hawai‘i pacific university kanalima edition

HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITY I 1

HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITY KANALIMA EDITION

1 9 6 52 0 1 5HPU

FACULTY THEN AND

NOW

UNIVERSITYNEWS

PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT

ALUMNI CONNECTION

POINTS

CLASS LINKS

HPUATHLETICSTIMELINE

2 I HPU 50th

2 FACULTY THEN AND NOW

8HPUATHLETICSTIMELINE

10UNIVERSITYNEWS

13 PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT

16 ALUMNI CONNECTION POINTS

19CLASS LINKS

Contents EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

GEOFFREY BANNISTER, PH.D. President

MATTHEW A. LIAO-TROTH, PH.D. Provost and Vice President of

Academic Affairs

JANET KLOENHAMER, J.D. Executive Vice President, Administration

and General Counsel

SHARON BLANTON, PH.D. Vice President and

Chief Information Officer

MARK DAVIS Chief of Staff and

Senior International Officer

BRUCE EDWARDS Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

DIANA NILES-HANSEN Interim Associate Vice President of

Human Resources

SAM MOKU Vice President for University Relations

SARA SATO Interim Vice President of Admission

VINCE BALDEMOR Executive Director of Athletics

SHAUN MOSS, PH.D. Executive Director of Oceanic Institute

DEANS

DEBORAH CROWN, PH.D. Dean, College of Business

ROLAND “BUD” JENKINS, M.ED. Interim Dean, College of Natural and

Computational Sciences

LYNETTE LANDRY, PH.D. Dean, College of Nursing and

Health Sciences

DAVID J. LANOUE, PH.D. Dean, College of Humanities and

Social Sciences

MARITES MCKEE Dean of Students

JUSTIN W. VANCE, ED.D. Interim Dean, Military Campus Programs/

Off Campus Programs

JOACHIM P. COX Chairman

JAMES A. AJELLO

MARTIN ANDERSON Trustee Emeritus

STEVEN K. BAKER

MICHAEL J. CHUN, PH.D. Immediate Past Chairman

SAMUEL A. COOKE Trustee Emeritus

LAYLA J.L. DEDRICK (MBA ’12)

CHRISTINA D. DOANE (MBA ’04)

REAR ADMIRAL F.P. “GUS” GUSTAVSON, USN (RET.)

MICHAEL D. HONG Trustee Emeritus

HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITYBOARD OF TRUSTEES

KAREN L. HUFFMAN

RICHARD C. HUNTER

HOWARD K. KAM, JR.

JOHN A. LOCKWOOD Trustee Emeritus

VIOLET S. LOO

JAMES C. POLK

HENRY F. RICE Trustee Emeritus

JAMES S. ROMIG

MICHELE K. SAITO

RAYMOND P. VARA, JR. (BSBA ’93)

LANCE K. WILHELM

ALLEN L. ZECHA, PH.D.


Our past, our present and our future are cause for celebration

as Hawai‘i Pacific University turns 50—which in Hawaiian is

“kanalima”— on September 17.

The state of Hawai‘i granted a charter of incorporation on

September 17, 1965, to what was then Hawaii Pacific College,

marking the culmination of the innovative vision of our founders.

They saw a school that would meet a community need, educating

a student population that worked in downtown Honolulu.

Today, while the number of programs and students has grown,

along with the scope of where our students hail from and the

expansion of our campuses, the strong foundation laid by our

founders remains. With the University’s core campus located

in the heart of Honolulu’s business district, and additional

campuses at Makapu‘u Point, Kane‘ohe and O‘ahu military bases,

we embrace the opportunities arising from our strategic location

in the Pacific. We remain deeply committed to serving the

people of Hawai‘i and our students from all over the world.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Kanalima, a special edition

publication for our anniversary year. We proudly spotlight

some of the University’s projects and programs, members of

our international learning community, and donors who have

generously supported us.

We look to the future with excitement and optimism—expanding

our presence, growing our graduate and research programs

and enhancing opportunities for undergraduates. Whether you

are a student, faculty, staff, alumnus, parent or friend in the

community, whether you live near or far, you are part of the HPU

‘ohana and for this we are grateful. Mahalo for all that you do for

HPU and our students.

Geoffrey Bannister, Ph.D.

President

2 I HPU 50th

FACULTYTHEN and NOW

Who stands out in your

college memories? Aside

from classmates and

former flames, it is often the professors

who pop into our minds when we

reminisce about a period in our lives

when we took spring break for granted.

Do you remember the stern professor

who terrified you the first day of class

and became a favorite by the end of the

semester? How about the instructor who

introduced you to a book that challenged

your childhood truths?

Professors are the pillars of a university.

They teach students to think critically, fuel

intellectual appetites, and they are who

students remember.

As Hawai‘i Pacific University prepares

for its golden anniversary in September

2015, we sought out some of our longest-

standing faculty to share their teaching

experiences. Here are their responses:


”

”

“

“

JEROME FELDMAN, PH.D.• Professor of Art History• College of Humanities and

Social Sciences• HPU ‘ohana since: 1979

For me, my most significant experiences as a faculty member have been with the students. When I began teaching at Hawaii Loa College in 1979, we had many students of Pacific Islander descent, a surprising number of Native American students, and our Japanese students came from the north island of Hokkaido. During the merger with Hawai‘i Pacific University, we began to have more students from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Later, HPU’s diversity further expanded to include students from Northern Europe and Latin America. Universities exist to bring faculty and students together to share knowledge, and our student body is from all over the world. This amalgamation of different perspectives and cultures makes us a special and interesting place to teach.

ROGER KADALA, PH.D.• Senior Lecturer of Mathematics and

Physics• Military Campus Programs/

Off Campus Programs• HPU ‘ohana since: 1987

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with my students at HPU Military Campus Programs for the past 30 years.

