Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Silverswords Recount ‘Joy’ of Youth Pilgrimage

Surreal.

That’s how four Chaminade University students described their recent trip to Rome for the Jubilee of Young People, a global Catholic pilgrimage meant to break down bridges and spotlight the power of unity, service and hope. More than one million youth participated, celebrating Mass with Pope Leo XIV, participating in volunteer activities, and gathering for concerts and vigils.

“I was just filled with gratitude for having the opportunity to be there,” said Julia Durocher ’28, who is studying biochemistry at Chaminade. “It was such a beautiful thing to be there with young adults. It gave me hope that the Catholic Church is being brought into the next generation.”

Durocher was selected to participate in the Chaminade contingent along with her brother, Anthony ’26, Sophia Terry ’28, and Olivia Jensen ’27. Also in attendance were students from fellow U.S. Marianist institutions—the University of Dayton in Ohio and St. Mary’s University in Texas.

Anthony Durocher said the Rome trip was full of “pinch me” moments. Like when he and the other Silverswords joined tens of thousands of young pilgrims from around the globe to parade in the streets of Rome. “There was so much energy and everyone was so alive,” Durocher said.

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The Jubilee of Young People, from July 28 to August 3, coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope designated by Pope Francis. The Vatican said more than one million youth convened for the celebration, which closed with a huge, open-air Mass at Rome’s University of Tor Vergata.

Pope Leo XIV presided over the Mass, calling on young people to embrace peace. “My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible,” he told celebrants. A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.”

Terry said that message resonated with her.

She was especially grateful to form close bonds with her fellow Chaminade pilgrims. “The trip meant so much to me because I was truly able to embrace my faith with those of differing cultures and getting to express our love of God together was truly inspiring,” she said.

Even months later, Terry added, “The impact of this pilgrimage has brought me a spark like no other, whenever I’m in a tough spot I remember how truly supported I am by God and by those around me. The trip was so beautifully impactful on each and every person that went.”

Jensen, who is pursuing a degree in historical and political studies, said one moment from the pilgrimage that she will always cherish is kneeling during a large-scale eucharistic adoration at Tor Vergata right along with Pope Leo XIV and hundreds of thousands of youth from across the globe.

“Seeing the Holy Father kneeling in unison with me was eye-opening,” Jensen said.

“It reminded me that he is human just as I am, and that I too have the same opportunity to pursue holiness in my lifetime. As I looked around, I saw one million other Catholics in silent reverence, all kneeling before the presence of our Lord.

“I felt overwhelmed by the presence of the lord and by the sheer universality of the Church. It did not matter whether someone came from Hawaii, Ukraine, Spain, or Colombia. We were all united together under the one Catholic Church.”

Jensen added that the trip to Rome recharged her—and her faith. But she also realized on reflection that there was no need to travel to Rome to feel that way. “We can find hope in our communities, in prayer, and in the faces of those closest to us,” she said.

The pilgrimage was Julia Durocher’s first trip overseas.

For her, one major highlight was hearing fellow pilgrims recite the Lord’s Prayer in their own languages.

“That was something that I will never forget,” she said, adding that she could feel Jesus’ presence everywhere she went in Rome. “I felt Jesus was calling me to bring what I experienced in Rome back to my home,” she said. “To be an instrument of His love and kindness to others.”

Her brother, Anthony, said the joy he felt—and saw—during the pilgrimage still buoys him.

“On a bad day or during a sad time or if I’m not feeling very grateful, I just look back at my memories of Rome,” he said. “There was joy on so many people’s faces. People from Ukraine, from Russia, coming from poverty, they came together and they had joy.”

Chaminade to Offer Free FAFSA Workshops

Chaminade University will offer a series of free financial aid workshops next month at various high schools on Oahu to assist Hawai‘i students and their families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Completing the FAFSA is a critical step in securing financial aid for college or graduate school and in determining eligibility for federal, state, and institutional funding.

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Workshop participants will receive guided support to complete their applications from Chaminade’s financial aid counselors.

The FAFSA for the 2025–2026 school year was released earlier this month, returning to its usual schedule after a delayed launch in 2024 due to a major form overhaul.

With the application process now back on track, Chaminade is making it easier for families by providing in-person assistance. The workshops are open to all Hawai‘i students and their families.

Workshops will be held at the following locations:

• November 3 from 6:30 p.m. at Calvery Chapel Christian School
• November 4 from 5:30 p.m. at Assets High School
• November 5 from 5:30 pm. at Radford High School


“These off-campus workshops reflect our commitment to serving Hawai‘i’s communities and ensuring that all students have access to the support they need,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “By bringing these resources directly to families, we’re removing barriers and helping them navigate what can be a confusing and overwhelming process.”

