Chaminade University of Honolulu

Press Release

Chaminade University Names Pamela Smith as Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions

Dr. Pamela Smith (Associate Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions)

Chaminade University has named Pamela D. Smith, EdD, APRN-Rx, FNP-BC, as Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. She will lead Chaminade’s Community and Public Health program and the planned Doctorate of Nursing Practice* (DNP) program. The DNP program was developed in response to student demand for health-related professional degrees and will help nurses advance their careers.

“We are pleased to welcome Pamela to our Silverswords ‘ohana,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, President of Chaminade University. “Her extensive expertise and diverse background will prove invaluable to our students working toward careers in the health care.”

Smith brings more than 20 years of nursing, health sciences, and administrative experience to the position. Most recently, she served as chief nursing administrator, chair of Nursing Department at Hawai‘i Pacific University. She also held a number of other positions within the university, including family nurse practitioner coordinator, director of clinical facilities, faculty, and associate chief nurse administrator. She has worked as a nurse practitioner at various clinics and hospitals on O‘ahu in primary care and surgical practice.

Active in professional and community organizations, Smith serves in the Hawai‘i Medical Reserve Corp to assist with COVID response and vaccine administration. She also serves on state-wide committees and task forces with the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing.

Smith received her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New England; Master of Science in Nursing from Hawai‘i Pacific University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University; and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University.

Chaminade University’s School of Nursing and Health Professions offers a variety of learning opportunities. The curriculum of both the nursing program as well as the community and public health program prepares students for the unique challenges they’ll face in the healthcare sector, with hands-on preparation, state-of-art tools, and a robust mentorship component. For more information, visit chaminade.edu/nursing-health-professions/.

* Chaminade’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is pending WSCUC approval

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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 Receives Grant in Support of Distance Learning

Chaminade University of Honolulu recently received a $20,000 grant from the G. N. Wilcox Trust, Bank of Hawaii, Trustee to provide educational technology packages to high-need students. The packages will include a laptop computer, headphones with a microphone, and an external flash drive for secure data storage.

“This generous grant from G. N. Wilcox Trust will help us meet some of our students’ critical technology needs and allow for continued student success,” said Dr. Helen Turner, Chaminade’s Vice President for Strategy and Innovation. “Even as face-to-face classes have resumed, ensuring our students have the proper equipment will provide resiliency against future lockdowns, and provide for those students who have elected to stay online because they or their family members have compromised immune systems.”

Across the nation, the transition to distance education in response to COVID-19 has exposed a digital divide. The Technology Package program reflects Chaminade’s continuing mission to serve low income students with an exceptional college education.

G. N. Wilcox Trust provides support for programs that better the lives of individuals and families in Hawai‘i. It was created by George Norton Wilcox, who began his career growing sugar at Hanalei, Kauai in 1863 and later became owner of Grove Farm plantation. He also served as a representative for Kauai from 1887 until annexation of the Islands in 1898. As a philanthropist, Wilcox’s interests centered largely around religious and educational work and expanded to include arts & culture, community, environment, health and human services.

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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 Grant from Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation

Chaminade University of Honolulu has received a $15,000 grant from the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation to support its Performing Arts Program. The grant will provide professional music training to Performing Arts students participating in Chaminade University’s annual Summer Theatre Festival.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation for this generous donation,” said Chris Patrinos, the new director of Chaminade’s Performing Arts Program. “Though the future for performing arts is uncertain, we are still hoping to hold a festival in the summer of 2021. This gift will allow us to offer the best possible musical support for the student performers and help us to bring first-rate theatre performances to Hawai‘i audiences.”

Chaminade’s Summer Theatre Festival began four years ago to give college students from Hawaiʻi an opportunity to participate in performing arts during the summer. The 2020 festival was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation was founded in 1967 by talented opera singer, Mae Orvis. Mae created the foundation in memory of her husband, financier and philanthropist, Arthur. The two loved the arts very much, and were each great supporters of the arts in Hawai‘i. Their legacy of generosity lives on through their Foundation.

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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.

