Meet outstanding students, faculty members and staff, and alumni in the Spring 2025 issue of Chaminade Magazine!
The issue also features a refreshed design and a celebration of the Class of 1974.
Click through or download the full issue at this link or below:
Future Silverswords and their parents gathered on campus this weekend for Admitted Student Day.
Attendees got the opportunity to meet with academic programs, browse a Student Resource Fair, tour campus and pose for Silversword photoshoots.
The event also included an “Eat the Streets Lunch” with vendors serving up tasty favorites.
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President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. said the event is an “important time for some of our prospective students and their families to come have a look at our campus, meet some of our faculty and staff, and tour the residence halls. It’s a great opportunity for people interested in attending Chaminade University to come have an up-close look.”
In addition to academic open houses, financial aid counselors were on hand to discuss Chaminade’s financial aid packages and scholarships.
Among the attendees was Mathias Mafi, a high school senior.
“I’m just exploring the campus, looking at what they offer here at Chaminade,” he said. “My mom graduated from the School of Business so it’s like coming back home—great campus, great people around.”
Chaminade University will hold its 67th annual Spring Commencement on May 3 at the Waikiki Shell.
This year, two ceremonies are planned—one for undergraduates and a second for master’s and doctoral students so families have more time to celebrate with their graduating loved ones.
The ceremony for graduates will begin at 10 a.m. and feature speaker Keiki-Pua Dancil, Ph.D., senior vice president of government affairs and strategic planning at Pulama Lana‘i and chair of the Chaminade Board of Regents. At Pulama Lana‘i, Dancil directs the efforts of the Community Development team and is also responsible for fostering relationships with government agencies, businesses and the permitting and entitlements process.
John Leong, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Pono Pacific Land Management and co-founder and CEO of nonprofit Kupu, will be the featured speaker for undergraduate students. That ceremony is set to kick off at 3 p.m.
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Pono Pacific is Hawai’i’s only comprehensive, private natural resource management company, providing conservation, sustainable energy and agriculture services. Meanwhile, Kupu seeks to develop the next generation of environmental stewards in the islands.
Madison M. Makishima ’25 will serve as the student speaker for the undergraduate ceremony. She is graduating with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The student speaker at the graduate ceremony is Kelly Dolan-Sapp, Ed.D ’25, an experienced educational researcher and advocate.
Organizers said 320 Class of 2025 graduates are expected at the undergraduate ceremony while 250 are expected at the graduate ceremony. Because there are two ceremonies, each graduating student is allowed to bring up to 15 ticketed guests.
Lei giving will happen after the ceremony at Kapiolani Regional Park. The ceremonies will also be streamed live online.
Graduates and prospective attendees are asked to prepare for traffic in the area and to plan ahead for transportation and parking options. For the latest on the events, click here.
South Sudanese-Australian basketball player Kuany Kuany ’17, who competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and longtime Silversword athletics supporters Judith and William Garrett are the newest inductees in Chaminade’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
The three were honored at the University’s Silversword Gala on March 29.
Kuany, who played guard for Chaminade, is one of the most decorated players in school history. After leaving Chaminade, he played professionally in Australia and Europe and now serves as captain of the South Sudan National Team, which he took to the Olympic Games last year.
At the Paris Games, South Sudan nearly upset Team USA in a friendly game.
Under his leadership, the South Sudan National Team has also competed in the AfroBasket tournament and the FIBA World Cup, engendering a great sense of pride in the war-torn country.
At the Silversword Gala, Chaminade Director of Athletics Tom Buning said Kuany is not only inspirational, he is a team player who understands the value of hard work and collaboration. He noted that Kuany ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding.
“For those who observed him from campus, Kuany was known for his citizenship, academic prowess, and quiet ability to speak loudly through his actions,” Buning said, adding “Kuany has followed the Marianist tradition of building community in his professional life. He has used his Chaminade education and an MBA from Victory University to make a positive difference.”
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The Garretts, who share a lifelong passion for college basketball, have been enthusiastic supporters of Chaminade’s basketball team since 2011. Their commitment to the program extends beyond the court, including as annual attendees of the Maui Invitational.
They are also members of the Chaminade Fund Society, a group of the University’s strongest supporters of unrestricted giving.
William “Bill” Garrett, who has served on Chaminade’s Board of Governors since 2018, retired as city manager of the Southern California communities of Corona and El Cajon.
A U.S. Army veteran, Garrett received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a master’s of science in urban planning from the University of Arizona and a master’s in public administration from California State University, Fullerton.
Judith “Judy” Garrett worked for more than 30 years as a grants administrator, city planner, business district manager, fundraiser, and government consultant.
She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Washington and a master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Arizona.
In retirement, she has served on the boards of several nonprofit and live theatre organizations and, for almost five years, was the volunteer administrator of a western art museum in El Cajon.
Buning said the Garretts’ generous donations have made multiple capital projects possible.
“Together, they serve to make a difference for our student-athletes and benefit every program, every day,” he said. “With grateful hearts and a servant mindset, Bill and Judy are following the Marianist tradition of helping make … a positive difference in the lives of student-athletes.”