In addition to offering FAFSA support, Chaminade continues to expand financial opportunities for local students. Through the Hawai‘i Guarantee, the University matches Hawaii’s flagship tuition for all qualified residents. Chaminade also increased merit-based scholarships this year to help offset tuition expenses for all undergraduate students, reaffirming its commitment to affordability and access.

To learn more about Chaminade University’s financial program, click here.

Entrepreneur Seeks to Inspire Tomorrow’s Leaders

Connie Kramer, MBA ’24, EdD ’28 craves new projects—and her resume proves it.

For more than two decades, she worked in the fast-paced world of media production, film and television before launching her own event planning company, collaborating with local businesses to put together high-end destination weddings, corporate and nonprofit events.

She took her company far and then, as a young mother, sold it to return to marketing and a more predictable work schedule. In 2013, she landed a role as director of sales and marketing at a Hawaii hotel chain—a position she held until 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was an unexpected departure.

But it gave Kramer a chance to do what she does best: Find a new challenge to take on. “Getting a master’s degree was always in the back of my mind,” she said. “And then the opportunity came up.”

She enrolled in the Professional MBA program at Chaminade, a year-long program designed for experienced professionals that includes online and in-person instruction and an international study trip. Kramer said she was nervous about going back to school, but quickly found her Chaminade classes were a perfect fit.

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“The classes really pulled from real-world case studies,” Kramer said. “That allowed me to bring my own experiences while broadening my leadership skills. That was one of the big sellers for me.”

Kramer said she not only enjoyed learning from her professors, but collaborating with her classmates. She was also challenged to think about the next steps in her career. “I thought I was going to use the MBA for director-ship roles,” she said. “But the faculty at Chaminade inspired me by making learning relevant in the classroom. I realized I wanted to give back through education.”

Kramer said she realized that she had trained teammates throughout her business career.

Why not, she asked herself, use her skills to prepare the next generation of leaders?

That’s why Kramer now finds herself pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change at Chaminade. She started her first doctoral classes in July, while also tackling a lectureship role at the University. Her ultimate goal is to become a professor.

“I never thought this would be something that would be on my radar,” she said. “But because of the warm relationships I’ve established with my professors at Chaminade and joining the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, it’s inspired me to pursue this new passion.”

At the same time, Kramer is still juggling other roles, including as an entrepreneur.

Coming from a family of avid golfers, she started a business selling fun plush golf covers with Hawaii themes. Golf Plush Paradise sells almost exclusively online, but Kramer also makes time to get to a few fairs and markets as she’s looking to build the brand.

“There’s so much golfing in Hawaii, but these speak to the female golfer like me,” she said.

At the same time, Kramer is looking to expand her volunteer work. She said while her resume reflects a diverse set of skills, at the core of all of her work has been a desire to give back.

A Summer Spent ‘Walking the Halls of Congress’

Easton DelaCruz ’26 dreams of serving others in public office.

So you can imagine just how excited DelaCruz was when, over the summer, he found himself in U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Washington, D.C. office, speaking to the politician himself.

“Throughout the whole meeting, I was kind of fangirling,” DelaCruz quips.

DelaCruz was in the nation’s capital after being selected as an intern for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. He worked under U.S. Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, who represents DelaCruz’s home of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

As an aspiring politician, DelaCruz said the experience was transformative.

“I’m a 20-year-old from CNMI and I’m walking the halls of Congress,” he said.

“Being able to step foot in the capital and actually work to get stuff done for the people, it’s just a big honor. Attending all the committee hearings and briefings, they were so eye-opening.”

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During that meeting with the House speaker, Johnson turned to DelaCruz as part of a conversation about creating opportunities for young people and asked why he decided to leave the CNMI. His answer: “To get more experience, bring it home and share it with my community.”

DelaCruz, who is from Saipan, says his work at Chaminade is a big part of that experience building.

The Communication major hopes to bring new solutions to the CNMI. The U.S. territory is struggling economically amid a tourism decline and, DelaCruz says, jobs are difficult to find.

In studying at Chaminade, DelaCruz was following in the footsteps of his mother and sister.

His mom, Elaine, holds a Psychology degree from Chaminade along with a master’s of science in counseling psychology (2003) and a Doctor of Education (2024). His sister, Victoria DelaCruz ’24, studied Data Science at Chaminade and now works at nonprofit Aloha Harvest in Honolulu.

Easton DelaCruz ’26 got the opportunity to sit down with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson during a summer internship in the nation’s capital. The aspiring politician joked the experience had him “fangirling.”

DelaCruz says what he appreciates most about Chaminade is its family-oriented atmosphere.

“I’m a pretty social person, but it’s difficult sometimes,” he said. “Being here at Chaminade, you see the same faces every day and you start to talk story. It allows you to get out of your shell.”

