Chaminade University of Honolulu

Catholic

Association of Marianist Universities

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Advancing Marianist and Catholic values in higher education

In his seminal book, “A New Fulcrum: Marianist Horizons Today,” the late Fr. David Fleming posed: “What Makes University Education ‘Marianist’?” One of the potential answers perhaps lies in the synthesis of faith and reason, a hallmark of Catholic and Marianist education. It’s about fostering a community of learners who not only excel academically, but who also grow spiritually, morally and ethically. It’s about instilling in students a deep sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making the world a better place.

“In terms of the relationship between faith and reason, I adhere to Pope John Paul II’s 1998 Encyclical Letter ‘Fides Et Ratio,'” in which he describes Faith and Reason as two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth,” answered Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington, when asked about her understanding of the relationship between faith and reason in an interview with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. “In other words, the Catholic intellectual tradition at the heart of a Catholic university presupposes the harmonious existence between faith and reason. It’s a relationship that is not static because both faith and reason are involved in a mutual search for and reception of meaning and truth.”

Bro. Tom Giardino addresses Flyer alumni during a University of Dayton award ceremony. ©Briana Snyder, Knack Video + Photo

For Association of Marianist Universities (AMU) Executive Director Bro. Thomas Giardino, Fleming’s question could serve as a catalyst for conversations that are needed today in order to develop and advance the mission and identity of Marianist and Catholic higher education.

“Since the Marianist educational tradition is a person-centered charism [gift] with a mission strategy, when this reality is felt by students, staff and faculty then that university education is alive with the Marianist sensibilities,” said Giardino in an email response. “This means that the university community experiences that they individually matter, that relationships matter, that the world matters, and that there is a relationship between their education and their encounter with our world. For this to happen, there needs to be a critical mass of persons who are in the community, not simply for transactional relationships, but for transformational relationships; that is, it touches the meaning and purpose of their identity, what they live for.”

In today’s society, where knowledge is abundant but wisdom is scarce, Catholic and Marianist universities face pressing issues. One such issue is the challenge of maintaining their distinct identity and values in a rapidly changing world. The secularization of higher education and the prevailing culture of individualism pose threats to the unique mission of these universities.

Another pressing issue is the need for inclusivity and diversity. As society becomes more pluralistic, Catholic and Marianist universities must ensure that their campuses are welcoming to people of all backgrounds and faiths. They should strive to create an environment where open dialogue and respectful exchange of ideas can flourish.

AMU plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges. It serves as a platform for collaboration and shared learning among Catholic and Marianist universities. It fosters a sense of solidarity and unity among these institutions, helping them preserve their core values while adapting to the demands of the modern world.

“The Association of Marianist Universities provides a structure for the three Marianist Universities to share ideas and programming to strengthen the Marianist identity of each of the universities,” said Bro. Ed Brink, Chaminade’s Vice President of Mission and Rector. “Through the work of AMU, there are regular meetings (usually via Zoom) of people from each of the universities that have similar jobs.”

In 2005, members from Chaminade University, University of Dayton and St. Mary’s University of San Antonio responded to the call from AMU Board to build a partnership among members of the Society of Mary, the sponsoring religious body. It would invite a cadre of lay collaborators, who would together sustain and renew the mission and identity that was Catholic, and that embodied the Marianist educational tradition.  

Since then, faculty, staff and administrators have been invited each year to deepen their understanding of and their commitment to the traditions and beliefs that make each respective university a Catholic and Marianist community.

Bro. Ed Brink teaches the fundamentals of Marianist values.

“In the summer of 2022, AMU held a symposium during which more than 100 people from the three universities gathered to reflect on the unique contributions that Marianist Universities make within American higher education, and to envision possibilities for the future,” Brink said. “Whenever AMU gathers people from the three universities together, we are reminded that we are part of a bigger mission.  While we all take pride in our own work, we are able to see that we are working on a project that goes well beyond our own institution and campus walls.”

In a world marked by division and polarization, the three Marianist/Catholic universities promote a message of unity and common purpose. They produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also compassionate, ethical and dedicated to making a positive impact on society.

In a world hungry for meaning and purpose, the Association of Marianist Universities serves as a guiding light. It reminds us that education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about becoming better human beings. It underscores the enduring relevance of Catholic and Marianist principles in today’s society, where the search for truth, goodness and justice remains as vital as ever.

“Our faculty and staff already embrace and appreciate the values of providing a quality education, and an education for service, justice, peace, adaptation and change,” Babington said. “They may not necessarily have a religious affiliation, but they do believe in an equal and just society, which is what we impart to our students.”

