Chaminade University of Honolulu

Business & Communication

Business Students Take Top Honors, Once Again, in Ethics Case Study International Competition

For the third time in the past five years, Chaminade University took top honors at an international academic competition for business students. Hosting the Ethics Case Study Competition was the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) at its annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

Students on the winning team were Victoria Alakai, Ave Galea’i, Anthony Lamorena and Jennifer Tolentino. Serving as coaches and mentors from Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication were faculty members Wayne Tanna, Carolyn Kuriyama, Aaron Williamson and IACBE “Teacher of the Year” Richard Kido.

Peregrine Academic Services awarded the team a $1,000 scholarship.

When making their presentations to panels of judges, students explained legal, financial, economic, marketing, management and other relevant issues. Then they made recommendations for action grounded in ethical theory.

Since Chaminade is a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, the students developed a case study regarding the transition of land at Kalaupapa on Molokai, where thousands of Hansen’s Disease sufferers lived in seclusion since 1866.

The ethical dilemma involved preserving the legacy of those patients versus providing homestead lands to Native Hawaiians on a waiting list.

After making their initial presentations, all teams in the competition were given just four hours to analyze and offer recommendations regarding a case study of the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

The basic question was: Should a technology company assist the government in accessing people’s private information for any purpose in the name of national security?

A total of five teams entered the IACBE competition, including a group of graduate students from Germany.

Leading a Government Watchdog Group is Tough, but MBA Program Makes It Easier

Given Corie Tanida’s affinity for the nonprofit sector, and her commitment to professional growth, pursuing an MBA at Chaminade University seems like a perfect fit – especially since the graduate program offers flexible scheduling and a Not-For-Profit concentration.

Tanida serves as executive director of Common Cause Hawaii, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization committed to making government more open, honest and accountable to the people. And heading this statewide watchdog group isn’t easy.

Her formidable responsibilities include: advocating for policy reforms at state and county levels, overseeing civic engagement projects, conducting research, leading fundraising initiatives, coordinating volunteers and managing the Honolulu office.

“For most of my career, I’ve been an organizer, so I knew how to run campaigns, events, etc.,” says Tanida, a former Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. “Most of what I learned was from on-the-job experience and from mentors. I realized that I didn’t have any technical or managerial experience, and these are key skills in any field.”

Earning an MBA, therefore, “would fill that gap.”

Tanida describes her Chaminade professors as “awesome, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.” But an instructor who stands out is John Ciambrone. He taught a course entitled “Strategic Issues in Philanthropy.”

“When I accepted the position of Common Cause executive director, I was worried because I didn’t have much experience in development,” Tanida says. “Thanks to Professor Ciambrone, he gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to create a development program and feel comfortable when working with donors.

“And even though I took his class months ago, he still answers my questions and invites me to workshops and conferences so I can learn more and connect with the philanthropic community. He even gave up his own time and energy to train my board of directors on development,” she continues.

“How many professors genuinely care and go out of their way to help you succeed outside of class?”

Tanida, who plans to graduate from Chaminade this summer, also praises MBA Program Manager and Professor Elizabeth Stone.

“While the assignment was to create a business plan for a completely new nonprofit, Professor Stone knew about my unique position and allowed me to draft the plan about Common Cause Hawaii, which I was able to put to use almost immediately,” Tanida says.

“I’m grateful that she was flexible and that she continued to work with me after the term ended to help me refine the business plan. With Professor Stone’s guidance, I was able to look at Common Cause through a fresh and more objective view.

“Professor Stone has also gone out of her way to help me build my networks and share her experiences in the nonprofit sector with me,” Tanida adds. “Again, another great example of a caring professor who goes out of their way to see you succeed.”

Business Education Accreditation Council Honors Kido with ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’

In recognition of his “meaningful and significant contributions to student learning in a way that advances academic quality in business education,” Chaminade University Associate Professor of Accounting Richard Kido recently received the 2017 “Excellence in Teaching Award.”

