Chaminade University of Honolulu

Students

Chaminade University Celebrates 2017 Spring Commencement

Hundreds of exuberant graduates celebrated their achievements with their families, friends, faculty, staff and colleagues at Chaminade University’s 59th Commencement. Approximately 429 students graduated this spring semester with nearly 335 participating in the May 15 ceremony held at Neal Blaisdell Arena.

The program featured as its keynote speaker Shelley J. Wilson, the president and chief executive officer of Wilson Homecare and vice chair and secretary of Chaminade University’s Board of Regents. In 1996, Wilson founded Wilson Homecare, one of Hawaii’s largest private-duty home health care agencies. Wilson Homecare provides in-home health care services island-wide. Also in 2013, Wilson Senior Living Kailua, a state-licensed Adult Residential Care Home opened in the Aikahi neighborhood.

Wilson inspired the audience with her story.  She found her passion during one of the most difficult times of her life.  Returning to civilian life as a wounded warrior, Wilson had to deal with the challenges of recovery in the home.  Her experiences gave her empathy for in-home-care patients. In response to those hard times, she founded Wilson Homecare.  She encouraged the soon-to-be graduates to find a cause and to dedicate themselves to that cause with a passion as a way to find purpose and meaning.

Commencement student speakers were Taylor Seth Stutsman, the undergraduate representative, and Rezettakahealani Eric Mulitalo, the post-graduate representative.

Stutsman graduated with his B.S. in Forensics Sciences, Cum Laude.  That night his family came from five different states to cheer for him. He moved to Hawaii from Pennsylvania and appreciated the diversity of Chaminade. “Hawaii has taught me more about acceptance and tolerance than I could have imagined,” he said, appreciative of the multi-cultural experiences made available to him at Chaminade.

Mulitalo graduated that night with her M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. Raised in Western Samoa, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wellington, New Zealand. “You do not have to know what you are going to do with the rest of your life yet,” she reassured the graduating students. She advised them to remember what the Scottish scholar William Barclay had said. “’There are two great days in a person’s life –the day we are born, and the day we discover why,’” she quoted. “Watch your choices, follow your dreams and love what you do.”

Congratulations to the 2017 Graduates and Inductees of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program

The Hogan Entrepreneurs program on April 26, celebrated its 15th annual graduation and induction ceremonies. Thirty-four new graduates were honored bringing the total to more than 400 students who have graduated from the certificate program. The program provides students with the opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced Hawaii business leaders and entrepreneurs about business. Graduates will have learned the tools, skills, exposures, and motivation to succeed in entrepreneurial undertakings and to make entrepreneurial contributions to their communities.

At this year’s event, the Hogan Entrepreneurs program expressed its gratitude to Ed and Lynn Hogan by presenting them with a pahi kaua, made from the bill of a flat bill swordfish. The Hogan program continues to be funded through generous contributions from the Hogan Family Foundation, located in California.

The program also honored Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM, who has been a staunch supporter of the Hogan program throughout its 15 years. He will conclude his Chaminade presidency this summer. Bro. Ploeger received a ko`oko`o (wooden staff) made from the native kamani tree.

The Hogan program recognized 13 students for their outstanding work in various areas and at different class levels.  Judy Ng, a senior majoring in Business Administration, took top honors as the Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of 2017. The Hogan program recognized Ng as the student who achieved the most significant results while consistently embracing the spirit of the program though her earnestness and enthusiasm for the underlying values of the program.

The program also recognized a faculty member for the first time with its new Exceptional Teaching Award.  The students applauded loudly as Business professor Denny McDonough received the honor.

