Brigham Young University–Hawaii is thrilled to welcome Dr. Norman Thompson as a new assistant professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, beginning in the Fall 2024 Semester. With roots in Laie and a steadfast commitment to cultural studies, Dr. Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role.
Born and raised in Laie, Hawaii, Dr. Thompson is the son of Norman Thompson Jr. and Berenice Elkington. His connection to the community runs deep, and his academic journey began at BYU–Hawaii in the fall of 2001. After serving in the West Virginia Charleston Mission, Dr. Thompson returned to BYUH in the spring of 2009, determined to complete his education. Despite having just one semester initially completed, he went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in English consecutively.
With scholarly work spanning a wide range of topics within English and Pacific studies, Dr. Thompson’s major research projects include examining Walter Benjamin's concept of time in Thesis on the Philosophy of History in conjunction with Albert Wendt's Leaves of the Banyan Tree, critiquing Immanuel Kant's short-sighted assumptions of Māori Tā Moko, and exploring the use of ocean-based metaphors to teach first-year composition. For the past five years, Dr. Thompson has been imparting his knowledge to students at Kamehameha Kapālama, where he taught dual credit writing courses.
Outside of academics, Dr. Thompson enjoys surfing, fishing, and engaging in activities connected to the ocean—interests that align with his deep connection to the Pacific Islands. He and his wife, Rena, have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of five children.
Dr. Thompson expressed his enthusiasm for his new role at BYUH, particularly his excitement about contributing to the Pacific Studies Program. “I'm most looking forward to helping build the Pacific Studies Program into the biggest and best in Oceania,” he shared. “We live in the center of the Pacific; our history, both in Laie and BYU–Hawaii, is littered with Pacific Islanders who blazed paths in all kinds of fields of study and expertise. This campus is primed for such a program.”
In a world where there is increasing interest in Indigenous perspectives and their contributions to global knowledge, Dr. Thompson’s research is particularly relevant. “The world's eye is centered on all things Indigenous these days: our history, our struggles, our cultures, our progression,” he noted. “My research area deals primarily with sharing how Indigenous Pacific Islanders make sense of the world around us and how this sense of understanding correlates with how we learn. It's an exciting thing to be involved with since it's a relatively young and underdeveloped field of study.”
When it comes to teaching, Dr. Thompson is guided by a simple yet powerful philosophy: “Students will rarely remember the things a teacher teaches in a classroom, but they will always remember how they felt,” he explained. "This is to say that as a teacher, we should teach with love, having a passion for what we do and for the craft of teaching.”
Dr. Norman Thompson’s arrival at BYU–Hawaii is sure to enhance the Pacific Studies Program with his extensive knowledge, cultural insights, and genuine passion for teaching. His dedication to student engagement and diverse cultures makes him a valuable addition to the faculty and the future of Pacific Islanders, which will undoubtedly help shape the next generation of scholars and leaders at BYU–Hawaii.