Chaminade University of Honolulu

Press Release

Dr. Frederique Kandel Selected for Fellowship

Chaminade University Assistant Professor Frederique Kandel, PhD, has been selected for the 2020 Ronald M. Iwamoto Teaching Fellowship in Biology. Kandel is the first faculty member named to the program since its $50,000 endowment was established at the University in 2019.

Frederique Kandel

Kandel will hold the title of Iwamoto Fellow for two years. The endowment was established to honor Faculty Emeritus Ronald Iwamoto, biology faculty member at Chaminade University for 47 years. The Iwamoto Fellowship was aided by over 70 donors, many former students of Iwamoto. The funds from the Iwamoto Fellowship support professional development, including attendance at conferences, workshops, innovative curriculum development, or leadership in education training.

“Professor Emeritus Ron Iwamoto’s reputation as an inspiring and enthusiastic teacher remains much alive in our school,” said Kandel. “I am truly grateful and honored to receive this fellowship and look forward to starting the professional development program by attending the American Society of Microbiology conference for undergraduate educators. Mahalo nui loa to all involved.”

Applicants for the Iwamoto Fellowship must submit a strategic program of professional development with a defined set of goals for the two-year period. Many fellowships at universities across the United States are available for research activities, but it is rare to have a fellowship focused on the development of teaching and pedagogy.

Iwamoto Fellow candidates are nominated by the Dean of Natural Sciences at Chaminade University, and formally selected by a committee comprised of Chaminade University alumni, many of whom are healthcare professionals.

“Dr. Kandel is an extremely talented and dedicated biology professor who strives for excellence in her biology pedagogy and is very popular with our students,” said Gail Grabowsky PhD, Interim Dean of Natural Sciences at Chaminade University. “She strikes the perfect balance between empathy and compassion, and she teaches her students how to become accomplished and disciplined scientists. She was trained as a marine scientist but has such a broad breadth of scientific knowledge and experience that she is also currently the President-Elect of the Hawaii Branch of the American Society of Microbiology. Because of this fellowship Dr. Kandel will be able to do more and new wonderful things for our Chaminade biology students.”

Kandel has committed over 20 years to teaching biology, math, and science at the university and high school levels in diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. She teaches a range of topics at Chaminade University, from freshman biotechnology to human anatomy for nurses to a senior microbiology course and laboratory for biology students.

Her strategic program of professional development as an Iwamoto Fellow will be to attend the 2020 ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE) in Bellevue, Washington and the 2021 ASM Teaching Undergraduate Biology webinar series. Both events aim to enhance the quality of microbiology education. Upon completion of the webinar, attendees are also invited to participate in sessions at the 2021 ASMCUE and to submit a poster or demonstration. This opportunity will give Kandel the chance to share the innovative teaching techniques and experiences generated during the previous year.

The Iwamoto Fellowship is the first-ever fellowship of any kind at Chaminade University.

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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 Receives $25,000 Grant from First Hawaiian Bank

HONOLULU (January 30, 2020) – Chaminade University of Honolulu recently received a $25,000 grant from First Hawaiian Bank that will allow the university to remain current and be better positioned to train tomorrow’s teachers. The grant will be used to ensure Chaminade’s School of Education graduates teachers who are using best practices in place-based, deep learning.

First Hawaiian Bank presenting check to Chaminade University
Pictured left to right: Dr. Elizabeth Park, Chaminade University; Dr. Lynn Babington, Chaminade University; Donna Mendes, First Hawaiian Bank; and Dr. Katrina Roseler, Chaminade University

Place-based education encourages student agency and is situated within the context of the learners’ environment, allowing them opportunities to explore questions that are immediately relevant. In Hawai‘i, such an instructional approach provides a space to honor and highlight native/indigenous knowledge and skills in addition to addressing required state and national standards. It has been shown that learners who engage in place-based education are not only more engaged, but also demonstrate a deeper understanding of content. Teachers who embrace this style of teaching are also more likely to stay in the classroom.

Chaminade will collaborate with the Kupu Hou Academy, a teacher professional development program housed at Mid-Pacific Institute, to help translate and implement the place-based, deeper learning model in the university setting.

According to Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington, “This collaboration with Mid-Pacific Institute will transform Chaminade’s School of Education and ensure that it is graduating teachers who are using best practices in place-based, deep learning, and who are empowered to be innovative and creative in the classroom. The real beneficiaries will be Hawai‘i’s children, who will have access to an engaging, quality education.”

Chaminade’s School of Education offers six undergraduate degree programs and two master’s degree programs, supplying the second largest pool of teachers for the state.  For more information, visit www.chaminade.edu.

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About Chaminade UniversityChaminade 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 www.chaminade.edu.

Chaminade University Now Accepting Applications for Four-Year Scholarship Program

HONOLULU (January 23, 2020) – Chaminade University is now accepting applicants for its Ho‘oulu Scholarship program for Native Hawaiian students. Developed in partnership with Kamehameha Schools, the program was designed to grow the number of Native Hawaiians graduating with science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees.

The four-year scholarship is open to first-year and transfer applicants seeking degrees in Biology; Biochemistry; Chemistry; Data Science, Analytics and Visualization; Environmental Sciences; Environmental Studies; Forensic Sciences; and Nursing. The scholarship provides:

  • Full tuition (100 percent of tuition not to exceed the published amount) assistance for four years
  • Consideration for partial housing subsidy for on- or off-campus housing for neighbor island or rural students
  • Wraparound academic support services to promote on-time graduation
  • Participation in Chaminade’s four-year graduation guarantee
  • Access to post-graduate career paths via Chaminade’s suite of articulation agreements with medical and graduate schools
  • Paid internships for professional development
  • Financial support for career development activities, such as MCAT and GRE preparation

Now in its fifth year, the Ho‘oulu Scholarship gives preference to applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. To date, 125 students have received Ho‘oulu scholarships at Chaminade.

