Chaminade University of Honolulu

Catholic

Faculty Appointed to State Psychology Board

Sean Scanlan, Ph.D., Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, has been appointed to the Hawai‘i State Board of Psychology, joining fellow faculty member Jeffrey Stern, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, who also serves on the board.

The Hawai‘i State Board of Psychology operates under the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) within its Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) Division. The board is responsible for overseeing the licensure of psychology professionals across the state, helping ensure that practitioners meet standards established to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

At a time when the need for accessible, high-quality mental health care continues to grow in Hawai‘i and across the nation, the board plays a critical role in maintaining a strong, qualified workforce of licensed professionals.

In this role, Dr. Scanlan will contribute to the review of licensing applications, renewals, and compliance matters, while also engaging in discussions on legislation, policies, and regulatory issues impacting the profession. Dr. Stern continues to bring valuable expertise to the board through his ongoing service.

“Dr. Scanlan’s appointment, alongside Dr. Stern’s continued service, reflects the strength of our Clinical Psychology faculty and their commitment to advancing ethical, high-quality care,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “We are proud to see Chaminade faculty helping shape policies that strengthen professional standards and serve our broader community.”

Dr. Scanlan’s appointment underscores Chaminade’s ongoing dedication to academic excellence, community impact, and leadership in the behavioral health field.

An Easter Message from Chaminade

As we celebrate the season of Easter—a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings—we invite you to click and watch this special message from Chaminade students, President Dr. Lynn Babington, and Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Chris Wittmann.

In this spirit of Easter, we share a message of hope that reflects the heart of our Chaminade ‘ohana. ✝️🌺

Play

Our Capacity For Hope

Dr. Carolyn Woo bowed her head in prayer before addressing the audience gathered in the Mystical Rose Oratory. Then she began simply: “I’m here to talk about hope.”

As the latest guest in the Marianist Lecture Series, Woo offered far more than reflection. Through personal experience and global perspective, she challenged listeners to recognize both their responsibility and their capacity for hope—even amid devastating news and uncertainty in the United States and around the world. Her speech aligns with the University’s commitment to community partnership and impact, one of the commitments of the Strategic Plan.

Drawing from her years of humanitarian leadership, Woo shared vivid stories and metaphors. She recounted how a Guatemalan corn farmer, facing the loss of his land, adapted by cultivating papaya and ultimately built a thriving livelihood. She described how Chinese Christians, confronted with the destruction of religious statues, responded creatively—crafting an image inspired by a folk legend of a peasant woman carrying a light on her head, symbolizing Mary and the Christ Child. In each example, adversity became an invitation to resilience and renewal.

“The biggest blessing of my work at Catholic Relief Services is realizing that problems can be solved in significant ways,” Woo said.

Woo served as president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS)—the official humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community—from 2012 to 2016. Founded in 1943 by the Catholic bishops of the United States to assist survivors of World War II, CRS has grown to serve more than 200 million people in over 100 countries across five continents.

Before leading CRS, Woo built a distinguished career in higher education. From 1997 to 2011, she served as dean of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Under her leadership, the college earned national recognition, including top rankings for undergraduate business education and consistent distinction for excellence in ethics education and research.

Acknowledging today’s social and political tensions, Woo reminded the audience that history, too, has known periods of darkness, including World War II. Yet resilience, she emphasized, is the signature of hope. Drawing from the theological virtues, she explained that hope emerges when faith is joined with charity—when belief is put into action.

Her international impact has been widely recognized. In 2013, Foreign Policy named Woo among its 500 Most Powerful People for her global leadership, identifying her as one of 33 individuals considered “a force for good.” In 2015, she was one of five speakers at the Vatican press conference introducing Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, and she later co-coordinated the Vatican’s Energy Transition Dialogues in 2018 and 2019.

Woo concluded with a call to personal responsibility: “Agency is the offspring of responsibility and capacity,” she said. When individuals recognize both, they can “build back better.”

At the close of the lecture, Woo was presented with the Mackey Award for Catholic Thought, named in honor of Fr. Robert Mackey, S.M., the first president of Chaminade University.