Silverswords in the Golden State came together earlier this month to reconnect and reminisce about their time at Chaminade, from playing sports to the joys of life in the residence halls.
With the help of alumni, Chaminade organized two gatherings in California—one in Huntington Beach and the second in San Jose. The last alumni get-together in Southern California was in 2017, while alumni in Northern California last met up in 2016.
Attendees said the reconnect was long overdue.
“My Chaminade experience was amazing and gathering with fellow silversword alumni feels like home,” said Ryan Ashton ’02, who majored in Historical and Political Studies and is now vice president of philanthropy at Aquarium of the Pacific.
“It’s also great to learn about everyone’s journey beyond graduation. I’m always inspired by my fellow alumni.”
Ashton said the Southern California get-together gave him an opportunity to share stories—and hear some—all while reminiscing about Chaminade. “I loved the small school aspect and the Catholic tradition,” he said. “It was the best decision I made for my college career and really helped me discover my purpose and the impact I wanted to make.”
He added that his time at Chaminade also helped him develop a passion for the ocean, which guided him in his career and to current role at Southern California’s largest aquarium.
Jodi-Anne Yoshida, MBA ’23, director of Alumni Relations, said the Southern California meet-up was held at Wahoo’s Fish Taco in Huntington Beach. Alumni and guests shared a taco bar and lots of conversation. Tom ’73 and Barbara ’76 Orbe were the group’s hosts.
Meanwhile, Sam Kong Kee, MBA ’10 helped plan the gathering in San Jose at Noelani’s Island Grill, where attendees enjoyed a buffet of island favorites. Yoshida said alumni at the gathering ranged from a psychologist who serves in private practice to a scientist at a biotech company.
That scientist is Chelsea Saito Reis ’12, who majored in Biology at Chaminade.
She was overjoyed to attend the Northern California gathering and share her professional journey with fellow alumni.
“The opportunities I received at CUH through biomedical research internships helped me pursue and obtain my Ph.D. in biomedical science,” she said. “I credit my experience at Chaminade for helping me achieve my goals.”
Reis grew up on O’ahu’s North Shore and chose Chaminade so she could remain in the islands.
“Ultimately, I was drawn to Chaminade for the warm aloha the faculty, staff and students made me feel once you step foot on campus,” Reis said.
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“I would recommend Chaminade to others for the many opportunities each program has to offer to help you gain experience to achieve your career goals. I always felt extremely supported by the faculty and staff with coursework and was amazed by all the academic resources available.”
She added, “I will forever be proud to be part of the alumni community.”
Yoshida said both get-togethers underscored the importance of returning again soon.
“The California alumni gatherings were a beautiful reminder of the deep connections that unite our Chaminade family,” Yoshida said. “Seeing alumni make the time and effort to come together, reconnect, and celebrate their shared experiences was inspiring.”
She added, “As the director of Alumni Relations, I am in awe of the true spirit of Chaminade—the love for our school, the cherished memories, and the lifelong friendships that continue to grow and thrive, no matter where we are in the world.”
Find the latest Chaminade alumni events by clicking here.
Tina Andrade ’05, MPT ’14 is the first woman and Native Hawaiian to lead Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi in the organization’s 77-year history.
But as she takes the helm of the nonprofit at a moment of great change for the islands, she isn’t focused on herself. She’s working to lift up her employees and her community.
“A major theme I have is helping our employees understand the ‘why’ of their work. We’re here to create a better path for people in life,” she said. “We’re here to make sure that when people leave our services, they’re better off than when they came to us.”
It’s an ambitious goal, but one Catholic Charities, as one of Hawaiʻi’s largest social service agencies, is living up to—thanks in no small part to Andrade’s leadership. While she officially became president and CEO at Catholic Charities in January, Andrade has been on the nonprofit’s executive team for years and previously served as chief operating officer.
Andrade says her drive to serve has been a lifelong one.
It’s why she chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Chaminade when she decided to return to school. At the time, Andrade was teaching religion part-time at a Catholic school while also tackling obligations at home and remaining active in the community.
“I went to Chaminade because of the values and the education they provide,” Andrade said.
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About the same time, Andrade was invited to assist Catholic Charities with efforts to embrace their mission. She was later named vice president of mission integration at the nonprofit, a role that allowed her to spotlight the nonprofit’s service-focused goals.
Andrade graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Chaminade in 2005, and returned to campus several years later to pursue a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology. She graduated with her master’s in 2014, and recounts the educational experience helping her embrace her own religious foundation and her role as a community leader.
Today, Andrade said the pursuit of social justice is what keeps her passionate and engaged. “This work has transformed me,” she said. “We are answering a call together.”
She added that her time at Chaminade not only allowed her to build on her academic knowledge, but gave her the chance to meet new people and broaden her perspectives. She also forged strong relationships with her professors and stays in contact with several.
As she looks to the year ahead, Andrade says she is concerned about the economic headwinds the state and nation are facing. At the same time, she is optimistic about everything her agency is poised to bring to island communities—and embracing those “firsts” that her leadership brings.
“The journey of Native Hawaiians has been a challenging one,” she noted.
“From that standpoint, this role really is growth and opportunity for all of us.”