I view teaching as a service to my students to thank them for their many sacrifices for our country and freedom, and hopefully make a positive difference in their life. Mahalo and Aloha!

1985 “selfie” in Milan

In 1987, Kadala worked as a full-time pilot and as a part-time HPU adjunct professor

Nine-time Ironman finisher

4 I HPU 50th

CHRIS WINN, PH.D. • Associate Professor of Oceanography• Program Director, Master of Science in

Marine Science• College of Natural and Computational

Sciences• HPU ‘ohana since: 2000

Being able to share my interest in the global ocean with intelligent and enthusiastic students at both the undergraduate and graduate level is truly rewarding. I have the distinct pleasure to involve undergrads in research and to help our talented graduate students explore the complex interactions of ocean physics, chemistry, and biology. I am exceedingly grateful to be able to watch our graduates take from their experience here at HPU and move on to making a difference in our state, our nation, and in communities around the world.

WENDY LAM, PH.D. • Co-Chair, Hospitality and Tourism

Management• Assistant Professor, Marketing and

Economics• College of Business• HPU ‘ohana since: 1988

The most rewarding experience during my teaching career at HPU is to know that in some small ways, I have helped students learn during their educational journey. I truly enjoyed the precious moments when students returned or contacted me years after graduation to let me know that I have made a difference in their lives. It’s been a wonderful 27 years at HPU.

College of Business faculty (2005)

Lange-Otsuka with the President of Tokyo Women’s Medical University (2013)

Lange-Otsuka with Dr. ReNel Davis and Ida Montgomery (MSN ‘00), HPU’s first MSN graduate (2000)”

”

”

“

“

“

PATTY LANGE-OTSUKA, ED.D. • Associate Dean for Administrative and

Fiscal Affairs• Professor of Nursing, M.S.N.,

P.H.C.N.S.- B.C., A.P.R.N., C.N.E.• College of Nursing and Health Sciences• HPU ‘ohana since: 1991

We had 110 BSN nursing students when I came here in 1991. Since that time, I have helped thousands of people join or advance in a profession that will nurture them for life and improve society. Now, I am teaching children and spouses of my past students. I have learned so much by being at HPU, and I stay at HPU because I love teaching, the diversity, and the opportunities to change.


Rolling Stone Senior Writer David Fricke and local promoter Tom Moffatt

”

”

”

“

“

“

KEN SCHOOLLAND, M.S.F.S.• Associate Professor of Economics• Director, Entrepreneurship Center• College of Business• HPU ‘ohana since: 1979

From Alaska, I came to the islands in the fall of 1979 to teach at Hawaii Loa College and then at HPU in 1991. With the absorption of the windward campus into HPU, forming the Hawaii Loa Campus, the school maintained a very friendly, close-knit faculty/student/staff family community over the years. HPU always gathered a very diverse international student body, with scholarly accomplishments, in such a beautiful environment. That’s an intellectual heaven on earth!

JOHN HART, PH.D.• Chair and Professor of

Communications• College of Humanities and Social


One of HPU’s strengths is that we have students from all over the world. I have the opportunity to facilitate their discussions as they learn more about each other and themselves. When I was a child, Hawai‘i was a magical place and after 16 years at HPU it still is: diverse people, lovely scenery, great weather and wonderful culture.

DAN FLOOD, PH.D.• Assistant Professor of Marketing/

Management• Military Campus Programs/


I’ve been with HPU’s Military Campus Programs for over 30 years. My first teaching assignment for ‘Satellite Programs,’ as it was then called, was ‘Small Business Management.’ I remember my classroom was in a small, pre-WW II wood frame building on a hill at Camp Smith overlooking Pearl Harbor. For most of my students, this was a second chance at getting an education. Still true today, I’ve been happy participating in that second chance ever since.

6 I HPU 50th

2012-2013 HPU Teacher of the YearClass trip to the MuRyangSa Temple (2011)

BILL POTTER, M.A. • Associate Dean• Assistant Professor of English (ESL)• College of Humanities and Social


I started my HPU journey teaching English to international students at Hawaii Loa College in 1982. Over the three decades since then, my appearance—and especially my hairstyle—has changed quite a bit, but I’ve witnessed many more significant changes at HPU. Yet, no matter how much the campuses have changed and our colleges and departments have been reconfigured, our dedication to serving our students remains as strong as ever. Over the years, the university has developed into a key player in the Hawai‘i community, and I am so proud that HPU continues to provide effective educational experiences for our students while staying connected with our alumni. ”

“

”

“

JIM CORCORAN, PH.D.• Assistant Professor of History and

Asian Studies• Military Campus Programs/


As an ABD (All But Dissertation), Dr. Mike Pavkovic brought me in as adjunct to teach World History and Chinese History at the Downtown Campus in 1995. I was also teaching at other universities, but I was drawn to the great mix of local and international students, lively classrooms, and small class size here at HPU. After a fellowship at West Point for teaching U.S. military history in 1996, Dr. Pavkovic asked me to teach at the military campuses in 1997. I have done that ever since, got the Ph.D. in history, and now I am a full-time professor in the Military Campus Program. My students keep me going, always drawing out my best. Over the decades, my students have gone on to wonderful pursuits and successes. I am always happy to hear from them about what they are doing now.


MONDAYAUGUST 24, 2015

Aloha Tower Marketplace opens to students

THURSDAYSEPTEMBER 17, 2015

HPU’s Birthday

FRIDAYSEPTEMBER 18, 2015

50th Anniversary Celebration at the newly reimagined

Aloha Tower Marketplace

COUNTDOWNTO 50!CELEBRATINGLIKE IT’S 1965

8 I HPU 50th

1978HPU first ventured into intercollegiate athletics with the formation of the men’s basketball team

There is an old adage that athletics are the front porch of a university. Since 1978, HPU athletics have helped to introduce who we are and what great students we have. With the recent addition of the SHARKS Club—our first official HPU Athletics booster club—the sky’s the limit!