The honor was conferred by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) at its annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

IACBE, which accredited Chaminade’s Accounting Program in April 2017, promotes excellence in business education worldwide. The council has accredited more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America and South America.

“Hundreds of people are deserving of this award,” Kido says, “so I feel lucky to receive it. This is not an individual award. It’s a team award and department award for our School of Business and Communication. It’s a reflection of the quality of our Chaminade faculty as a whole.”

When IACBE representatives visited campus as part of the accreditation process, Kido worked closely with the site team. Based on interviews with accounting students and alumni who praised Kido’s teaching methods and commitment to service learning, IACBE nominated him for the prestigious award.

Kido teaches a wide range of courses at Chaminade, including accounting and nonprofit accounting. Prior to entering academia in 2002, he served as a chief financial officer in the savings and loan, real estate development and hospitality industries. He also operated his own accounting and financial consulting firm.

Kido earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University.

US-China Relations in the Trump Era Explored

An overall fairly sanguine outlook regarding US-China relations, balanced by a dose of realism, characterized remarks by Dr. Christopher A. McNally, at a recent forum as part of Chaminade’s Sino-Capitalism lecture series.

Christopher McNally

McNally, a professor of political economics at Chaminade and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the East-West Center, is a nationally recognized expert on Sino-Capitalism, which provides an intriguing framework for examining the unique US-China relationship in this era.

Despite tough talk directed at China during the US Presidential campaign, Trump’s approach after taking office has shifted 180 degrees according to McNally (–who also pointed out the opposite has occurred with Russia). Trump previously had bashed China on trade, currency manipulation, and its geopolitical aspirations.

After his very positive meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s new agenda is emerging that ties geopolitical cooperation to deepening economic relations. McNally noted that the United States and China are “deeply enmeshed” over a broad spectrum of politico-economic relations. Financial and economic integration means that China and the US have to, for better or worse, get along.

McNally went on to explain that economic ties between the US and China are so deep because China has generated a novel yet highly dynamic form of capitalism that is globally integrated. Among China myths debunked in his presentation, McNally firmly rebutted the notion that the United States is still in the driver’s seat, stating that this is increasingly not the case. He illustrated this by the fact that the United States has to rely on hard power more often now to project its influence rather than more efficient use of economic or financial strategies.

Nevertheless, recent developments give cautious cause for optimism. The new agenda under Trump that ties geopolitical cooperation with China (especially vis-à-vis North Korea) to deepening economic relations is positive. Postponement of the 100-day deadline to address economic imbalances to one year is another sign of a more collaborative approach.

Regarding the US-China Trade deal, while modest in some ways, the agreements on US beef, LNG, and ratings agency access certainly represent a clear “win-win” situation for both sides.

McNally summarized his reasons for optimism by pointing out that Sino-capitalism could create the conditions for a unique economic condominium – its bottom-up entrepreneurial element is already deeply integrated into the US economy, and the potential for “growing the pie” is enormous.

Support for this forum is provided by the late Chaminade Regent Stanley W. Hong’s Endowed Fund for Distinguished Asia-Pacific Speakers and Scholars.

Chaminade University Celebrates 2017 Spring Commencement

Hundreds of exuberant graduates celebrated their achievements with their families, friends, faculty, staff and colleagues at Chaminade University’s 59th Commencement. Approximately 429 students graduated this spring semester with nearly 335 participating in the May 15 ceremony held at Neal Blaisdell Arena.

The program featured as its keynote speaker Shelley J. Wilson, the president and chief executive officer of Wilson Homecare and vice chair and secretary of Chaminade University’s Board of Regents. In 1996, Wilson founded Wilson Homecare, one of Hawaii’s largest private-duty home health care agencies. Wilson Homecare provides in-home health care services island-wide. Also in 2013, Wilson Senior Living Kailua, a state-licensed Adult Residential Care Home opened in the Aikahi neighborhood.

