Guest Speakers

Entrepreneurial Program Celebrates 22 Years

October 17, 2024

The entrepreneurial leadership incubator is unique in the islands

“Doing things that make social sense and doing social things that make business sense.”

That mantra, the foundation of Chaminade’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, was emphasized by Hogan Director Roy Panzarella in his opening remarks to attendees at the 22nd annual Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Kick-Off Celebration on October 16.

“This annual kick-off allows us to recognize current and former Hogan students,” Panzarella said.

“Our students become leaders and changemakers who care about social justice and who are committed to making a difference. We want them to become better versions of themselves.”

Isabella “Bella” Hughes, co-founder of Shaka Tea and other popular brands, echoed the sentiment in her keynote address at the event. “The world is made up of human connections,” Hughes said at the celebration, which was held on the Sullivan Family Library Lawn.

Isabella Hughes, co-founder of Shaka Tea and other popular brands, spoke at the Hogan event.

“It’s vital to build social capital and to choose kindness, which is fundamentally how I live both my personal and business lives.”

Since its launch in 2002, the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program has sought to prepare students to become transformational leaders, driving change with empathy and compassion. The program is designed to be an incubator and catalyst for community development and job creation.

In her speech, Hughes said entrepreneurship requires relentless work. She added that her journey has included failed companies and a lot of rejection.

“But I persisted because I told myself that I was going to win,” she said.

Chaminade President Lynn Babington called the Hogan program “wonderful and unique” in Hawai’i.

“We link our students through coursework, internships and connections with business people,” she said. “Our students are from all majors. They learn the skills of being an entrepreneur and have the opportunity to work with some very successful start-ups here in Hawai’i.”

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Babington added that she’s proud to say that two decades of Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program alumni have made significant contributions to their communities.

“They’ve started small businesses and launched larger companies, too,” she said.

In addition to economic benefits, the Hogan program seeks to address pressing social issues, incorporating social entrepreneurship into its curriculum. The program also encourages its students to develop solutions to problems like poverty, healthcare and environmental sustainability.

Gary Hogan, CEO of Hogan Hospitality Group, addressed attendees at the celebration event.

Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon, second from right, received a $2,500 scholarship from Alaka‘ina Foundation. The check was presented to Napoleon by former Chaminade Athletics Director and Alaka‘ina Foundation board member, Bill Villa, far left. Bella Hughes, Gary Hogan, Dr. Lynn Babington and Dr. Roy Panzarella joined them on stage. — Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon, second from right, received a $2,500 scholarship from Alaka‘ina Foundation.

By integrating entrepreneurial education with service and ethical leadership, students are challenged to leverage their passions and skills to make a meaningful impact.

Supported by the Hogan Family Foundation, Chaminade’s Hogan entrepreneurship program has sought to strengthen its partnerships over the years with Hawai’i businesses.

“Under great leadership comes great success,” said Gary Hogan, CEO of Hogan Hospitality Group. “Lynn and Roy are two great leaders who have a vision to build a resilient community.”

Embedded in the Hogan program is the Suzie Martin & Vaughn Vasconcellos Leadership Institute.

Vaughn Vasconcellos, a former Chaminade Board of Regents chair and current member of the Board of Governors, is also the co-founder of Alaka’ina Foundation, a nonprofit Native Hawaiian organization with a mission to build and promote leadership and educational initiatives for the youth of Hawai‘i.

The goal of the foundation is to develop a new generation of leaders.

Representing Vasconcellos at the Hogan event, former Chaminade Athletics Director and Alaka‘ina Foundation board member Bill Villa presented Aliikamanaekahi “Alii” Napoleon with a $2,500 scholarship, awarded to a Native Hawaiian first-year or transfer student for his or her first year of study at Chaminade.

‘We Need to Talk’: Scholar on Civil Discourse

September 11, 2024

Dr. Timothy Shaffer spoke on the importance of civil discourse in today’s polarizing times

As the nation marked the anniversary of 9/11, civil discourse scholar Dr. Timothy Shaffer led an engaging conversation at Chaminade to underscore the importance of disagreeing agreeably in polarizing times.