Vice President and Dean Receives National Award for Outstanding Performance

Allison Jerome, Chaminade University Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students, has received the Region VI Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean/Vice President from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

Allison Jerome, VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Named for NASPA’s founding Chair of the Board of Directors and former dean of men at the University of Wisconsin, the Scott Goodnight Award recognizes sustained professional achievement in student affairs work, innovative response in meeting students’ needs, effectiveness in developing staff, and leadership in community and college or university affairs. The recipient is also someone who has earned stature among and support of students, faculty, and fellow administrators on campus, and made a significant contribution to the field through publications or involvement in professional associations.

“Allison is incredibly deserving of this award for her contributions to our school, our community, and most importantly, our students,” said Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington. “She is well respected by everyone, including her peers.”

With more than 20 years of higher education administration experience, Jerome joined Chaminade University as a Program Counselor in 2004. She has held a number of student-facing positions, including Director, Academic Achievement Program; Associate Dean of Students; and Director of Retention, Advising and Career Preparation. She was named Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students in 2016. 

Jerome will also serve as a NASPA mentor to one of two Chaminade students who were accepted into the 2020-2021 class of NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program. The highly competitive fellowship gives students from traditionally underrepresented and historically disenfranchised communities a chance to learn more about careers in student affairs and higher education.
Each year, NASPA recognizes the outstanding contributions of members who are transforming higher education through exceptional programs, innovative services, and effective administration. 

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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 Appoints Dr. Asoke Datta as Assistant Dean

Chaminade University has named alumnus Asoke Datta, Ed.D., as the new Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Communication. Working closely with the Dean, he will assess, develop and implement systems, processes and organizational changes and provide leadership to further the University’s mission.

Dr. Asoke Datta, assistant dean of the School of Business and Communication

“We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Datta to our Chaminade ‘ohana,” said Chaminade University President Dr. Lynn Babington. “He has incredible experience in serving the students and youth of Hawai‘i, and we are confident that his leadership will prove invaluable in identifying and nurturing new opportunities for our students and programs.”

With nearly 20 years of experience, Datta most recently served as Assistant Dean of the College of Business at Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU). Prior to that, he held a number of other positions at HPU, including Assistant Dean of Distance Education, Off Campus Programs and Assistant Dean of Academics, Military Campus Programs. Datta began his career in education at Chaminade University, where he served as Records Specialist in the Office of the Registrar and as Program Coordinator & Academic Advisor for the Accelerated Undergraduate Program.

Datta received his bachelor’s degree in History from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Chaminade University, and his education doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California.

For more information on Chaminade University’s School of Business and Communication, visit chaminade.edu/business-and-communication.

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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.

Fryxell Named Faculty Athletics Representative

HONOLULU – Chaminade University Athletics announced Friday the appointment of Dale Fryxell, Ph.D., as the new Faculty Athletics Representative. He will serve as the liaison between the faculty and athletics department and will report directly to Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington to ensure academic integrity and the welfare of student-athletes.

Dr. Dale Fryxell, Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

A member of the Chaminade faculty for over 25 years, Fryxell, a psychology professor, is in his sixth year as the Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. He was previously the Dean of Education before the department merged with the School of Behavioral Science a few years ago. He teaches a sports psychology course for those who are interested in coaching or other aspects of athletics and exercise.

Fryxell participated in football, basketball and track & field in high school and earned an athletic scholarship as a freshman pole-vaulter at Augustana College. He has also coached in many youth leagues in football, basketball, baseball and soccer.

An avid sports fan, Fryxell has attended many Silverswords’ sporting events over the years and knows first-hand the experience of being a parent of a ‘Swords student-athlete; his daughter, Kelli, was a member of the women’s soccer team from 2015 to ’17. He was also on the faculty/staff basketball team which defeated several student squads en-route to the Chaminade 3-on-3 intramural championship in 2018.

Fryxell earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota, Master’s degree at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Hawai’i Manoa, the latter where he also earned his Ph.D.

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Media Contact:
Kevin Hashiro
Sports Information Director, Chaminade University of Honolulu
[email protected]
808-739-8579 (o)