“We’re extremely proud of the Ho‘oulu program at Chaminade,” said President Dr. Lynn Babington. “Both our persistence and four-year graduation rates are close to 100 percent for these scholars, who not only receive financial aid but more importantly intensive wraparound academic support services to help them succeed.”
The application submission deadline is March 16, 2020. For an application, visit chaminade.edu/hooulu.

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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 Receives $40,000 Grant from the Freeman Foundation

HONOLULU (January 16, 2020) – For the seventh year in a row, Chaminade University has received $40,000 from the Freeman Foundation in support of its Hogan Entrepreneurial Program’s China Summer Study and Internship program. The innovative program provides Chaminade students with an immersive cultural learning experience to broaden their understanding of China and Chinese business practices.

“Thanks to the Freeman Foundation, Chaminade has been able to offer this enriching and transformative experience to our students over the last six years,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, President of Chaminade University. “The impact has been great for our students. After the experience, they come back to Hawai‘i stronger, more confident and with a deeper appreciation of and respect for the diverse cultures and people of China.”

The Hogan Entrepreneurial Program’s China Summer Study and Internship program combines guided tours and cultural visits with tangible work experiences with entrepreneurs in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau. The students are chaperoned by Dr. Caryn Callahan, Professor of Business, who is an expert in East Asian Studies. Through the experience, students become informed global citizens and better prepared for a world requiring a global perspective.

Chaminade University’s Hogan Entrepreneurship Program is a one- or two-year certificate program. Students learn first-hand from experienced Hawai‘i business leaders and entrepreneurs about the business of getting a new idea up and running. This involves academic coursework, mentorships and internships with business leaders, weekly lectures, study trips, and programs like the nonprofit business plan competition. For more information, visit chaminade.edu/hogan

The Freeman Foundation was established in 1994 through the bequest and in memory of the businessman and benefactor Mansfield Freeman, a co-founder of the American International Group, Inc. (AIG). This private and philanthropic foundation, based in Stowe, Vermont, is dedicated to augmenting international understanding between the United States and the nations of East Asia. It created the Undergraduate Asian Studies Funding Initiative to provide grants to numerous American colleges to strengthen and expand their Asian studies programs to increase access to Asian studies courses and to increase the number of students in the United States studying about Asia.

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About Chaminade University. 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 Introduces New Scholarships for Incoming Students

HONOLULU, HAWAII (December 2, 2019) – As part of its commitment to improve the community through education, Chaminade University has introduced new scholarships for incoming students. The University will award $5,000 scholarships to new students who wish to pursue master’s degrees or online bachelor’s degrees in eligible programs.

“The legacy of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade is one that embraces education as a way to change society and ensure a community of justice and reconciliation,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, President of Chaminade University. “These new scholarships will enable new students to contribute to the fabric of Hawaii in honor of our longstanding tradition and commitment to improve the communities in which we live and serve.”

The $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to new full-time students. Among the eligible master’s degrees are teaching, business administration, education, criminal justice administration, and pastoral theology. The scholarships for bachelor’s students are exclusively for online programs and span a wide range of majors.

To apply, applicants are asked to explain how they serve the community when completing their scholarship applications. The deadline to apply for Winter 2020 is December 20, 2019, and the deadline for Spring 2020 is March 20, 2020. The scholarship is available to new students only and cannot be combined with existing institutional partnerships or agreements.

In addition to expanding its incoming student scholarships, Chaminade University continues to provide a variety of other scholarships including many endowed awards for current students. This provides eligible students the opportunity for financial support beyond the first few terms and well into the completion of their program.

For more information, visit chaminade.edu.  

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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 $100,000 Challenge Gift

HONOLULU (APRIL 4, 2019) — Chaminade University received an anonymous challenge gift of $100,000 to support the new Silversword Training Center and Locker Rooms facility. The challenge gift was given to the university to galvanize interest and financial support for the first newly constructed building on Chaminade’s campus since 2012.    

“We are so grateful to our anonymous donor for this generous gift,” said Dr. Lynn Babington, president of Chaminade University. “We have already received several smaller matching gifts in response to this challenge.”

The Silversword Athletics Training Center and Locker Rooms facility was completed in March 2019. Its state-of-the-art locker rooms will include four locker rooms (two men’s and two women’s), a sports medicine room and a team film room, and it will have the capacity to host conference tournaments. It will be the first facility of its kind at the university, ensuring the sustainability and progress of the Silversword Athletics program. 

“This new locker room facility will support our student-athletes and will greatly enhance our program’s visibility and sustainability,” said William Villa, athletics director at Chaminade University. “Our student-athletes are extremely excited and appreciative of this beautiful facility. We are Chaminade on the rise!”

To learn more about how to make a matching gift in support of the Silversword Athletics Training Center and Locker Rooms, contact Diane Peters-Nguyen, vice president of the Office of Advancement at Chaminade, at (808) 735-4772 or email [email protected]. 

This gift is in support of the Bridges to the Future campaign, Chaminade’s most ambitious fundraising effort to date—raising $100 million by December 2018 to bridge past successes with future initiatives. The Bridges campaign supports students of the university in the following four ways: ensuring student access and support, advancing academic progress, building a richer campus life and renewing athletic traditions.

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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 aid package 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.