Early College Exposure

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Sacred Hearts Academy students experience university-level courses

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Lindsey Dimaya takes college-level communications and history classes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she attends biology lab and expository writing courses. And in between, the 16-year-old Sacred Hearts Academy Lancer still has to juggle the requirements for her high school diploma.  

While the rest of Dimaya’s classmates decided to participate in a dual enrollment program between Sacred Hearts Academy and Chaminade University in early March, the Aiea resident didn’t render her final verdict until mid-summer. For the high school junior, the question of finishing high school and simultaneously earning college credit was one of the toughest decisions she has had to ever make in her 16 years.  

“It was a big decision,” says Dimaya, an inspiring journalist interested in the media industry. “I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the college experience and the added workload.”  

Lindsey Dimaya is glad she enrolled in the dual enrollment program between Sacred Hearts Academy and Chaminade.

Finances, however, also played a major role in Dimaya’s mind. Since she is one half of fraternal twins, her parents would have had to pay for college for two kids at the same time. And that adds up quickly. Earning college credits in high school could reduce the financial barrier to college for many students—and help address the student debt crisis. Indeed, it can be a faster, cheaper way to get a college degree.

“My parents encouraged me to participate in the dual enrollment program because it was a more affordable option,” Dimaya says. “In addition to getting a head start in college, I could also save my parents a lot of money.”  

States—including Hawaii—have prioritized college and career readiness as a key goal of high school, reflecting the reality that most jobs require postsecondary education. The Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI) was established in 2002 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Over the past two decades, Early Colleges have expanded rapidly nationwide.

In a 2019 American Institutes for Research (AIR) study, researchers found that, over four years, Early Colleges cost about $3,800 more per student than traditional high schools. However, the estimated return on that investment was about $33,709 in increased lifetime earnings for each student. Furthermore, a cost-benefit study by AIR found that Early College programs pay off with lasting benefits for students and the broader population. (Chaminade’s program is separate from this consortium of Early Colleges, which are partnerships among school districts, charter management organizations or high schools, and two- or four-year colleges or universities.)

Also called concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment programs offer many cost-saving benefits, making these types of options popular among high schoolers. But many students, particularly those who are low-income and/or of color, lack access to a well-rounded high school education. Inadequate preparation in high school leaves high school graduates with fewer choices and pathways to postsecondary education. As a result, postsecondary enrollment and completion gaps persist. Early College High Schools focus explicitly on overcoming these challenges.  

“This is really a part of Chaminade’s service-oriented mission, which is to make higher education accessible to all Hawai’i students,” says Janet Davidson, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and the driving force behind the University’s early college initiatives. “We launched a similar program with Kapaa High School in 2021. But unlike this new early college program, Kapaa participants only had the opportunity to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Sacred Heart students can actually earn their Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts.”  

Since this trend began, AIR researchers have conducted a number of comprehensive studies on their impact, finding overall that Early Colleges show strong and lasting evidence of effectiveness for all students. Promoting postsecondary access and success can be an effective policy strategy for improving postsecondary enrollment and completion rates.  

“Early college exposure is inspiring and formative,” says Kim Baxter, Chaminade’s Early College Director. “Sacred Hearts students will earn their Associates degree in May 2025, and two weeks later, they’ll graduate from high school.”  

Dimaya’s grateful that she opted in this program, which will prepare her to be better equipped when she continues to pursue her bachelor’s degree either at Chaminade or Portland University.  

“At first, I was afraid of the workload, but now I see that I can handle it,” Dimaya says confidently. “I think that this early college exposure has helped me manage my time, as well as taught me to be more independent and disciplined.”  

Community Service

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Catholic Charities Hawaii renders aid to Maui residents

A day after the catastrophic Maui wildfire, Tina Andrade was already anticipating a groundswell of pleas for assistance. As the Chief Operations Officer of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Andrade is no stranger to emergency crisis. After all, the aftermath of COVID-19 still lingers among some residents who continue to struggle financially, physically and emotionally.

“I am on Maui right now, and we are meeting with families on the west side,” says Andrade, who joined Catholic Charities Hawai‘i in 2003 as its vice president in mission integration and was appointed earlier this year to serve as the nonprofit’s Chief Operations Officer. “We’ve been giving them gift cards and solar lights, which also serve as phone chargers. We’ve distributed food, water and personal items. And we’ve placed families in Airbnb rentals, and will be helping with rental assistance/housing stability. We’ve also had counselors meeting with individuals.”

Serving Hawai‘i since 1947, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has rendered aid to local residents of all faiths and cultures in previous disasters, including Hurricane Iniki, the recent Kīlauea eruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic and now the worst natural catastrophe in Hawaii’s history.

