Chaminade University of Honolulu

Campus and Community

Chaminade University Hosts its Annual Criminal Justice Expo

2019 Criminal Justice Expo

On March 21, Chaminade University held its annual Criminal Justice Expo in the Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center.

Chaminade’s Career Preparation Office, the Criminal Justice Department and the Criminal Justice Club hosted the expo, which was free and open to anyone interested in pursuing a degree or career in criminal justice. Each year, the university welcomes representatives from various agencies in the criminal justice field to share about their work and answer questions from expo attendees.

Representatives from 38 agencies attended the expo, including the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Hawaii State Judiciary, Honolulu Police Department and The Queen’s Medical Center.

2019 Criminal Justice Expo

While the expo was open to the public, it served as a valuable opportunity for Chaminade students in the Criminology and Criminal Justice program to meet potential employers and learn about jobs they might be interested in pursuing after earning their degree.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Chaminade is known for being the largest and oldest in Hawaii. Students interested in careers in law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice or criminology can obtain an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree from the university. The Criminology and Criminal Justice curricula also provide a foundation for students planning to pursue an advanced degree in areas such as law or criminology research.

St. John’s Bible Encourages Chaminade to Reimagine Faith

The Saint John’s Bible is a theological and artistic masterpiece commissioned in 1998 by a group of Benedictine monks in Minnesota and led by renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson. Imitating the grand manuscripts produced in Medieval times, the St. John’s Bible was hand-written and hand-illuminated by a team of six scribes and six illuminators, using vellum (calfskin), quills and ink from minerals and plants.

The project was estimated to take three to four years and cost a few million dollars to complete. But only after 12 years and approximately $13-15 million was the bible finished.

Currently, there are 299 sets of 7 volumes of the St. John’s Bible in existence. Through the generosity of Joanna Sullivan, a loyal benefactor of Chaminade University, one of these copies has been on display in the Sullivan Family Library since June 2010.

Although the St. John’s Bible, based on the New Revised Standard Version, has been accessible to the Chaminade community for the last nine years, no one at Chaminade has had the training to explain it or teach on it. But during the week of March 11, Chaminade welcomed Bob O’Connor, Ph.D., from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, whose roles are project director of the St. John’s Bible Heritage Edition and university ombudsman.

Throughout his visit, O’Connor led three sessions in which he helped attendees understand how the sacred art found in the St. John’s Bible can transform lives. O’Connor began each session with a lecture-style presentation and concluded by allowing attendees to ask questions while they viewed the bible. The on-campus sessions were open to the entire Chaminade community.

O’Connor explained that the ultimate goal of the St. John’s Bible is to “ignite the spiritual imagination of the world,” which he believes occurs when people look at the volumes.

One of the unique aspects of the St. John’s Bible is that the illuminations include modern-day events, technologies and discoveries in a way that celebrates science and connects it to religion.

For example, weaved throughout the Psalms Frontispiece are oscillograms, recorded lines of sound, taken from ancient chants of cultures from around the world. O’Connor noted that Jackson chose to do this because the Psalms are intended to be sung, not read.

In addition to the Psalms, other illuminations that O’Connor touched upon in his presentation included Creation, Garden of Eden, Sower and the Seed, Eucharist, The Life of Paul, Anthology of Luke and Genealogy of Jesus.

A theme that remains constant throughout the entire bible is flecks of gold scattered across the illuminations and texts. According to O’Connor, gold—which doesn’t oxidize—signifies the presence of the divine, meaning the presence of God.

Brother Edward Brink, vice president for mission and rector, hopes that by inviting O’Connor to Chaminade to teach about the St. John’s Bible will help members of the Chaminade community become more imaginative about their faith.

“[The St. John’s Bible] has the possibility of capturing imagination and making a link for both our students, our faculty and staff to the basis of this university,” says Bro. Ed. “I think it could open doors and windows for people to think about and imagine our faith in a different way.”

This reimagining of faith already seems to be happening on campus. Bro. Ed says that roughly 40 people attended the first session of the week, many of which were students participating in Campus Ministry’s Awakening Retreat. According to Bro. Ed, two of those students were intrigued to learn more and were among the 20-25 people who attended the second session.

