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Alum Rhys Murphy’s AUSA Hoops Business Helps Aussie Basketball Dreams Come True in America

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When international student-athletes seek to play basketball in the United States, navigating the myriad of rules and regulations can be “overwhelming.” This according to Chaminade University alumnus Rhys Murphy (Accounting ’14), a two-year starter for the Silversword men’s team.

Rhys MurphySensing a business opportunity, Murphy returned to his hometown of Sydney, Australia, where he founded and serves as president of AUSA Hoops. This basketball camp organization helps Aussie boys and girls pursue their academic and athletic goals at high schools, colleges and universities across America.

“In terms of successes, we are at just over 70 players who are in college now,” said Murphy, who placed student-athletes at prominent schools in the Pac-12, Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, Big Ten and Big East conferences. These players earned more than $5 million in scholarships.

Murphy and his staff accomplished this feat by conducting training and development programs for young hoopsters and bringing them to America for a series of Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournaments where college coaches recruit players.

These trips don’t include sightseeing excursions to Disneyland. They’re focused on proving that Australians have what it takes to play top-tier basketball in the U.S.

As for Murphy’s basketball career, the six-foot-seven-inch forward “stumbled into an opportunity to play AAU basketball in Chicago” and received over 50 scholarship offers. Murphy opted for Oregon State, where he competed in 18 games for the Beavers during 2011-12.

After transferring to Chaminade for his junior and senior years, Murphy started the final 12 games of the 2013-14 season and was twice-named to the All-Pacific West Conference Academic Team.

Murphy got the idea for AUSA Hoops as a junior during spring break when a summer internship with a Chicago hedge fund failed to materialize.

“I pretty much just sat down and thought about what I could do myself,” Murphy recalled, “because I had no work experience and realized I would need to get a job the following year.”

Rhys MurphyBy turning his basketball camp concept into a bigger project, Murphy “ticked the ‘work-experience’ box” on his resume.

“The most challenging part is always right after the inspiration and excitement of the initial idea begins to fade and the reality of the amount of work that needs to be completed starts to become more and more clear,” Murphy said.

“I started with the thought that I had a pretty good idea about the industry, and then very quickly realized I knew next to nothing about the intricacies of how it worked. So for the first couple years I was almost flying blind trying to figure it out as I went.

“I don’t believe starting your own business is as hard as people perceive it to be,” Murphy added. “Yes, you need to be resilient, consistent with your work and have a desire to constantly learn and improve. But so much of it is just about having the confidence – or delusion – to get started and then keep rolling with the punches. It’s a wild rollercoaster!”

One Chaminade instructor who particularly influenced Murphy is Richard Kido, an Associate Professor of Accounting. Kido praised Murphy’s work ethic in the classroom and on the basketball court.

“Despite the demands of being a scholar-athlete, Rhys was outstanding in all his classes,” Kido said. “His positive attitude was infectious and carried over to his classmates.”

Another instructor making an impression on Murphy was Business Professor Wayne Tanna, who emphasized the importance of community service. Murphy continues that commitment to giving back by uplifting Australia’s South Sudanese basketball community through AUSA Hoops.

“I think Professor Tanna did a great job of opening my eyes to the tremendous need for help out there,” Murphy said. “And he opened my eyes to my own privileges by putting me in new environments where people were not as well off.”

That’s why community service is a slam dunk for Murphy and his team at AUSA Hoops.

 

Chaminade University’s School of Business and Communication offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Accounting. Community service activities for students include tax clinics and the FAFSA project, which helps low-income and immigrant families fill out college financial aid forms.

MBA Alum Adam Hoffman ‘09 Finds Balance Between Robotics Technology, Consciousness

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Chaminade University graduate Adam Hoffman (BS Accounting ‘07, MBA ‘09) doesn’t worry about machines and artificial intelligence subjugating the human race. He’s convinced that as robots and automation become more sophisticated and commonplace, they’ll make our lives better – if we focus on the right things.

Adam Hoffman (BS Accounting ‘07, MBA ‘09)Hoffman and his team work with PartnerX Robotics, a manufacturing company in Shanghai, China. PartnerX created buzz at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas by introducing a new line of robots focused on early childhood education and retail markets. These products enable students to build and program robots using easy-to-assemble components.

In his role as Director of Platform Architect, Hoffman identifies new technologies and develops strategic partnerships from his home in Austin, Texas.

“Our mission is to demystify robotics,” Hoffman explained, so parents “have confidence in their child’s ability to adapt to the technology. Our purpose is to make as many people comfortable with the transition as we possibly can.”

Working with PartnerX was a big move for Hoffman, but his Chaminade MBA and a five-week trip to China with the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program gave him the confidence to pursue an international career.

“We are living in a very special time,” Hoffman said. “Exponential growth in hardware, software and connectivity are changing how information and data are being shared.” And these amazing technological advances, he said, are producing “a rise in consciousness.”

“We are becoming more aware, we are moving into our heart space,” Hoffman said. “I believe it is important to live in the present moment and be in alignment with your heart and mind. It is important to feel good!”

