University Communications & Marketing

Dr. Scott Schroeder Elected to Board of Commissioners of the IACBE

May 3, 2018

Lenexa, Kansas, USA (April 2018) – At its Annual Conference and Assembly Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on April 17-20, 2018, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) elected new members to its Board of Commissioners.

The IACBE is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott Schroeder, Dean, School of Business and Communication at Chaminade University in Hawaii, was elected as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the IACBE.

The Board of Commissioners of the IACBE is the independent accreditation decision-making body of the Council and is responsible for advancing the accreditation mission of the Council.

About the IACBE – The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) was founded in 1997 and is nationally-recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The IACBE is the leader in mission-driven and outcomes-based programmatic accreditation in business and management education for student-centered colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions throughout the world.

The IACBE’s mission is to promote and recognize excellence in business education in institutions of higher education worldwide, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, through specialized accreditation of business programs. The IACBE has hundreds of member institutions and campuses worldwide and has accredited over 1,500 business and business-related programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America, and South America.

The IACBE’s World Headquarters are located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, 66215, USA.

For more information, please visit the IACBE’s website at iacbe.org.

Touch a Heart Wins First Place at This Year’s Hogan & American Savings Bank Nonprofit Business Plan Competition

May 2, 2018

Touch a Heart’s Ho’oulu ‘Aina Enterprises was awarded the first place prize during this year’s Hogan and American Savings Bank Nonprofit Business Plan Competition.

Held every other year for nonprofits in the state of Hawaii planning to start new ventures, the Nonprofit Business Plan Competition aims to encourage excellence in nonprofit planning and help make new and innovative social enterprises a reality, as well as stimulate public interest in the nonprofit sector. Hosted by the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program, the competition exemplifies the program’s motto, “Doing business things that make social sense. Doing social things that make business sense.”

Touch a Heart is an organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the dignity of the homeless and disadvantaged in Hawaii. Their winning business plan outlined how Ho’oulu ‘Aina Enterprises aims to yield net profits to help sustain the Ho’ololi Food Services Internship Program by adding unique Hawaii products to the nonprofit’s existing social enterprises. The new products will include ‘ulu (breadfruit), kalo (taro) and kiawe (mesquite).

The Ho’ololi Food Services Internship Program helps men and women become fully employable while building up the participants’ confidence and hope. The Internship accepts six interns at a time and over the course of 12 weeks provides the interns with culinary skills and paid on-the-job-training. Participants also receive mentoring, resume writing assistance, and interview coaching. Upon completion of the program participants have the option of beginning their professional career in the food industry, continuing their education at a Community College or becoming a paid apprentice in one of Touch a Heart’s Food Service Social Enterprises.

For the last five years, American Savings Bank (ASB) has partnered with the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program in support of the competition. During this year’s ceremony ASB’s FVP, Director of Communications and Community, Michelle Bartell, spoke on the importance of the competition, “[This competition] really encourages entrepreneurship in the nonprofit industry. It really enables local team leaders to make an even greater positive impact on our communities. She added, “We [ASB] really believe that Hawaii needs to diversify our economy. We need, especially in the nonprofit sector, to come up with innovative and sustainable new ways to approach our most pressing community challenges.” The Hogan and American Savings Bank Nonprofit Business Plan Competition provide nonprofits the funds to do just this.

Before announcing this year’s finalists Dr. John Webster, Director of Hogan Entrepreneurs Program, spoke on the importance of supporting the nonprofit sector, “This sector delivers countless services which are simply not provided by government or private sector. This sector is often as entrepreneurial as the for-profit sector.” He continued with, “Our aim therefore has been to make a modest contribution by helping some of those nonprofit organizations which are showing unusual entrepreneurial promise.”

The runner ups in this year’s competition included, Common Ground Collective: Maui’s Administrative & Mobile Farming Services in second place, Kauai North Shore Community Foundation: Help Me With My Homework in third place and Kids Hurt Too Hawaii: HI Rising in fourth place.

2018 Nonprofit Business Plan Competition finalists included ALEA Bridge, Bizgenics Foundation, Hawaii HomeOwnership Center and Pop-Up Labs for Science.