HOGAN ENTREPRENEURS 2017 AWARDS

Outstanding Hogan Entrepreneur of the Year
Judy Ng

Outstanding Graduate Student
Gabriel Torno

Outstanding Seniors
Mario Armendariz
Sheehan Chase

Outstanding Junior
Matthew Southard

Aloha Spirit Award
Desiree DePondicchello
Hannah Sablan
Tyler Taydus

Community Service Award
Monique Gomes
Karanna Soulvongs
Gailene Wong

“In the Arena” Award
Ana Acuna Cesped and Carlos Gutierrez Ayala

Exceptional Teaching Award 
Mr. Denny McDonough

2017 Hogan Entrepreneurs Graduates
Ana Acuña Césped
Chantelle Aguilar
Mario Armendariz
Sheehan Chase
Claire Colon-Gonzalez
Desireé DePondicchello
Kalei Ehlers
Nicolas Ferro
Lee Fujino
Brianna Georgia
James Gochenouer
Monique Gomes
Calee Goya
Carlos Gutiérrez Ayala
Kristle Henry
Brittain Komoda
Ferleen Mallarme
Daniel Mangum
Jacqueline McGreal
Judy Ng
Krys Romanczak
Hannah Sablan
Alexa Shah
Karanna Soulvongs
Matthew Southard
Haelee Tallett
Tyler Taydus
Gabriel Torno
Clarke Velasco
Gailene Wong

Breaking Through Student Stress with Fun Relief

It was the last week of classes, and the traditional stress storms had hit the campus with a flurry of craziness. Deadlines, unfinished papers, misbehaving printers, readings, chapter reviews and last minute questions for professors compounded by events to attend and job responsibilities stirred up a maddening spirit across the campus. Oh, what’s an exasperated student to do?

The Chaminade Student Programming Board (CSPB) created some healthy ways to release those tensions from May 1-5, the last week of classes. Crazy fun and playful distractions provided students with opportunities to shake off their distress.

The board launched the week with an inflatable obstacle course and a free barbecue lunch on Monday.  Students and faculty members kicked off their shoes and rushed up a balloon mountain, sliding down again.  Many did it over and over again, breaking into a mild cardiovascular sweat. The physical relief from some strenuous exercise made students smile again, and then to do it with their faculty members added cheers and laughter to the noise of the crowd on the library lawn.

The Chaminade Student Government Association (CSGA) also introduced its newly-elected board on Monday at the barbecue. Serving in 2017-2018 are Ashlee Navarro (president), Rena Pascual (executive vice president), Jenny Rose Anacan (vice president of Programming), Tyler Cartaino (vice president of Finance), Marvin Trantham (vice president of Communications), Mica Mariano (vice president of Internal Affairs), and Filmore Timothy (chair of the House of Representatives).

On Tuesday, the programming board set up a mini golf putt course on the lawn between Henry Hall and Clarence T. C. Ching Hall.  Focusing their attentions on their game seemed to refresh students as they forgot their cares and sucked on free Jui Moi pops. Ah, the power of play!

On Wednesday, 200 students enjoyed free smoothies from Jamba Juice and healthy snacks, served at the CSGA office in Clarence T. C. Ching Hall.  The free pick-me-uppers energized the students for the next mile of their academic marathon. CSPB and Residence Hall Association (RHA) also offered an evening at David & Buster’s for some additional fun and relief.

On Thursday morning at Henry Hall Courtyard, Koa Café provided a commuter breakfast for students. The menu included fried rice, scrambled eggs, bacon, Portuguese sausage and guava lava mochi waffles. Students were grateful and hungry. Nothing like a good breakfast to meet the day’s struggles.

On Friday on the library lawn, the programming board presented the “Chaminade + Carnival” portion of the week.  As students hiked up or down Kalaepohaku, they could take a respite on the library lawn and play carnival games, eat a free bento, have a bit of refreshment, and unwind momentarily. The fun sparked their plugs, and the food added fuel to their bodies.

The week’s activities kept the fun alive and provided a bit of sanity during the last week of school, thanks to CSPB members Jerri Francisco (chair), Jenny Rose Anacan, Chris Kanamu, Jana Lazarte, Melissa Ponce, and Angela Williams.

Microbes are Hot Topic in Forensic Science; Book by Chaminade’s Dr. David Carter Tells All About It

After more than a century of absence from forensic science investigations, microbes are once again in the spotlight. And a new book by Associate Professor David Carter, director of Chaminade University’s Forensic Sciences Program, explains why.

Dr. David Carter

“Forensic Microbiology,” edited by Dr. Carter and co-authored with two Chaminade graduate students, tells all about those tiny bugs. Specifically, the book details how microbes help scientists determine when a person died, how they died and where they were before they died.

