Chaminade University of Honolulu

Alumni

Dedicated Catholic School Educator and Chaminade Alumni Honored as Outstanding Graduate

Laverne Suster ’82, ’16, who was recently selected by the Master of Education program at Chaminade University as its Outstanding Graduate, has been a dedicated Catholic School educator and a dedicated Chaminade alumni for 35 years.

Suster entered Chaminade University fresh out of high school and in 1982 received her bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus in English. A few months before graduating from Chaminade, she applied to teach at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and was accepted. Three decades of teaching passed, and in 2014 Suster decided to return to college for her post-graduate degree.

Laverne Suster and her studentsInvited to be a part of Chaminade University’s Catholic Educational Leadership Cohort, she decided to go for it. “I went back for my master’s degree only because it was Chaminade. I have always been a dedicated alumni because of the fabulous education I received there,” said Suster.

Her cohort included elementary and high school teachers and school administrators from Catholic schools across the diocese.  Cohort members all had to manage jobs and families and scrounge for time and energy to complete their studies. “As a member of the cohort, I can attest that that is the way to go through a master’s program. To be constantly surrounded by people who can relate to every moment you are experiencing is comforting, encouraging and very special,” Suster advised.  “I would definitely be a part of a cohort again. I am so appreciative.”

When Suster received the Outstanding Graduate award, it was the culmination of decades spent as a Catholic schools educator combined with the nurturing provided by Catholic educators who taught her from childhood through her undergraduate and graduate studies at Chaminade.  Suster entered Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in 1967 when it first opened. The school, which is part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish in Ewa Beach, serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help as a student, Suster experienced firsthand dedicated teachers who went out of their way to make sure she succeeded. It was there she first wanted to be a teacher. “I knew at around fourth grade,” she recalled.  Though her desire faded during her early teen years, by 12th grade she was on fire again and determined to be a teacher. She set her sights on Chaminade University.

Suster loves teaching.  It is more a vocation or calling for her. Her joy is evident as she tells you about her sixth, seventh and eighth graders: “I love their senses of humor. A lot of people cringe at the thought of spending 35-40 hours a week with kids this age, but if they take the time to know these kids, they are really creative, energetic and warm-hearted people who just want to find their place in our world. They are really great.”

Suster kept her students apprised of her master’s experience at Chaminade from the very beginning. “They were my sixth graders at the time I started the program. Now they are my 8th graders. I have shared many new things with them including different ways I learned to study or prepare for tests, how nervous I was that I had papers due, and they always encouraged me,” she shared. “When I sent out invitations to my graduation, I didn’t send them to my family members. I sent them to my students and their families because I wanted them to experience a college graduation…a little added inspiration for them. When they actually showed up, I was floored…and so happy,” she recalled.

At the 2016 fall commencement on December 12, her students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help joined her family and friends to cheer her on and cover her with lei.  Suster was grateful, and her students were inspired.

“Teach only if you are in love with teaching, and if you should ever fall out of love with teaching, stop! Anything less is a disservice to our children. This should not be one of those occupations that you do just because you can’t find work elsewhere,” Suster emphasized.

Then she added calmly: “Also, just remember to breathe. All teachers would understand that.”

The Kathy Kawaguchi Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership Goes to Lanai Principal

The Education Division of Chaminade University announced Elton N. Kinoshita MED ’13 as its inaugural recipient for The Kathy Kawaguchi Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership.

Kinoshita, who serves the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) as the principal of Lana’i High and Elementary School, humbly accepted the award and recalled how much of an inspiration Katherine Kawaguchi had been for him. He first met Kawaguchi when he chose to transfer from the graduate program at the University of Hawaii to the Chaminade Educational Leadership program. “I heard the Chaminade program was rigorous, and I wanted to learn as much as I could,” he recalled telling her.

Kinoshita was accepted and worked hard to successfully achieve his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. “Toward the end of the program, she asked me if my wish for rigor had been fulfilled. We both laughed as I told her ‘yes’, and that I was completely satisfied with the program and my decision to transfer to Chaminade,” he wrote. “I am so thankful for completing the Chaminade Educational Leadership program as the knowledge that I gained has helped me in my role as principal.”

Kawaguchi recently passed away, but her impact on educators, on the DOE, and on Chaminade and its students continues.

“I will do everything I can to live out the charge for recipients of this award: serving as a stellar role model, exemplary leader and dedicated mentor who will guide with intelligence and integrity,” said Kinoshita.

