Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

Chaminade Holding ‘Prayer for Healing and Peace’ Interfaith Service in Wake of Las Vegas Massacre

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To bring the Honolulu community together in the wake of the massacre in Las Vegas and natural disasters in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas, Chaminade University will hold a “Prayer for Healing and Peace” interfaith service. This public event is set for 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 6, in the campus Mystical Rose Oratory.

“We invite everyone who was touched by these tragedies to join us in praying for the many victims and their loved ones,” said Chaminade Vice President for Mission and Rector Bro. Edward Brink, S.M. He described the gathering as “an opportunity for healing, reflection and comfort.”

“Blessed William Joseph Chaminade counseled that  ‘you will find peace for your soul through prayer,’” Bro. Ed pointed out. “Moreover, Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas reminded us this week to ‘stand together in the face of violence, because we cannot let hate and violence have the last word.’”

The prayer service is presented by Campus Ministry.

Click here for more info.

Chaminade Partnering with Kamehameha Schools, UH at New Learning Space & Educational Incubator

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Kamehameha Schools is partnering with Chaminade University and the University of Hawaii to help high school students prepare for college and careers through Hālau ʻĪnana, a new collaborative learning space and educational incubator in Mōʻiliʻili.

Hālau ʻĪnana gives high school students access to creative, culturally-grounded, interdisciplinary collaboration with university researchers, mentors and industry experts. Programs focus on Native Hawaiian leadership development, social entrepreneurship and innovation

“The educational programs and services offered at the newly formed innovation hub aim to create new interactions, collisions and engagement which allow our learners and educators to tap into their innate creativity and ingenuity,” said Stacy Clayton, executive strategy consultant for Kamehameha Schools.

Dr. Helen Turner, Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Among the speakers at the center’s August 24 blessing and grand opening was Dr. Helen Turner, Chaminade Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. A biology professor and internationally-regarded cellular immunology researcher, Dr. Turner is Chaminade’s inaugural Vice President for Innovation. She also serves on Hālau ʻĪnana’s steering committee.

Also representing Chaminade at the event were: President Lynn Babington, faculty member and Hālau ʻĪnana Data Scientist in Residence Dr. Mark Speck, Biology lecturer Dr. Chrystie Naeole and STEM Cultural Engagement Specialist Kahoalii Keahi-Wood.

In addition, Chaminade’s “I Am a Scientist” educational outreach team gave demonstrations regarding the scientific aspects of a traditional Hawaiian diet.

Located next to the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii at 2438 South Beretania St., Hālau ʻĪnana features flexible spaces for public and private events, programs and meetings. For information, visit halauinana.com or call (808) 534-8297.

Nursing Students Share TLC with Health Screenings, Wellness Education at Big Island Cultural Festival

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In what has become a yearly outreach to Big Island residents, Chaminade University School of Nursing students conducted health screenings and offered wellness education at the Ho’oku’ikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival.

The 45th annual event was held at the Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, famous for its ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple built circa 1790 by King Kamehameha I. The popular festival draws Native Hawaiians and other residents from throughout the Islands.

Nursing students participating in the 2017 Puukohola eventAlong with performing first aid and intake, the future nurses helped 150 festival goers by checking their blood pressure and Body Mass Index. Students also counseled local residents about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices to prevent and treat common maladies such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Joining students at the outreach was Chaminade President Lynn Babington, who holds doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing. She also works to improve America’s health care system by serving as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow.

Chaminade Chief Nursing Administrator Dr. Edna Magpantay-Monroe said the annual outreach is in keeping with the school’s mission and the University’s Marianist values.

“We want the students to share their knowledge in a humble way that serves the people,” Magpantay-Monroe said, “and look at the people they serve from a unique perspective of body, mind and spirit.”

Nursing student Erin Ah Sue (‘18) said conducting the screenings was part of her kuleana as a Native Hawaiian scholar to promote health and wellness among other Native Hawaiians.

“I felt ‘re-rooted’ to my Native Hawaiian culture,” she said. “It helped me to re-focus and ensure that my goals after graduation are in line with what I have promised as a Ho’oulu scholar, which is to be a part of a lahui (group) of health practitioners ‘who are equally grounded in science and culture.’”