Weekend Reunion Brings Chaminade Alumni Together

May 1, 2018

Whether you are Class of 2017 or Class of 1957, still reside in Oahu or moved all the way to the East Coast, the annual Chaminade University Alumni Reunion is an exciting opportunity to return to campus. It offers alumni the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane while they reconnect with past mentors and former classmates.

Reflecting on this year’s reunion, Alumni Relations Director Be-Jay Kodama said, “Alumni returned to campus from near and as far away as Maryland, California, Guam, and Japan. The weekend was filled with smiling faces, inquisitive minds, love and laughter, and endless excitement as alumni, professors, students, and Marianist celebrated Chaminade University.”

This year’s Alumni Reunion, Siverswords Under the Stars, took place over the weekend of April 5-8 and kicked off Thursday, April 5, with a 50 Minute University Session followed by Cocktails and Conversation. The 50 Minute University Sessions allowed alumni to choose between one of three discussion sessions. Edward Orona, BBA ’79 and Damien Lorentz, BBA ’98, MBA ’00 lead the financial discussion, “Smart Money” while Dara Perreira, BA ’99, MBA ’03 led the discussion “Collaboration vs Cooperation.” The third discussion session option was “College Admission 101” presented by Cathy O’Rouke.

Once the discussion sessions ended alumni were invited to Cocktails and Conversation where they had the opportunity to meet the new president, Dr. Lynn Babington, and socialize with fellow alumni. A game of “mingle bingo” gave former students from different decades an opportunity to learn more about each other. Singer and songwriter, Dustin Pacleb, MSCP ’16 treated attendees to an acoustic performance.

The reunion festivities continued on Saturday, April 7 with a concert under the stars and street festival featuring popular food trucks. Chaminade graduates enjoyed drinks from Bros Brew and Nalo Made Lemonade, provided by Shawn Niwa Kadooka BBA ’91. Food trucks including Kapakahi Grindz, owned by Chardonnay Pao BA ’13, MBA ’15, and Peace Café provided the ono eats for the evening. Ekolu and DJ Crechton, BS ’07, provided the entertainment. Alumni were even treated to a student talent show, Silversword Stars, where five talented undergraduates performed.

An evening highlight was the spirit contest. Attendees were encouraged to creatively show their Chaminade pride and crowd favorites where selected and awarded special prizes.

The alumni reunion weekend concluded with Sunday Mass in the Mystical Rose Oratory with co-celebrants, chaplain, Fr. George Cerniglia, SM, and Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, BA ’73 celebrating his 45 Reunion year. After mass members of the Chaminade Student Government Association escorted alumni to the Ching Conference Center for a light brunch with President Babington. President Babington shared plans for Chaminade’s future while alumni, former classmates and newly made friends enjoyed one last chance to talk story and reminisce.

During the brunch program, members of Chaminade’s Silver Circle Alumni, those who graduated between 1959– 1967, were acknowledged. William Ferguson and Donna Estomago, members of the Class of 1968, celebrated their Golden 50 Reunion Year and were also honored.

Na Liko Na’auao, Celebrating Student Scholars

April 30, 2018

Established in 2002, Na Liko Na’auao is an undergraduate conference which celebrates student scholars from across all academic disciplines.

Hosted by the Office of Health Professions Advising and Undergraduate Research, students participating in the conference deliver academic presentations showcasing a project from the past year through oral and/or visual presentations. A conference which celebrates all student scholars, students may present research projects as well as creative work in both visual and performing arts.

During this year’s event, President Dr. Lynn Babington, defined a scholar as “A person with a desire to pursue and learn new things; a person on a quest for knowledge and a dedication to learning.” By not focusing on one academic discipline Na Liko Na’auao gives all student scholars an opportunity to present their work in a formal setting and receive feedback from both faculty and other scholars within their field.

Projects presented at this year’s conference covered a wide range of academic disciplines and topics. Some of the presentations included “Zombie Transformable Safe House” by Helen Oclinaria, “Loving the Idea of Her: Fincher’s Feminist Film” by Madison McNamara, “Psychological Disorders as Grounds for Mitigation in Criminal Sentencing” by Michael Junker, and “Hawaiian Healing and Healers” by Cong Nguyen, Claire Hermosura, Haylee Bennett, Laura Hufano-Kravetz and Diamond Carter. The conference allows both individual and group projects to be presented.