“We are navigating tensions in the past that are still unrecognizable,” Shaffer told a packed lecture hall of students, faculty and staff members and others. “What happens when rhetoric becomes reality?”

Shaffer, inaugural Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse and director of the SNF Ithaca Initiative in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware, said institutions of higher education offer spaces for sharing ideas, finding common ground, understanding new perspectives and even passionately disagreeing—with mutual respect.

In his lecture, “We Need to Talk: Civil Discourse in Partisan and Polarizing Times,” he told attendees engaging in differences is critical—even essential in a democracy—and that it is absolutely appropriate to challenge one another, as long as it’s done in a fair way. “We have what I call, weak civility, which provides us a code of polite conduct or mode of behavioral management,” Shaffer said.

WATCH THE FULL TALK HERE:

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Strong civility, he added, is a “robust engagement of differences that includes dialogue and deliberation.”

Shaffer’s message resonated with the audience, especially in this election year.

Biology major Jason Edric Ulep ’27 said not everyone is going to agree, but it’s critical to understand where different people stand. “Civil discourse promotes the use of voice instead of resorting to physical violence and verbal abuse,” said Ulep, after attending the lecture. “We need civil discourse, as it aims to seek a middle ground and hopefully come to a common understanding or a solution to the problem.”

In his civil discourse leadership role, Shaffer works on a number of projects, which include annual convenings of faculty and students across the United States at the SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue and research about the role of civil discourse within public affairs education.

Victoria Perrira ’27, a Criminology and Criminal Justice major, said she walked away from Shaffer’s lecture with a new appreciation of civil discourse. “I value truthfulness and was particularly interested in learning how to effectively navigate conversations around polarizing topics,” she said.

Dr. Timothy Shaffer discusses the importance of listening in his lecture themed, “We Need to Talk: Civil Discourse in Partisan and Polarizing Times.”

Shaffer said polarization isn’t new, but how we respond to each other can be. “We have a lack of public discourse,” he said, adding, “You need to create a space for democracy where you have agency. You can build a culture grounded in civil discourse even in these partisan and polarizing times.”

University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., said the talk was particularly timely as the nation gears up for the presidential election.

“I believe the place of a university, an institution of higher learning, is to really provide the format, the environment for discourse to take a place,” she said.

“That’s our role. … We need, and our students need, to know how to have those important conversations. to listen carefully to people’s ideas and be able to respond to them in a very civil way.”

This lecture was sponsored by Chaminade University’s Office of Mission and Rector, the Association of Marianist Universities and the Marianist Leadership Center.

Nonprofits Praised for Maui Relief

August 9, 2024

The Nonprofit Financial Seminar at Chaminade offers key resources to Hawaii charitable organizations.

On the one-year anniversary Thursday of the devastating Lahaina wildfire disaster, attendees of Chaminade’s 21st annual Nonprofit Financial Seminar were praised for their unwavering support to those in need on Maui, encouraged to search out innovative opportunities to serve, and offered resources on how they can leverage government support and tax laws to bolster their efforts.

During his opening remarks at the event, Chaminade Provost Lance Askildson said Hawaii charitable organizations “were among the first to jump into the breach alongside regular people looking to help.”

“Government and the for-profit sectors have their roles to play in our communities,” he said. “But it is nonprofit organizations, like yours and Chaminade—guided by values-based missions and deeply connected to their local communities—that are among the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

Organized annually by Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication, the daylong seminar featured an impressive slate of presentations this year. Data House’s Clyde Shiigi and Kaleokalani Kuroda of HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union discussed trends in artificial intelligence, while panelists with Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Hawaii Leadership Forum, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii and Kupu tackled another pressing topic: “Attracting and Developing the next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders.”

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Representatives from more than 30 charitable organizations attended the event.

In her welcome address, School of Business and Communication Dean Annette Santos led a moment of silence to honor all those impacted by the Maui wildfires tragedy, which claimed 102 lives and left thousands displaced. One year later, the work of rebuilding Lahaina is just beginning.

Santos said in the wake of the disaster, shared Marianist and Hawaii values can be a guiding light, reminding the community of the importance of ‘ohana, resilience and the kuleana to care for one another.

