Chaminade University of Honolulu

Featured Story

Professor Receives Prestigious Grant from U.S. Department of Education

Eva Washburn-Repollo, School of Business and Communication

Chaminade University Associate Professor Eva Washburn-Repollo, Ph.D. has received a prestigious $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The short-term seminar grant from the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program will support Washburn-Repollo’s research into the development of foreign language acquisition skills and aid in the advancement of culture-based teaching curriculum.

As Associate Professor of Communication, Washburn-Repollo’s expertise is in the fields of language, identity and multiculturalism. The funding will allow her to examine the effectiveness of language immersion and build lesson plans that utilize culture-based learning techniques. The study-abroad grant will also bring ten (10) K-12 teachers and graduate students to the Visayas for six weeks.

“Analyzing language within the framework of natural resource management will allow us to gain valuable insight into the connection between the language and culture,” said Washburn-Repollo. “By learning through storytelling, visual arts, and performance as pedagogical tools, we will be able to bring that knowledge back to our respective institutions and deepen our students’ connection with the language.”

The award will also be used to develop innovative teaching approaches that will foster active learning through the use of creative hands-on, tactile, and kinesthetic experiences in K-12 and undergraduate classrooms. Additionally, participants will produce lesson plans for learning indigenous languages and disseminate their lesson plans to a wider audience. The grant will cover 100 percent of the project’s expenses.

Through these activities, Professor Washburn-Repollo hopes to further the development of language acquisition teaching plans as well as increase interest in the study of indigenous cultures.

Added Professor Washburn-Repollo, “I am incredibly honored to accept this award. It is an exciting time for us here at Chaminade University as we begin to implement some significant transformative changes in the Communication field. I truly believe that our research in the field of language acquisition will play a vital role in encouraging students to learn a new language, bridge differences between cultures, and utilize indigenous wisdom to develop greater technology for sustainability.”

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United States by providing training opportunities for faculty, teachers, and upperclassmen and/or graduate students in foreign countries where the United States has diplomatic representation. 

# # #

Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society.

Chaminade University Receives $100,000 Grant

Chaminade University of Honolulu recently received a $100,000 grant from the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation for student scholarships. The grant will be split to fund Chaminade’s Legacy Scholarship and the STEM and Nursing Scholarship for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

The Legacy Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and are in financial need. The STEM and Nursing Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students studying any Bachelor of Science or Nursing degrees. Both scholarships are given to full-time undergraduate students who are residents of Hawaii and demonstrate leadership qualities and innovative skills.

The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation has provided funding for student scholarships to Chaminade University since 2014. The Foundation was established in 1993 by entrepreneurs Mamoru and Aiko Takitani, founders of Hawaiian Host, to assist the youth of Hawaii with their goals. Since its establishment, the Foundation has donated 2.3 million dollars in scholarships and provided educational opportunities to students in Hawaii.

For more on scholarships and financial aid, visit chaminade.edu/financial-aid.

# # #

Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society. For more information, visit chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Receives $10,000 Grant from ABC Stores

Chaminade University of Honolulu recently received a $10,000 grant from ABC Stores to fund its “I Am a Scientist” (IAS) Mobile STEM Outreach Program. The program provides hands-on science modules for elementary schools in Hawai’i to create equal access to quality science education and to introduce STEM skills to young students.

I am a scientist

Chaminade’s IAS program is operated by practicing research scientists who bring professional science equipment and supplies to local schools. Topics covered include health science, biology, forensic science, and environmental science. The program is meant to instill a lifelong interest in science starting at an early age. Since the COVID shut down, IAS has been offered via Instagram and new distance learning protocols are being put into place.

“We’re extremely grateful to ABC Stores for this generous grant that will allow us to continue offering our ‘I Am a Scientist’ program free to Hawaii DOE schools,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “The program offers grade-level science experiments to only inspire the scientists of tomorrow but also teach them valuable lessons.”

A broader initiative of the Chaminade’s Division of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, the “I Am a Scientist” program also hosts community events throughout the year and invites schools to Chaminade’s campus so students gain an understanding of an undergraduate science student’s experience.

For more information on Chaminade’s “I Am a Scientist” program, visit iamascientiststem.org. 

# # #

Chaminade University of Honolulu provides a collaborative and innovative learning environment that prepares graduate and undergraduate students for life, service and successful careers. Established in 1955, the university is guided by its Catholic, Marianist and liberal arts educational traditions, which include a commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian population. Chaminade offers an inclusive setting where students, faculty and staff collectively pursue a more just and peaceful society. For more information, visit chaminade.edu.

PacWest Postpones Fall Sports Until 2021

Due to the concerns arising from all the challenges surrounding COVID-19, the PacWest Executive Board voted unanimously Thursday to postpone intercollegiate competition in PacWest fall sports until after January 1, 2021. PacWest fall sports include men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. The action was taken due to rapidly changing information and guidelines from the NCAA, as well as the states, counties, and areas where the 11 PacWest institutions compete.

While this decision postpones fall 2020 sports competition, institutions will still be allowed to conduct organized team activities at their own discretion, including workouts, practices, strength and conditioning, and access to their athletic training staff, as local, county, and state guidelines permit. Options for moving fall sport schedules into the winter/spring are being developed and reviewed.

“Chaminade University and its partner institutions in the PacWest Conference did not make the decision to postpone the fall season lightly and understand it is very disappointing news to our student-athletes,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “We know how important athletics are in the lives of our students and so we appreciate their continued resilience and flexibility as we navigate this crisis together.

“By delaying the upcoming PacWest season, we are making a difficult but appropriate choice that prioritizes the health and safety of our communities. Chaminade joins our conference partners in looking ahead to the resumption of competition soon.”

