Advancement

Newest Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

April 2, 2025

South Sudanese-Australian basketball player Kuany Kuany ’17, who competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and longtime Silversword athletics supporters Judith and William Garrett are the newest inductees in Chaminade’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

The three were honored at the University’s Silversword Gala on March 29.

Kuany, who played guard for Chaminade, is one of the most decorated players in school history. After leaving Chaminade, he played professionally in Australia and Europe and now serves as captain of the South Sudan National Team, which he took to the Olympic Games last year.

At the Paris Games, South Sudan nearly upset Team USA in a friendly game.

Under his leadership, the South Sudan National Team has also competed in the AfroBasket tournament and the FIBA World Cup, engendering a great sense of pride in the war-torn country.

At the Silversword Gala, Chaminade Director of Athletics Tom Buning said Kuany is not only inspirational, he is a team player who understands the value of hard work and collaboration. He noted that Kuany ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in scoring and rebounding.

“For those who observed him from campus, Kuany was known for his citizenship, academic prowess, and quiet ability to speak loudly through his actions,” Buning said, adding “Kuany has followed the Marianist tradition of building community in his professional life. He has used his Chaminade education and an MBA from Victory University to make a positive difference.”

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The Garretts, who share a lifelong passion for college basketball, have been enthusiastic supporters of Chaminade’s basketball team since 2011. Their commitment to the program extends beyond the court, including as annual attendees of the Maui Invitational.

They are also members of the Chaminade Fund Society, a group of the University’s strongest supporters of unrestricted giving.

William “Bill” Garrett, who has served on Chaminade’s Board of Governors since 2018, retired as city manager of the Southern California communities of Corona and El Cajon.

A U.S. Army veteran, Garrett received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, a master’s of science in urban planning from the University of Arizona and a master’s in public administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Judith “Judy” Garrett worked for more than 30 years as a grants administrator, city planner, business district manager, fundraiser, and government consultant.

She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Washington and a master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Arizona.

In retirement, she has served on the boards of several nonprofit and live theatre organizations and, for almost five years, was the volunteer administrator of a western art museum in El Cajon.

Buning said the Garretts’ generous donations have made multiple capital projects possible.

“Together, they serve to make a difference for our student-athletes and benefit every program, every day,” he said. “With grateful hearts and a servant mindset, Bill and Judy are following the Marianist tradition of helping make … a positive difference in the lives of student-athletes.”

Students Say ‘Mahalo’ to Scholarship Donors

March 4, 2025

With heartfelt speeches, hugs and handshakes, dozens of Chaminade University scholarship recipients said “thank you” to donors at the annual Mahalo Scholarship Luncheon on February 28.

The luncheon, held annually, is a special opportunity for Silversword students to personally connect with donors and talk about their academic and personal goals—and how scholarship aid has helped to put those dreams within reach. At the gathering, student speakers also detailed how donor support has proven integral to helping them focus on school rather than finances.

“Growing up, I’ve always dreamed of attending college, but didn’t think that it would actually happen as none of my immediate family members have gone and it was never a high priority in my family. I didn’t believe I could do it,” Jasmine-Kortney Young-Gusman ’26 told attendees.

But, she told donors, “because of your scholarships, I’ve been able to dedicate my time to my studies without the worries of the financial burden that comes with nursing school and maintaining my GPA as well as caring for my son. Thank you for believing in me.”

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Young-Gusman has received the Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union scholarship, John A. Hughes Scholarship, Thomas Steven Dal Ponte Memorial Scholarship, and the CUEF Scholarship. She is studying to become an emergency room nurse. “It is because of these scholarships that students like me know that we are where we’re meant to be, all in God’s timing and plans,” she said.

John Barayuga ’25 also spoke at the luncheon, underscoring his passion to use his expertise in business to serve the community. He noted his own journey to Chaminade was circuitous and that his studies would not have been possible without scholarship support. Barayuga, a 2015 Pearl City High graduate, has received the Mary Mau Lecavelier Scholarship, Marge Sylvester Scholarship, and Enterprise Holdings Foundation Scholarship.

“Because of donors such as yourselves … I am able to continue my studies with an easier state of mind, knowing that not only is a substantial portion of my tuition covered but it is by those who believe in Chaminade’s mission,” Barayuga said, during his speech at the mahalo luncheon.

“Your collective support drives me to perform well, and with the invaluable support of the Chaminade faculty and staff, they are ensuring that I do so to the best of my ability,” he added, noting he also hopes to pursue an MBA at Chaminade. “I aspire to learn all I can in the business realm … (and) I am looking forward to making a substantial impact in the nonprofit sector.

Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. opened the luncheon, telling donors that Chaminade students and graduates are making a difference in the community thanks in no small part to support from scholarship aid.

“This year, between individual and foundation scholarships, we’ve supported 465 students with over $2 million in scholarships, which is fabulous and our average award is about $4,500 per student,” Babington told attendees.

