Campus Community

BYU–Hawaii's new Physician's Assistant, Aaron Jensen (top), is a graduate of the school. "I went to elementary, high school and college here, and now I work here," he said. Jensen earned a master's degree in Health Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. "[After college] I was in plastic surgery for a year and I enjoyed it," Jensen said.

Liz Shropshire, Founder & Director of the Shropshire Music Foundation, spoke at BYU–Hawaii's devotional this past Tuesday about creating peace amidst countries ravaged by war. Her address centered on her own experiences in Northern Ireland, Uganda, and Kosovo, aside from other places she has traveled to.

Jonathan Miles Smith, a recent returnee from Egypt, gave a presentation concerning his study abroad on Wednesday, January 20.

Chad Ford, director of the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding, gave a recent entrepreneurship lecture sharing his extensive experience prior to teaching at BYU–Hawaii. He began by teaching the importance of fulfilling David O. McKay's vision—that from this school will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good toward the establishment of peace internationally.

"As I looked around at all those descendants of Hyrum Smith, I wondered about the research I had been asked to do. Why me? With all those descendants, why should I be asked to do the work? In the midst of my contemplation, an unmistakable voice whispered to my soul, 'Because you are willing.' Looking back, I now see that message as typical of Hyrum's life. In fact, I came to feel that it was Hyrum's voice," said Jeff O'Driscoll, of his experience in preparing his book, titled, "Hyrum Smith: A Life of Integrity".

HONOLULU—On Monday morning, January 18, the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Day parade began as participants slowly made their way through the streets to Kapiolani Park. In the midst of the march were BYU–Hawaii volunteers—students representing their school clubs and home countries of Africa, Samoa, the Philippines, Tonga, Tahiti, Japan, Fiji, Mongolia, and Indonesia. Whether in cultural garb or donning tee shirts with the 'Peace by Piece' slogan of the current BYUHSA presidency, these students personified Dr. King's statement of, "I have a dream that one day … little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers" (http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html).

The Reading and Writing Center at Brigham Young University–Hawaii can be a valuable resource for students. Dafka Yadamsuren, sophomore in social work from Mongolia, said, "I go there for help with writing my papers. It is really helpful to me."

"The power to ask questions—and ask the right questions—is both formidable and fundamental. Think in the scriptures how often parables or sermons are the direct response to a really soul stretching question," said David B. Thomas, Deputy General Counsel for Brigham Young University, at the January 19 devotional held at the Cannon Activities Center.

BYU–Hawaii's newly launched iLead website highlights one of the university's main goals—instilling leadership. Dr. Peter Chan, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, was the brains behind this concept, which helps to fulfill President David O. McKay's prophecy. The website functions as a resource for current and prospective students, and faculty, highlighting professional cases as well as campus cases of leadership.

Several of BYU–Hawaii's business clubs are giving new dimension to networking in an vacillating economic market. These clubs, which emphasize a "hands-on" approach, help students after graduation to better fulfill the motto of "Go[ing] forth to serve."

President Steven C. Wheelwright of BYU–Hawaii addressed students and faculty at the first devotional of the Winter 2010 Semester, held on Tuesday, January 12, at the Cannon Activities Center.

Seth Sang Cheol Lee sends his greetings from Korea. He graduated from BYU–Hawaii in June 2009 with a double major in International Business Management and Accounting, and has recently accepted an offer at LG Electronics Corporation, one of the largest companies in Korea.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii's first devotional of 2010 will be led by the President of BYU–Hawaii, Steven C. Wheelwright, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 12, at 11 a.m., at the Cannon Activity Center. President Wheelwright's devotional will be entitled "Integrity: Honoring Our Word."

LAIE, Hawaii — Sister Julie B. Beck (pictured top), General Relief Society President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encouraged 209 Brigham Young University–Hawaii graduates from 31 countries to learn from their experiences, noting that her university experience is what prepared her for her current responsibilities. "The Lord was preparing me," she stated. "It didn't really matter what I chose to study. It was the process that taught [me] so much."

Graduating seniors have shared their feelings of anticipation as they visualize themselves dressed in caps and gowns, accepting their diplomas on center stage at the December Commencement this Friday, December 18. To add to the excitement surrounding the event, Sister Julie B. Beck (pictured right; photo courtesy of lds.org), General Relief Society President, has been invited to be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

The next time you type in www.byuh.edu, you may see something very different—a redesigned Web site. For the past five months, BYU–Hawaii's Web Team has been hard at work redesigning the entire school Web site, which will soon be unveiled.

Festive strains of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" rang through the Cannon Activities Center, launching BYU–Hawaii's once-a-year Christmas devotional, spearheaded by the Fine Arts Department. The theme, 'The Gifts of the Season: Songs and Stories of Christmas', unfolded through various musical performances, and was narrated by Craig Ferre, professor of theater and speech. (pictured right: The University Chorale sings Beethoven's Hallelujah)

With high expectations, BYU–Hawaii students and community members waited in line early Sunday morning to get a seat at the Hawaii Regional Conference. The Regional Conference, held at the Cannon Activities Center (CAC) on the BYU–Hawaii campus on November 22, was also broadcast by satellite to stake centers throughout Hawaii to the more than 68,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the state. (pictured top: CAC attendees watch President Monson on two big screens, one shown here)