BennyAgbayani

1993

BennyAgbayani

1993

1990HPU won its first national championship as volleyball captured the NAIA crown

1993HPU captured Hawai‘i’s first and only NAIA national championship in men’s basketball

1998HPU won its first NCAA National Championship as volleyball won the Division II title

HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

ATHLETICSTIMELINE


2014

2000Volleyball won its second DII national championship in three seasons with the perfect season (28-0)

2006HPU added men’s and women’s soccer and women’s basketball as varsity Division II sports

2012HPU added women’s golf as a varsity Division II sport

2013HPU added acrobatics and tumbling as a varsity sport

2010HPU’S WOMEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR NCAA DIVISION II

HPU ANNOUNCES FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS VINCE BALDEMOR

2014A NEW ERA BEGINS:

HPU ATHLETES ARE KNOWN AS “SHARKS”

10 I HPU 50th

THE ALOHA TOWER PROJECT

UNIVERSITY NEWSHPU REVITALIZESALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE

From left, HPU Board of Trustees Chairman Joachim Cox, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, HPU President Geoffrey Bannister, former Hawai‘i Governor Neil Abercrombie, former HPU Board of Trustees Chairman Michael Chun, HPU Executive Vice President Janet Kloenhamer, former HPU Student Body President Miina Huotari (BA ‘14), and Kahu Kordell Kekoa.

Hawai‘i Pacific University held a ceremonial groundbreaking and traditional Hawaiian blessing at Aloha Tower Marketplace on

June 18, 2014. Former Hawai‘i Governor Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell were among many who witnessed the Hawaiian blessing at Aloha Tower Marketplace, which marked the official start of revitalizing the waterfront destination. HPU’s plan envisions a vibrant, mixed-use residential and commercial center designed to serve the Hawai‘i community and its students.

“The Aloha Tower has long served as a beacon, guiding ships from around the world towards our Honolulu Port,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

When completed, the first floor of Aloha Tower Marketplace will continue to be open for the public to enjoy.

The second floor opens to students in August and will help generate repeat revenue for retail – including the incoming Barnes & Noble

bookstore. Aloha Tower Marketplace tenants, including Gordon Biersch Brewery, Star of Honolulu, Hooters and The Cab will remain open throughout construction.

“ Hawai‘i Pacific University’s new use of the iconic Aloha Tower Marketplace will continue its historic role of welcoming visitors, and now students, to the heart of Honolulu in a modern, vibrant mixed-use space.” - Kirk Caldwell

ALOHA TOWER FAST FACTS• HPU is investing more than $50

million to revitalize Aloha Tower Marketplace.

• More than 500 people are working on the project during its duration.

• The local architecture firm is Group 70 International and the construction company is Swinerton Builders.

• The first floor will continue to be open for the public to enjoy, inclusive of 84,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor public space and 15,000 square feet of space that is shared by HPU and the public.

• The second floor is residential housing for nearly 300 students.

Learn more about Aloha Tower Marketplace at www.alohatower.com and Hawai‘i Pacific University at: www.hpu.edu

Students move into the HPU Waterfront Lofts on August 24, 2015!Makes you wish you were back in college...

HPU Waterfront Lofts Rendering


Members of the fall 2014 graduating class were welcomed into the HPU alumni ‘ohana with a breakfast at Café Julia on December 15th. Attendees enjoyed speeches from alumni and fellow students as well as giveaways. Mahalo to University Relations and the Student Activity Fee for supporting the Senior Class Breakfast.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser praised Kenoi’s speech as

“... inspirational, hilarious ...” It “highlighted the enduring value of hard work, the importance of aloha for all and the transformative power of higher education.”

SENIOR CLASS BREAKFAST

The video of Hawai’i Island Mayor Billy Kenoi speaking at HPU’s Spring 2014 Commencement has gone viral with over 100,000 views on YouTube. Graduates,

parents, faculty, and staff erupted with a standing ovation and charged away afterwards with a “how can” spring in their step. www.hpu.edu/alumni

82nd Commencement Address goes VIRAL

HPU celebrates first Spirit Week October 24 - 30, 2014

Students, faculty and staff, and alumni showcased their school spirit throughout the week by participating in events such as Halloween Fun Fest, the Athletics S.H.A.R.X. Benefit Hall of Fame Dinner, Science Pub-Hawai‘i, Alumni Pub Night, and a men’s basketball versus alumni game. Additional themed events included Pajama Day, Superhero Day, and HPU Day, complete with a pep rally, free pizza, and a women’s volleyball game.

12 I HPU 50th

“ Alumni are the foundation of Hawai‘i Pacific University and often times don’t realize the difference their involvement can make. Big or small, in time or treasure, our alumni make a huge impact.”

At the foot of the majestic Ko‘olau mountains, two young students with big dreams in their minds and love in their hearts

began a life together in Hawai‘i. Fifteen years later, the Cooks both work in marketing, are expecting their first child, and live with their two dogs just minutes away from where they first met at HPU’s windward dorms.

Dustin and Natalie choose to give back to HPU because they believe in giving students opportunities that will help them thrive in life—like study abroad programs and new student life opportunities right on campus.

Shape the future of your alma mater today!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.HPU.EDU/GIVEBACK

- Dustin (BSBA ’03) and Natalie [Bostrom] (BSBA ’02) Cook

AlumniWHY

We Give

AlumniWHY

We Give


PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHTTRUSTEES’ DINNERAt our Trustees’ Dinner, we honored Dr. Michael Chun, our outgoing chairman, for his 25 years of service. A special thanks to our $25,000 Leadership Sponsor Kobayashi, Sugita, & Goda, LLP, and our 2014 supporters, who made the night special and helped raise funds to promote student success.