The Marianist Lecture Series—sponsored by The Marianist Center of Hawaiʻi, Chaminade University, and St. Louis School—fosters inclusive dialogue on Catholic thought and social responsibility. Gathered on the Kalaepōhaku campus in a spirit of community and shared purpose, attendees were reminded that hope is not passive optimism, but a call to resilient action.

Gratitude Celebrated at Scholarship Luncheon

“We’re grateful for you.” 

“We’re inspired by your generosity.” 

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” 

“We celebrate you.” 

“Mahalo nui loa and thank you so very much.” 

Those were the sentiments celebrated at the annual Chaminade Mahalo Scholarship Luncheon held February 13 at Clarence T. C. Ching Conference Center on campus. More than 115 donors, students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate how financial support opens doors for students to reach their goals, go out in the world, and give back to the community. 

Fr. Martin Solma opened the luncheon with a prayer followed by remarks from President Lynn Babington, who shared that 346 students at Chaminade benefit from donor-funded scholarships and that 98 percent of all students receive some form of financial aid. Fifty-one percent of students are the first generation in their family to attend college. Vice President of Advancement Jill Higashi noted that none of this would be possible without the support of donors. 

Donor Keven Matsuura attended the lunch with his mother Diane Matsuura and spoke about how he did not know all that nurses do when caring for patients, until his father needed nursing 24-hour care until he passed away in 2024. Today the Kenneth and Diane Matsuura Foundation supports two scholarships for nursing students, which is his family’s way to give back to the community and to help alleviate the local nursing shortage. 

“We saw what nurses do and, thus, wanted to support local nursing students who plan to stay in Hawaiʻ’i,” Matsuura said. “We are proud to support students at Chaminade University and their lifelong commitment to hard work and advancement in the nursing field.”

Students Jason Edric Ulep ʻ27 and Tessa Stanley ʻ27 also spoke and shared their personal stories about why attending Chaminade has been a life changing dream come true, and expressed their gratitude for the scholarships they receive. The small class sizes, individualized attention, secure and safe campus have made the Chaminade experience fulfilling and meaningful as they pursue their studies and plan their careers after graduating next May. 

At the podium, Stanley opened her remarks by sharing two simple yet meaningful words: “Thank you.”

Watch this video that was shown at the Luncheon.

Catholic School Fifth Graders Go to College

Fifth grader Ireland Baum waited on the lanai of the Sullivan Library, anticipating a day of college life with her classmates and peers from Catholic schools across the state. 

“I think coming here to Chaminade is a great experience so I can learn more about college life,” Baum said. “I think college is going to be fun because we get to learn new things and go to fun classes.” 

By the sights and sounds of active, engaged, and happy youths on Chaminade’s grassy, beautiful and safe campus, FUN is absolutely correct. 

Baum is one of approximately 350 fifth-graders who spent or will spend a day at Chaminade University this month, attending classes taught by university professors and then receiving a “diploma” presented by Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington in a special graduation ceremony in Mamiya Theatre. The first day was held yesterday, February 12, and will happen again on February 23. The “I Go To College” program is a partnership between Hawaiʻi Catholic Schools and Chaminade, immersing students from Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawai‘i island to college life at an early age and providing them with a fun, enriching day. 

In the “Amazing Brain Class,” students discussed the brain’s amazing abilities, its limitations, and its dysfunctions. Then talked about the field of psychology with a final message of patience and acceptance.  Students attended the “Catching Morphology Concepts through Pokemon” class to learn word parts (morphology) through Pokemon names and how those names align to abilities. Dr. Denise Dugan taught a class called “Mini Science Lab: The Invisible Ink Mystery” in which students engaged in a fast-paced, hands-on science experience. In the 30-minute lab, students acted as scientists by writing secret messages with an “invisible ink” and then revealing them using a color-changing indicator. 

Students also enjoyed a pizza lunch and took home their brand new diplomas and mortar boards which they received upon “graduating” from Chaminade. 