In addition to the three public sessions, O’Connor also visited two Chaminade classes during his trip—Christian Prayer and Gospel of John and Poetry and Drama. He also presented at six religion classes at St. Louis School and ended his week on Friday with a private presentation for Bishop Larry Silva and a presentation to the young adults from EPIC Ministry.

Bro. Ed hopes that now, people at Chaminade will be inspired to become trained on the St. John’s Bible or that the university can continue to bring people like O’Connor in so that informational sessions like these can happen on a regular basis.

“It can be a very creative way of helping people to understand their faith,” Bro. Ed said. “I’m a big believer that part of what God wants us to do is to imagine. He wants us to think beautifully, He wants us to use the creation that He’s given us to understand who He is more, and I think that the artwork is part of that.”

Chaminade Impacts Community Through Service-Learning

At Chaminade University, learning extends beyond the classroom and into local communities through an enduring commitment to service-learning.

2019 Service Learning Day

Each semester, more than 20 professors integrate service-learning into their course curricula. They challenge students to actively participate in service projects that relate to course material and benefit the community. Service-learning promotes a sense of civic responsibility and prepares students for life after graduation by bringing meaning to what they learn in the classroom through real-life experiences.

In honor of all the service-learning projects that take place every year, Chaminade hosts an annual Service-Learning Day in which students, faculty and community partners share their reflections—the most important component of service-learning and what sets it apart from other volunteer experiences—in a group setting. This year’s Service-Learning Day was held on March 8.

It began with a luncheon in Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center. There, service-learning participants shared their reflections with a specific focus on how they impacted their respective communities and how their experiences impacted them. Following the luncheon was the Service-Learning Opportunities Fair in Eiben Hall, which was open to the entire campus. The fair gave participants an opportunity to share their projects and the work of their organizations with members of the Chaminade community who were interested in learning more.

Among those that attended Service-Learning Day were representatives from community partners like Palolo Elementary School, Project SHINE, Mālama i nā Ahupua‘a (MINA), Inclusive Recreation (I-Rec) and others. On average, Chaminade works with 45 community partners each year.

But the spotlight shined on the students who each shared a unique takeaway from their individual experiences. Professors that require service-learning as part of their curricula also require students to submit a reflection essay, journal or presentation at the end of the semester.

Nicole Cienna began volunteering at Project SHINE (Students Helping in Naturalization of Elders) last semester as a tutor and was so impacted by the experience that she returned for a second semester as both a tutor and a coordinator. SHINE tutors help elderly Chinese immigrants to learn English so that they can pass their citizenship exams.

She explained how at first, she was nervous to tutor at SHINE because she didn’t know any Chinese but has since gained confidence in teaching and has built a lasting friendship with the woman she tutors.

Through volunteering at SHINE, students also gain insight into the legal and ethical issues surrounding poverty, immigration and ethnicity in society.

Representing the students who volunteer at I-Rec, also known as the Ohana Club, was Shae Smith, who has dedicated her last four years at Chaminade to the organization. Barbara Poole-Street, former Chaminade professor, was inspired to create I-Rec by her son Ethan who has Down Syndrome. She feared he would lack social interaction once his siblings left home for college.

So she created I-Rec, which brings young adults with developmental disabilities together with Chaminade students for social activities held on Thursday and Friday evenings, which Shae said she gets excited about every week.

Pamela Carr, Intro to Nursing instructor, attended the luncheon with two of her students and spoke about how she was impacted by her class of freshmen who were all first-time service-learning participants. She said reading her 90 students’ reflection papers was humbling because nearly all of them wanted to continue volunteering at their service-learning sites.

“Even though it was a requirement for the course, it was no longer a requirement,” Carr said. “It was a need. They continued to want to do it. Even though it’s within this program, it’s embedded into them now.”

#BalanceforBetter on International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Chaminade University faculty and students take a minute to weigh in on what a gender-balanced world means to them:

Joe AllenDr. Joe Allen
Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice
“A gender-balanced world recognizes the differences and the similarities between and within various genders and celebrates them. This celebration means the provision of equal opportunity, sharing the gifts that each of us brings to the table and embracing the idea that all individuals should be treated with fairness and dignity. Gender is a lesser category of one’s humanity. This should not be forgotten.”