For photos and additional information, please visit: www.hpu.edu/trusteesdinner

Celebrating HPU’s 50th BirthdayMark your calendar for our special donor event!

A surprised Michael Chun accepts a gift from his successor, Joachim Cox, board of trustees chairman at our 2014 Trustees’ Dinner.

AlumniWHY

We Give

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

F R I D A YSeptember 18, 2015

TH

14 I HPU 50th

Hawaiian Electric Industries awards grant to Launch Presidential Lecture SeriesHPU was awarded a $50,000 gift from Hawaiian Electric Industries to support the establishment of a Presidential Lecture Series on Global Leadership and Sustainability to be launched as part of HPU’s 50th anniversary in 2015.

The Presidential Lecture Series will bring together students, educators, community leaders, innovators, and thought-leaders for an inspirational, intellectual, and interactive forum. Over the next two years, up to six nationally and internationally recognized speakers will be invited to take the lectern to stimulate conversation and promote leadership on critical topics related to environmental sustainability. Additionally, the series will address a range of topics, including the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable system in an island economy, food safety, energy production, and housing.

For more information about the Presidential Lecture Series on Global Leadership and Sustainability, please visit: www.hpu.edu/presidential

The Brittany Pohākea Yap Scholarship Fund selected Leilani Feleciano and Ashley-Anne Benz as the recipients for the 2014-2015 academic year award. Brittany Yap (MA ’08, BA ’06) established the fund in 2013 to award to Native Hawaiian students to help with tuition costs. Leilani is a freshman majoring in Communications while Ashley-Anne is a junior majoring in Elementary Education.

HPU Vice President for University Relations Sam Moku, Audrey Gill (BSBA), Shawn Saito (BSBA), ARDA’s Peter Roth and ARDA-Hawaii’s Henry Perez, board chair of the timeshare association.

The American Resort Development Association of Hawaii (ARDA-Hawaii) announced that it has selected Audrey Gill (BSBA) and Shawn Saito (BSBA) as Steve Hirano Memorial Scholarship Recipients. A total of $30,000 in net proceeds from ARDA-Hawaii’s Ninth Annual Golf Tournament held on September 19, 2014, at Honolulu International Country Club, has been contributed to the scholarship fund, which supports outstanding Hospitality and Tourism Management (formerly Travel Industry Management) students at

HPU. As 2014-2015 scholarship recipients, Gill and Saito will receive $5,000 each to apply towards their studies at HPU.

“Audrey and Shawn were selected to receive these scholarships because they

both exemplify the type of leader our timeshare industry will need to continue to be successful in the future,” said ARDA-Hawaii Chair Henry Perez, who is also General Manager for Hilton Grand Vacations Club. “We are pleased to support other exceptional students, and look forward to generating more funds through future golf tournaments.”

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT SUPPORTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

MCINERNY FOUNDATION FURTHERS YELLOW TANG RESEARCH

Oceanic Institute of Hawai‘i Pacific University will continue research on the yellow tang, thanks to a $20,000 gift. Through the generosity of the McInerny Foundation, the university can further expand on the groundbreaking research in rearing and feeding technology. The goal of the program is to enhance conservation of the yellow tang and offer an alternative solution to harvesting fish from the wild.


STUDENT PHILANTHROPY COUNCIL HEADS HPU MADNESS STUDENT TEAM

“We are HPU’s Student Philanthropy Council and we led the Student Team in an ultimate fundraising competition, HPU Madness. To encourage us to take on the Alumni, Parents, and Faculty and Staff teams, our Student Philanthropy Council president pledged to personally match each council member’s gift—and we stepped up to this challenge.”

This month-long tournament was scored by participation, not amount. Students, Alumni, Parents, and Faculty and Staff, who earned the bragging rights as the 2015 HPU Madness champion? Visit www.hpu.edu/HPUMadness to see how it went down!

HPU Professor Carlos Juarez, Charles Salmon, Jr., and alumnus John Hansen (MA ’13)

HPU donors enjoyed a special holiday event in their honor on December 2, 2014 at The Pacific Club in Honolulu.

HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

HPU Trustee Vi Loo, Dana Anderson, and HPU Trustee Jim Ajello

Alex Fergus, principal at Fergus and Company, Lawakua participants, and President Geoffrey Bannister at the Semi-Annual Promotion Ceremony in July 2014.

Lawakua Kajukenbo Club uses martial arts to teach confidence, coordination, structure and discipline to youth, with a focus on at-risk and low-income families. Beginning in 2015, a Lawakua graduate will receive a full four year scholarship to HPU with HPU matching the Fergus and Company gift.

DELL HOOKS HPU UP WITH OVER $500,000 IN TECHNOLOGYThanks to the strong framework built in partnership with Dell, HPU ‘ohana can now access university resources from any device, anywhere in the world where they have internet access. Faculty, staff, and students benefit from increased efficiency through secure, remote access to data in addition to gaining better communication services.

Pakinee and Ralph Portmore joined University Relations Director of Development Kevin Takamori and HPU scholarship recipient Phasiree Thanasin (MA) for lunch at Gordon Biersch.

The Portmores established a $15,000 scholarship in 2013 to benefit students from Thailand studying at HPU. Phasiree is pursuing her Master’s degree in Communications.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Donna Tanoue, Jerri Ross, and President Geoffrey Bannister

HPUMADNESS

16 I HPU 50th

Vice President for University Relations Sam Moku, Paul C.T. Loo Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Brittany Yap (MA ’08, BA ’06) and former Board of Trustee Chairman Michael Chun, Ph.D.

