Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Bro. Allen Pacquing New Director of Campus Ministry

Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M.Chaminade University has a new director of Campus Ministry: Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M. The Kalihi native and Saint Louis School graduate succeeded Danny O’Regan, who held the position since 2012.

Prior to his current role, Bro. Allen served as Chaminade’s Minister of Liturgy and Worship and coordinated the Tutoring Center at the Office of Retention, Advising and Career Preparation.

“I’m honored and excited to lead Campus Ministry,” said Bro. Allen, who took his vows as a Marianist in 2015. “College provides a wonderful opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Accordingly, our team offers support and guidance to students of all faiths and traditions.”

Bro. Allen previously served as a liturgical ministry assistant at St. Mary’s University (Chaminade’s sister campus in San Antonio, Texas) and as a pastoral associate at Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in Honolulu. Also in Honolulu, he directed religious education at St. Anthony Church and School and taught religion at Damien Memorial School.

After earning a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at Santa Clara University, Bro. Allen completed additional graduate studies at Washington Theological Union. He also received a bachelor’s degree in justice administration from Hawaii Pacific University.

The mission of Campus Ministry is to intensify Chaminade’s Catholic and Marianist identity throughout the campus community. Activities include religious retreats, liturgies and opportunities for community service.

Chaminade Students, Faculty and Staff Welcome Dr. Lynn Babington as University’s 10th President

Students, faculty and staff from all divisions and schools at Chaminade University enthusiastically greeted Dr. Lynn M. Babington Aug. 1 when she officially began her tenure as the institution’s tenth President.

The colorful welcoming ceremony featured a traditional Hawaiian “oli” (chant) by members of the campus ‘ohana clad in Chaminade blue clothing. Following a gift presentation to Dr. Babington and her husband, Dr. Randall Carpenter, Chaminade Rector Bro. Ed Brink, S.M. delivered a blessing.

Dr. Lynn BabingtonDr. Babington, whose appointment was announced last December by Chaminade’s Board of Regents, most recently served as Interim President at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Her previous roles at this Catholic university included Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs.

“Our new President is a highly regarded educator, administrator and thought leader who will further the progress we’ve made over the past two decades at Chaminade,” according to Board of Regents Chair Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos.

“Dr. Babington’s fresh perspective and personal warmth will lead to new ways of invigorating the campus and all the communities we serve,” he said.

“Joining the Chaminade ‘ohana is a tremendous honor and privilege,” Dr. Babington said. “The university has a well-deserved reputation for its strong liberal arts foundation and Marianist mission of creating a more just and peaceful society.”

Having begun her career working with disadvantaged populations, Dr. Babington said Chaminade’s continued commitment to improving the community it serves “speaks to her passion” by addressing disparities in healthcare, education and the criminal justice system.

Dr.  Babington also praised Chaminade as having “tremendous growth potential” and looks forward to “building on the university’s solid foundation” by working closely with the campus community and supporters in the public and private sectors.

Welcome Ceremony at Clarence T.C. Ching Hall“As for our students,” Dr. Babington said, “I’m inspired by their pursuit of academic excellence and their outreach to needy populations through service learning projects. Moreover, the wonderful diversity of our student body makes Chaminade one of the most multicultural campuses in America.”

In addition to her positions at Fairfield, Dr. Babington held leadership roles at Northeastern University from 2003 to 2011 and studied as a Fulbright Scholar at Ben Gurion University in Israel.

In 2013, she was selected for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows program, a three-year leadership development experience designed to enhance the nation’s healthcare system.

Dr. Babington received her master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s (magna cum laude) in nursing from the University of Michigan.

More information on Dr. Lynn Babington can be found on her academic profile.

Dr. Helen Turner Named as Chaminade’s Inaugural Vice President for Innovation

Dr. Helen TurnerChaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington has named Dr. Helen Turner, an internationally-regarded cellular immunology researcher, as the institution’s first Vice President for Innovation. The appointment is in addition to Dr. Turner’s responsibilities as Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

“Creating this new leadership role reflects Chaminade’s growth trajectory and commitment to providing cutting-edge academic and research programs that benefit our students, faculty and all the populations we serve,” Dr. Babington said. “Moreover, this appointment supports Hawaii’s critical transition to an innovation economy.”