Wilson inspired the audience with her story.  She found her passion during one of the most difficult times of her life.  Returning to civilian life as a wounded warrior, Wilson had to deal with the challenges of recovery in the home.  Her experiences gave her empathy for in-home-care patients. In response to those hard times, she founded Wilson Homecare.  She encouraged the soon-to-be graduates to find a cause and to dedicate themselves to that cause with a passion as a way to find purpose and meaning.

Commencement student speakers were Taylor Seth Stutsman, the undergraduate representative, and Rezettakahealani Eric Mulitalo, the post-graduate representative.

Stutsman graduated with his B.S. in Forensics Sciences, Cum Laude.  That night his family came from five different states to cheer for him. He moved to Hawaii from Pennsylvania and appreciated the diversity of Chaminade. “Hawaii has taught me more about acceptance and tolerance than I could have imagined,” he said, appreciative of the multi-cultural experiences made available to him at Chaminade.

Mulitalo graduated that night with her M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. Raised in Western Samoa, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wellington, New Zealand. “You do not have to know what you are going to do with the rest of your life yet,” she reassured the graduating students. She advised them to remember what the Scottish scholar William Barclay had said. “’There are two great days in a person’s life –the day we are born, and the day we discover why,’” she quoted. “Watch your choices, follow your dreams and love what you do.”

Congratulations to the 2017 Graduates and Inductees of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program

The Hogan Entrepreneurs program on April 26, celebrated its 15th annual graduation and induction ceremonies. Thirty-four new graduates were honored bringing the total to more than 400 students who have graduated from the certificate program. The program provides students with the opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced Hawaii business leaders and entrepreneurs about business. Graduates will have learned the tools, skills, exposures, and motivation to succeed in entrepreneurial undertakings and to make entrepreneurial contributions to their communities.

At this year’s event, the Hogan Entrepreneurs program expressed its gratitude to Ed and Lynn Hogan by presenting them with a pahi kaua, made from the bill of a flat bill swordfish. The Hogan program continues to be funded through generous contributions from the Hogan Family Foundation, located in California.

The program also honored Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM, who has been a staunch supporter of the Hogan program throughout its 15 years. He will conclude his Chaminade presidency this summer. Bro. Ploeger received a ko`oko`o (wooden staff) made from the native kamani tree.

The Hogan program recognized 13 students for their outstanding work in various areas and at different class levels.  Judy Ng, a senior majoring in Business Administration, took top honors as the Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of 2017. The Hogan program recognized Ng as the student who achieved the most significant results while consistently embracing the spirit of the program though her earnestness and enthusiasm for the underlying values of the program.

The program also recognized a faculty member for the first time with its new Exceptional Teaching Award.  The students applauded loudly as Business professor Denny McDonough received the honor.

HOGAN ENTREPRENEURS 2017 AWARDS

Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of the Year
Judy Ng

Outstanding Graduate Student
Gabriel Torno

Outstanding Seniors
Mario Armendariz
Sheehan Chase

Outstanding Junior
Matthew Southard

Aloha Spirit Award
Desiree DePondicchello
Hannah Sablan
Tyler Taydus

Community Service Award
Monique Gomes
Karanna Soulvongs
Gailene Wong

“In the Arena” Award
Ana Acuna Cesped and Carlos Gutierrez Ayala

Exceptional Teaching Award 
Mr. Denny McDonough

2017 Hogan Entrepreneurs Graduates
Ana Acuña Césped
Chantelle Aguilar
Mario Armendariz
Sheehan Chase
Claire Colon-Gonzalez
Desireé DePondicchello
Kalei Ehlers
Nicolas Ferro
Lee Fujino
Brianna Georgia
James Gochenouer
Monique Gomes
Calee Goya
Carlos Gutiérrez Ayala
Kristle Henry
Brittain Komoda
Ferleen Mallarme
Daniel Mangum
Jacqueline McGreal
Judy Ng
Krys Romanczak
Hannah Sablan
Alexa Shah
Karanna Soulvongs
Matthew Southard
Haelee Tallett
Tyler Taydus
Gabriel Torno
Clarke Velasco
Gailene Wong