“Using microbes is the hottest, trendiest, sexiest area of forensic science right now,” Dr. Carter says. “This is the thing everybody wants to know about because it’s new.”

Actually, the use of microbes in forensic science is both old and new. The new part involves cutting-edge technology that enables scientists to extract DNA evidence from microbes and sequence the material with a genetic analyzer.

The old part of using microbiology to solve crimes is really old. So old, in fact, that the practice far predates “CSI” TV shows and the invention of television itself.

“There were folks using microbes in the 19th Century as evidence,” Dr. Carter says, “and then people forgot about them for a hundred years. Now people are coming back to microbes and going: ‘Huh. Maybe this is worthwhile.’”

Although Dr. Carter emphasizes that microbes won’t replace more mundane forms of evidence – such as fingerprints, cell phone records, etc. – these tiny organisms do have “one huge advantage.”

“Microbes are present everywhere a human goes,” Dr. Carter says, “because they are always on you, they are always in you. And not all forms of evidence do that.”

Forensic Microbiology Book

Dr. Carter’s book, which he describes as “the first of its kind,” provides a much-need resource for university students and forensic science professionals, including investigators, microbiologists and pathologists. Among those contributing to the book were leading scientists from America, the United Kingdom, France, Australia and other countries.

Helping Dr. Carter write the 424-page book was Emily Junkins, who graduated from Chaminade in 2016 with a master’s degree in forensic science. She’s currently pursuing a doctorate degree in microbiology at the University of Oklahoma.

“Being a co-author for two chapters in this book, and chapters in other books or manuscripts, has had a major impact on me pursuing a Ph.D.,” according to Junkins, who credits her Chaminade education with providing valuable opportunities for in-depth research.

“I would not be the scientist I am now without these opportunities,” says Junkins, who plans a career in academia as a professor and principal investigator focused on microbial biology.

Also serving as a book co-author was Whitney Kodama, who’s graduating from Chaminade this spring with a master’s degree in forensic science.

“I think this experience helped me gain a better understanding of the scope of my research project as well as insight into a field of forensics that I was not aware of before entering the program,” Kodama says.

“I also think this experience has helped the quality of my scientific writing,” adds Kodama, who recently accepted an investigator position with the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner.

“I learned that stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something that seems intimidating/difficult at first can only benefit you in the future,” Kodama says. “One can grow from these experiences, and I feel that has happened to me.”

Editing “Forensic Microbiology” with Dr. Carter were Dr. Jeffery K. Tomberlin from Texas A&M University’s Department of Entomology, Dr. M. Eric Benbow from Michigan State University’s Department of Entomology, and Dr. Jessica L. Metcalf from Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences.

All royalties from book sales support student research projects of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Chaminade University’s Division of Natural Science and Mathematics is accepting applications for its bachelor’s degree program in forensic sciences. This degree provides students with a wide range of graduate school and career options in the fields of law, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Health Fair Showcased Students On Their Way To Becoming Competent, Caring Nursing Professionals

The School of Nursing at held its fifth annual Wellness and Health Fair as the spring semester drew to a close. Sophomore students enrolled in the course Nursing 291: Health Promotion set up their poster boards on various critical health issues. Health Promotion professor Dr. Joy Bliss coordinated the efforts, assisted by the faculty and staff of the School of Nursing.

School of Nursing 2017 Health and Wellness Fair

The displays were opportunities to share with the Chaminade ‘ohana the outreach work students had done during the semester to promote healthy behaviors in the community at large and to promote healthy choices with faculty, staff, and students who attended the fair. The students provided health information on a broad range of topics such as diet and nutrition, oral health, heart health, cancer prevention and early detection, domestic abuse, suicide prevention, sexual health, and more.

Held in the Henry Hall Courtyard on April 28, the Friday before Lei Day weekend, the fair took on a Hawaiian ambiance. The Saint Louis School Hālau made a guest appearance to open the program.