Tina Andrade has been with Hawaii Catholic Charities since 2003, and is currently the nonprofit's Chief Operations Officer.
Tina Andrade has been with Hawaii Catholic Charities since 2003, and is currently the nonprofit’s Chief Operations Officer.

“We typically serve approximately 40,000 individuals per year,” says Andrade, who engages the local community in Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s mission through its Social Policy efforts and with the neighboring islands advisory boards. “We provide more than 40 social services and programs, ranging from rental assistance and mental health to immigration and senior advocacy to assist our kūpuna.”

Born and raised in Honolulu, Andrade graduated from Kamehameha Schools, and received her bachelor’s degree in religious studies (2005) and master’s degree (2014) in pastoral theology from Chaminade University.

Prior to joining Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, she was an educator at several Hawai‘i Catholic schools and worked within the Catholic community in the area of religious education and social ministry. Additionally, she has an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Transformational Leadership from Notre Dame University and a Professional Certificate in Human Resource & Workforce Development & Management from Michigan State University.

“I started with Catholic Charities Hawai‘i years ago as a receptionist until I decided to enroll at Chaminade,” Andrade says. “I really believe in our mission and our values—which are similar to Chaminade’s— that were first established by the Maryknoll Sisters. We seek to help strengthen families in the community and, to do so effectively, we partner with government agencies, hospitals and parishes, and we’re also part of Aloha United Way’s 211 helpline.”

With affordable housing as the number one priority in Hawaii—especially on Maui right now— Andrade has collaborated with community partners in securing $200 million to build affordable housing. As part of Catholic Charities executive team, she helped oversee the distribution of more than $150 million in federal rental assistance to tenants during the pandemic.

“Tina has been a trusted and collaborative member of our executive team for the past 20 years, helping us identify the priorities of our agency’s social policies to address poverty and social justice,” says CEO and President Robert Van Tassell, in a released statement. “With her extensive knowledge of our organization’s history, programs, personnel, partners and future potential, she is a natural fit to run CCH’s day-to-day operations.”

Celebrating its 75th anniversary last year, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i continues to serve as a beacon of hope for the state’s most vulnerable populations. It all started in 1859 when the Catholic Women’s Guild provided food, clothes and medical aid to immigrant plantation workers. The association was later reorganized by Bishop Sweeney as Catholic Charities in 1942. Recognizing that Hawai‘i was in dire need of social services following World War II, Sweeney contacted the Maryknoll Sisters, a group of New York women who exemplified their faith by devoting their lives to others.

“The Maryknoll Sisters’ primary emphasis was putting their faith into action,” Andrade explains. “That faith is what brought me here. It’s what keeps me here. We have one mission—to provide compassionate care—but there are many ways to carry out that mission.”

Spiritual Convocation

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Academic year opens with ‘Red Mass’

Faculty, students and staff filled the seats at the Mystical Rose Oratory to pray for guidance and wisdom at the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit that traditionally marks the beginning of the academic year.

Presiding over the Fall Spiritual Convocation, Fr. Chris Wittmann S.M. explained the significance of the Mass, also known as “Red Mass,” which is celebrated annually in the Catholic Church for all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation: judges, lawyers, law school professors, law students and government officials, marking the opening of the judicial year.  

“At the beginning of an academic, legislation or judicial year, it is a longstanding tradition to call upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance, blessing and grace that will be needed for the year ahead,” Wittmann preached. “At a university like Chaminade, we are blessed with an abundance of resources and avenues to knowledge and skills, practical wisdom and application. But even at a university, we don’t have all the answers; and we never will.”  

Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington welcomed faculty, staff and students back to campus.

Such is the nature of a Marianist education, which cultivates students’ personal talents, nourishing the desire and acquiring the skills that will equip them to be learners all their lives. “Our faculty and staff already embrace and appreciate the values of providing a quality education, and an education for service, justice, peace, adaptation and change,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “These are values that define my leadership, and they are consistent with the five pillars of the Marianist charism: faith, Mary, community, mission and inclusivity. We believe in an equal and just society, which is what we impart to our students.”  

During the Convocation, Chaminade’s Vice President of Mission and Rector, Bro. Ed Brink, outlined the genesis of the Marianist Educational Associates program. “In 2005, members from Chaminade University, University of Dayton and St. Mary’s University of San Antonio responded to a call from the Association of Marianist Universities (AMU) Board to build a partnership among members of the Society of Mary, the sponsoring religious body of the three universities,” he said. “It would invite a cadre of lay collaborators, who would together sustain and renew the mission and identity that was Catholic, and that embodied the Marianist educational tradition.”  

