Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 28 January 2005In a special devotional sponsored by the Mormon Pacific Historical Society, Paul Alf Pratte recounted the institutional saga of BYU-Hawaii and the personal triumphs of its administrators, faculty and students.
Pratte is a service missionary commissioned to write a commemorative history of BYU-Hawaii as part of its Jubilee celebration. In his address, he reviewed the academic success of the university, but he focused on the spiritual side of the history by sharing personal stories of individuals that are representative of all those who associated with Church College of Hawaii and BYU-Hawaii.
To preface to his historical story telling, Pratte broached an epistemological dichotomy present at BYU-Hawaii by quoting Elder Boyd K. Packer: "There are always two opposing convictions in a university. On one hand is 'seeing is believing,' or the objective scientific approach. However, the second subjective method of 'believing is seeing' through faith is even more essential for us to recognize a truly distinctive university."
In other words, Pratte explained in reference to Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, we seek learning by study and by faith. "The integration and the ability to combine study and faith is the challenge of each of us, and since 1955 has been the firm foundation philosophy of this university and all LDS Church schools."
The 'seeing is believing' approach, or learning by study, is how outsiders evaluate BYU-Hawaii, Pratte explained. "Our struggle to survive and achieve credibility and distinction hasn’t been an easy expedition. But after 50 years, we are now able to testify, as Vice President for Academics Keith Roberts reminds us 'We have arrived!'
Pratte cited several secular successes in support that arrival, including U.S. News and World Report top tier ranking, Consumers Digest best value ranking and the favorable evaluation received from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
"However, what is often overlooked by outsiders is 'believing is seeing' or faith in a living God and in His intricate involvement in the history of our university," Pratte said."BYUH is not only distinctive but it is an extraordinary university and a model for other colleges and students who will allow themselves to recognize that believing (or faith) is seeing and work hard to achieve their own personal vision."
J. Elliott Cameron, sixth president of BYU-Hawaii, said the history of this university is "intimately intertwined" with other units in Christ’s Kingdom, and that "it is not by accident that the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Hawaii Temple, the Visitor’s Center and Brigham Young University are here together on the North Shore, away from the [mad’ning crowds] and scurry of the modern metropolis."
Alton Wade, seventh president of BYU-Hawaii, saw the university as "an isolated campus on an isolated island in a small and isolated community. But this is not by happenstance. This is exactly where the Lord wants us to be - here on the North Shore where we can do His will, to a degree unhampered by the world."
Yale sociologist professor Burton R. Clark said that the bottom line of a unique university is "the story or legend that captures the allegiance of its leaders as well as faculty, staff, students and even outsiders… The saga is deeply felt by many members… It embraces the participants of a given day and links together, successive waves of participants over major periods of time."
Pratte then commenced to outline the saga of CCH/BYUH - "the historical vision that has linked 'successive waves' of men, women, children, students and millions of outsiders to Laie."
Pratte began with the vision of CCH/BYUH received by then Elder David O. McKay in 1921 while he witnessed a stirring flag raising ceremony at the churched owned elementary school in Laie. The saga continued with the founding of the university 34 years later and the "eight extraordinary men" who served as its president.
Norman Kaluhiokalani, alumnus and chair of the Exercise Sports Science Department, said the university presidents are like captains on a ship and presidents of the LDS Church, who each had a special mission and focus. Pratte added that they each had their own style and agenda, but "all were dedicated to the success of their students learning."
Pratte continued by sharing vignettes of the lives of exemplary faculty, staff and students who have dedicated their lives to CCH/BYUH, have been touched by its saga and have continued to make a difference in their community per the prophetic mission of the university.
However, Pratte was fair to point out that all of these success stories do not mean that BYU-Hawaii has been nor is it now free from shortcomings and problems. Notwithstanding, "This university is remarkable," he reiterated.
To reinforce this point, Pratte quoted President Eric B. Shumway who wrote the following for the introduction to the history of BYU-Hawaii that Pratte is currently writing:
"Certainly there are dark moments in the 50 year saga of this campus, moments in which controversy, conflict, mistrust, and misunderstanding thwarted the development of the fledgling campus. But there were infinitely more moments of human triumph and manifestation of the Spirit and love of God.
"The BYU Hawaii saga is largely an illustration of how the university prevailed over challenges, building a foundation of faith, integrity, and sacrifice. Despite the distractions and hardships resulting from human weakness and inexperience, the overarching truth in the history of the Church College of Hawaii and BYU-Hawaii is that there has always been a powerful sense of divine guidance, even divine intervention."
The instruments of this divine guidance and intervention has and continues to be the remarkable leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni who have toiled triumphantly to integrate learning "by study and faith," Pratte added.
"But most importantly," he said, "BYU-Hawaii is distinctive because it is built on a foundation of divine, distinctive doctrines. Such eternal truths are centered on a distinct living God, His Son Jesus Christ, and leaders who act in God's name."
And just as President McKay did in the past, President Gordon B. Hinckley continues to direct this school today, Pratte concluded. "Each of us knows that the Hawaii campus of Brigham Young University did not occur by accident or happenstance."