Three Papakōlea women strung lei of plumeria and shared them with the crowd. The community leaders of Papakōlea had conducted a health needs assessment of their Native Hawaiian Homestead residents. Based on the results, project possibilities emerged. The ideas focused on promoting ‘ohana health and aging-in-place safely, enabling the community to remain whole, while providing education and access to healthcare. Students participated in training opportunities for direct service to Papakōlea as furnished by the valued partners. Papakōlea leadership shared with Chaminade School of Nursing students the gift of their mana’o through training sessions of cultural competency, an understanding of community, perspective on the contexts for healthcare and public health nursing, and their respective roles.

Keeping with the Lei Day theme, the fair offered a healthy Hawaiian food plate (low salt, low fat and still ono) and at another table the traditional healing drink of kava. Kupuna (elders) shared their expertise in Native Hawaiian healing therapies including la’au lapa’au (Native Hawaiian herbal remedies) and lomi lomi (Native Hawaiian massage therapy).  The fair also offered alternative and holistic therapies such as “Healing Touch,” an energy therapy in which practitioners consciously use their hands in a heart-centered and intentional way to support and facilitate physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.

School of Nursing 2017 Health and Wellness Fair
Michelle Selga, Ciana Russ, Shenaniah Romias, and Kyle Ranochak present “Health Promotion for Hawaii’s Homeless”

Dressed in dark blue Chaminade School of Nursing polo shirts, Michelle Selga, Ciana Russ, Shenaniah Romias, and Kyle Ranochak presented their “Homeless in Paradise” project.  They displayed a poster board with accompanying slides on a laptop and discussed details with those who had questions.

The four students did their service learning project in March at a homeless campsite adjacent to Waianae Boat Harbor. Mrs. Elisala, a nurse practitioner and faculty member at the University of Hawaii, coordinated a tour of the homeless community and informed the students on the health needs of the community.

In her reflection, Selga described her experience. “From the outside, you would not even imagine what goes on inside their community. The first step inside, you’re greeted by makeshift houses lined up along a beaten pathway. As you dive further in, you begin to realize how amazing these people are. Towards the center of town, which consists roughly of 200 people, lies a garden and chicken coop,” Selga remarked. “The biggest eye-opener for us was seeing how much help these people needed. A doctor there, who volunteers his time every week, explained to us that the greatest problem is they don’t have enough people to help.”

All the students felt that the experience was meaningful and wanted to do more. “It would be nice in the future to see us collaborate with Mrs. Elisala’s team and be able to give back to the people here in Hawaii. As nurses, we want to be able to give more to the community and expand our experience in the nursing profession,” concluded Selga.

The Homeless project was just one of many presentations exhibiting the broad range of topics that students undertook for their research. The Wellness and Health Fair successfully showcased competent and caring students who were well on their way to becoming competent and caring nursing professionals.

Chaminade’s School of Nursing is a four year, full-time undergraduate program that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The unique program immerses students in nursing preparation with educational curriculum, human-patient simulations, community outreach projects, and service-learning and supervised clinical experiences. The curriculum for our undergraduates program is consistent with the Baccalaureate Essentials of Nursing produced by the American Association of Collegiate Nursing. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

National Student Nurses Association Convention Nurtures Leadership Skills for Chaminade Students

Each year students from across the nation who belong to the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) gather together for their annual meeting.  This year NSNA held its 65th convention from April 4-8, in Dallas, Texas and had more than 2,500 attendees.  Hawaii brought a total of 17 students — nine from the University of Hawaii–Manoa, five from Chaminade University, one from Hawaii Pacific University, and one Hawaii Student Nurses Association (HISNA) representative who also happens to be from Chaminade.

First-year students Brandon Aceret and Brooke Leslie and juniors Caitlin Marie Aningat, Krissie Morris, Mitnework Vanover, and Danielle Balajadia with professors Julie Elting, Ed. D. and Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Ed. D. attended from Chaminade University’s School of Nursing. Balajadia served as the HISNA representative at the convention. The HISNA sponsored Balajadia’s trip, the Ho`oulu STEM Scholarship program sponsored Aceret and Leslie’s trips, and the Chaminade Student Nursing Association sponsored the other students. Students participated in leadership and focus sessions, as well as in social events.  Recruiters for potential employers and graduate schools shared information in a massive exhibit hall.  Some students also presented poster boards, which provided insights on evidence-based practice from hospital to community-based care. The exhibit hall was full of resources for students and faculty members. Students could even get their resumes reviewed.