“Our Marianist values are dedicated to education and community service so let us continue to be inspired to support and uplift those in need, demonstrating the aloha spirit through our compassion and collective efforts to rebuild and heal,” Santos told attendees, in her speech.

Organizers say the Nonprofit Financial Seminar aims to provide key guidance and resources on financial and operational issues related to leading and managing nonprofits. “As we embark on today’s seminar, it is important to recognize the added value that your participation brings,” Santos said.

“By attending this event, you are not only gaining valuable insights and knowledge but also playing a crucial role in providing Chaminade students with opportunities for growth and development.”

Trever Asam, a partner at the Cades Schutte law firm, spoke at the seminar on tax changes impact nonprofit organizations. “There are some years, when there aren’t many updates so my presentation is somewhat repetitive,” said Asam, a regular guest speaker at this event. “But this year, there have been a ton of updates the past 12 to 18 months, especially in relation to donor-advised funds.”

Also from Chaminade News:

Tax Foundation of Hawaii President Tom Yamachika also covered tax law changes that could impact nonprofits. Among them: Film tax credits. “If you don’t comply, you may lose the credits, which could amount to a loss of a lot of money,” he said. “It’s up to you, the taxpayer, to provide all the proof.”

Santos said in addition to nonprofit professionals, Chaminade students benefit from the seminar

“This opportunity provides our students with invaluable, pragmatic learning experiences … and underscores the significant impact higher education has on our community,” Santos said.

66th Annual Commencement Ceremony

May 6, 2024

The Class of 2024 graduates 600 students

A sea of people gathered inside and outside the perimeter of the Waikiki Shell to celebrate the many accomplishments of Chaminade’s Class of 2024, closing out an academic year that brought no shortage of challenges with plenty of smiles, laughter, cheering and tears of joy.

Waiting in line to enter the Waikiki Shell, Shandry Lopes said there was no way she was going to miss the graduation of her granddaughter, Kelli Lopes ’24, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science. “Education is important to us,” said Lopes, holding an open umbrella to shield her from the sun. “I am so proud and happy for her.”

The same sentiments were echoed by Shanmarie and Paul Alferez, whose son Ryan Chang was conferred his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, thanks to Bank of Hawaii’s College Assistance Program (CAP), which allows its employees to get back on the path to obtaining their first four-year undergraduate degree with tuition reimbursement.

“This means everything to us,” said Shanmarie of Ryan’s graduation, with Paul adding that the family has now “broken the family cycle by having a second generation of Alferezes graduate from university.”

“It was a great experience at Chaminade,” Chang said. “Through the University’s Flex program model, I was able to still work full time and earn my degree on my own time. I would not have been able to achieve this without the Bank of Hawaii’s CAP program. And I’m probably going to return to Chaminade to do my MBA.”

Rita Aponte, Senior Manager at Bank of Hawai‘i’s People Service Center, received her degree in Business Administration from Chaminade University on Saturday evening.

After graduating from Mililani High School 30 years ago, KerryLynn Vea was finally able to earn her bachelor's degree, thanks to Bank of Hawaii's College Assistance Program.

Commencement graduate student speaker Donna Kay Fisher waves at her fellow graduates before accepting her degree.

Gabriel Zapata Berrios shakes the hand of Dr. Lynn Babington.

Known for her advocacy and support, Jean Rolles was honored with a Doctor of Humane Letters to recognize her longterm contributions to the community.

Commencement undergraduate speaker Brittany Johnson spoke of eight life lessons that she has learned over the past 4 years while studying at Chaminade.

A first in Chaminade’s history, 14 graduate students were conferred their Doctor of Education in Educational in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change degrees.

Despite having torn her miniscus, Bailey Ledesma used a crutch to attend the ceremony, which she said she would have never missed.

Four trolleys shuttled students, families and friends from Chaminade to the Waikiki Shell.

Franciscan Friar James Seiffert came to support longtime friend former United Airlines colleague Ana Giliberti.