Thursday, Feb. 12,  the schools participating included: 

St. Joseph’s School, Hilo

Sacred Hearts School, Lahaina

St. Anthony School, Maui 

St. Theresa School, Kauai 

Our Lady of Good Counsel

St. Theresa School

St. John Vianney School 

St. Michael School

St. Louis School

On Monday, Feb. 23, these schools will vist: 

Sacred Hearts Academy 

St. Anthony School, Kailua

St. Elizabeth School 

St. Joseph Parish School

Maryknoll School

Holy Family Catholic School

St. Patrick School 

Mary, Star of the Sea School  

A seven-year longitudinal study* a college prep program for middle school students showed that “college visits were an integral part of the program.” Students who went on a campus visit had more positive perceptions of college than those who did not. Research also shows the importance of starting college and career planning, and awareness in middle school. Early exposure to a college campus makes a difference, especially among first-generation college-bound, and other underrepresented groups, which are an integral element to increase college enrollment and diversity on campus. 

*Research in Middle Level Education, Rich A. Radcliffe & Liz C. Stephens, 2008

Chaminade celebrates Founders’ Week 2026

Students, staff, faculty, and the campus ministry have been gathering this week to celebrate Founders’ Week, Chaminade University’s annual time to reflect on the origin of the Marianist mission and to express gratitude for those who came before.

The week-long celebration honors the legacy of Chaminade’s three foundational figures and founders of the Marianist Catholic order: Father William Joseph Chaminade, who established the Society of Mary; the Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon; and the Venerable Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Lamourous.

Activities kicked off on Monday when students, staff, faculty, and campus ministry leaders gathered at the foot of the statue of Father Chaminade standing prominently at the entrance to campus. The statue was adorned with colorful, traditional Hawaiian leis, as has been the tradition for decades.

Father Martin “Marty” Solma led Monday’s ceremony, a casual affair under clear skies that followed heavy rain from earlier that morning. Father Marty invited attendees to take inspiration from the statue and the message the artist who created it was trying to convey.

“We all see this image every day when we come to campus,” he said. “May it remind us that without this holy founder, this man of faith, hope, and love, none of us would be here studying, working, learning, and playing on Kalaepōhaku.”

He said the statute’s posture—outstretched arms, facing downwards—should be interpreted as “an invitation to serve.”

“He’s portrayed as looking down, inviting us—students, faculty, staff—to join him in his mission of service to the community, especially to youth and to those least capable.”

The week of remembrance continued on Wednesday with the main event, the Founders’ Day Mass & Heritage Awards Ceremony. The holy mass was led by Father Christopher Wittmann, known around campus as Father Chris.

Mirroring the celebration of the university’s three foundational figures, every year the Heritage Awards recognizes three exceptional members of the Chaminade family.

The Chaminade Award recognizes a faculty or staff member who most exemplifies the spirit of the university. The Marianist Award is given to a staff member who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to Chaminade University’s mission. Finally, the Founders’ Award recognizes a student for their exemplary demonstration of respect, generosity, faith, and other Marianist values.

University President Dr. Lynn Babington opened the mass and awards ceremony with a speech reminding everyone of the school’s foundational mission.

“Marianists from the beginning have embraced the idea of education as a mechanism to transform society and support the spirit of openness, mutual respect, and acceptance,” President Babington said. “At Chaminade University of Honolulu, we are committed to being such an environment where students thrive.”

She and Father Marty honored the three award winners: Dr. Dustyn Ragasa ‘07, Abigail Hurgo, and Easton DelaCruz ‘26.

The Chaminade Award went to Dr. Ragasa, a Chaminade professor and Director of the Master of Pastoral Theology Program who is adored by his students. Ragasa is originally from Kauai and holds a doctorate from the Graduate Theological Union.

Abigail Hurgo is this year’s recipient of the Marianist Award for her unflinching commitment to student success. Hurgo is Chaminade’s Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and is responsible for organizing and leading New Student Orientation, campus tours, and other events welcoming students to our community.

Easton DelaCruz is the 2026 recipient of the Founders’ Award. Hailing from Saipan, DelaCruz is a student majoring in communications. He was recognized for his active role in campus life, volunteering to assist with dozens of activities and events. DelaCruz is slated to graduate this year.

“It is a wonderful occasion for us to gather,” Father Chris said.

He thanked everyone who gathered at the Mystical Rose Oratory on Wednesday “as we celebrate the Marianist founders, we celebrate our Heritage Award winners, we celebrate the mission and charism that we have inherited from our founders and are privileged to carry forward in our faith.”