Chaminade University of Honolulu

Students

New Silverswords: Chaminade Welcomes Class of 2021, Transfer Students to Campus

Chaminade University enthusiastically welcomed 214 first-year students and 123 transfer students to campus prior to the start of fall classes on Monday, August 28. The 2017-18 academic year starts later at Chaminade than at most other Hawaii colleges and universities.

Among the orientation highlights for new students was a Sunday-morning hike to the summit of Diamond Head led by Dr. Lynn Babington, who began her tenure August 1 as Chaminade’s tenth President. More than 100 people took part in the strenuous climb, including many students and their families from the Neighbor Islands and Mainland cities.

Another highlight was the academic convocation held at the campus Mamiya Theatre. This traditional ceremony featured a procession of faculty to formally introduce students to their educational journey.

Other well-attended orientation activities included: trolley tours of Chaminade’s Kaimuki neighborhood, a mystery bus ride, a resource fair and social at Henry Hall with shave ice and a photo booth, and a colorful “Tastes of Hawaii” luau on the Sullivan Family Library lawn.

During a “Burgers with the Brothers” informal luncheon at Hale Malia, students and parents excitedly mingled with Chaminade’s Marianist community. Among those on hand were University Rector Bro. Ed Brink, S.M., and Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M., the recently appointed director of Campus Ministry.

Students also became acquainted with members of the Silversword women’s soccer team, who warmly greeted newcomers by helping them move into their Hale Lokelani campus apartments.

Chaminade’s Class of 2021 reinforces the University’s distinction as one of the most multicultural campuses in America. Student ethnicities include: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (40.2 percent), Asian (30.8 percent), Caucasian (10.7 percent), Hispanic/Latino (4.2 percent), African American (1.4 percent) and two or more races (5.1 percent).

The incoming class drew students from 17 states, three U.S. territories and two foreign countries. Notably, 43.9 percent of these freshmen are first-generation college students.

Students Gain Real-World Experience – and Empathy – Working on Cultural Center Project in Philippines

By helping design the layout and plan the budget for a cultural center in the Philippines, Chaminade University students acquired real-world experience benefiting their future careers while learning about the Filipino culture.

Leading this excursion to the island of Negros were Associate Professor Elizabeth Lockard, M.Arch, Ph.D. of Chaminade’s Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) program, and Assistant Professor of Accounting Aaron M. Williamson, Jr. from the School of Business and Communication.

Also assisting was Dr. Frederique Kandel, a biology lecturer with the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Kandel advised students on ocean-related issues impacting design considerations for the eco-friendly structure.

The construction project is the Pantawan Arts & Learning Center, which will facilitate cultural exchanges among local and international artists, educators, tourists and residents. The four-story building in the City of Bais will also provide creative and educational workshops for underprivileged Filipino students.

Design considerations included:
– Sensitivity to local culture and customs;
– Adherence to international building standards;
– Security precautions;
– Flexible spaces to accommodate numerous activities; and
– Natural ventilation to counter the tropical heat.

Spearheading the construction effort is Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo, a commissioner with the Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and Arts, along with her husband Curtis. Inspired by the foundation’s collaboration with public schools on Hawaii’s Art in Public Places – Artists in Residence initiative, the couple decided to introduce a similar program on Eva’s home island of Negros.

Reflecting on this educational and humanitarian outreach to the Philippines, Dr. Lockard said the trip was “transformative” for her Chaminade students. Not only did the undergraduates tackle advanced design challenges, she said they “developed a deeper cultural empathy through this process and learned to see the world differently.”

“The most authentic learning comes from working on a live project, and so this in itself has been an invaluable experience for the students,” Dr. Lockard said. “But also to provide a center for arts and learning that will serve a community in need shows how design can substantively contribute to quality of life and the betterment of society.”

According to E+ID student Gerlie Valdez, the most difficult aspect of the project was designing the building and interiors so they’re “sensitive and appropriate for the client and the location.”

“This is the first time we’ve ever done an international project,” she pointed out, “and the challenge is to be able to obtain a good knowledge of the people’s culture and their way of life and to integrate it in how they use spaces.”  

Valdez added that her biggest takeaway from the excursion was “doing something honorable and giving back to my native country as a real designer.”

“It was incredibly humbling to be able to see the site, meet with architects, furniture manufacturers, designers and the local people of the community overall,” Valdez said. “With that, I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge in helping me move forward with the project.”

