tenure has been nothing short of dominant during her collegiate career. While playing in two national tournaments, three conference tournaments, two USTA/ITA Regional Championships, and two USTA/ITA National Small College Championships, Hwang has posted an astonishing singles record of 80-1. She has won two Division II USTA/ITA National Small College Championships singles titles as well as a doubles championship. She was named the 2011 recipient of the James O’Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Award and has been selected as the PacWest Conference MVP the past two seasons.

A BYU–Hawaii pilot program will launch in Japan this year, with the specific purpose of promoting the university and working with prospective students. Kenichi Kurokawa, a 2005 BYU–Hawaii graduate from Japan who majored in information systems, has been appointed as the first Japan recruiting representative. His job includes running firesides and other efforts in Japan to assist future students registering for BYU–Hawaii, and building the number of prospective students among the youth and young adults of Japan.

Michael Ballam, Professor of Music and Opera at Utah State University and Founding General Director of the Utah Festival, spoke on seeking after and recognizing the spirit though wholesome music in his Devotional address Tuesday, April 23 – the first weekly Devotional of the Summer semester at BYU–Hawaii.

“Can you and will you justify your credentials by your character?” Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy asked audience members at the Brigham Young University–Hawaii commencement exercises on April 13.

BYU–Hawaii has implemented several programs in recent years to maximize sustainability on campus. These include Give & Take, recycling, energy audits, car sharing, and more.

Ten BYU–Hawaii students presented at the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) International Convention & English Language Expo, last month in Dallas, Texas. The conference, held March 20-23, is the leading convention of its kind and gives opportunities for students and industry professionals to present their latest teaching tools, software, research, and publication to more than 6,500 attendees.

Approximately 550 students representing 46 different countries will participate in the upcoming BYU–Hawaii commencement exercises on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Out of the 46 countries represented, this is the first graduation to include a graduate from the British Virgin Islands and Lebanon. Addressing the graduates will be Elder Richard J. Maynes, Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Commencement will be held at 9:30 AM in the George Q. Cannon Activities Center and will be streamed live online.

Elected by the student body, John Fisihetau, Raife Campbell and Sephra Kinikini are the new Brigham Young University–Hawaii Student Association (BYUHSA) Presidency who will serve during the 2013-14 school year.

The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship hosted the university’s annual business plan competition on March 20-21, giving students the chance to get cash awards to move their carefully designed plans into action.

Mark H. Willes, former CEO of Deseret Management Corporation and former president of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, was honored with the Global Leadership Award by the BYU–Hawaii student chapter of the BYU Management Society Tuesday night at their Annual Global Leadership Award Gala Dinner.

A new website, www.mormonsandchina.org, is being launched with specific information for those from the People's Republic of China who have joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living outside of China.

The BYU–Hawaii Alliance of Marketing Professionals & Students (AMPS) is hosting its first annual Marketing Week with a series of campus-wide events that are available to students from all majors to participate, learn, and network as marketers. The mission of AMPS is to “help prepare students for business success through programs, projects and activities that enhance their knowledge, experience and connections within the marketing industry.”

To help BYU–Hawaii students fulfill the university’s mission in building leaders around the world, the Alumni Association Office is ready to help students network with over 400 alumni mentors worldwide through the Professional Mentorship Program.

Alfred Grace became the President and CEO of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) on February 26, 2013, succeeding Von Orgill who served for 12 years in that capacity. Orgill will begin a new assignment in July 2013 presiding over the California Irvine Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Last year, a handful of students formed a research group in a subject they are all interested in: neuroscience. After much time, effort, and energy, BYU–Hawaii students were able to see the fruit of their labor as their research was published in Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, a Routledge publication.

One of the most prominent displays on BYU–Hawaii’s Laie campus is the large tile mosaic showcasing an American flag raising ceremony on February 7, 1921, attended by then Elder David O. McKay and Hugh J. Cannon. The two were on assignment from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to visit members of the Church throughout the world when they stopped in Laie. It was at this flag raising that Elder McKay saw an institution of higher learning that would bring students together from all across the globe, and then send them back as learners, leaders and builders in their respective countries.

This weekend, the BYU–Hawaii Music and Theatre Department will present a musical production of Little Women. The story portrays the love shared between four sisters and their mother, battling through tragedy, loss, and tests of strength.

Spirit Week begins Monday, February 11, with “Seasider Red Day.” Students, faculty and staff across campus donned red apparel to honor the birthday anniversary of BYU–Hawaii. Daily activities along with campus-wide dress themes will take place all week. Spirit Week is a series of events highlighting the ground breaking of the Church College of Hawaii, now BYU–Hawaii, that occurred on February 12, 1955, by David O. McKay.