Every year, after all the student scholars have presented their work, Na Liko Na’auao concludes with a presentation of certificates and awards. Given annually, the President Sue Wesselkamper Prize recognizes and encourages student scholarship. The President Sue Wesselkamper Prize represents and helps build the tradition of the Na Liko Na’auao student conference.

In order to qualify for the prize a student must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, show scholarship beyond classroom requirements by undertaking their own independent research or study, and must have presented their work both on and off campus. Students must have a record of community service and hold leadership roles at the university.

Jarresa Kiyoko Harris was this year’s recipient of the President Sue Wesselkamper Prize. As a community volunteer and multi-cultural leader on campus, Harris was recognized for her outstanding work both on and off campus. During this year’s conference she presented her study “Exploring the Zone of Uncertainty Between Friendship and Romantic Relationships in Undergraduate Students.” She also presented this study at the 2018 National Council on Undergraduate Research in Oklahoma and Chaminade University’s 4^th Annual Psychology Students Research Conference.

The President Sue Wesselkamper Prize was not only created to recognize outstanding student scholars, but the faculty members that mentor and guide the students here at Chaminade. “It’s about the close relationship between our faculty and our students both in the classroom and, judging from this wonderful work, outside the classroom,” said Babington. This relationship is part of the foundation at Chaminade University.

This year’s President Sue Wesselkamper Prize recognized Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo. Dr Washburn-Repollo nominated Harris and mentored her throughout her years at Chaminade University.

Honoring the close student faculty relationships formed at Chaminade, the President Mackey Prize is an annual award presented to an outstanding faculty mentor, nominated by a student participating at the conference.

Nominated by Chole Adrienna Talana, this year’s President Mackey Prize was awarded to Dr. Michael Weichhaus. In her nomination submission Talana wrote, “Dr Weichhaus is an outstanding professor and mentor. He is a true educator who exemplifies a high level of commitment to teaching. Not only is he a good source of knowledge, he is very passionate in guiding students towards their career aspirations.

Learning Never Stops

April 25, 2018

Ken Kakesako’s professional life was a bit different years back when he was deputy director of Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture. Then, he spent his days at hearings and briefings advocating for agriculture issues. Now, the 36-year-old brings science alive to middle schoolers and is involved with after-school activities that enrich the educational experience.

When the desire to become a teacher hit Kakesako, Chaminade University made it easy for him to continue working while pursing his Master of Education. The program was appealing because he was able to continue to support his family by day and chip away at coursework in the evening.

In his first three years as a teacher at Stevenson Middle School, he’s been instilling his love of science in his students and founded the after-school wrestling club. He obtained a R.E.A.C.H. grant from the Lt. Governor’s office for $5,000 to fund wrestling and robotics and secured $30,000 for next year to go toward all clubs, including volleyball, ukulele and art.

He also worked with McKinley High School students to create ROOTS (Responsible Open-Minded Operations Through Science) at Stevenson and started a science Olympiad team. And if that wasn’t even to fill his plate, Kakesako also helped Chaminade with its accreditation process in by giving a student perspective as someone who had completed the program.

Colleagues and mentors were quick to recognize Kakesako’s enthusiasm and impact he has on his students. He was recently surprised during a weekly staff meeting with news that he was the recipient of the prestigious 2018 Milken Teacher of Promise Award. HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union sponsors the annual award, which recognizes teachers who excel early in their careers.

“It was a great surprise during the meeting,” he says. “I’m grateful to those that made it possible, I’ve had great teachers and mentors supporting me.”

Kakesako’s mentor and fellow science teacher, Julie Segawa, nominated him for the award and she has a history of mentoring teachers that stand out from the crowd. She mentored another Chaminade graduate, Ryan Kagami, who received the 2014 Milken Teacher of Promise Award.

When Kakesako reminisces about his time spent at Chaminade, mentorship sticks out in his mind. “The best part of my experience was the interaction with professors,” he says. “My mentor, Sheri Fitzgerald, helped me gain knowledge and insight while I was student-teaching.”

