Chaminade University of Honolulu

University Communications & Marketing

A Legacy Lives On

Remembering and Honoring “Mr. I”

The Chaminade University family is celebrating the life and legacy of a popular professor who left an indelible mark on his students and the campus community and who exemplified the high standards of academic excellence that is part of the University’s promise.

Ronald M. Iwamoto was a long-time biology professor at Chaminade. “Long-time” is putting it rather mildly: Mr. I, as his students called him, called the university home for 47 years, or nearly five decades. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he helped mold the university into the place it is today in very real, tangible ways.

Sadly, Iwamoto passed away in October of 2025, but his legacy endures both in the memory of Chaminade’s alumni, in the fund organized in his honor, supporting a teaching fellowship that bears his name.

Chaminade alum Angela Maroun ʻ76, who majored in biology during her time as a student on campus, remembers Iwamoto fondly. She says she first met “Mr. I” after enrolling in his Biology 203 course.

“It was his class that made me decide to be a Biology major and love science,” Maroun shared with us. “He made biology fun. He was a tough but fair and caring teacher.”

Iwamoto graduated from Punahou School in 1959, earned a BA in history from Northwestern University, and later an MS in Zoology and an MEd with a focus on Educational Foundations from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He joined Chaminade’s faculty in 1967, barely a dozen years after the University’s founding in 1955.

The long track of his academic career means Mr. I literally touched the lives of thousands of Chaminade University students, mentoring them through their studies and coursework and lining them up for successful careers post-graduation.

Though she originally hails from Syracuse, New York, Maroun said Iwamoto helped her experience the best of Hawaiʻi and its natural beauty as a local would. He went out of his way to help me feel at home, she said.

“He went the extra mile to both challenge and support each student so that they could succeed,” she recalled.

Maroun said she took other biology courses that he taught and also worked as a laboratory assistant for several of his classes. She babysat his children and introduced Mr. I to her family when they visited from Syracuse. In fact, he shared time with her and her family on a number of occasions. “He always made time for lunch, dinner, or just a visit,” she said.

Maroun said she especially remembers the island adventures Mr. I took her and her classmates on for his ecology course, the ultimate experiential learning opportunities.

“Ecology was a favorite since we went on many field trips, hikes, and ocean adventures,” she recalled. “Through him, I experienced nighttime on the reef collecting specimens for the lab, catching crabs in the mangroves, and walking during low tide for a picnic.”

Iwamoto was recognized for his excellence by both students and faculty alike.

He was honored with a prestigious Heritage Award during Founders’ Week 2000, bestowed with the Chaminade Award that year by his fellow faculty and staff members. 

Later, Dr. Iwamoto helped establish a legacy that would endure well past his own lifetime.

In 2018, he and other Chaminade community members formed a committee and established the Ronald M. Iwamoto Teaching Fellowship in Biology, the first teaching fellowship established at the university.

Donors came forward to seed the fellowship with a $50,000 endowment. The fellowship was first awarded to Chaminade Assistant Professor Frederique Kandel in 2019, recognized for her commitment to professional development in teaching and pedagogy.

Ron Iwamoto left our world on October 21, 2025, but he lives on through the mark he left on Chaminade University, his legacy establishing the university’s science curriculum, and in his students and colleagues’ cherished memories.

“He was just so much fun and a joy to be around,” Maroun said. “How lucky I was to cross paths with Mr. I.”

If you would like to make a gift in support of the Ronald M. Iwamoto Teaching Fellowship in Biology, please click here.

Silverswords Reunite for Fun Night

Graduating seniors in the Class of 2026 and recent alumni gathered on May 1 for ALUMNIGHT, an evening of connection, laughter, and friendly competition at Dave & Buster’s, transforming the popular entertainment venue into a hub of Silversword pride. The event drew recent graduates eager to reconnect with classmates, meet fellow alumni, and unwind over games, food, and shared memories.

As guests filtered in, the energy quickly picked up. Alumni greeted one another with excitement—some reconnecting after only a year apart, others reuniting for the first time since graduation. 

The program began with a warm welcome from Director of Student Engagement Andrew Peter Anchetta II ’21, who thanked attendees for staying connected to the university and to one another. He emphasized the importance of the young alumni community and encouraged guests to make the most of the evening—not just by enjoying the activities, but by strengthening the relationships that began on campus. Following the welcome, Fr. Martin Solma, SM offered a prayer, grounding the gathering in gratitude and shared purpose.