More than 200 alumni, faculty, staff and their ‘ohana gathered at Hawaii Loa Campus on June 21, 2014, for HPU’s first Alumni Luau.

The Alumni Luau — themed

REUNITE, RENEW, RECONNECT — was filled with activities, including the presentation of the 2014 Paul C.T. Loo Distinguished Alumni Award to Brittany Yap (MA ’08, BA ’06), a silent auction, a network bar, and prize drawings.

Aloha Alumni,

I share something with HPU—we’re both 50 years young! Our university is counting down to its 50th birthday on September 17 and we cannot wait to celebrate with you.

On September 18th, we will be down at the newly reimagined Aloha Tower celebrating our 50th anniversary. Alumni, faculty and staff, students, parents, and community friends will be coming together to enjoy groovy music and fab food.

Hey mainland and international alumni, we’re looking at you. Join us, show your Ha‘aheo o HPU (HPU pride), and throw an HPU birthday bash in your area. September 2015 has the potential to become the stuff of legend. I challenge you to help us make it a worldwide HPU party—so let’s party like it’s 1965!

Sam MokuVice President for University Relations

#HPUALUMNIPUBNIGHT

Introducing HPU Alumni Pub Night, a monthly networking and happy hour gathering for alumni in Hawai‘i. The word is getting out and the crowd and fun keeps growing.

Vice President for University Relations Sam Moku, Brittany Yap (MA ’08, BA ’06), and Miina Huotari (BA ’14) at the Spring 2014 Senior Class Breakfast.


Alumni CONNECTIONPOINTS

Vice President for University Relations Sam Moku with HPU alumna and Congresswoman Representative Tulsi Gabbard (BSBA ’09)

Vice President for University Relations Sam Moku with wife and husband Alicia Kubert (BA ’07) and Scott Nolan Smith (BA ’07).

College of Business Dean Deborah Crown, Ph.D., and Jill Castilla (BSBA ’96) on campus.

Tim Lussier (MA ’12, BSBA ’10), Associate Director of Admission Suzy Prenovost (BSBA ’94), Rachele Bakic (MA ’08), and Zack Parnell (BSBA ’08) volunteering at a Portland Admitted Student Reception.

Brian Webb Almanza (BA ’13), Klaire Marie Trajano (BA ’14), Jill Castilla (BSBA ’96), Director of Student Activities Adrienne Lampitelli, and Assistant Vice President of University Relations Tara Wilson at the Take the Lead seminar series.

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAMEOctober 28, 2014, former women’s tennis player and cross country star Lisa Blomme (BSCS ’02) was inducted into the athletics hall of fame along with the 1993

Men’s NAIA National Championship Basketball team, the 1990 NAIA National Championship Head Volleyball Coach Nahaku Brown, and former Sports Information Director and ESPN Sportscenter host Neil Everett.

On October 18, 2014, Director of Development Kevin Takamori attended the exhibit “A-Bombs for Peace.” The exhibit was organized by Masago Asai (BSBA ’91), who is married to Francis R. Tulu (BSBA ’87). The two met at HPU as international students with Masago being originally from Japan and Francis from Bangladesh. Soon after graduating, the two founded two local companies called DataNet and CompuTant.

18 I HPU 50th

Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Jerry Agrusa, Ph.D., with Brad Harrison (MBA ’95, BA and BSBA ’85) and HPU students at the HPU booth at the Honolulu Marathon.

Orlando, Florida, January 23, 2014Director of Annual Giving Programs, Lindsey Hincks (MBA ’14), joined alumni at the Crave Restaurant for an Orlando pau hana.

HPU pau hana in Chicago with Robert Dickman-Lopez (MBA ’06, BSBA ’05), Virginia Lopez (MBA ’06, BSBA ’05), Camilla Oxhamre-Cruse (MBA ’14) and Johand Cruse (MBA ’12) on August 20, 2014.

Five HPU business women learned how to pitch business and events to the media from fellow alumna Olena Heu (MA ’13, BA ’07) ‘Pitching to the Press’ Femfessionals event on February 11, 2014.

Klaire Marie Trajano (BA ’14), FemCity Honolulu President Brittany Yap (MA ’08, BA ’06), guest speaker and former KHON 2 morning news anchor Olena Heu (MA ’13, BA ’07), Campos Coaching President Angelina Campos (BSBA ’02), Designs by Lil Coconut Owner & Designer Amanda Dela Cruz (BSBA ’06), and Midweek Senior Writer Nicole Kato (MA ’13, BA ’11)

Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Jerry Agrusa, Ph.D., with alumni Mickey Kromann-Jensen (BSBA ’06) and Spring 2010 HPU study abroad student Mimi Tran at the Asia Pacific Tourism Association annual conference. Dr. Agrusa presented research at the conference and also attended the Board of Directors meeting as the United States Representative.

Alumni Andrew Tay (BSBA ’98), Sophaneth Yorn (MSW ’12), and John Hansen (MA ’13) met together in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

ALUMNI CONNECT WITH HPU

DURING HER TRAVELS, Assistant Director of International Admission Shelley Hillberry was able to connect with a number of alumni who were exchange students at HPU. While attending a reception in

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, Shelley met with alumni, one being Chien Kuo who makes the effort of recruiting students to study at HPU.

In BEIJING at the International Education Expo, Shelley met with alumni, including Huang “Mark” Yike (BA) who studied at HPU as an exchange student from 2008-2009 and plans on assisting with future HPU events in Beijing.

Lastly, while in AUSTRIA, Shelley met with Ralf Mitteregger (MBA ’02) and Maggie Kanka (MA ’06), two graduate students who work at partner universities. The two are collaborating in efforts to have an HPU Austrian alumni reunion.