Chaminade Board of Regents Chair Vaughn Vasconcellos describes Dr. Turner as a respected leader in the scientific and higher education communities with a “proven track record of innovation,” thus making her well qualified for the new position.

“Along with representing the campus on numerous scientific advisory boards, Dean Turner attracted grants and developed programs that placed Chaminade on the map for STEM education,” Vasconcellos pointed out. “She also helps students gain admission to prestigious graduate and health professional programs nationwide.”

In her new role, Dr. Turner said she’ll focus on “student readiness for the workplace, for leadership and for making contributions to their communities.”

“Our innovative programs and cutting-edge approaches draw on our deep faculty expertise,” Dr. Turner emphasized, “and will position our students to lead in Hawaii’s economic development.”

A biology professor, Dr. Turner conducts immunology research on pathologies such as asthma and eczema. She receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Defense, as well as private foundations.

Dr. Turner recently obtained a $1 million STEM education grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She also developed the $9.6 million Ho`oulu STEM Scholarship program with Kamehameha Schools.

Prior to joining Chaminade in 2007, Dr. Turner was an associate director at The Queen’s Center for Biomedical Research in Honolulu. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of London and performed post-doctoral work at Beth Israel Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.

Students Gain Real-World Experience – and Empathy – Working on Cultural Center Project in Philippines

By helping design the layout and plan the budget for a cultural center in the Philippines, Chaminade University students acquired real-world experience benefiting their future careers while learning about the Filipino culture.

Leading this excursion to the island of Negros were Associate Professor Elizabeth Lockard, M.Arch, Ph.D. of Chaminade’s Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) program, and Assistant Professor of Accounting Aaron M. Williamson, Jr. from the School of Business and Communication.

Also assisting was Dr. Frederique Kandel, a biology lecturer with the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Kandel advised students on ocean-related issues impacting design considerations for the eco-friendly structure.

The construction project is the Pantawan Arts & Learning Center, which will facilitate cultural exchanges among local and international artists, educators, tourists and residents. The four-story building in the City of Bais will also provide creative and educational workshops for underprivileged Filipino students.

Design considerations included:
– Sensitivity to local culture and customs;
– Adherence to international building standards;
– Security precautions;
– Flexible spaces to accommodate numerous activities; and
– Natural ventilation to counter the tropical heat.

Spearheading the construction effort is Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo, a commissioner with the Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and Arts, along with her husband Curtis. Inspired by the foundation’s collaboration with public schools on Hawaii’s Art in Public Places – Artists in Residence initiative, the couple decided to introduce a similar program on Eva’s home island of Negros.

Reflecting on this educational and humanitarian outreach to the Philippines, Dr. Lockard said the trip was “transformative” for her Chaminade students. Not only did the undergraduates tackle advanced design challenges, she said they “developed a deeper cultural empathy through this process and learned to see the world differently.”

“The most authentic learning comes from working on a live project, and so this in itself has been an invaluable experience for the students,” Dr. Lockard said. “But also to provide a center for arts and learning that will serve a community in need shows how design can substantively contribute to quality of life and the betterment of society.”

According to E+ID student Gerlie Valdez, the most difficult aspect of the project was designing the building and interiors so they’re “sensitive and appropriate for the client and the location.”

“This is the first time we’ve ever done an international project,” she pointed out, “and the challenge is to be able to obtain a good knowledge of the people’s culture and their way of life and to integrate it in how they use spaces.”  

Valdez added that her biggest takeaway from the excursion was “doing something honorable and giving back to my native country as a real designer.”

“It was incredibly humbling to be able to see the site, meet with architects, furniture manufacturers, designers and the local people of the community overall,” Valdez said. “With that, I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge in helping me move forward with the project.”

E+ID student Petrice Goto said the trip “changed me as a person.”

“I experienced people living in the provinces that had little to no money, but they were happy with the little they had,” Goto said. “I have begun to not take things for granted and to appreciate everything I have.”