At Chaminade, DelaCruz has also been able to take advantage of several once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. In May 2023, for example, he traveled to Los Angeles as part of a Marianist program to conduct community service at homeless shelters on Skid Row.

And then in October 2023, he was one of two Chaminade students selected to travel on a group pilgrimage to Israel. “I go to church every Sunday and they say all these different places in the Holy Land, and I was there,” he said. “We just went through all these sacred sites.”

This coming term, DelaCruz says he hopes to continue his growth as a leader.

One thing on his “to do” list: DelaCruz is trying to sharpen his Chamorro language skills.

He practices Saipan’s native tongue with other students at Chaminade from Guam or the CNMI, and tests his knowledge on his grandparents, who are fluent.

“They still laugh at my pronunciation,” DelaCruz said, “but then they correct me. That’s part of how I’m learning.”

Silverswords Kick Off New School Year

Chaminade kicked off its new academic year August 25, officially welcoming more than 600 new students for fall term—and welcoming back undergraduates from across day and online programs.

Jennifer Creech, Ed.D., Chaminade vice president for Enrollment Management and associate provost for Student Success, said the newest Silversword class shows Chaminade is maintaining strong enrollment numbers despite a highly competitive local and national market.

To prepare for the new school year, Chaminade welcomed new students and their families to campus on August 22 for informational sessions, a resource fair, campus tours and great food.

New Student Orientation began with a convocation symbolizing the launch of each student’s unique Chaminade journey. Following the gathering, faculty created a “cheer tunnel” for attendees. The day also included academic advising and financial aid information.

“New Student Orientation is where your Chaminade journey begins,” Creech said. “It is an introduction to campus, but it’s also your first chance to meet faculty, staff, and fellow students, explore resources and start living the values that shape the Chaminade community.”

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Creech added, “Being part of NSO helps you hit the ground running both in the classroom and beyond.”

The fun continued into the weekend with a shopping mall excursion and Diamond Head hike with Chaminade President Lynn Babington. Welcome Mass in Mystical Rose Oratory and Brunch with the Brothers at Hale Malia were both held and warmly received on the Sunday before the first day classes. There are also a series of “Welcome Week” activities planned for all students, including a popcorn party, picnic, and Waikiki beach trip.

For the full online event calendar, click here.

Finding Balance: A Future Psychologist’s Journey

Ryan Panzarella, PsyD ’26 credits his formative years for giving him an empathetic ear.

He grew up abroad, attending American schools in Europe and the United Arab Emirates, and believes his global experience and perspective have served him well as he prepares for a future in psychology. “I have always believed that our differences are our strengths,” he says.

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Panzarella is pursuing a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at Chaminade. The APA-accredited program is designed to prepare students for psychology practice, and stresses immersive learning and clinical experience. Panzarella has thrived under that model, tackling a number of hands-on internships at facilities in Hawaiʻi and Colorado.

Panzarella’s academic journey has been a circuitous one.

It started when he entered boot camp at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

After two years, Panzarella realized military life wasn’t his life’s path. So after a gap year, he enrolled at Berklee College in Boston, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music therapy and started pursuing a future in counseling and psychology. “The environment at Berklee better suited me since I was surrounded by students from different cultures,” Panzarella said.

As a music therapy major, Panzarella learned to connect, inspire and heal others through music.

Ryan Panzarella believes in open spaces to allow for dialogue.
Ryan Panzarella, PsyD ’26 says he found his passion in counseling psychology.

“Music strikes an emotional chord among people,” Panzarella said.

Panzarella’s first job after graduation wasn’t in music therapy, however. Instead, he moved back to the UAE, where he took a position as a project and general manager. He then returned to Seattle to land for a job with Comcast Business. He thought he was ready to settle down. He wasn’t.

Feeling unfulfilled, he quit his well-paying job, and decided to become a professional caretaker at an adult foster care home.

“I found the work rewarding.”

With the support of his parents, Roy and Jody Panzarella, he was able to enroll in the Clinical Psychology doctoral degree program at Chaminade. The PsyD program aims to educate and train students, employing a practitioner-scholar model so graduates succeed in the profession.

Panzarella’s dissertation is titled, “Narratives of Solitude and Belonging in the Age of Information,” and explores how the more connected we are online, the more isolated we become. “It’s a paradox,” he explained. “How do we as psychologists address that gap?”

Panzarella said Associate Professor Joy Tanji, Ph.D. has been a key mentor for his dissertation research. Tanji, meanwhile, praised Panzarella for making key connections through his research.

As he continues work on his degree, Panzarella has made what he hopes is a temporary move to Denver for a one-year internship at the Colorado Mental Health Institute. His goal is to return to the islands and open his own practice.

“I want to give back to the community, which has been instilled in me since I was young, even more so now that I have been at Chaminade,” he said.