1986William “Bill” Carnegie (BSBA) was named the president and CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank, serving southern California. Previously, Bill was the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s president and CEO. 1

1989Guy Kaulukukui (MBA) is the founder of a new company called Kealapono, LLC, a government and community relations firm.

1990Aaishah Bohari (BSBA) was appointed director of sales and marketing at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, a 5-star luxury hotel located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Aaishah has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience and has worked at a number of high end international resorts, including the Park Hyatt Saigon and the Angsana Laguna Phuket.

Dr. Shelia Ann Kensinger (BA) is owner of Riverview College of Christian Counseling, where she provides training for Christian counselors. She also serves as counselor and director of Cornerstone Christian Counseling Louisa, which counsels substance abuse, individual, family, marriage, and grief counseling.

Stephen L. Morris (BA) has been named assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division in West Virginia.

1995Jeff Ratzlaff (BSBA) is vice president of business development at MobileIron, which filed an IPO on June 11, 2014.

Daryl D. Perry (BA), a Kauai Police Chief since 2007, ran in the 2014 election for the Kauai County Council.

Arnold Wong (MA) was selected for one of the Land Use Commission’s at-large seats. The Land Use Commission holds the responsibility for making decisions that protect and preserve Hawai‘i’s lands.

1996Jill A. Castilla (BSBA), Citizens Bank of Edmond’s president and CEO, was featured with her bank on the cover and front page of the May issue of the American Banker. Jill was also an honoree for The Journal Records 2014 Fifty Making a Difference.

1998Neal Johnson (BSBA, AS ’97) retired from the US Navy after a 31-year career and works as a staff accountant with Fred A. Lockwood, P.C. in Scottsbluff, Neb. 2

1999Jayson Harper (BA) was appointed first vice president, director of communications and public relations, at American Savings Bank.

2002Matt Padilla (BA) will marry Samantha Saavedra on O‘ahu on June 5, 2015. Matt is a GS-12, supervisory human resources specialist, and has worked for the Forest Service for seven years. 3

Joy Barua (MBA, BSBA ’98) made the 2014 March cover of Hawaii Business magazine featuring “20 for the Next 20 – People to Watch.” 4

Marko Miljkovic (MBA, BSBA ’01), Floor Manager at Servco Pacific Inc., and Gordon Bruce (MBA ’00), Chairman and CEO at Pacxa, presented at the Hawaii Business magazine leadership conference on July 15. Marko presented on the “Sustaining Leadership: Blending Wisdom with New Ideas” panel, and Gordon presented on the “Manager vs. Visionary” panel.

Shruthi Chindalur (MSIS) is the new Head of EMEA Sales Development for LinkedIn. She is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is responsible for sales development for all of Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Shruthi is also a board member of The HOPE Foundation.

1 4

2

3

CLASS LINKS

20 I HPU 50th

2003Summer Brazell (BA) was invited to audition and was selected to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. The episode aired on April 29, 2014, and was part of the show’s special “Wheel 6000” week, which celebrated Wheel of Fortune’s 6,000th episode. She won $13,250 in cash and a trip to London and Paris. Her total winnings for cash and prizes were over $24,000. She beat out the other contestants to advance to the final/bonus round, but did not solve the final puzzle. She did, however, become the first contestant in the show’s history to not view the inside of the bonus prize envelope because she did not want to see what she could have won. 5

Michael Glod (BA) works as a program manager at The Pax Ludens Foundation in The Netherlands. His responsibilities include being a simulation coach, transatlantic security expert, and Middle East expert. Michael received his MA in International Relations from Webster University in Leiden, The Netherlands in 2011.

Congratulations to Cherie Bereta Snell (BA), who married Cody David Snell on January 25, 2014, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Living in Oviedo, Fla., Cody is the district sales engineer for Mueller Company, and Cherie works for Gravis Marketing, Inc. 6

Jonathan Fernandes (MA) has started a company called MYKALKI, which launched its own brand of MYKALKI spice blends for meat, seafood, and

vegetable recipes—available online. Comprised of seven to 24 ingredients, the spice blends are native to Mumbai, India, and are influenced by Maharashtra (a state in Western India) and Portuguese cuisine. 7

Michelle Tang (BSBA) has been named the vice president of business development at Honolulu Property Management (HPM). With an extensive background in marketing and management, she will be responsible for HPM’s strategic sales growth initiatives.

Pierre De Wit (BS) published a paper in the Nature Communications journal, where he and three other researchers investigated the effects of the 2011 Sonoma mass mortality event. Using a combination of genome scans, toxin testing and field surveys, they came to the conclusion that a Yessotoxin was most probably the main culprit.

2005 Marisa Tan (MBA) opened up a social enterprise called “Maid In Cambodia.” Her new company provides women empowerment through training to work in the domestic field. A feature of her new company appeared in Asia Life Magazine.

Joseph Koss (MBA) was appointed as University of Michigan’s accounting intermediate.

Kristen Gagné (BA) is the founder and owner of Webtawks, LLC, a new business in ESL focusing on teaching international professionals English to help them advance in their careers and fields

of study. Her business made its official launch last year.

2006 James “Kimo” Cuizon (BA) began working for EPIC ‘Ohana (Effective Planning and Innovative Communication) as a data specialist in February 2014. 8

Ruslan Mirzayev (BA) studied at Hawai‘i Pacific University from 2005 to 2006 as an exchange student at the Justice Administration/Pre-Law Program. Currently, he is a practicing lawyer in Azerbaijan and a teacher of law at Baku State University.

Keoki Downes (BA), owner and president of Clearwater Ponds/Sungreen Landscape Inc., has been promoted to the recycling and sustainability specialist for Kohanaiki. He has been tasked with creating a recycling and sustainability plan.