Student Jessica Jicha (‘18) said it was “humbling to be able to give back to the community.”

“Not only did I get to indulge myself in my own culture,” Jicha said, “it is an experience that I can integrate into my bedside manner when working with patients of the Native Hawaiian culture.”

Nursing students participating in the 2017 Puukohola eventJohn Aiwohi (‘19) called the outreach experience “life changing.”

“I will take what I have learned and incorporate that in my future career as a nurse professional,” Aiwohi said. “The ability to work well and efficiently with other professions ensures quality care, continuity, promotes client safety as well as advocacy.”

Tiana Sula (‘19) described the outreach as “an amazing experience” that “challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and explore different parts of myself.”

“As a future nurse, I plan to use what I’ve learned to serve the people of Hawaii to the best of my ability,” Sula said. “Hawaii is such a unique place, so full of culture and tradition. As a nurse I want to be sensitive to these different aspects, and provide care that is unique to each patient.”

Guam native Danielle Balajadia (‘18) said the Big Island trip helped her “learn and understand the Hawaiian culture through their history and traditions.”

“From watching the shooting stars at 4 in the morning to listening to the Hawaiian chants of the people, I could feel the emotions and connections among the people, land and waters,” Balajadia said.

“Just being in that moment and releasing all the worries and stressors of life was such an incredible feeling,” she added. “Truly a great refresher to start off senior year.”

Helping underwrite the Hawaii Island trip were School of Nursing graduates Michael Ono (‘14), Genalyn Agustin (‘15), Annette Pakele-Chang (‘16), Hailey Hema (‘17) and Alaina Cabreros (‘17). Additional donors include: Grissel Benitez-Hodge, Dr. Stephanie Genz, Jeanette Peterson, Bryan Arce, Eva Gallegos and the Filipino Nurses’ Organization of Hawaii. An anonymous donation also supported the outreach.

Chaminade’s School of Nursing is a four year, full-time undergraduate program that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The unique program immerses students in nursing preparation with educational curriculum, human-patient simulations, community outreach projects, and service-learning and supervised clinical experiences. The curriculum for our undergraduates program is consistent with the Baccalaureate Essentials of Nursing produced by the American Association of Collegiate Nursing. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

New Silverswords: Chaminade Welcomes Class of 2021, Transfer Students to Campus

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Chaminade University enthusiastically welcomed 214 first-year students and 123 transfer students to campus prior to the start of fall classes on Monday, August 28. The 2017-18 academic year starts later at Chaminade than at most other Hawaii colleges and universities.

Among the orientation highlights for new students was a Sunday-morning hike to the summit of Diamond Head led by Dr. Lynn Babington, who began her tenure August 1 as Chaminade’s tenth President. More than 100 people took part in the strenuous climb, including many students and their families from the Neighbor Islands and Mainland cities.

Another highlight was the academic convocation held at the campus Mamiya Theatre. This traditional ceremony featured a procession of faculty to formally introduce students to their educational journey.

Other well-attended orientation activities included: trolley tours of Chaminade’s Kaimuki neighborhood, a mystery bus ride, a resource fair and social at Henry Hall with shave ice and a photo booth, and a colorful “Tastes of Hawaii” luau on the Sullivan Family Library lawn.

During a “Burgers with the Brothers” informal luncheon at Hale Malia, students and parents excitedly mingled with Chaminade’s Marianist community. Among those on hand were University Rector Bro. Ed Brink, S.M., and Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M., the recently appointed director of Campus Ministry.

Students also became acquainted with members of the Silversword women’s soccer team, who warmly greeted newcomers by helping them move into their Hale Lokelani campus apartments.

Chaminade’s Class of 2021 reinforces the University’s distinction as one of the most multicultural campuses in America. Student ethnicities include: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (40.2 percent), Asian (30.8 percent), Caucasian (10.7 percent), Hispanic/Latino (4.2 percent), African American (1.4 percent) and two or more races (5.1 percent).

The incoming class drew students from 17 states, three U.S. territories and two foreign countries. Notably, 43.9 percent of these freshmen are first-generation college students.

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

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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.

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

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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.