A reception and program to honor retiring president, Eric B. Shumway and his family, was held Wednesday, 20 June 2007.
The Polynesian Cultural Center Promo Team, (watch video ) with ‘Sia Tonga as emcee, provided entertainment during the reception held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the patio area in front of the Cannon Activities Center. President and Sister Shumway greeted the many friends, faculty, staff, and students who came to participate in the event.
“Mahalo a nui me ke Aloha: An Evening of Thanks and Love to Eric and Carolyn Shumway," a fine arts concert to express thanks and aloha from the university ohana, followed the reception. (watch video )
The first part of the program, emceed by Keith Roberts, Academic Vice President, featured tributes read from a variety of people including: Keith Roberts, representing the President’s Council; Governor Linda Lingle (read by Keith Roberts); Feki Po'uha, President of the BYU-Hawaii Student Association; Representatives Michael Magaoay and Colleen Myer, of the State of Hawaii House of Representatives ; Ned Williams, Professor of English, representing the BYU-Hawaii faculty; Dr. Narantuya, Vice President of the Health Sciences University of Mongolia; Judd Whetten , Physical Plant Director, representing BYU-Hawaii staff members; Lisa DeLong , principal of Kuhuku High and Intermediate School, representing local educators; Tipa Galea’i, of the La’ie Community Association , representing the community of La’ie; and Eric Beaver , President and CEO of the Hawaii Reserves, Inc.
Because Von Orgill, President of the Polynesian Cultural Center, could not attend the event, a video clip featuring a tribute from him was shown.
The final tribute of the meeting was a gift presented by Napua Baker, Vice President of University Advancement. “We are pleased to announce,” said Baker, “that already $8,000 has been contributed on your behalf to various Brigham Young University Hawaii scholarships by faculty, staff, students, and alumni.” The La’ie Community Association, The La’ia Community Foundation, and Hawaii Reserves, Inc. also made significant contributions.
To end this portion of the evening, a portrait of President Shumway, painted by William F. Whittaker, was unveiled by BYUHSA President, Feki Po'uha, and BYUHSA Vice President of Service and Learning, Ha Le. It will hang in the McKay Auditorium foyer with the portraits of the past 7 presidents of BYU-Hawaii.
Three community choirs and audience members joined together to open the musical tribute portion of the evening by singing John Longhurst’s arrangement of “Glory to God on High,” directed by emcee and member of the BYU-Hawaii music faculty, Jerold Ottley.
A Tongan choir (from the La’ie Third Ward and Honolulu Branch), directed by Tevita Toafa, performed “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, which was followed by “Selections from ‘Liebeslieder’ (Love Song Waltzes) by Johananes Brahms, sung by a quartet consisting of: Vickie Gorman, alto; JoAnn Ottley, soprano; Michael Belnap, tenor; and Stephen Lowe, bass.
Alexia Lsucher, violinist, accompanied by Jennifer Duerden on the piano, played “Adagio” by Zoltan Kodaly. She was followed by a performance of “Farewell” by Ney Rosauro, played on the marimba by Darren Duerdan, accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, on the piano.
The La’ie Hawaiian Choir, directed by Lono Ikuwa, then performed “The Lord’s Prayer” and “La’ie ku’u ‘aina aloha.” They were accompanied by Emma Ernestberg on the piano, and the Steven Cheney Hawaiian Ensemble.
A special arrangement created by Daniel Bradshaw, of the LDS hymn, “Come Let Us Anew,” was then premiered by the combined Tongan, Hawaiian, and La’ie Choral Union choirs, with the audience joining the choirs on the final verse.
The La’ie Choral Union, directed by Jerold Ottley, and accompanied by Jennifer Duerden on the piano, then gave a rendition of “True to the Faith,” another LDS hymn by Evans Stephens, arrangement by Laurence Lyon.
Selections from “The Sound of Music” were performed by JoAnn Ottley and Ah Quin, with the audience joining in on cue. They were accompanied by three trumpters, and Stacey McCarrey on the piano.
“The Wit and Widsom of Eric B. Shumway,” a special video presentation created by Vernice Wineera and Gary Smith, was then shown.
Concluding the evening was a rousing rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” sung by the combined choirs, conducted by Tevita Toafa, with Daniel Bradshaw and Rosemarie Howard on the organ, along with three trumpets.
Everyone present then joined in “Aloha Oe,” led by Joseph Ah Quin, accompanied by the Steven Cheney Hawaiian Ensemble.
