Chaminade University of Honolulu

Alumni Oral History Project

Every Silversword has a story, and we want to hear yours!

Chaminade University, in partnership with Publishing Concepts (PCI), is undertaking an exciting project to collect and record the memories and experiences of our alumni ‘ohana…. Beginning in Spring 2024, alumni will have the opportunity to share their favorite Chaminade memories to be recorded and produced for a digital and print publication sharing our university history. 

About PCI

With such a large project, our limited resources and small team, we decided to contract Texas-based PCI to engage with each of you to start the memories project. We are able to utilize PCI’s trained staff of real, live human being who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the memories book that will be offered to each of you. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

PCI Logo

No Purchase Necessary

This project is being done at NO COST to Chaminade University. The project is completely funded by alumni who choose to purchase the memory book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various packages will be offered by PCI. You are welcome to purchase these items but ARE NOT required to do so to participate in the project or to have your story featured in the memory book. Your decision to purchase the book and other items is completely optional. 

What to Expect

Below is an example of the postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from Chaminade, distributed by our publisher, PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your story.

Below is an example of an email you may receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your Silversword story. If you do not receive it, please take this opportunity to call PCI at 1-800-982-1590.

“Every Silversword alum has a unique story, whether sentimental, funny, poignant, relatable, inspiring, or simply your own. We want to hear yours!”

Jodi-Anne Yoshida, Director of Alumni Relations

Jodi-Anne Yoshida, MBA ’23 | Director of Alumni Relations

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s legit! 

We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an oral history publication for Chaminade University. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX, that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for nearly 100 years. 

The project allows you to update your information with Chaminade and share your personal experiences and memories. The postcard and email invite you to call PCI to verify your information, share your story and offer you the option to purchase the final Alumni Oral History publication.
Participation is completely voluntary and you may update your information and share your story without making a final purchase. You may also choose to update your contact information directly with us online.

Via postcard, email, and phone. Starting in mid-April, PCI will start the marketing phase with postcard communications. If you have not yet participated in the project, you will continue to receive email communications. You may also receive phone calls from PCI; they will only call alumni who have not responded to any outreach, and they will not call anyone more than five times. 

If you would like to opt out of communications from PCI, you can contact [email protected] to be removed from the project list.

  • Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni
  • Legacy – preserves the history of Chaminade University
  • Pride – shows support and affinity for our school
  • Revenue – generates non-dues revenue for alumni programs

Chaminade University and PCI are committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses, and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidentially by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in or in preparation for the Oral History Project, and as is required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (personal identifiable information) from all electronic files that were supplied or produced by PCI in connection to the Oral History Project.

  • If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at Chaminade. Your story will be recorded, and the sound clip and transcript will be provided to Chaminade University at the conclusion of the project. 
  • If you received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
  • If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call PCI at 1-866-497-0952.
  • If you are living internationally or are unable to call the updated line, please email [email protected].  PCI will send you personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email [email protected]. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

PCI will do their best to include as much of your story as possible. All stories in the printed publication must be 2,000 characters or less, including spaces. There is no character limit for stories included in the digital publication. For those who choose to write their own story or edit their story after their call, please note that all stories must be one single paragraph of text, and the tool does not accept special characters or accent marks. Refraining from double quotation marks and double spaces will also help maximize space for your story.

The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. 

When you call to update your information, it will only be used to update your alumni information with Chaminade University. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before November 29, 2024  by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 or [email protected].

You can call back at any time before November 29, 2024, to share your story.

You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos (black and white or color) plus captions. If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send in physical photos to be printed.

*Note: If you would like your photos returned to you, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope when sending those to PCI.

The Chaminade University Oral History Publication is available for sale only to Chaminade alumni.

Chaminade University alumni are welcome to purchase the following keepsakes:

PriceS&HTotal
Loyalty Package: Hardbound Book, Digital Publication, Apparel Set (Sweatshirt & T-shirt) and Travel Bag$449.98$39.98$489.96
Pride Package: Hardbound Book, Digital Publication, Apparel Set (Sweatshirt & T-shirt)$349.98$29.98$379.96
Value Package: Hardbound + Digital Publication$259.98$19.98$279.96
Hardbound Book$169.98$19.98$189.96
Digital Publication$169.98N/A$159.98
Apparel Set (Sweatshirt & T-shirt)$89.98$12.98$102.96
Travel Bag$139.98$19.98$159.96

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in Late May of 2024, the books will be distributed in June of 2025.

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590, and they will take care of this for you.


Contact Information

If you have any other questions regarding the project, please email [email protected] or call 808-735-4763.