Jerald Bagain and his mom and dad—who flew in from Guam—Paul and Hazel Bagain, and girlfriend Jannbel Bielza celebrate with Jannabel's mom Annabel Bielza.

Graduating students took a selfie just inside the entrance of Waikiki Shell.

Ryan Chang poses with family members, including his grandfather, siblings and mom and dad, Shanmarie and Paul Alferez, far right.

Caitlin Bocobo poses with her two brothers, and mom and dad, Misty and Brian Bocobo.

Shandry Lopes, far right, waits in line with family members to enter the Waikiki Shell.

As the procession of faculty members and students filled the seats, the cheers and camera flashes came from every direction. Kaipo Leopoldino ’14 opened the ceremony with an oli (Hawaiian welcome and blessing), followed by the invocation delivered by Rev. Chris Wittmann, S.M., and the National Anthem and Hawai‘i Pono‘ī sung by Faith Leasiolagi ’15.

“It is such an honor to celebrate Commencement with our 2024 graduates,” said Chaminade President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., in her welcoming remarks. “Graduation is always a momentous milestone—an opportunity to mark achievements attained and look forward to new adventures ahead. But this year’s graduates can be doubly proud for the incredible determination they showed during the past four years.”

Indeed graduate student speaker Donna Kay Fisher, ’16 MA, ’24 EdD, shared her own struggles after she suffered a major heart attack in 2019. However, an invitation she received from Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences to apply for the Doctor of Education inaugural cohort became her lifeline.

“It was divine intervention at the most opportune time,” Fisher told fellow graduates. “We are testaments to the remarkable opportunities that Chaminade University has been able to give us. Our hearts echo with profound gratitude.”

The Commencement guest keynote speaker Dr. Kamanaʻopono M. Crabbe spoke of his own divine inspiration, which was derived from his kupunakane or granduncle Robert Kaho‘okele Na‘auao, who taught him the importance of ‘ohana, integrity, pride, courage, self-worth and “mana.”

“He was my divine intervention, my cultural professor, ‘ohana mentor, my inspiration that gave me something to believe in and a purpose for living,” Crabbe said. “We all need that Uncle Bob in our lives, and, for most of us, our life journey is trying to discover who we are, to find our kuleana, our gift, our special talent.”

This year’s graduating class included associates, bachelors and 36 doctoral students, including the first-ever cohort of 16 graduates in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, 10 of whom graduated with their DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner degrees, three earned their DNP-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degrees and another three received their DNP-Executive Leader degrees.

Another first in Chaminade’s history, 14 graduate students were conferred their Doctor of Education in Educational in Organizational Leadership for Adaptation and Change degrees. Another six students earned their Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology degrees. All of these programs were initiated to respond to the community’s needs, and exemplify the Marianist educational values of formation in faith, quality education, family spirit, service, justice and peace, and adaptation and change.

“As a University community, you have made all of us extremely proud. When you joined our Kalaepōhaku community, you could not have foreseen that you would be completing your degree requirements in the throes of a global pandemic,” Babington said. “And yet—despite the many adversities and restrictions—you adapted. Amid the uncertainty, you persevered. And through it all, you showed an exceptional capacity for resilience.”

In his remarks, Crabbe spoke of the future that lies ahead and to embrace the responsibility of supporting our local communities. “Pūpūkahi i holomua—Unite to move forward” encapsulates the spirit of collaboration, unity and collective progress deeply ingrained in our Hawaiian Culture,” he said. “As you stand on the threshold during these auspicious times, let us embrace the principle of ‘Pūpūkahi i holomua,’ recognizing that by standing united, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our shared aspirations for a brighter future and a greater Hawai‘i.”

Also citing the same Hawaiian proverb in her speech, Fisher emphasized that “our greatest awakening is to understand that life is not an individual race, but it is a collective marathon of mind, body and spirit.” “Therefore, to foster a collective mindset, Chaminade’s faculty and staff taught us how to deliberately seek out and carefully draw out every voice,” she said. “They taught us how to earnestly value opposition, how to ardently appreciate our differences, and how to sincerely believe we are stronger together.”