Path to finding his passion

Like many, Kakesako’s path to his where he stands today included many twists and turns. After graduating from ‘Iolani School, Kakesako left Hawaii and earned his bachelor’s in Economics from Harvard University.

He then spent just over five years working in Japan. First, he taught English to middle school students and then he was a recruiter for an investment banking company. When it came time to start a family, Kakesako knew he wanted his children to grow up around family and share similar experiences he had growing up in the islands. So it was time to come home.

Back in Hawaii, he worked for the state. He was a legislative administrator and budget analyst for Senator Russell Kokubun and then became the DOA’s legislative coordinator and deputy director.

But returning to teaching kept tugging at him. And when he looked at his options, he choose Chaminade because of the program’s flexibility and emphasize on learning in and out of the classroom. Now, Kakesako uses lessons he learned at Chaminade – like taking concepts taught in class out in the world to make them relevant to students.

“I love it when my students make connections between things they’ve learned to their own lives,” he says. “We recently had a lesson about the super blood moon and many of them went home and shared the information with their parents and were super jazzed when they watched it. Their excitement gives me energy.”

Kakesako brings a myriad of skills to room 208 at Stevenson through the various hats he’s worn. He uses his past experiences in sales to “sell” his lessons to students, knowledge gained from working in government to secure funding for his classroom and after-school clubs and he uses strategies learned at Chaminade to make learning relevant and exciting to his students.

And in the end, it’s those lessons learned in his life that leave the biggest mark.

“I want my students to become educated citizens and exercise critical thinking,” he says. “I teach them to be deeper thinkers and that learning never stops. I’m preparing them for jobs that don’t even exist yet and hope that I am setting them up for a lifetime of learning.”

The Master of Education program offers concentrations in Educational Leadership, which prepares candidates for administrative positions with an emphasis on K-12 schools; Instructional Leadership,which provides advanced knowledge of classroom practices for teachers and other educators not currently aspiring to become administrators; and Child Development, which offers advanced study of developmental theory, research and application.

Celebrating the 2018 Co-Curricular Awards

April 24, 2018

Education isn’t just about acquiring knowledge, but about fostering – and nurturing – character. At Chaminade, we strive to develop the whole student and create leaders of tomorrow.

Celebrating student leadership and involvement, as well as individual and organizational accomplishments, the 2018 Co-Curricular Awards held its annual dinner honoring the awardees. The event was on April 18 in the Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center and recognized 22 students, one staff member and two student organizations.

2018 CO-CURRICULAR AWARDS

AWARDS PRESENT BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP

Bro. Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence:
Freshman: Andrew Ancheta
Sophomore: Clarissa Ellazar
Junior: Angela Williams
Senior: Melissa Ponce

Awarded annually to a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior who displayed exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities; who showed outstanding qualities of character, leadership, service, integrity, and scholarship; who demonstrated initiative, motivation, and potential for continued student leadership; who motivated his or her fellow classmates to become actively involved in the campus community; who contributed time and energy to the improvement of student/campus life and his or her designated class/community/organization during the academic year.

Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award:
Chaminade Student Programming Board

Awarded annually to a student organization who has gone beyond the bounds of their membership by helping to create a positive campus environment for all students and made an outstanding contribution to Chaminade University as an organization.

Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence:
Malama Honua for “Have Your Sei”

Awarded annually to a student or student organization who has exceptional creativity, planning, and execution of a University program which significantly contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade. The program must have appealed to a broad cross-section of the University community, displayed originality, and elicited participation by members of the sponsoring organization during all phases of the effort.

Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award:
Julieann Tupuola

Awarded annually to a member of faculty, staff, or administration who advises a student club/organization and consistently helped to identify, encourage, and support students in their leadership development and campus involvement, repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to the community and its needs, and expanded the horizons, skills, and value systems of Chaminade students by providing support and guidance within co-curricular life.

AWARDS PRESENT BY ATHLETICS

Male Athlete of the Year:
Austin Pope (Men’s Basketball)

Outstanding overall season performance in his conference sport; received ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘First Team’ conference recognition; must have represented Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.