She added, “We are really proud of our Chaminade students. And we’re very grateful to all of you for believing in and supporting our educational mission.”

Chaminade donor Susie Field, a retired teacher, also spoke at the luncheon and encouraged her fellow scholarship supporters to continue their support for a Chaminade education.

“We are here together, donors and students, because we know that together we can make good things happen,” Field said. “The scholarship donors believe in the students and the students know we believe in them. That’s what we do in the community and we are proud to do it again.”

If you’re interested in helping students achieve their goals, consider supporting the Chaminade Fund.

Once a Silversword Always a Silversword

August 25, 2021

Chaminade Director of Alumni Relations Jeannie Lum ’05, MBA ’07 believes building strong alumni relationships begins long before students walk across that stage to accept their diplomas. It starts, she says, on their first day at Chaminade—and throughout their time at the University.

“The whole journey of becoming an alumni begins when you’re a student,” said Lum.

That approach to alumni relations means that one of Lum’s top priorities since taking on her directorship role at Chaminade in April has been reconnecting with graduates, rekindling their fond memories of the University, and asking them what they want their alumni network to look like.

It was that work that led to the creation of a new alumni council.

The council is a group of engaged—and proud—Silversword alumni from different graduating classes. Members bring a diversity of perspectives and a variety of ideas about what it means to celebrate Chaminade. Lum described the group as part focus group and part planning committee.

“They represent various years and right now, we’re brainstorming ideas and looking to get the momentum going,” Lum said. “These alums have a huge affinity for Chaminade and its mission—and they want to show their support. I am so looking forward to how they will inform our direction.”

The council is now eight members strong, and Lum said she’s interested in expanding it.

She also sees the council members as ambassadors for their classes, helping her office get out communications about upcoming events, reunions or other opportunities. “They’re also spreading the word for us, reposting our appeals on social media. It all comes full circle,” Lum said.

“These people have the same heartbeat for Chaminade.”

As a graduate of Chaminade, Lum also brings her own passion for the university to her work. She attended the University after going to Catholic schools and wanted to select an institution that would offer small class sizes, a warm and supportive atmosphere and an emphasis on serving others.

She said she learned about Chaminade at a college fair at her school.

“I thought, ‘This is definitely the school for me,’” she said. “The focus was on the whole person.”

While a student at Chaminade, Lum actually had an internship at the Advancement office and got an early taste for alumni relations and giving. And after graduation, she remained connected to Chaminade.

“Chaminade has never left my heart,” she said, adding that as she started her family she didn’t have quite as much time for volunteering. Lum said her own experience as a busy mom and a devoted grad has underscored how individualized approaches are needed for alums at different stages in their lives.

Her message to Chaminade alumni is simple: we want to reconnect with you.

She’s inviting graduates to support the University in whatever ways they’re interested in, and she’s hoping the council will also provide additional inroads for alumni to get reengaged. After all, Lum said, “There’s just something magical about this place. Everybody who comes here has a connection.”

Meet the Alumni Council

Roselee Aguigui ’18
B.A. Business Administration

Roselee was technically born on an airplane en route to Honolulu but was raised in Guam. She currently resides on O’ahu and is a government recruiter. Her favorite Chaminade memory is the 2017 Pacific Island Review where she was able to showcase Guam through dance—saying it was the best experience ever. Her advice to fellow alumni is to not be afraid to reach out, ask questions and use everything you possibly can as a resource.

Ohulani Aiona Battisto, MBA ’08
Master of Business Administration

Ohulani is a full-time mommy and was born and raised in Kapolei. Her favorite memory of Chaminade is being part of a family and working with people who have the same drive and goals—giving her confidence as well as a sense of team. She says that Chaminade is an amazing school that is a family and pushes you to grow, adding that you will also make lifetime connections.

Suzy Cerda ’92
B.S. International Relations

Suzy was born in Honolulu, moved to New Jersey and return to Hawai‘i to attend Chaminade. For the past 22 years, she has been an insurance agent. Suzy says all of her fondest memories at Chaminade pertain to life in the residence halls and being on campus—shenanigans and hilarity that occurred on a daily basis will never be forgotten. She says that most of her lifelong friendships were forged at Chaminade. Suzy looks forward to being active in the Chaminade community again.

Antonia Coffelt ’05
B.A. Communication

Antonia’s favorite memory of Chaminade is the long days and late nights in Eiben Hall editing The Silversword (student newspaper). She credits Chaminade with not only a place where she earned her degree but a place where she made lifelong friends and realized that being a genuinely rapt guest in the Islands was the key to her immersion. Fun fact, Antonia may live in Chicago, but she still has an 808 phone number.