“This was not an easy decision for the PacWest Executive Board,” said Chaminade Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Buning. “However, the main concern was keeping our student-athletes safe with so much uncertainty that COVID-19 has created. While we are saddened that we can’t see our fall sport student-athletes suit up, we look forward to having them return to competition in the new year.

“With the decision to delay fall sports, our student-athletes have the chance to ensure a strong start to the academic year,” he continued. “I share our coaches’ optimism that this is a unique occasion to emphasize strength and conditioning, individual and team skills, and building team camaraderie. To ensure that we provide the best possible experience for our Silversword student-athletes, we can tailor our preseason preparation to ensure that our teams are exceptionally prepared to compete when their season starts.” A decision on the start of the 2020-21 winter sports season, as well as the non-championship segments of spring sports, is expected to be made by October 1.

Important Travel Update for Out-Of-State Students

Following discussions with Chaminade University and other institutions of higher learning in Hawaii, Governor David Ige has announced special modifications to the State’s 14-day quarantine for out-of-state college students registered for classes this fall.

The modifications, coupled with strong safety protocols, are meant to protect the broader community while recognizing the importance of student participation in their own learning―and in university activities at the beginning of term.

“At Chaminade, we have worked hard to institute a host of protocols aimed at protecting our campus and community from the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, Chaminade president. “These quarantine modifications balance the needs of our incoming out-of-state students with the appropriate safety concerns of the Ige administration, and we are happy to offer them to our students this fall.”

Details of the modified quarantine for out-of-state students have just been finalized and include allowing out-of-state students who have tested negative for COVID-19 to adhere to a “bubble” quarantine within the university community―releasing them to participate in classes and safe university-sanctioned activities―rather than a strict lockdown. When students in the “bubble” quarantine program are not participating in university activities, they must remain in their places of residence.

No family members will be eligible for “bubble” quarantine modifications. This means that family members traveling with the student will need to adhere to the State’s mandatory 14-day quarantine.

This program, exclusively for university students in Hawaii, will work in parallel with the State’s mandates for face coverings and social distancing. It is also coupled with the university’s existing daily health screenings and evolving guidelines to protect our campus community.

There are three scenarios for the modified quarantine. Please understand this continues to be a dynamic situation, and parameters from State leadership are continually evolving. The university will continue to communicate the latest updates via email and on the COVID-19 section of the university website.

  • Category A (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED): Student has obtained a negative result for pre-travel COVID-19 test taken with 72 hours of travel to Hawaii. All students in this category will be required to provide a written attestation to several health- and exposure-related questions. Students who return a positive test result must contact the university for additional assistance and full quarantine procedures. (The COVID-19 test must be a nucleic acid amplification test or NAAT test conducted at a CLIA-certified laboratory per the State of Hawaii’s mandate.)
  • Category B: Student is awaiting COVID-19 test result (after arrival in Hawaii). Students in this category will report directly to their intended place of residence and enter the State’s 14-day mandatory quarantine. A negative result (during the 14-day quarantine) will allow students to break quarantine to attend university events with proof of University Modified Quarantine Approval. Students who return a positive result will be assisted by the university with full quarantine procedures and requested health-related support.     
  • Category C: Student does not have State-approved COVID-19 testing available in their area (outside the State of Hawaii). Please email [email protected] immediately for support and further assistance with possible testing options in your area.

STUDENTS: Please complete this form today to express your interest in qualifying for this modified quarantine program.

The announcement of the quarantine modifications for out-of-state students comes as Chaminade prepares to welcome undergraduate students to campus on August 24.

As part of safely reopening campus, the university’s COVID-19 task force has re-spaced learning areas and classrooms to ensure social distancing guidelines can be followed. Signage is also posted across campus to remind everyone of the importance of face coverings, maintaining a six-foot distance from others and regularly washing hands. In addition, the university is conducting regular health screenings and has installed contactless temperature stations throughout campus.

For the latest on Chaminade’s coronavirus response, go to chaminade.edu/coronavirus.
For questions concerning the modified quarantine program, please contact Stari Nakano, Assistant to the Dean of Students, at 808-735-4710 or [email protected].

Dr. Thomas Buning Named Chaminade’s Athletic Director

Following an extensive nationwide search, Chaminade University is proud to introduce Dr. Thomas Buning as its new athletic director.

Dr. Thomas Buning

Buning previously served as senior associate director of athletics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and brings more than two decades of experience in NCAA Division I and Division II athletics.

He also brings a passion for the job—and for the Marianist values Chaminade instills in students.

Buning is excited to hit the ground running—understanding the unique needs of Chaminade’s athletics program, today and into the future. He steps into the role at a pivotal time for Silversword athletics and as the university continues to look for new ways to support our student-athletes.

With his personable leadership style, Buning will head up a program with 10 NCAA men’s and women’s athletic teams and over 140 student-athletes, building new strategic direction in concert with the university’s priorities.

His business acumen and strong managerial background make him uniquely positioned to focus on fundraising and long-term budget planning for the athletics program.

Buning recently completed his Doctor of Education in Leadership of Higher Education at Southern Methodist University, where he also earned a Master of Business Administration.

He also has a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the US Military Academy West Point.

At Southern Methodist University, Buning helped lead an athletic program with 150 staff and coaches and an annual budget for $55 million.

Previously, he served as director of athletics at University of North Dakota.

Before joining Chaminade, Buning was a senior partner and managing director at a privately held mergers and acquisitions business brokerage services advisory firm.

While he excelled at the work, Buning said it made him realize his real passion is in athletics.

Buning is set to start at Chaminade in July. Please join us in welcoming him onboard!