Female Athlete of the Year:
Caitlin Tatemichi (Women’s Soccer)

Outstanding overall season performance in her conference sport; received ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘First Team’ conference recognition; must have represented Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during her season.

Silversword Award:
Dylan Takabayashi (Men’s Golf)

Recognizes an act or series of acts associated with an athletic activity that represents the spirit of the Marianist philosophy to include sportsmanship, integrity, honesty, truthfulness and respect for self and others.

AWARDS PRESENT BY CAMPUS MINISTRY

Campus Ministry Award:
Vanessa Ignacio

Awarded to a student who has participated in all areas of Campus Ministry (liturgy, community service, and retreats). This person is an all-around amazing member of the Campus Ministry `ohana.

Liturgy Award:
Jenny rose Anacan

Awarded to an individual who has willingly volunteered his or her time and talent to contribute to the quality and spirituality of our weekend and special liturgies and prayer experiences.

Retreat Leader of the Year:
Nicolle Soriano

Award acknowledges the overwhelming commitment and dedication shown by a retreat leader in creating communities of support, faith, and love on campus. The leader selected for this award has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, maturity, dedication, and commitment to the mission of Campus Ministry.

Service Award:
Bo Diego
Mason Pfeifer

Award acknowledges outstanding servant leadership in the area of restorative justice and service for the people and the `āina (land) of Hawaii. The individual selected for this award has demonstrated just moral character, leadership skills, good humor, dedication, and humility.

AWARDS PRESENT BY THE OFFICE OF ADVISING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Outstanding Orientation Leader:
Adam Perez
Charlene Mae Rocimo

The position of Orientation Leader is for someone who enjoys getting to know other students and wants to make Chaminade an even better place by building community between returning and new students. Orientation Leaders are involved with planning, implementing, and evaluating New Student Orientation. Their primary objective is to welcome new students and their families and help welcome them fully into the Chaminade ‘ohana. While all Orientation Leaders play an important role in creating an environment of success for incoming students, the recipient of this award has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.

Outstanding Peer Mentor:
Bo Diego
Nicolle Soriano

Students who apply for and are hired to be Peer Mentors take a leadership role in the University by being visible, available upper-class students to which first-year students can connect. As co-teachers of CUH 100, they commit significant hours to training and class preparation. Peer Mentors are responsible for maintaining regular contact with students in their class, engaging them in University life, and assisting them with both academic and personal transitions that occur during the critical first few months on campus. While all Peer Mentors play an important role in helping first-year students to adjust to and succeed at Chaminade, this Peer Mentor’s performance of these responsibilities is exemplary.

AWARDS PRESENT BY RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence:
Dalton Alatan

Awarded to a Resident Hall Association Representative who is a role model for other representatives, has demonstrated strong leadership skills and who positively impacted the organization and residential community.

Resident Assistant Award of Excellence:
Nerisa Taua

Awarded to a Resident Assistant who has a high-level of maturity, exhibits the ability to work as an individual community leader as well as an active participant of the Residential Life team. He or she conducts themselves with a positive attitude while executing their knowledge and practical application of policy and procedures, peer counseling skill and emergency response.

AWARDS PRESENT BY DEAN OF STUDENTS

Dean of Students’ Special Recognition:
Savannah Lyn Delos Santos

This award recognizes a student who in his or her time at Chaminade has continuously contributed to the betterment of the overall community. The student may not typically be in the spotlight in regard to his or her contributions or have the loudest voice, however his or her efforts may have a widespread impact.

Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award:
Ava Wong
Nathan Pollard

Awarded annually to students who exhibit a humble, cheerful, and generous spirit; a dedication to fostering a sense of `ohana around campus; the ability to raise other’s spirits by consistently improving the environment around them.

Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award:
Crishelle Young

This award recognizes a Chaminade undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the Native Hawaiian community. In ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language), Alaka‘i is the Hawaiian value of leadership. It includes coaching, guiding, and mentoring others to support their growth. Those who are Alaka‘i lead with care for their community. The recipient has shown a commitment in service toward the Native Hawaiian community through education, perpetuation of culture and language, community service projects and advocacy.