E+ID student Petrice Goto said the trip “changed me as a person.”

“I experienced people living in the provinces that had little to no money, but they were happy with the little they had,” Goto said. “I have begun to not take things for granted and to appreciate everything I have.”

Chaminade University offers the only accredited, degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program (E+ID) in Hawaii. Since its accreditation in 2013, the employment rate for graduates seeking a full-time, entry-level position in an interior design or architectural firm is more than 80 percent and has been increasing every year. The  E+ID program extends beyond the traditional scope of interior design to encompass the broader aspects of the environment into the design process. 

Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration degree along with undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Communication, International Trade and Computer Information Systems. Undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration and Management are also available through PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) online and evening courses.

Silversword standouts Goodwin and Kuany sign with pro basketball teams in England, Australia

Two former Chaminade University basketball players – Rohndell Goodwin ‘17 and Kuany Kuany ‘17 – will compete this season for professional teams in England and Australia, respectively.

Rohndell GoodwinGoodwin, honored as “Male Athlete of the Year” at Chaminade’s annual Co-Curricular Awards, signed a one-year contract with the Bristol Flyers of the British Basketball League. The California native is one of three “imports” from outside the European Union allowed on the Flyers roster under league rules.

During his two seasons with the Silverswords, Goodwin averaged 18.4 points per game, the third-highest scoring output in school history. The 6-foot-5 guard was also selected for the 2016-17 Pacific West Conference First Team and All-West Region Second Team.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to be a professional basketball player,” Goodwin said. “Everything that I’ve been working for is starting to pay off. It really hasn’t hit me just yet. I feel it will really hit me once I get on the plane and land in Bristol.”

Kuany Kuany '17Kuany inked a two-year contract with the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans of Australia’s National Basketball League. The 6-foot-5 guard was then sent to the team’s developmental squad, the Cairns Marlins of the Queensland Basketball League.

“I’m happy and excited to continue to play the game I love here in Australia,” said Kuany, a South Sudan native who grew up in Melbourne. “It’s a great opportunity to play for the city of Cairns in the NBL and continue to pursue my goals.”

Kuany, Chaminade’s first-ever four-time All-Pacific West Conference selection, finished his career as third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,600 points and second in rebounds with 876.

Chaminade University competes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II level as a member of the Pacific West Conference. The university fields men’s teams in basketball, cross country, golf and soccer. Women student-athletes compete in basketball, cross country, soccer, softball tennis, and volleyball. For more information, visit goswords.com.

Chaminade Students Present Abstracts at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Three Chaminade University students – Madison Choi, Alexander Jankowski and Kawehiokekai Moefu – were among the presenters at the 2017 National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The 31st annual event, held at the University of Memphis, promotes research, scholarship and creative activity in diverse fields of study.

Choi, whose faculty mentor is English Professor Allison Paynter, gave an oral presentation entitled: “A Critique of American Reality T.V. in Collins’ The Hunger Games.”

“The entire process of preparing, editing and delivering my speech – both methodical and emotional – was a learning experience I definitely could not have received in a classroom setting,” Choi said.

“The pressure to deliver to an audience of people I don’t know was daunting, but now I know that I’m capable to doing it so next time I won’t be as nervous or apprehensive,” Choi continued.

“The positive feedback I got from other students and faculty was also encouraging to hear and gives me a newfound excitement not only for research, but also for the specific topic of pop culture, film and literature.”

Moefu, whose faculty mentor is Dr. Cheryl Edelson, gave a presentation entitled: “Disney’s Moana (2016) and Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke (1997): The Depiction of the Female Heroine in Film Spanning over Twenty Years.”

Moefu pointed out that the conference is “not just about research work” but also “acts as a stepping stone for graduate school.”

“I had the opportunity to talk with representatives from some universities that I have an interest in attending for graduate school – like Purdue University, University of Georgia and NYU – to gather contact and program information,” Moefu said.

Madison Choi, Professor Amber Caracol Noguchi, Professor Eva Washburn-Repollo, Kawehiokekai Moefu, and Alexander Jankowski
Madison Choi, Professor Amber Caracol Noguchi, Professor Eva Washburn-Repollo, Kawehiokekai Moefu, and Alexander Jankowski

“I would recommend that every undergraduate student take the opportunity to do research on a topic that they are interested in, and then go and present it to an audience,” Moefu added. “It will forever change the trajectory of their life’s course and possibly guide them to travel even further in their academic journey.”

