Chaminade University of Honolulu

Faculty

Dr. Fryxell Appointed Education Dean, Dr. Edelson Named Humanities and Fine Arts Interim Dean

Chaminade University President Lynn Babington recently made two key academic appointments by naming Dr. Dale Fryxell as Dean of Education and Dr. Cheryl Edelson as Interim Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Dale Fryxell, Dean of EducationDr. Fryxell, a former Faculty Senate president, teaches courses in Development Psychology, Career Counseling, Cross-Cultural Counseling and other topics. His research interests include: autism, violence prevention, positive behavioral supports and educational reform.

Prior to joining Chaminade, Dr. Fryxell worked for the Hawaii Department of Health’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. He also provided technical assistance to the Department of Education, Department of Human Services and other agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Fryxell earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Minnesota.

Cheryl Edelson, Interim Dean of Humanities and Fine ArtsDr. Edelson has won numerous awards and honors, including Chaminade’s 2013 Father John Bolin Excellence in Scholarship Award, and the 2010 President’s Award from the National Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association.

Courses she teaches include: Expository Writing, American Literature: 1940-Present, Literary Theory and Criticism, and Introduction to Motion Pictures.

Dr. Edelson earned a doctorate in English and bachelor’s in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside. She holds a master’s degree in English from the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Helen Turner Named as Chaminade’s Inaugural Vice President for Innovation

Dr. Helen TurnerChaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington has named Dr. Helen Turner, an internationally-regarded cellular immunology researcher, as the institution’s first Vice President for Innovation. The appointment is in addition to Dr. Turner’s responsibilities as Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

“Creating this new leadership role reflects Chaminade’s growth trajectory and commitment to providing cutting-edge academic and research programs that benefit our students, faculty and all the populations we serve,” Dr. Babington said. “Moreover, this appointment supports Hawaii’s critical transition to an innovation economy.”

Chaminade Board of Regents Chair Vaughn Vasconcellos describes Dr. Turner as a respected leader in the scientific and higher education communities with a “proven track record of innovation,” thus making her well qualified for the new position.

“Along with representing the campus on numerous scientific advisory boards, Dean Turner attracted grants and developed programs that placed Chaminade on the map for STEM education,” Vasconcellos pointed out. “She also helps students gain admission to prestigious graduate and health professional programs nationwide.”

In her new role, Dr. Turner said she’ll focus on “student readiness for the workplace, for leadership and for making contributions to their communities.”

“Our innovative programs and cutting-edge approaches draw on our deep faculty expertise,” Dr. Turner emphasized, “and will position our students to lead in Hawaii’s economic development.”

A biology professor, Dr. Turner conducts immunology research on pathologies such as asthma and eczema. She receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Defense, as well as private foundations.

Dr. Turner recently obtained a $1 million STEM education grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She also developed the $9.6 million Ho`oulu STEM Scholarship program with Kamehameha Schools.

Prior to joining Chaminade in 2007, Dr. Turner was an associate director at The Queen’s Center for Biomedical Research in Honolulu. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of London and performed post-doctoral work at Beth Israel Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.

Humanities Senior Lecturer Shares Marianist Values at International Conference on Buddhist Women

Marianist values of service, justice, peace and adaptation were shared by Sr. Malia Wong during an interfaith presentation at the 15th Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women. Held June 22-28 at the University of Hong Kong, the gathering drew more than 800 participants from 31 countries.

2017 Sakyadhita International ConferenceSr. Malia, a religious studies senior lecturer with Chaminade University’s Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, co-led a Christian-Buddhist dialogue entitled “Wisdom and Insight: Cross-cultural Perspectives.” She joined the Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Ph.D. in discussing how their respective religions help bring about a more peaceful society.

“My greatest takeaway is the joy of having been able to work with, serve and stand in solidarity with Buddhist nuns from around the world in educating for peace, dignity and social justice,” Sr. Malia said.

2017 Sakyadhita International ConferenceSr. Malia, who attended the event through a Chaminade faculty development award, helped create a photo collage that served as the formal conference video.

Sakyadhita (Daughters of the Buddha) is a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the spiritual and secular welfare of women, while promoting harmony among the Buddhist traditions and other religions.

The School of Humanities, Arts & Design offers undergraduate programs in Religious Studies, English, Environmental + Interior Design, Historical and Political Studies, Humanities, International Studies and Social Studies. The division also offers a Master of Theology degree with specialized certificate programs in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction, and in Permanent Diaconate Education for future permanent deacons in the Roman Catholic Church.

Marianist Institutions Celebrate Approval of Beatification for Venerable Mother Adele

Chaminade University and other Marianist institutions around the world are celebrating the announcement that Pope Francis has approved the beatification of Venerable Mother Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon.

Known for her devotion to the poor, Venerable Adele founded the Marianist Sisters religious congregation – also known as the Daughters of Mary Immaculate – two centuries ago in Agen, France.