Alumnus Announces $10 K Gift during His Recent Campus Visit

Grelyn Rosario BA'94, MBA '98

Franchise owner/operator of six McDonald’s on the island of Maui, Grelyn Rosario, brought holiday cheer in the form of a $10,000 multi-year gift to Chaminade’s campus recently, stating that he was pleased to re-engage with the university and hoped to inspire future entrepreneurs and students through his example of giving back.

Last year, Rosario participated in the alumni reunion’s “50-Minute University” with an informative session during which he shared his path to owning and operating McDonald’s restaurants. Having gotten an early start at McDonald’s himself as a second-generation franchisee, Rosario found the time and discipline to attended Chaminade University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in history in 1994 and an MBA in 1998. While on campus, he reminisced fondly about his time as a student, noting that the campus has become much more beautiful during the years since his graduation

With a strong belief in giving back to the community, Rosario serves on numerous boards including Maui United Way and previously Maryknoll’s board. He created a fund in the Philippines to support educational projects, feed needy children and provides the necessary materials to upkeep churches in Magsingal Ilocos Sur, the area where his mom grew up. The Philippines Consulate General and the City Council of Valenzuela have also recognized Rosario for his contributions to the Filipino community.

Alumna and CEO, Martha B. Smith ’91 to Speak at Commencement

Chaminade University will celebrate its 2016 Fall Commencement on Monday, Dec. 12, starting at 7 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Arena, located at 777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. Approximately 260 students will graduate this semester. Family and friends will cheer them on with lei and aloha. Estimated to last for two hours, the free event does not require tickets. Parking at the Arena is $7.

Martha Smith '91

The keynote speaker will be Chaminade alumna and Chief Executive Officer of Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Martha B. Smith ’91. Smith serves as a member of Chaminade’s Board of Regents and is an alumna of the University. Her leadership role in healthcare and community service is expansive. A past president of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, she is a member of the Children’s Hospital Association Chief Executive Group. Smith also serves on the boards of Alohacare, Child and Family Services, Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i and Surgicare (ASC Pacific Ventures).  In addition, she serves as chair of the board of Kapi‘olani Medical Specialists, a Physician Specialty Group of Hawai‘i Pacific Health.

Prior to joining Hawai‘i Pacific Health in 2004, Smith had worked in hospital operations and health care in Hawaii and Florida for 24 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Central Florida, a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University.  She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Pacific Business News has recognized her as its American Savings Business Leader for 2016.  She has been recognized by Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i as one of its 2015 Girl Scouts Women of Distinction and by the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i as The Healthcare Leader for 2014.

The salutatorian speakers will be Sharmaine Borja Doles (undergraduate representative) receiving her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Derek Kiyoji Santos (postgraduate representative) receiving his Master of Education in Educational Leadership.

School of Nursing Alumni Return to Network

One evening in late November, nearly 50 Chaminade graduates and seniors gathered at Henry Hall Courtyard for School of Nursing’s second annual alumni mixer.

Alumni from the classes of 2014, 2015 and 2016 along with seniors from the class of 2017 met with representatives from seven clinical sites including Ka Punawai Ola Rehab Facility, Hawaii Pacific Health, Navy Nurse, Leahi and Maluhia Hospital, the Hawaii Department of Health, Express Healthcare Professional and Hale Nani. Attracted by the job networking opportunities, the participants listened intently to the descriptions and needs of each of the sites. All sites offered job possibilities for the graduates and soon-to-be graduates.

Later participants heard from Honza Hroch, representing CreativeNurse.  Hroch presented on managing finances including student loans.  His presentation was tailored to help guide nurses and recent graduates with their financial concerns.

The event culminated with a rich mentoring session between alumni and seniors. The attendees were broken into smaller groups for roundtable discussions where alumni could share their experiences with seniors, as well as answer any questions. For the dean of the School of Nursing, Gwenevere Anderson, and her faculty, Denise Cooper, Julie Elting, Denise Hackman, Eurina Kee, Edna Magpantay-Monroe and Julieta Rosado, it was fulfilling to reconnect with former students and to see these former students pass their wisdom forward to the seniors.

Chaminade University accepted its first cohort into its School of Nursing in fall 2010. That first cohort graduated in spring 2014, with two more graduating cohorts following each spring. The mission of the Chaminade University of Honolulu School of Nursing embraces the key elements of education and service. Specifically, it is to educate students “…to be competent and caring nursing professionals who will promote health and high standards of practice, decrease health-related disparities in society, and enhance the quality of life for their patients in a dynamic health care environment.”