Jankowski, whose faculty mentor is Communications Associate Professor Dr. Eva Washburn-Repollo, gave a presentation entitled: “The Kids are Alt-Right: A Cultural Window Into the Disenfranchised.”

Choi and Moefu developed their abstracts through Chaminade’s Title III-funded Undergraduate Research Mentor Program, which helps students in the humanities and social sciences strengthen their applications to graduate schools.

Information is available at: https://chaminade.edu/undergraduate-research/

Business Students Take Top Honors, Once Again, in Ethics Case Study International Competition

For the third time in the past five years, Chaminade University took top honors at an international academic competition for business students. Hosting the Ethics Case Study Competition was the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) at its annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

Students on the winning team were Victoria Alakai, Ave Galea’i, Anthony Lamorena and Jennifer Tolentino. Serving as coaches and mentors from Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication were faculty members Wayne Tanna, Carolyn Kuriyama, Aaron Williamson and IACBE “Teacher of the Year” Richard Kido.

Peregrine Academic Services awarded the team a $1,000 scholarship.

When making their presentations to panels of judges, students explained legal, financial, economic, marketing, management and other relevant issues. Then they made recommendations for action grounded in ethical theory.

Since Chaminade is a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, the students developed a case study regarding the transition of land at Kalaupapa on Molokai, where thousands of Hansen’s Disease sufferers lived in seclusion since 1866.

The ethical dilemma involved preserving the legacy of those patients versus providing homestead lands to Native Hawaiians on a waiting list.

After making their initial presentations, all teams in the competition were given just four hours to analyze and offer recommendations regarding a case study of the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

The basic question was: Should a technology company assist the government in accessing people’s private information for any purpose in the name of national security?

A total of five teams entered the IACBE competition, including a group of graduate students from Germany.

Time Management is Key, Undergraduate Says, to Balancing Pre-Med Studies, Soccer and Social Life

Incoming senior Megan McClanahan is one of Chaminade University’s “super achievers.” Along with excelling in her pre-medical studies, she competes on the Silversword women’s soccer team, immerses herself in campus issues through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and still has time for social activities.

Megan McClanahan playing soccer

How does she strike a balance among these diverse interests? McClanahan says time management enables her to “not only balance soccer and academics, but to also enjoy a social life.”

“Soccer practice helps me fire up my brain early in the morning so I can perform better in morning classes,” she says. “I usually do homework in the afternoons and evenings. I am a big believer in study groups, and I have found a great group of friends to study with. The last thing I do to balance my life is to get enough sleep. I shoot for at least eight hours a night.”

That formula obviously works for McClanahan, who plans to earn her undergraduate biology degree next year from the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Then this future surgeon will enroll at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences through an articulation agreement negotiated by Chaminade.

“I have known for a very long time I want to be a doctor,” McClanahan says. “During my freshman year, I became aware of the articulation agreement Chaminade has with George Washington. My sophomore year I did more research about GW and viewed it as the next place I want to stop on my journey through life.”

Megan McClanahan studying

With guidance from Chaminade’s Undergraduate Research & Pre-Professional Programs, McClanahan was accepted for an interview at George Washington “and fell in love with the Washington, D.C., area and the campus while I was there.”

“As a part of the agreement, I am finishing my time at Chaminade pursuing a humanities minor of Hawaiian and Pacific Island Studies,” McClanahan says. “I am grateful for the opportunities presented to me at Chaminade, and I am eager to begin my next steps to becoming a doctor.”

McClanahan, who hails from the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska, was initially attracted to Chaminade as a high school junior when she participated in a National History Day contest. On the last day of the competition in the nation’s capital, McClanahan won a Chaminade merit scholarship. Then she discovered the Silversword soccer team.

“I spent the next year trying to find a way to get the coaches and athletic department at Chaminade to notice me,” McClanahan says. “Once I was able to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing college soccer, I had a decision to make.

“Should I be fearless and decide to spend the next four years in Hawaii, a place I have never been? Or should I play it safe and stay closer to home? Needless to say, I took a leap of faith and have never looked back with regret.”