Ke'alohi CanadyKeʻalohi Canady ’20
Business Marketing major from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
“I believe we should live in a world where men and women have an equal opportunity to achieve their greatest dreams. A gender balanced world looks like everyone embracing inclusivity and being more open-minded.“

 

Kate PerraultDr. Katelynn Perrault
Assistant Professor, Forensic Sciences and Chemistry
“A truly gender-balanced world is not purely a numbers game. It is about creating a culture of gender balance. We need to actively work to create space in which women no longer feel the need to live in hyper-awareness—where we do not need to be on guard for subtle comments or behaviors that undermine our expertise, opinions or view that we deserve a spot at the table.”

Kiso SkeltonKiso Skelton ’21
Historical and Political Studies major from American Samoa
A gender-balanced world serves as a community where people embrace diversity and value all genders. It is important to have a gender-balanced world because we are stronger when we come together as one, and our purpose in this gender balanced world is to lift each other up, not the other way around. Furthermore, all genders are entitled to all opportunities that will positively impact them.

Dr. Lynn BabingtonDr. Lynn Babington
President
“A gender-balanced world is one where gender equality is a given—where people, regardless of their gender preference, have the same access to education and good jobs, and are equally represented in leadership positions and decision making. Gender balance, along with diversity and equality, in all sectors of society is critically important if we hope to build a strong and sustainable world.”

Skye HaragaSkye Haraga ’21
Biochemistry major from Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi
“Gender diversity is about representing all genders. ʻAʻole pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi.’ (Knowledge is not limited to one school). You are not limited by your gender.”

 

Ashely HillAshley Hill ’22
Education major from Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi
“To me, gender balance is something that everyone should be entitled to. As our society is changing we need to continue to shed light on the importance of gender equality. I believe that if we maintain this shift toward gender balance, not only in the workforce but in our communities, the world will be a more efficient society.”

Andrew InesAndrew Ines ’19
Business Administration major from Kalihi, Hawaiʻi
“Gender equality is important because women deserve just as much credit as us men do. Women can be just as strong as men.”

STEM Students Learn About The Power of Hawaiian Sea Salt

STEM Students learning about Hawaiian Sea SaltHoʻoulu Scholarship Program students gathered a workshop about The Power of Paʻakai at Chaminade University on Feb. 13. The workshop featured a presentation, given by Kamehameha Schools representatives, exploring the traditional practices surrounding paʻakai, or Hawaiian sea salt, and its relevance today.

Recipients of the Hoʻoulu Scholarship, which is funded by Kamehameha Schools and Chaminade, are interested in careers in STEM and are passionate about the Hawaiian culture. They generally pursue degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Data Science, Environmental Studies, Nursing or Business.

Kamehameha Schools presenters Kimo Chun, program manager, and Sandra Tanaka, employer engagement coordinator, drew from ʻike kupuna, or wisdom of our ancestors, to explain to the 25 attendees how the power of paʻakai is applicable to them and their career development. Paʻakai serves a variety of purposes in Native Hawaiian culture. It is used in blessings, cleansings, medicine, food preservation and cooking. The rock salt is the product of a great deal of preparation including hours of physical labor done mostly in the summer months. Regardless of the amount of hard work that goes into cultivating paʻakai, the presentation emphasized that it is to be shared and given freely with aloha.

 

 

Students Say Thank You at Mahalo Scholarship Luncheon 2019

Andrew Trapsi and Glenn MederosWhen fourth-year biochemistry student Andrew Trapsi isn’t in the classroom, he’s an active participant in Chaminade University’s Campus Ministry. From attending retreats to feeding the homeless to volunteering at a local fishpond, Trapsi has discovered his role as a community servant through the teachings of Chaminade’s Catholic Marianist values.

This academic year, Trapsi was one of 209 Chaminade students to receive scholarships funded by generous donors, which totaled to $2.4 million. Chaminade manages more than 100 donor-funded scholarships offered to student-athletes and those pursuing degrees in nursing, education, biology, criminal justice and counseling psychology.

To extend a personal thank you, students welcomed their scholarship benefactors to the university’s annual Mahalo Scholarship Luncheon held on Feb. 8 in Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center.

Among those in attendance were 74 student recipients of donor-funded scholarships, faculty and donors including representatives from Kamehameha Schools and The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation.

There, students got the opportunity to get to know their donors, share about their experiences at Chaminade and most importantly, express gratitude.

The program included motivational speeches from donor and alumna Millicent Perreira-Gilmore, accounting professor Wayne Tanna and chosen student speaker, Trapsi.