Guests made their way to the food line, as alumni shared updates about careers, graduate school, and life beyond campus. Alumni enjoyed classic arcade games, basketball shootouts, racing simulators, and interactive challenges. The step-and-repeat photo area was a popular feature throughout the night, as friends captured moments together. 

Door prize drawings were an exciting and fun part of the evening with prizes provided by the Office of Admissions, Office of Advancement, and Office of Student Engagement. Items included Chaminade-branded bags, a commemorative 70th anniversary Yeti water bottle, and exclusive collaboration pieces from Aloha Collection. Each prize reflected both school pride and appreciation for the alumni community.

The alumni event at Dave & Buster’s was more than a night of games and good food—it was a celebration of community, shared experiences, and the enduring ties that continue long after graduation.

Wilde’s Comedy Comes to Loo Theatre

Chaminade University’s Loo Theatre welcomed audiences this past week for the opening of The Importance of Being Earnest, offering a thoughtful and engaging take on Oscar Wilde’s well-known comedy. The production brought the play’s humor and characters to life with audiences laughing and cheering.

Set in Victorian England, the story follows two young men who assume alternate identities to navigate social expectations, leading to a series of misunderstandings and witty exchanges. The Chaminade cast leaned into both the humor and structure of the script, focusing on timing, character development, and collaboration.

Andrew Erwin played John Worthing, J.P., also known as Jack, portraying the character’s sense of responsibility alongside moments of uncertainty. Kevin Mayorga took on the role of Algernon Moncrieff, bringing a relaxed and conversational approach that complemented the rhythm of Wilde’s dialogue. Together, the two leads established a steady foundation for the production. (In Sunday’s matinee Ava Cuellar Bettray played the role of Algernon with a brilliant performance.)

Supporting roles were shared across a range of student performers. Victor Rivas-Ramirez appeared as Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D., while Emily Cooper and Ava Cuellar Bettray portrayed Merriman and Lane, the household servants who observe much of the action. Each contributed to the overall pacing and tone of the performance.

Randrielle Yola’s portrayal of Lady Bracknell stood out for its clarity and control, capturing the character’s firm presence in key scenes. Jayde-Emaree Ramos played Gwendolen Fairfax with confidence, and Nathalie David’s Cecily Cardew brought a lighter, more playful perspective to the stage. Amalee Magallon rounded out the cast as Miss Prism, helping to carry several of the play’s more reflective moments.

The production also reflected the efforts of students working behind the scenes. Costumes and staging were kept relatively simple, allowing the dialogue and performances to remain the focus. The Loo Theatre’s close setting gave audiences a chance to experience the play up close, emphasizing the actors’ delivery and interactions.

For the students involved, the production offered an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom in a live performance environment. Rehearsals focused on developing consistency, understanding character motivations, and working as an ensemble—skills that are central to theatre but also transferable to other areas.

Chaminade’s staging of The Importance of Being Earnest is part of the university’s broader commitment to providing opportunities in the arts. Productions like this give students a chance to engage with classic works while developing their own approach to performance and storytelling.

Opening week drew a supportive campus audience, with friends, faculty, and community members coming out to see the show. The production provided a chance to experience a familiar play through the perspective of student performers, while also highlighting the continued activity of the university’s theatre program.

The production also extends a heartfelt mahalo to Diamond Head Theatre, The Actor’s Group, and Manoa Valley Theatre for generously opening their costume shops and prop stores. Their spirit of collaboration and support was invaluable to the production. In addition, proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Palolo Chinese Home, further connecting the production to the broader community.

Bravo to all who make this production possible. Tickets are still available for shows.

Supporting Tomorrow’s School Leaders

Kathy Jaycox dedicated her career to advancing education as a high school teacher, university professor and community college administrator. Now in retirement, she’s proud to continue that support, including with a new scholarship that honors her uncle—a longtime educator himself.

The Andrew J. Penn Endowed Scholarship at Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences targets aid to students pursuing a master’s degree in education. While many scholarships are for undergraduates, Jaycox said it was important for her to help graduate students who are returning to school and looking to build on their skills and advance as leaders in education.