National Student Nurses Association convention
Nursing students: Brooke Leslie, Danielle Balajadia, and Brandon Aceret

Balajadia attended with extra responsibilities. “As the new incoming president of the Hawaii Student Nurses Association, I wanted to open myself to new opportunities and expand my networking relationships with the nursing profession.  This convention offered numerous networking opportunities with nursing students from different states, vendors, graduate schools and healthcare facilities from across the nation,” she said. “The most valuable takeaway from the convention was learning about how to become a successful leader in our nursing schools and our profession. The convention also allows us to be a voice and be agents of change in the nursing community.” From Guam, Balajadia plans to stay on Oahu after graduation, specializing in pediatrics, and eventually return to Guam to work in her home community.

Chaminade’s Student Nurses Association vice president Aningat loved everything about the NSNA convention and considered it a “once in a lifetime experience.” She shared, “I was given the opportunity to meet and network with other nursing students from various nursing schools across the country while gaining leadership skills and expanding my resume.” From Maui, Aningat was glad that she chose Chaminade’s School of Nursing and was grateful for this added value available to her and other students. “This convention helped me grow as a leader while learning more about myself,” she said. “I truly am pursuing the right career. I love everything about nursing.”

Dr. Magpantay-Monroe pointed out that by expanding students’ minds and exposing them to new learning experiences, students’ horizons were broadened, and this would help them become better nurses in the long run.

Dr. Diane Mancino, Executive Director of NSNA sharing time with Chaminade students
Dr. Diane Mancino (Executive Director, NSNA) talking with  Brooke Leslie and Danielle Balajadia

For Aceret and Leslie, it was their first time to a professional convention as well as to be so far from home. For Aceret, it was even his first time to a museum. The two Ho’oulu scholars took advantage of the focus session titled, “Learn to think like a Nurse.”

Leslie was impressed with the quantity of information and resources shared at the breakout session, especially in preparation for the NCLEX. “They talked about how to pass the NCLEX exam and the boundaries of our licenses.  It was filled with a lot of information about what having a nursing license to practice meant.” She took copious notes.

Aceret was also impressed by the focus session. “I learned that our brain can change, and that we have the power to grow our brains. As a nurse, I will be learning a lot.  So through studying and repetition, I will build my existing neural network,” he said. “My nursing knowledge plus critical thinking are two must-have components that I need to make good clinical judgments.  Correct clinical judgments equal a safe, effective nurse,” he emphasized. By the end of the convention, Aceret knew the type of nurse he would like to become and felt that the ER would best fit his personality and skill interests.

Chaminade students at NSNA Convention

NSNA also presented its annual student awards at the convention. State president and Chaminade senior Jeramae Marcellano received the Isabel Hampton Leadership Award for her work with the Hawaii Student Nurses’ Association. This is the second time a Hawaii student has received this national award in the past three years.  Presented to the current or immediate past student nurses’ association state president whose leadership characteristics most resembled those of Isabel Hampton Robb, the award esteems student leaders for their visionary work and organizational skills.  Mrs. Rob was well known for her pioneering work in establishing nursing organizations which became the American Nurses’ Association (ANA), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the International Council of Nursing (ICN).

Dr. Magpantay-Monroe had served as Hawaii’s faculty consultant and advisor since 2014 when her Chaminade students first asked her to help them resuscitate a Hawaii chapter of the NSNA. Though Chaminade students took the lead, Dr. Magpantay-Monroe highlighted the collaboration among Hawaii’s three schools of nursing. “There is a true sense of collaboration and partnership among schools,” she said. “I have been humbled working with students…Our state student leaders are very creative and truly exemplify characteristics of future leaders.”

Chaminade’s School of Nursing is a four year, full-time undergraduate program that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The unique program immerses students in nursing preparation with educational curriculum, human-patient simulations, community outreach projects, and service-learning and supervised clinical experiences. The curriculum for our undergraduates program is consistent with the Baccalaureate Essentials of Nursing produced by the American Association of Collegiate Nursing. The nursing program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.