Provost Speaker Series

April 2, 2024

Kupu co-founder founder John Leong shares his entrepreneurial journey

After finishing his degree at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, John Leong had three options: to accept a job offer in New York City, to enter seminary school or to return to Hawaii. He chose the latter, deciding that he wanted to come home to lead conservation efforts. And that was 25 years ago.

As the guest speaker of the Provost Speakers Series, Leong shared his arduous journey that started when he and his wife, Julianna, established Pono Pacific in 2000. The company had a sole mission to assist conservation managers and landowners with the monumental task of protecting Hawaii’s natural resources. It would eventually lead him to co-find Kupu, now one of the most impactful environmental leadership organizations in the Pacific.

“My call to return to Hawaii was strong,” Leong said. “If you’re created to do something, and if you don’t follow that calling, the world loses out.”

Hawaii certainly would have had Leong not adhered to his vision, one of three primary tenets that he cited as being pivotal to his journey. The other two are character and moral fortitude. Growing up in one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, Leong didn’t fully appreciate Hawaii’s environmental vulnerabilities. It was not until he participated in Chaminade adjunct professor Althine Clark’s youth conservation program—which provided an opportunity for Hawaii’s youth to make positive change and contribute to our islands’ long-term sustainability—did he see Hawaii’s environmental perils.”

John Leong shared his entrepreneurial journey that led him to establish Pono Pacific and Kupu.

“It gave me a sense of Hawaii’s challenges with the environment and our endangered species,” Leong said. “It gave me a sense of my kuleana to care for Hawaii’s natural resources, which was work that was under-resourced and an uphill battle at that time.”

With Pono Pacific, the Leongs sought to provide cost-effective natural resource management services, working with private and government land owners to activate working lands, create sustainable food systems, restore sensitive ecosystems, protect both endemic and indigenous species, protect vital watersheds, manage conservation lands, and repair, construct nature trails.

“We charged like $15 an hour, which yielded more like $2 in profit,” Leong said laughingly. “It cost more to do the work, but this was our responsibility. I remember once builidng a conservation fence line around a Big Island trail, hauling large jugs of water for miles, waking up early and finishing late; it was hard work for sure. I would get calls from my Wharton classmates—some of whom were working at JP Morgan—and they would ask me: “What is it that you are now doing?”

It was during that time on the Big Island that Leong came across the kupukupu, an endemic sword fern that would sow the seed for his next nonprofit enterprise with his spouse Julianna and best friend Matt Bauer. Together, the trio started Kupu in 2007, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage pono (integrity) with ke Akua (God), self and others.”

“When you do things of consequence, there are consequences,” Leong said. “But if you don’t do anything, then it’s inconsequential. Change doesn’t happen overnight nor is it linear, and you have to have the tenacity to move forward, to be the light.”

For four years, Kupu strove to establish what is now known as the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Hoʻokupu Center in Kewalo Basin. Seeking the support of community board members and approval from government officials, Leong and his team spent hours on end to secure land rights to a valuable piece of waterfront property. It would certainly be difficult and almost defeating.

“But I look back now and think, what would have happened had we just quit and given up?” said Leong of all the work and effort that was put into the Kakaako community center. “What if we had not listened to that little voice inside that kept saying ‘just keep at it,’ and instead listened to our anxieties and fears?”

Today, the center is also home to the Kupu Community Program, which prepares under-resourced youth for the workforce by providing them with life skills training, green jobs, volunteer opportunities and encouragement to consequentially impact their local communities through service. To date, the yearlong program has served thousands of Hawaii’s youth, who participate in significant and demanding work to rehabilitate Hawaii’s ecosystems and increase the sustainability of the ʻāina.

“We give them an ʻāina-based model upon which to build a common community,” Leong said. “We give these under-privileged youth a purpose and a pathway to lead a meaningful life.”

In the final minutes of his talk, Leong spoke of the importance of being selected as an Obama Foundation Fellow, and having the opportunity to spend time with Barack and Michelle Obama, who taught him that character is shaped by adversity, and to surround yourself by supportive people who push you “to become a better version of yourself.”

“The last lesson I want to share is this: that we’re just one part of a bigger body,” Leong concluded. “You have to have humility. We can only do our part, but it’s important that we do that part.”