Blessed Mother Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon
Blessed Mother Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon

When her beatification ceremony occurs next year, Venerable Adele will be officially declared “Blessed,” as was Marianist founder William Joseph Chaminade in 2000.

The beatification of Venerable Adele means “anything she said or taught becomes part of the Christian message,” points out Father Paul Fitzpatrick, an associate professor with Chaminade’s Division of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Pope Francis signed the Decree of Beatification on May 4 following confirmation of a miraculous cure attributed to the intercession of Venerable Adele. This healing of Sister Michela Messina, a missionary with the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, occurred in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Novara in northwest Italy.

For the Pope to canonize Venerable Adele as a saint, another confirmed miracle – one that cannot be explained by science or medicine – would be required.

Born in 1789 in southwestern France, Venerable Adele as a teenager formed an association of women and local priests who supported each other in leading Christian lives. With the guidance of Blessed Chaminade, this association evolved into the Marianist Sisters.

Venerable Adele remained active with the religious order until her death in 1828 at the age of 38.

Business Education Accreditation Council Honors Kido with ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’

In recognition of his “meaningful and significant contributions to student learning in a way that advances academic quality in business education,” Chaminade University Associate Professor of Accounting Richard Kido recently received the 2017 “Excellence in Teaching Award.”

The honor was conferred by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) at its annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

IACBE, which accredited Chaminade’s Accounting Program in April 2017, promotes excellence in business education worldwide. The council has accredited more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America and South America.

“Hundreds of people are deserving of this award,” Kido says, “so I feel lucky to receive it. This is not an individual award. It’s a team award and department award for our School of Business and Communication. It’s a reflection of the quality of our Chaminade faculty as a whole.”

When IACBE representatives visited campus as part of the accreditation process, Kido worked closely with the site team. Based on interviews with accounting students and alumni who praised Kido’s teaching methods and commitment to service learning, IACBE nominated him for the prestigious award.

Kido teaches a wide range of courses at Chaminade, including accounting and nonprofit accounting. Prior to entering academia in 2002, he served as a chief financial officer in the savings and loan, real estate development and hospitality industries. He also operated his own accounting and financial consulting firm.

Kido earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University.

It’s ‘Aloha’ to Chaminade for Bro. Brandon Alana as He Pursues Master’s Degree at University of Dayton

After tending to the spiritual needs of Chaminade University students for the past five years, Bro. Brandon Alana, SM, is becoming a student himself. He’s departing Hawaii and his pastoral campus minister assignment to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Dayton, one of Chaminade’s sister schools.

Bro. Brandon Alana“I’m going to miss how we do Family Spirit on our campus with that aloha flare,” says Bro. Alana, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at Chaminade in 2004. He’ll also miss the culture, food and familiarity of Hawaii, where he lived until age 11 before moving to American Samoa with his family.

Looking back at his Chaminade tenure, one of Bro. Alana’s fondest memories occurred in 2012, shortly after becoming campus minister at his alma mater.

Mother Marianne Cope, who treated Hansen’s Disease sufferers on Molokai during the late 1800s, was being canonized by Pope Benedict XVI. To mark the momentous occasion, Bro. Alana organized a prayer service of thanksgiving that honored Saint Marianne’s devotion to the infirmed.

“This eventually became the Blessing of Health Care Professionals – the Blessing of Hands – we have today,” Bro. Alana says.

Looking further back to his Chaminade undergraduate days, Bro. Alana says his commitment to the Catholic Church was greatly strengthened by serving as an intern at Campus Ministry and later as a retreat minister.

Maimoa Fineisaloi and Bro. Brandon Alana
Maimoa Fineisaloi & Bro. Brandon Alana at Crunch Brunch

“In a sense, it really was in college that I took ownership of my faith,” Bro. Alana recalls. “I became involved in Campus Ministry because they helped me in my effort to be more mature in my faith.”

Directing Campus Ministry at that time was a Marianist Brother who hosted prayer meetings in his Hale Pohaku apartment. These gatherings had a “deep impact” on Bro. Alana.

“Up until this point, my faith life was simply a private matter that wasn’t necessarily shared,” Bro. Alana says. “The prayer community encouraged us to share our faith with each other.”

Upon graduating from Chaminade, Bro. Alana joined the Marianist Brothers and volunteered at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. He later worked in the rector’s office at the University of Dayton before being named minister for spiritual development at St. Mary’s.

Two years later he found his way back to Chaminade as campus minister for the Silverswords.

Looking to the future, Bro. Alana doesn’t know where his spiritual journey will lead him after earning his master’s in pastoral ministry at the University of Dayton. What is certain, however, is his continued dedication to the Society of Mary.

“Of course, returning to Hawaii would be awesome,” he says. “But I remain open to wherever God sends me.”