Ani Martirosian (BA) finished up law school at the University of Hawai‘i and married Zubin Menon. Along with that, she wrote an opinion piece in Pacific Business News concerning the possibility of the Department of Defense making cuts to commissary appropriations. In her piece, Ani writes about how these cuts could have an effect on military families and local businesses.

2007Tracy Stayton (MA) has been coordinating a year-long philanthropic project called Thirtyfourtunate. The giving adventure began Thanksgiving Day 2014 and will end Thanksgiving

7 6

8


Day 2015. She plans to take the year to perform 34 acts of service around the world. Some of the worthy causes include: working with water sanitation and safety, cutting her hair in honor of her friend Becky who passed away from cancer, and assisting in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in remembrance of her Uncle Michael. Along the way, she is blogging, bringing awareness to charities and causes around the globe, and finding out what makes people feel most fortunate.

Chris Radovich (MSIS) was appointed the new director of IT operations and service management at Hawaiian Airlines. He is responsible for ensuring stability of Hawaiian Airlines’ entire IT infrastructure. He has 15 years of experience in IT and previously was manager of IT operations and governance at First Insurance Company of Hawaii.

Ryan Charles Smith (BSBA) and wife Meagan Elizabeth [Noha] Smith (BSBA ’08) had a son, Luke Smith, on November 26, 2013. They plan to send Luke to HPU when he gets older. The Smith family currently lives in Mokena, Ill.

2008Collin Kobayashi (MBA) started his own company called 3D Innovations. His company provides Product Design/Development, Prototyping, 3D Printing, and Manufacturing services. Collin was featured in the Trending Now section of Hawaii Business magazine.

Liberty Peralta (BA) is the new director of communication at PBS Hawaii.

2009Jamierose Zahn (BA) and Edward Amos (BA) were married in December. Jamierose works as an HRIS specialist at Hyatt Hotels Corporation while Edward is the Upper School dean of students at an elite private school in Chicago, Ill. Together, they have a three-year-old daughter named Malia.

Andrew Abordonado (BA) is currently in El Salvador for his U.S. Foreign Service assignment.

2010Kira Vinke (BA) has a new position as research analyst with the German Advisory Council on Global Change at PIK, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Research, in Berlin, Germany. Kira was undergraduate valedictory speaker at HPU and completed her MA in International Relations from Frei University in Berlin, where she was awarded the Best Master Thesis of her graduating class.

Malia Schroeder (BA) is a project manager at Merrill Brink International in the Saint Paul, Minn. She received her MSC in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2013, with a masters dissertation titled “Local Food for Local Growth: Farm-Restaurant Linkages and Embedding Tourism Dollars in Oahu.”

Max Anton (BSBA) opened a store in Kailua called Paradise Soccer Club. It has everything a soccer player would need, and more. From hats and street wear to displays of autographed jerseys, Max’s

goal was to create an all-around soccer boutique.

2011James C. Pierce (MBA, MSIS, BSBA ’92) is a top IT professional in Hawai‘i. He is WW Technical Sales Leader and Senior State Executive-Hawaii at IBM Corporation.

Chelsey Kannan (BSBA) began a position as finance leadership associate at Coca-Cola Refreshments at the Atlanta headquarters. In this role, she has the opportunity to rotate into a new finance role every six months for two years to gain expertise and knowledge of the business on the finance side while being a part of leadership training. Chelsey will later be placed in a Financial Services Management role within the company.

Nicole Lemas (BA) was appointed as Oahu Project Developer for RevoluSun, a leading company in Hawai‘i that provides residential and commercial solar systems. Nicole oversees the development of solar projects on Oahu and is involved with RevoluSun’s Project Empower outreach program. She is also involved with Social Wahines, Rotary of Honolulu, HPU Kaholoku’i, and Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Jonah Hobson (MBA, BSBA ’08) has been the marketing manager at ITI since April 2013. Some of his responsibilities include, maintaining the company website and blog, overseeing all marketing content creation, managing and researching possible marketing channels, and representing the company at industry events and conferences.

5

22 I HPU 50th

Robert W. Thompson (MS) and HPU Associate Professors of Oceanography, Dr. Samuel Kahng and Dr. Christopher Winn, published a paper entitled “Nearshore Carbonate Dissolution in the Hawaiian Archipelago?” in the scientific journal Aquatic Geochemistry.

Elizabeth Hendrickson (MA) moved to Nairobi, Kenya, to become a communications coordinator for the Kenya Lutheran Church. She will help improve communications between the church, local, and international partners as well as help the Kenya community with development programs and educational outreach.

2012Jacob White (BSBA) moved back to Washington to work for Empire Flooring as a district sales manager. Previously, he worked for fellow alumna Layla Dedrick (MBA) as Bella Pietra’s site manager for four years.

Tim Lussier (MA, BSBA ’10) has been hired with Heartland Payment Systems as Relationship Manager in Hawai‘i. 9

Quickly after graduating, Adina Bambur (MA) was hired in January 2013 at Bank of Hawaii to work in their Human Resources department. She

has been working at Bank of Hawaii in their downtown corporate tower ever since. She was promoted to a corporate recruiter—a position she always had most interest in within the Human Resources field—and is very happy with where her career is going.

HPU Professor Hanh Nguyen published a paper co-authored with former MA TESOL students Wen-pei Lin (MA, BA ’10) and Saeko Tsukimi in the TESOL International Journal. Their paper examines government-approved English textbooks in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam and critically analyzes how these textbooks introduce students to conversation openings beyond greetings.

Former HPU soccer player George Fochive was drafted by professional soccer team Portland Timbers. He was the 39 pick in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. George played two seasons at HPU before transferring to University of Connecticut.