This past summer, seven Chaminade faculty and staff members participated in the MEA Formation, a seven-day program consisting of readings, reflections and sharing of insights. Asking them to stand in front of the congregation as he called out their names, Brink invited Drs. Darren Iwamoto, David Carter, Dustyn Ragasa, Frederique Kandel, Janet Davidson and Jennifer Creech, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, to come forward. (Dr. Tom Buning was unable to attend.)  

“These men and women are members of a community that is intentionally committed to strengthening and developing the Catholic and Marianist identity of this University,” Brink said. “I now ask you to make your commitment as a Marianist Educational Associate.”  

Afterwards, Brink acknowledged the 21 Chaminade staff members and faculty who made their first commitment in previous years, asking them to stand and renew their commitment as Marianist Educational Associates.  

In unison, the 21 MEAs pledged to strengthen, sustain and develop the Catholic and Marianist mission and identity of Chaminade University of Honolulu. They will continue to read, reflect, and collaborate with others to insure the continuation of the programs, processes and behaviors that make Chaminade a Catholic and Marianist University. And they promise to support others in growing in the knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic and Marianist traditions in order to embody and witness to these traditions and their benefit to the world.  

“So to students and other members of the faculty and staff, please, if you have questions about our charism, about the Marianist educational tradition, these people have given some time and energy to studying that,” Brink concluded. “They have thought deeply about how to incorporate that into their work. We’re all, as Fr. Chris said, still learning.”

Chuuk Commencement Ceremony

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CCPI graduates give back to Federated States of Micronesia communities

Chuuk has been previously called many names—officially and unofficially. It was previously named Truk until 1990, and labeled as the Imperial Japan’s “Gibraltar of the Pacific” and even the Pearl Harbor of the Japanese during World War II. But today, the tiny island of just 49 square miles—smaller than Haleakala National Park—is known as one of the four states that comprises the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM); the others being Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap.

Chuuk is also where Chaminade University entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Caroline College and Pastoral Institute (CCPI) in Weno. Since 2010, Chaminade has played an outsized role in educating not only Chuukese, but also island residents in the five different regions within Chuuk State—Northern Nomwoneas, Southern Nomwoneas, Faichuuk, Mortlocks and Northwest.

Graduates during the Commencement Ceremony at CCPI in Weno.

In his opening remarks during the CCPI Commencement Ceremony, Chaminade Provost and Senior Vice President, Lance Askildson, Ph.D., told the graduates that this moment is a recognition of both their success in completing their college degree, and an important inflection point in their lives and the future possibilities that are now available to them.

“Now is the time to reflect upon not only how far you have come, but why you began this important journey in the first place,” Askildson remarked. “Your degree means more opportunity and independence; more career and professional advancement possibilities; greater financial autonomy and self-determination; and the potential for new responsibility and leadership in both your professional and civic lives.”

In total, 11 students earned their Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (BAEEO) and 49 graduated with their Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (AALA) this year. It’s a noteworthy achievement, given some of the obstacles that students have had to overcome.

“Many of our students lack the necessary technology or internet access to participate and complete their courses,” said LJ Rayphand, Dean of Outreach Education at CCPI. “CCPI and Chaminade provide the technology and the physical spaces that our students can access and participate in their courses. 

“Even though these are online courses, a distance course facilitator is assigned to each of the classes to provide additional support to both students and instructors,” Rayphand added. “Evening transportation is also provided to afternoon/evening students who reside outside of town.”

Caroline Islands Bishop Julio Angkel addresses graduates during the Commencement Ceremony.
Caroline College and Pastoral Institute President Fr. Rosendo Rudolf addresses graduates during the Commencement Ceremony.

Chaminade’s support of CCPI for the past 13 years has helped, not only increase the number of individuals with college degrees, but also produce knowledge and skillful individuals who contribute to the local economy. Most of the graduates now work with the Chuuk State Department of Education as classroom teachers, specialists and program coordinators. And a good number of them have been hired in health-related fields, social services, finance, legal services and, of course, the private sector, like United Airlines.

“As a developing state or nation, these new graduates have a lot to offer to their community, the state of Chuuk and to FSM as a whole,” Rayphand said. “They will fill job opportunities that will make a huge difference in our community. Many of them work on the frontlines in areas that matter most to our people and our places in Micronesia.”

In his closing remarks, Askildson shared a quote from the personal journal of American poet and environmental writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, who once wrote, “The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means to an education.”