Luana Moreno ’17
B.A. Religious Studies

Originally from California, Luana’s favorite memory of Chaminade is graduation. She believes that Chaminade provided her the opportunity to learn more about the world’s differences and similarities in beliefs, and the way that our minds are impacted by our environments. And in turn, provides acceptance of all people and a willingness to learn and give back. Luana currently serves as an advocate for the Hawaii Domestic Violence Action Center.

Jana Paz ’98, MBA ’18
B.A. Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
Hogan Entrepreneurs Certificate

Jana currently serves as the assistant vice president of M.Dyer Global. Originally from O’ahu, she has lived and worked in the mainland and Hawai‘i. She currently sits on the board for the Western Motor Tariff Bureau, Kalaheo High School Foundation and Alumni Association, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hawaii Chapter, a Vistage Member, as well as being actively involved in her high school community and graduating class. Jana is a strong believer in teamwork, collaboration, communication and transparency.

Andre “Pono” Riddle ’18
B.S. Psychology

Pono currently serves as a Chaminade academic advisor. He enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends and family, working out at the gym, reading, catching up on tv shows and sleeping. He joined the Alumni Council because he hopes to be a voice for young alumni—helping them to stay involved and connected, wherever they may live.

Kuldip Shergill ’10, MBA ’12
B.S. Accounting
Master of Business Administration

Born and raised in American Samoa, Kuldip currently resides in Hawai‘i and has his own production company and YouTube channel—you’ll know him as Kooldip. He says he can’t pinpoint his favorite Chaminade memory because he had so many “crazy moments” and would like to keep some of them a secret. He says, “happiness! You’ll never catch it by pursuing it! So if there’s anything I want my fellow alums and Chaminade community to know is, live happy in the present!”

Chaminade’s Advancement Team is on a Mission to Build Relationships

August 20, 2021

Gary Cordova, vice president of Advancement at Chaminade, says his job—and the work of his five-member team—is all about building strong relationships. With alumni, with members of the broader community and with others who understand and believe in Chaminade’s strong social service mission.

“We have immediate needs for the university, but relationship building is in the long view,” Cordova said. “The engagement approaches have to be individualized—it’s not a one size fits all. Philanthropy is so impactful in the lives of our students and we need to ensure we’re conveying that message.”

Cordova took over his current role at the University in July 2020, bringing more than 20 years of experience in public and private universities and independent private schools. And he’s hit the ground running, bringing on team members to stabilize what he calls the three-legged stool of advancement.

Two of those legs are enrollment management and public funding.

The third leg—private philanthropy—required significant short- and long-term strategic planning.

“That’s where we come in,” Cordova said, of his office, adding that one of his top priorities has been beginning the work of building a strong alumni outreach program and conducting relationship-building with community philanthropists who share and understand Chaminade’s mission.

That work has already paid off.

Cordova said the University’s Chaminade Fund, which offers direct aid to students, saw an increase in support during last academic year and beat previous records. The help, he added, was more needed than ever as many students and their families struggled financially because of the COVID pandemic.

Serving with Cordova in the Advancement office are:

Jill Higashi, assistant vice president of Advancement
Jeanne Lum, ‘05, MBA ‘07, director of alumni relations
Kendra Sia, director of the Annual Fund
And Joanne Nakano, executive assistant to the vice president

It’s been Lum, working closely with other members of the team, who has sought to build an alumni network from the ground up. Cordova said reconnection and engagement are key to bringing Chaminade graduates—no matter when they got their degrees—back into the fold.

Chaminade alums at the alumni reunion in 2019

Perhaps most importantly, Cordova added, alumni need to be reminded of their warm memories of Chaminade and that whatever they give back to the institution (in treasure or time) is so very valuable.

“Universities with very strong alumni programs have very strong endowments. Because they are engaged and they believe in the engagement,” he said. “We need to reimagine our alumni program to reach a varied alumni community. We need to engage our alumni in the life of the university.”

To help do just that, Lum has created an Alumni Council made up of graduates across the decades.

She has also sought to set up exciting opportunities for alumni to offer networking and career development opportunities to current students, and has begun to bolster outreach and communications with alumni about upcoming events and initiatives at the University.

“We want people to remember why they love Chaminade so much,” she said.

Cordova added that alumni relations don’t begin at graduation. The Advancement team is seeking to build bridges between alumni and current students so that both groups feel like they’re part of the same family—“this culture of connectedness that’s got them bleeding blue and white.”

The same goes for broader philanthropic outreach, Cordova said.

He said his team members have sought to strengthen relationships with those who have already given to the university, offering not only their gratitude but important details about where their donations went and how much of a difference it made in the lives of students and their academic journeys.

“How do we create systems that can intentionally engage with our supporters? That’s an important question for us in our planning and outreach,” Cordova said. “When we are reporting the effectiveness of a gift over time—helping donors understand the power of their contribution—we are creating a stronger relationship and potentially creating a cycle of philanthropy that never ends.”

Newest Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

Students Say ‘Mahalo’ to Scholarship Donors