2013Lt. Charlene Felkley (MA) was appointed the Marine Operations Coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa in October 2013.

Tyson Umberger (MA) teaches English and leads the choir at the Universidad de Investigación de Tecnología Experimental in Yachay, Ecuador’s City of Knowledge.

2014Jose Roberto Dominguez (BSBA) graduated with his son Christopher Dominguez (BSBA) in HPU’s Spring 2014 Commencement. Jose was extremely proud of his journey to graduation and walking with his son at the commencement ceremony made it all the more special.

Jason Cutinella (MA) is CEO of Nella Media Group. His company announced the international distribution expansion of its local Hawai‘i lifestyle magazine called FLUX Hawaii, which began with its September 2014 issue. FLUX Hawaii is the first Hawaii lifestyle magazine to be distributed on an international scale.

Paula Kowalski (MBA, BSBA ’10) has been promoted from guest service manager to a new role as arrival manager at the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa. 10

Lia Jamerson (MA, BA ’12) was selected as Miss Downtown Honolulu and competed in the Miss Hawaii USA pageant in November 2014. 11

9

10 11

Don’t let us be the last to know about your personal and professional achievements! We want to know your bragging rights! Email us at: [email protected] [ ]


STAYCONNECTED

Don’t be the last to know. Make sure you hear breaking university news first! Send us your current email address and contact info to: [email protected]

SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESSHelp students transition into the work force, let us know about internships, jobs, volunteer to talk about career decisions, or volunteer your time at a student activity.

CREATE CONNECTIONSJoin us at university events and gatherings to learn the latest news and reconnect with fellow alumni. Our successful graduates are on the move and sometimes we cannot keep up – help us spread the great news.

BECOME AN ALUMNI AMBASSADOREncourage HPU ‘ohana to connect with each other and HPU! Organize regional gatherings and help recruit students by sharing your stories at admissions events.

SEND US BRAGGING RIGHTSShare professional advancements and awards, wedding and birth announcements, impromptu alumni gatherings – we want to hear it all!

SHARE A LIFE LESSONPass on your HPU wisdom by emailing us a professor’s words of wisdom, feedback on how to succeed, or the best place for shave ice.

HELP FUNDRAISEShare your passion for giving back and inspire further support:

• Declare your Ha‘aheo O HPU (HPU pride) www.hpu.edu/giveback

• Tell your story through one of our university publications.

24 I HPU 50th

Become an AlumniAMBASSADOR

Find out if you guessed right at:www.hpu.edu/50

HPU Time Capsule

Do you know where

this is?

Do you have throwback pictures that you would be willing to share? Send your HPU photos to [email protected] or tag them on Facebook and Instagram with #HPUtbt


Encourage HPU Alumni to connect with each other and HPU! Organize regional gatherings and help recruit students in your area.

I’m Notis, one of the international Alumni Regional

Ambassadors!

I’m Jordyn, the Honolulu Alumni

Regional Ambassador!

Aloha! Hi!We’re Robert and Virginia, mainland Alumni Regional Ambassadors!

To learn more please visit:www.hpu.edu/alumni/connections

London Alumni Regional Ambassador Panagiotis “Notis” Pentaris (MSW ’11)

Honolulu Alumni Regional AmbassadorJordyn Oriole (BSBA ’13)

Chicago Alumni Regional Ambassadors Robert Dickman-Lopez (BA ’06) and Virginia

Dickman-Lopez (MBA ’06, BSBA ’05)

Become an AlumniAMBASSADOR

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE VP Sam Moku; Editor Kilei Nelson; Associate Editors Cassie Carter, Ph.D., Cheyanne Flowers (BA), Lindsey Hincks (MBA ’14), Tara Wilson

CONTRIBUTORSChris Aguinaldo, Bob Bannister, Brent Curry, Todd Goya, Andrea McAnally (BA), Richard Rapoza, Britney Unoki (BA ’14), Lianne Yamamura

A special thanks to HPU faculty for contributing quotations and pictures in honor of the 50th celebration. Hawai‘i Pacific University Kanalima Edition is published by Hawai‘i Pacific University, University Relations, in celebration of the 50th anniversary. If you are receiving duplicate copies of the magazine or want to update your mailing address, please notify the University Relations office.

HAWAI‘I PACIFIC UNIVERSITYUniversity Relations1132 Bishop, Suite 307Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) [email protected]/50

University Relations TeamSam MokuVice President Bob BannisterMangmang BrownChristopher ButlerCassie Carter, Ph.D.Todd GoyaLindsey Hincks (MBA ’14)Sarah Lee (BS ’14)Kilei NelsonKevin TakamoriRichard VermeeschTara WilsonEthan Wung

HPU’s deep commitment

to the business community,

along with strong programs

delivered by faculty with both

academic and professional

backgrounds, are just a few

of the reasons our graduates

score very highly on lifetime

return on investment. Ranked

among the best Western

schools for salary potential

by PayScale.com, Hawai‘i

Pacific University helps

develop profession-ready

global leaders for today’s

business environment.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESSGordon BrucePacxa Chairman and CEO(MBA ’00)

“The understanding of culture — not in an abstract way, but in application — is one thing I found in my experience in and around HPU. Within the international environment comes a level of respect and understanding necessary to succeed in public life.”

Tulsi GabbardUnited States Representative(BSBA ’09)

Hawai‘i Pacific University is recognized for having one of the best online MBA programs in the U.S., according to a 2014 survey of international business programs conducted by thebestschools.org. HPU was ranked number 18 out of the top 25 online MBA programs in International Business.

#GoFurtherWWW.HPU.EDU/CBA

TOP20

Bettina MehnertCEO of Architects Hawaii Ltd.(MBA ’03)

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 1050HONOLULU, HI

hawai‘i pacific university kanalima edition

Documents