“What Emerson meant was that a true education is not (only) what you learn with us, it’s what you learn about yourselves and take with you to embark upon a lifetime of learning and growth thereafter,” Askildson said. “That is the legacy that we gift to you today … and one that will continue your human journey to greater insights and contributions far into the future. In you, we invest our great hope and aspirations for your success and a better future for us all!”

Staff, Faculty Attend MEA Formation

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Attendees pledge to uphold Marianist-Catholic mission

After 19 years of working at Catholic higher education institutions, Jennifer Creech felt she was finally ready to commit. Her eyes lighting up as she spoke about her recent formation as a Marianist Educational Associate (MEA), the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success was eager to share her experience.

MEA Formation participants included, from left, Frederique Kandel, Ph.D., Father Martin Solma, Jennifer Creech, and Drs. Janet Davidson, Darren Iwamoto, Dustyn Ragasa, and David Carter. Missing is Dr. Tom Buning.
MEA Formation participants included, from left, Frederique Kandel, Ph.D., Father Martin Solma, Jennifer Creech, and Drs. Janet Davidson, Darren Iwamoto, Dustyn Ragasa, and David Carter. Missing is Dr. Tom Buning.

“Selfishly, this was for me,” Creech said of the formation retreat. “I often attend conferences for professional reasons, but going through the formation was personal. I wanted to learn how to be a better person to my team and our students, and the meaning and value of our Marianist mission.”

In 2005, members from Chaminade University, University of Dayton and St. Mary’s University of San Antonio responded to a call from the Association of Marianist Universities (AMU) Board to build a partnership among members of the Society of Mary, the sponsoring religious body. It would invite a cadre of lay collaborators, who would together sustain and renew the mission and identity that was Catholic, and that embodied the Marianist educational tradition. 

Since then, faculty, staff and administrators have been invited each year to deepen their understanding of and their commitment to the traditions and beliefs that make each respective university a Catholic and Marianist community.

“I’ve always believed in our mission,” said Darren Iwamoto, who also attended the formation at the University of Dayton. “The formation experience helped me to focus in what I do and not work blindly.”

The seven-day formation program consisted of readings, reflections and sharing of insights. Each participant received a binder that was divided by presentations, which covered a variety of topics, from Vocational Stories and the Catholic Story to the Marianist Story and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

Opening her binder, Creech flipped through the colored tabs before stumbling upon a note card that contained some of her thoughts, writing down such key words as “living and working with intention, love, grace, transparency, access, persistence, empathy and understanding.”

“We are privileged in our roles, which are not self-serving,” Creech asserted. “Our mission is to empower others, to be part of a team and to advocate for our students.”

Following the initial retreat, the MEAs will then meet once a month from September to May to continue their formation by developing, strengthening and advancing the Catholic and Marianist philosophy of education.  At the end of the academic year during a special service, the MEAs will make a public commitment to sustain and enrich the University’s Catholic and Marianist character. 

Staff and faculty from Chaminade and University of Dayton gather for dinner at an outdoor patio.
Staff and faculty from Chaminade University, University of Dayton and St. Mary’s gather for an early-evening dinner at an outdoor patio.

“The Marianist Charism is a combination of faith, following Mary, community, mission and inclusivity,” Iwamoto explained. “The Charism informs how, as educators, we inspire our students and how we collaborate with our peers.”

Other Chaminade participants included Drs. Janet Davidson, David Carter, Frederique Kandel and Tom Buning.  

To ensure that Marianist universities sustain a strong Catholic and Marianist mission and identity, three vital tasks need to be accomplished, according to the Association of Marianists Universities (AMU).  First, there must be a significant number of people who are employed at the universities, and who are steeped in and appreciate the Catholic and Marianist traditions of education.  Second, these individuals must have the capacity and willingness to work together to incorporate these traditions into the culture of Marianist universities. Third, these persons would be committed to adapt and transform the traditions so that Marianist universities forge an engaging response to the challenges facing American higher education while contributing to the task of working toward global justice, so integral to the Marianist charism.

MEAs are lay persons who are, first of all, employees of the campus community who are hired to perform in a professional role in the work of Marianist higher education. Associates make an intentional choice to use that professional role to partner with the Marianist vowed religious on campus to strengthen the Catholic and Marianist mission and identity.  All MEAs are committed to using their sphere of influence to strengthen the Catholic and Marianist mission and identity in ways that are effective and appropriate. MEAs are committed to a journey of personal and professional growth in understanding and embracing the gift of the Marianist charism.

“The whole week I had what I call ‘God sightings,’” Creech said. “I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like love, you know it’s there, but it’s difficult to explain. The more you trust it, the more you hear it.”