Justin Smith

Jubilee photo gallery

Justin Smith | University Advancement | 14 October 2005 A week of celebration...

"That sounds good to me," said Gladys Knight who, along with husband William McDowell, was officially greeted Friday morning by BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway at the McKay Foyer. A host of media lined up to welcome her as well, asking questions and taking photos of her first visit to the university.

"The faces on this campus are just beautiful," said Knight. "All the different cultures make BYU-Hawaii just so special. I love it."

"I rejoice in the brotherhood of Mormons and Catholics," said Dr. Fred Woods, religion professor for Brigham Young University in Provo, UT, at his recent speaking engagement at Chaminade University last Friday, October 7. The interfaith event brought together university presidents, staff, students, and guests from both campuses, each celebrating their respective 50th anniversaries.

Justin Smith | University Advancement | 6 October 2005 For the second time in three years, the Golden State Warriors opened their seven-day training camp at BYU-Hawaii on Tuesday, October 5, in the Cannon Activities Center.

Just how exactly does a professional basketball organization learn about the facilities at one of the most remote universities in the U.S.?

Brandyn Akana, assistant basketball coach for the university, provided the scoop.

It all started with Hall of Fame coach and "basketball guru" Peter Newell, who has run a "Big Man" basketball camp for 28 years, inviting NBA players and staff from all over the league. Akana and his brother, Jarinn, have worked at Newell's camps for the last several years while coaching at BYU-Hawaii (Brandyn is currently an assistant coach for the Seasiders; Jarinn made a jump to the NBA in 2000, and is currently with the Denver Nuggets).

Justin Smith | University Advancement | 4 October 2005 Throughout October, BYU Television is helping BYU-Hawaii celebrate its golden anniversary by airing devotionals and special programming related to the Laie campus.

"We are excited to be able to run these programs for the 50th anniversary," said Jim Bell, manager of marketing and communications for BYUTV. "BYU-Hawaii provides the diversity in our programming that broadens our appeal to the world."

Part of the mission of BYUTV is to keep people connected to the three-campus system, he said. "BYU-Hawaii plays a key role in that, and adds a diversity to our station that is not available in Provo, or Idaho. As a television program that reflects our faith, we want to show the international flavor" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Devotionals and speeches

The BYU-Hawaii School of Business continued its entrepreneurship lecture series September 20 as Robert Hardisty, current chair of the BYU-Hawaii Alumni chapter in Honolulu, spoke to a large group of students at the McKay Auditorium.

Justin Smith | University Advancement | 14 September 2005 Dr. Debbie Hippolite Wright, a professor in the Department of Social Work, stressed the importance of following promptings to those in attendance at Thursday's university devotional at the Cannon Activities Center.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Dr. Wright's first visit to the campus came at the invitation of an older sister "to come to paradise," and "baby-sit her toddler" as well. Being an au pair was quite an eye-opening experience, she said, and she was more than ready to return home when the time came.

"I had no intention of ever returning to Hawaii," she exclaimed. "I had enough!"

Prominent business leader Mark Willes and his wife, Laura, were honored by Brigham Young University Hawaii with the renaming of the Business School's Mark and Laura Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship at a commemorative dinner September 1. As part of the nation's most internationally diverse campus, the Willes' Center emphasizes the creation of businesses in developing economies.