Dean’s Speaker Series

February 26, 2024

Dr. Crissy Gayagas discusses sustainability for good

Citing the words of the late American comedian, actor, author, television host and artist, Jonathan Winters, Col. Christine “Crissy” Gayagas (Ret.), Ed.D., told attendees that, “If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it!” In other words, don’t become apathetic. Take action.

As Regional Program Lead (RPL) for the Indo-Pacific, which is part of the Advising and Consulting (A&C) Division at the Institute for Security Governance (ISG), the self-described Army brat plays an important role in engaging partners in the vital Indo-Pacific Region.

“Eighty percent of goods are transited by water and 60 percent of that goes through the Indo-Pacific Region,” said Gayagas, Chaminade Board of Governors chair. “If conflict broke out in that region, it would create instability, and you probably wouldn’t receive that Amazon order you placed.”

As part of the School of Business & Communication Dean’s Speaker Series, Gayagas’s discussion focused on Sustainable Business for Good and the U.S.’s strategy for and paradigm shift in the Indo-Pacific region. In recent years, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic strides to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt its role for the 21st century. A few years ago, the United States modernized its longstanding alliances, strengthened emerging partnerships, and forged innovative links among them to meet urgent challenges, from competition with China to climate change to the pandemic.

As part of the School of Business & Communication Dean's Speaker Series, Dr. Crissy Gayagas’s discussion focused on Sustainable Business for Good and the U.S.’s strategy for and paradigm shift in the Indo-Pacific region. — As part of the School of Business & Communication Dean’s Speaker Series, Dr. Crissy Gayagas’s discussion focused on Sustainable Business for Good and the U.S.’s strategy for and paradigm shift in the Indo-Pacific region.

Stretching from the Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean, the area is home to more than half of the world’s people, nearly two-thirds of the world’s economy and seven of the world’s largest militaries. And in the years ahead, as the region drives as much as two-thirds of global economic growth, its influence will only grow—as will its importance to the United States.

“In a 2021 address during the East Asia Summit, President Biden said he envisions an Indo-Pacific that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient and secure,” Gayagas quoted to attendees. “We want to build our collective capacity with partner nations throughout the region. The more people who are empowered, the better we are for it.”

With a military career that spans across 24 years and three deployments, Gayagas became the only battalion commander who was a mother when she saw action in Iraq. She considers her service in the Army as the first phase of her life. The second phase was exploratory, and the third and current phase are convergent, allowing her two initial stages to come together to form a new whole.

“Within these three phases, I was always guided by five elements: passion, people, persistence, priority and pivot,” Gayagas explained. “Identify your passion and keep chipping away until you’re ready to take a deep dive. In the Army, we have a saying: Mission First, People Always. Seek out a support system. Persist and do what works for you. Assess your position and ask if it’s moving your North Star. Be ready to recognize diminishing returns and be open to pivot.”

After multiple Army command and staff positions around the United States (101st Airborne Division and 25th Infantry Division) and in Germany (8th Infantry Division), and operational and strategic experience in the Army’s Human Resources Command and with the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Texas and in Iraq, Gayagas retired in 2008 and started her own consulting firm MMGT Consulting, LLC.

“I wanted to create space for my daughter,” said Gayagas, citing the reason for her retirement from the Army. “In this third phase of my life, I am going to pivot and enjoy full-time retirement or a quarter retirement so I can create more lunch space with my parents (gesturing to her dad Ed and mom Norma Gayagas who were seated in the front row), and pursue more hobbies.”

Opening the floor to questions, John Barayuga ’25 asked Gayagas if her passions evolved over time or did it remain the same. “I really appreciated her answer about how her passion stayed relatively the same but with a few tweaks over time,” said Barayuga, an Accounting major with minors in Hawaiian Studies and Business Administration. “It reassured me of how our paths are a constant adventure of self-discovery.

“My biggest take-away was the five P’s [principles] that Dr. Gayagas shared,” Barayuga added. “I feel the lecture exceeded what I was expecting from it. And I am looking forward to future events!”