Looking back at his college days, Hoffman noted that he won a scholarship to Chaminade while attending Archbishop Riordan High School, a Marianist institution in San Francisco. Chaminade’s intimate atmosphere was a selling point.

“The connection you get with your Chaminade professors in small class settings is truly priceless,” Hoffman said. “From that experience, these are not only my professors and mentors, but my good friends I still stay in contact with.”

Hoffman’s career advice for future graduates? Don’t be afraid of failure.

“Get yourself outside of your comfort zones, be willing to put yourself on the line,” he counseled. “It’s OK not to have all the answers, but just keep pushing, keep innovating, keep evolving.

“We are entering a very interesting space,” he pointed out. “Never settle.”

Chaminade University’s School of Business and Communication offers a Master of Business Administration Program that provides knowledge of how successful organizations conduct business. Students also develop skills needed to manage people, projects and systems. MBA concentrations are offered in Accounting, Island Business and Not-for-Profit Management. Learn more at business.chaminade.edu/mba-program.

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

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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.

Accounting program validated by International Accreditation Council for Business Education

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Following a rigorous self-evaluation process and independent peer review, Chaminade University’s Accounting program gained accreditation from a professional agency promoting excellence in business education worldwide.

In validating the program, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) recognized Chaminade’s commitment to academic quality, integrity, responsibility and ethical behavior in its accounting programs and operations.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, IACBE has accredited more than 1,300 business and business-related programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America, and South America

Instrumental in earning the council’s stamp of approval was Richard Kido, an Associate Professor of Accounting with the School of Business and Communication. Kido joined professors from numerous other universities in creating standards and criteria for accounting accreditation over a two-year period ending in 2016.

Kido later wrote a self-assessment report of Chaminade’s accounting program then helped facilitate a site visit by IACBE representatives so they could interview administrators, faculty, students and alumni. Employers were also interviewed to determine if Chaminade graduates were adequately prepared for their accounting jobs.

Based on feedback from students and alumni who praised Kido’s instruction methods and dedication to service learning, IACBE presented him with the 2017 “Excellence in Teaching Award” in April at the organization’s annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

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.

Business Education Accreditation Council Honors Kido with ‘Excellence in Teaching Award’

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In recognition of his “meaningful and significant contributions to student learning in a way that advances academic quality in business education,” Chaminade University Associate Professor of Accounting Richard Kido recently received the 2017 “Excellence in Teaching Award.”

The honor was conferred by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) at its annual conference and assembly meeting in San Francisco.

IACBE, which accredited Chaminade’s Accounting Program in April 2017, promotes excellence in business education worldwide. The council has accredited more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Central America and South America.

“Hundreds of people are deserving of this award,” Kido says, “so I feel lucky to receive it. This is not an individual award. It’s a team award and department award for our School of Business and Communication. It’s a reflection of the quality of our Chaminade faculty as a whole.”

When IACBE representatives visited campus as part of the accreditation process, Kido worked closely with the site team. Based on interviews with accounting students and alumni who praised Kido’s teaching methods and commitment to service learning, IACBE nominated him for the prestigious award.

Kido teaches a wide range of courses at Chaminade, including accounting and nonprofit accounting. Prior to entering academia in 2002, he served as a chief financial officer in the savings and loan, real estate development and hospitality industries. He also operated his own accounting and financial consulting firm.

Kido earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University.

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 Management. Undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration and Management and the MBA degree program are also available through Professional and Continuing Education’s online and evening courses.

Student-Mentor Presents at National Conference

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Chaminade senior Erin Ah Sue and Chaminade accounting professor Wayne Tanna presented their collaborative research at the 24th annual conference of the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences (ASBBS) in Las Vegas this spring.

Titled “The Palolo (Elementary School) Stock Market Challenge,” their paper with an accompanying PowerPoint was accepted for competition under the educational leadership track for the “Classroom and Adjustment Issues at Home and Abroad” session. The competitive sessions were organized with an average of four papers presented. After each presentation, general discussion followed.

For the past 20-years, students at Chaminade have strengthened their neighboring community, Palolo Valley, through various service-learning projects, including the “Palolo Stock Market Challenge,” a fantasy investment simulation. Ah Sue, majoring in Nursing and Business Administration, was a recent student-mentor with the project. She and Tanna, her instructor, shared details and the results of the development and operation of the most recent project that assisted low-income students and families in the area. Ah Sue was the main presenter.

The project taught the participating Palolo students basic math concepts and developed financial literacy and an appreciation of the ethical and environmental impacts of business operations through the real-world contexts of saving and investing.

“The paper was more of an instructor’s manual for replicating the game at other universities and public schools around the country,” said Tanna, who has been involved in this project for many years.

Tanna and Ah Sue, who is also a Hogan Entrepreneur Program student, were able to attend other sessions during the March 23-25 conference, as well as the ASBBS awards luncheon with Virginia Gean of California Lutheran University as keynote speaker.  Gean spoke on “Success Stories of Women Leaders in Business and Education.”