Jaycox says her “Uncle Andy,” who passed away in 2010, inspired her to pursue a career in education and often spoke about how he taught school during the day and earned his master’s degree at night. Penn served as a principal in Chicago for more than two decades.

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Penn, who started teaching in the 1950s, was also a Korean War veteran and something of a big brother to Jaycox. “He was a really big part of my life for as long as I can remember,” she explained.

“He put other people ahead of himself so much.”

Jaycox and Penn not only shared a passion for education. They also both fell in love with Hawaii, visiting for vacation and vowing to move there someday.

That’s exactly what they did in the early 1990s during a particularly chilly Chicago winter. Penn was retired by that time and Jaycox was able to secure a position at Honolulu Community College focused on continuing education.

Jaycox served at the University of Hawaiʻi for nearly 20 years and also led the Hawaiʻi P-20 Initiative to strengthen the education pipeline from early childhood to postsecondary education.

She said during her years in education leadership, she learned about Chaminade and its service-focused mission. Penn also supported the University as a donor. Jaycox said the endowed scholarship not only celebrates her uncle’s legacy, but her own pursuit of lifelong learning.

“I know this scholarship is what Uncle Andy would have wanted,” said Jaycox, who returned to Chicago after her retirement.

“He would often talk about how important it was to help people who wanted to do something more. As a lifelong learner myself, it’s nice to help somebody do that.”

Chaminade Students Organize Special ‘Unity Prom’

There are few events in high school more memorable than prom.

A group of Silverswords made sure that was especially true for more than 120 special education high schoolers, who gathered on November 18 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the 2025 West Oʻahu Unity Prom.

Students in Chaminade’s Business and Sport and Event Management programs planned the event, from the decorations to the live music and photo booth to the buffet. Meanwhile, some 80 Chaminade student-athletes volunteered as dance partners for the guests of honor.

Wendy Lam, Ph.D., associate professor of Business Administration and Sport and Event Management, said students from Waianae, Waipahu, Nanakuli high schools, DreamHouse Ewa Beach and Kamaile Academy attended. There were also a number of Chaminade administrators there, including President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., along with community members.

The event was sponsored by Ho’ea—The Foundation.

Lam said last year, Chaminade students volunteered at the East Oʻahu Unity Prom and were inspired to put together a special event for students on the other side of the island. She added Silverswords were integral to all elements of the gathering as part of field experience courses.

“This event exemplifies Chaminade’s commitment to community engagement, servant leadership, and the Marianist values of inclusivity, compassion, and formation through service,” Lam said.

“Our students are not only applying their classroom learning but also living out our mission to serve others and build a more just and caring community.”

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Trysten Mooney ’27, who is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Sport and Event Management, was among those who helped put the event together. At the prom, he joined classmates to manage activity booths, including fun make-up and photo stations.

“Seeing all of the smiles from the students and teachers made all the work worth it,” Mooney said.

“This project helps connect Chaminade to the community by showing our love and core values with everyone. It is a cool experience for both the students involved and us students working it.”

Babington Serves in Women’s Leadership Forum

Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. recently traveled to Rome for a weeklong seminar aimed at fostering new opportunities for women in leadership at Catholic institutions of higher education and promoting the importance of values-based education.

Babington was selected to participate in the Women’s Leadership Program, which is an executive initiative of the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

Participants in the gathering, from October 22 to 26, included university presidents, rectors and other distinguished women leaders from academia.

They discussed the critical role of women in Catholic higher education, the importance of advancing women in academia, and the role of service-focused Catholic education.

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The program also explored the intersection of faith, leadership and governance at Catholic universities worldwide.

While women are a powerful force in Catholic higher education leadership, they hold only 8% of top positions globally.

Organizers said the Women’s Leadership Program is designed to bring together women leaders guiding institutions with confidence, integrity and Catholic values.

Babington said it was a great honor to participate in the initiative, which included talks at LUMSA University in Rome and visits to the Vatican.

“A central area of reflection was the urgent and important work of Catholic universities to, as Pope Leo XIV’s has said, seek ‘the integral development of the human person forming intellects with a critical sense, believing hearts, and citizens committed to the common good,’” she said.

Babington added, “Those inspiring words speak eloquently to our University’s mission.”