Campus Community

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.

Drawing from several influential philosophers, Dean Phillip McArthur presented an engaging address on language and the challenges and opportunities it presents with regard to meaning. The address was the 2013 annual David O. McKay Lecture which welcomed hundreds of students and others from the campus community to the Cannon Activities Center to listen to McArthur and his remarks entitled, "Shadows, Curtains, and a Shiny Canoe...to Consider (earnestly) the Uncertainty of Meaning.”

On January 21, 2013, Ryan Chaffin launched his company NFNT, pronounced infinite, showcasing a product called The Big Face Woody, a light-weight, durable and eco-friendly bamboo wood watch. Chaffin is a senior at BYU–Hawaii, studying finance, but has always had a love for entrepreneurship.

The McKay Foyer overflowed with students, professors, faculty, and Rotarians including Chet Dal Santo, district governor of the Rotary Club 5000, and Susan Case, Rotary Club of Honolulu President, as the BYU–Hawaii Rotaract Club held its first official meeting.

In appreciation of BYU–Hawaii’s blood contributions, Aaron Knapp, the director of donor services at Blood Bank Hawaii, presented the members of the service team and the Director of Student Leadership, Activities and Service David Lucero with an Award of Excellence.

“Living by faith is not living blindly, but living in such a way to experience and know what is real. The knowledge gained by exercising faith is not abstract and impersonal, but experiential and lived knowledge.” This was the message shared by Sister Jennifer Lane, Associate Academic Vice President for Curriculum, concerning living a life that is bound to faith and knowledge in her Devotional address, “Faith in the Redemption,” on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

Effective this semester (Winter 2013) there has been a split in the Fine Arts department. It is now divided into two separate departments: Visual Arts, and Music and Theater.