For the past five years, Les Steward has been quietly committed to serving the BYU-Hawaii Alumni Association Board. A 1973 graduate from then Church College of Hawaii, in Accounting and Business Management, Steward served as president-elect during Mike Foley’s term as president for two years. For the past three years he has served faithfully as president.
Reflecting on his experience as president of the Alumni Association Board, Steward said, “As I’ve traveled the chapters and seen and talked with and experienced students living that vision, and then bringing to memory their experience here on the BYU-Hawaii campus, and seeing what they’re doing as leaders in the church, community and home--that’s very, very touching to see the real true fulfillment of what David O. McKay envisioned.” (Watch video clip )
He spoke highly of his experience serving with Mike Foley as president elect. ‘I learned a lot from Mike and his ability to capture unique moments in the lives of students,” said Steward. “Seeing him put together the alumni e-newsletter was an exciting time for the alumni association. We are now able to capture the stories of David O. McKay’s vision in real life experiences.”
With the assistance of Lee Donaldson, Director of Learning and Development for the LDS Church, the board developed a set of belief statements and desired results specific to the Alumni Association mission--to build loyalty, support and service with aloha among alumni and friends of BYU-Hawaii. (The belief statements and desired results may be found on the Alumni Association President’s page on the alumni website:
http://w2.byuh.edu/alumni/president.php)
During recruiting trips for the Polynesian Cultural Center, he has taken the opportunity to meet with BYU-Hawaii alumni and potential students all over the world. His travels have taken him to many places, including: the Pacific Islands, Alaska, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, as well as the United States mainland.
During his watch, Steward reorganized the structure of the alumni board into five committees, each with a specific task. This structure has allowed the association to grow the number of worldwide alumni chapters from 42 to 62.
These committees are: Governance, Chapter Communications, Generational & Constituent Groups, Schools and Colleges Representatives, and Annual Giving. Current committee members reflect the world-wide make-up of BYU-Hawaii alumni, with members from Korea, Samoa, and Hawaii, as well as mainland United States.
“They’re from all walks of life; different cultures; different perspectives; different disciplines,” said Steward, speaking of the Alumni Association board members. “They each bring a real strength to the board. That’s been a real delight to be associated with the board.”
According to Alumni Relations director, Rowena Reid, he has been dedicated, committed and focused on his responsibilities as president of the Alumni Association Board. Because of this, Reid said, “he has led the association to historical heights. For this dedicated service with aloha, with offer our sincere thanks.”
“I’ve just been very happy to be a part of it,” said Steward.
