Louis Leroy, a senior from the Mauritius Islands majoring in Health and Human Sciences, said his journey to BYU–Hawaii is one he never imagined, but one guided by faith, prayer, and a testimony in the Savior Jesus Christ.
A Distant Dream
Leroy’s conversion to the gospel began years ago when his mother and stepfather moved to Australia. There, they met the missionaries and joined The Church with two of Leroy’s sisters. When the family reunited in Mauritius, Leroy’s mother began inviting him to church activities and family home evenings.
“Later on, I learned more about the gospel of Jesus Christ with the missionaries and gained my own testimony,” he said. “A few months later at the age of 21, I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Growing up in Mauritius, Leroy said BYU–Hawaii always seemed like a distant dream. “I had heard about BYU–Hawaii before,” he said, “but since I had never heard about anyone from my country, Mauritius, who might have come to this school, I never thought I would one day become a part of it.”
A Prayer and a Pathway
After serving in the England Birmingham Mission, Leroy enrolled in BYU–Pathway Worldwide, and completed the foundational courses called PathwayConnect. He later met and married his wife, Laura, a BYU–Hawaii alumna from French Polynesia who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in TESOL in 2019, and they began seeking their next step as a newlywed couple.
“We prayed a lot,” Leroy recalled. “Then we heard that BYU–Hawaii and BYU–Pathway had started a partnership, allowing BYU–Pathway students to apply. As Pathway helped me recall and build on the basic academic skills that I needed to be a successful student, it made me more ready for BYU–Hawaii. My wife and I took that as an answer to our prayers.”
Due to the new partnership, the university extended its application deadline, which allowed Leroy to submit his application just in time. A few months later, he was accepted.
“Despite a few trials on the way, I was able to come to BYU–Hawaii with my wife and have that special experience,” he said. “Although I am the only student from Mauritius here, I am grateful for the lifelong friends I have made since the beginning of my studies. I hope to inspire my friends from my home country to come here and experience what it’s like to be part of this amazing school and community.”
Merging Passion and Profession
Leroy said his love for health and sports stems from his upbringing in a physically active family. “My dad was one of the national boxing coaches and my mother was involved in track and field,” he said. “I quickly developed a passion for soccer and wanted to pursue something that matched that passion.”
That passion led him to choose Health and Human Science as his major. “My goal after graduating is to use the valuable knowledge I received from my amazing professors and staff to help people in [my] community to better take care of their body and to stay strong and independent as they grow old.”
He added that his education has shaped more than just his career—it has shaped him as a person. “The experiences I’ve had at BYU–Hawaii have helped me grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially.”
Purpose Through Education
Leroy credits his growth as a disciple of Christ to the opportunities he’s had to serve others during his time at BYU–Hawaii. “I’ve received various Church callings that allowed me to serve and lead,” he said. “I’m also grateful for the blessing to have a temple nearby, which helps me draw closer to Heavenly Father and be more sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit.”
Reflecting on his time at BYU–Hawaii, Leroy pointed to his interactions with general authorities as some of his most treasured experiences. “Being able to meet general authorities quite often while being at BYU–Hawaii has been one of the best things I’ve experienced so far,” he said. “To interact with apostles of the Lord is priceless to me.”
These moments, he said, have helped him deepen his testimony in Jesus Christ and appreciate the unique spiritual environment of the university.
As graduation nears, Leroy reflects on his journey with gratitude and a sense of mission. “BYU–Hawaii didn’t just give me an education—it gave me a purpose. I want to go back home and serve my community. I want to inspire others to seek both physical and spiritual strength.”
From the island of Mauritius to the shores of Laie, Louis Leroy’s journey is shown through the power of faithfulness in action, a testimony built through experience, and a vision for a future that lifts others.