Chaminade University offers the only accredited, degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program (E+ID) in Hawaii. Since its accreditation in 2013, the employment rate for graduates seeking a full-time, entry-level position in an interior design or architectural firm is more than 80 percent and has been increasing every year. The  E+ID program extends beyond the traditional scope of interior design to encompass the broader aspects of the environment into the design process. 

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration degree along with undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Communication, International Trade and Computer Information Systems. Undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration and Management are also available through PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) online and evening courses.

Humanities Senior Lecturer Shares Marianist Values at International Conference on Buddhist Women

Marianist values of service, justice, peace and adaptation were shared by Sr. Malia Wong during an interfaith presentation at the 15th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women. Held June 22-28 at the University of Hong Kong, the gathering drew more than 800 participants from 31 countries.

2017 Sakyadhita International ConferenceSr. Malia, a religious studies senior lecturer with Chaminade University’s Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, co-led a Christian-Buddhist dialogue entitled “Wisdom and Insight: Cross-cultural Perspectives.” She joined the Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Ph.D. in discussing how their respective religions help bring about a more peaceful society.

“My greatest takeaway is the joy of having been able to work with, serve and stand in solidarity with Buddhist nuns from around the world in educating for peace, dignity and social justice,” Sr. Malia said.

2017 Sakyadhita International ConferenceSr. Malia, who attended the event through a Chaminade faculty development award, helped create a photo collage that served as the formal conference video.

Sakyadhita (Daughters of the Buddha) is a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the spiritual and secular welfare of women, while promoting harmony among the Buddhist traditions and other religions.

The School of Humanities, Arts & Design offers undergraduate programs in Religious Studies, English, Environmental + Interior Design, Historical and Political Studies, Humanities, International Studies and Social Studies. The division also offers a Master of Theology degree with specialized certificate programs in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction, and in Permanent Diaconate Education for future permanent deacons in the Roman Catholic Church.

Holy Land pilgrimage helped future deacons better understand origins of Christianity

“The Holy Land Experience” – a pilgrimage to the sites where Jesus was born, performed miracles, died on the cross and rose from the dead – helped future deacons, their wives and others gain a deeper understanding of Christianity’s origins two millennia ago.

Leading the 11-day trip was Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick, SM, director of Chaminade University’s Master of Pastoral Theology Program, which prepares students for ordination as permanent deacons in the Roman Catholic Church.

Every place the pilgrims visited this past spring is mentioned in Biblical passages the deacons will eventually preach about, Fr. Paul explained.

Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee

“Seeing the Sea of Galilee, knowing the distance between Nazareth and Jerusalem, visiting Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Coast where Paul was judged by Herod Agrippa and sent to Rome, praying on Calvary where Christ died, walking on the Herodian steps coming out of the temple which Jesus would have walked on – all these are indelible memories,” Fr. Paul said. “Every day is filled with experiences like that.”

Deacon candidate Sándor Hernández Morales said traveling with his wife Meali`inani to the Holy Land “forever marked” their lives and faith.

“Never will the Scriptures read the same after experiencing Palestine and Israel in this way,” Morales said. “From the newsletters leading up to the trip, to the daily activities, to the people we have gotten to know, we really felt immersed in the cultures and historical places we visited.”

Masada
Masada

Deacon-in-training Renier “Rey” Torres said the trip enabled him to “contextualize scripture and the geographical landscape of the Holy Lands.”

“One gets a deeper appreciation and sense of understanding the struggle Christians have in that particular region of the world as they continue to live and promote the faith,” Torres said. “Most amazing was the opportunity to witnesses the universality of our church as faithful members from our global community gathered to participate in the same pilgrimage.”

Fr. Martin Solma, SM, who serves as Chancellor on Chaminade’s Board of Regents, said the pilgrimage exceeded all his expectations.

Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem
Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem

“The highlight of the trip for me was the three-hour ‘vigil’ some of us kept in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which houses both the Rock of Calvary and the Tomb of the Lord,” Fr. Martin said. “Spending time alone in both of these very holy places moved me very deeply.

“I was also deeply moved by the faith of so many pilgrims who had come, like we did, to touch the roots of our faith community.”

Tour stops included the Golan Heights, Nazareth, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Masada, the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives.