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Honors and Awards

Student Named to Most Promising Multicultural Class of 2020

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Chaminade Communication senior Sofia Vela jetted off to New York in February for a four-day conference of the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Multicultural Class of 2020.

Sofia Vela in NYC for Most Promising Multicultural program

Vela was among just 50 students from around the country selected for the class, a prestigious honor that recognized her portfolio of work and academic accomplishments. A panel of industry representatives from across a host of big-name companies selected the honorees.

The federation launched the Most Promising Multicultural Student program in 1997 to link the advertising industry with top multicultural students from around the country, setting up sit-downs with mentors and recruiters in a bid to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Those selected this year traveled to New York from February 10 to 13 for a packed agenda—with workshops, “industry immersion” opportunities, and the Building Bridge for our Future luncheon.

The students were also treated to a Broadway show: “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.”

Vela said she couldn’t contain her excitement when she’d found out she was selected for the honor.

And the New York City conference didn’t disappoint. “I had no idea that this trip would be so life-changing,” Vela said. “Each MPM student was hard-working and driven. Together, we lifted each other up and created an energy that continues to motivate me, even after returning home.”

All the honorees in the class are minorities and 43 are women. The diversity left Vela inspired. “We were all there for a similar, unspoken reason: to redefine the norm,” she said. “The time to increase populations of multicultural men and women in the workplace is now.”

Vela said she’s now ready to take on just about anything after college. Whatever her next steps, she knows she’ll have some new peers to share them with. “I made some lifelong friends on the trip,” Vela said. “The students on this trip were all absolutely wonderful.”

Secondary Education Student Wins MLA Student Essay Contest

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Jennifer Nguyen '22 with author Viet Thanh Nguyen
Jennifer Nguyen ’22 with author Viet Thanh Nguyen. Jennifer cited his work multiple times in her essay.

Jennifer Nguyen ’22 calls herself a “history fanatic.”

She’s an online undergraduate student studying Secondary Education at Chaminade and hopes to one day teach history. So when her English professor, Dr. Brooke Carlson, assigned her class an argumentative essay designed to be something of a self-exploration she knew instantly what she would write about.

She took on nothing less than the Vietnam War, a topic that has haunted her since childhood.

“I find many reasons to be proud of my American heritage,” Nguyen said, in a recent interview. “On the other side, I find myself drawn to the stories, the struggle, and the memory of a war that has affected not only my family but all those who were lost, displaced, resettled, disturbed.”

Her essay explores the problematic way in which Americans collectively remember the war, offering a powerful alternative for recalling a bloody and protracted conflict that Nguyen said is meant to reflect her “love for the American value of expression and a love for cultural identity.”

Her powerful perspective didn’t just impress her professor.

It also garnered a national award: Out of hundreds of submissions from around the country, “The Vietnam War, the American War: Literature, Film, and Popular Memory” was selected as a winner in the MLA (Modern Language Association) Student Paper Contest. A committee of judges said Nguyen’s essay not only had a clear thesis and excellent sources, but the topic and her argument were “compelling.”

In winning the award, Nguyen’s essay will also be published on the MLA Style Center, a hub geared toward students from high school to graduate school that’s meant to demonstrate how to correctly use MLA style – and, of course, write a good essay.

Nguyen said the essay was a “passion project” that was made possible thanks to her partnership with Carlson. Nguyen said her professor suggested she submit the essay to the MLA and then helped her cut the word count and offered other suggestions for tweaks.

“Without him, I would not have even known or considered submitting my work to the MLA contest,” Nguyen said, adding that “This essay really was a joy to research and write. I hope to continue on this path and produce more work that sheds light on important issues.”

Congratulations to our Chaminade Po’okela Award Winners

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Every year, Hawaii’s theatre community comes together to celebrate the best in local stagecraft. The Po’okela Awards are considered Hawaii’s answer to the Tony Awards.

And this August, Chaminade University students, alumni and productions got plenty of recognition. 

Among the awards netted by Chaminade students: Excellence in service, presented to Chaminade senior Katelyn Shedden, and excellence in ensemble performance in a musical, which the cast of Chaminade’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” took home along with musicals performed at Manoa Valley and Diamond Head theaters.

Meanwhile, Chaminade Technical Director for the Performing Arts Claire Paul, who’s a Chaminade MBA student, won an excellence in scenic design award for her work in Leeward Theatre’s “In the Heights.” And Chaminade’s Brother Gary Morris, a performing arts associate professor at Chaminade, was honored for excellence in performance for a non-traditional production for his featured male role in The Actor’s Group’s “Mining for Coal.”

Chaminade graduate Christopher Patrinos, who teaches in the University’s performing arts program, was recognized for directing the Leeward Theatre’s production of “In The Heights.”

Chaminade was also honored to see participants in the University’s 2018 Summer Theatre Festival spotlighted at the Po’okela Awards, including the cast of “Dead Accounts,” which won for excellence in an ensemble performance. The summer festival, a tradition at Chaminade, features student actors, designers and technicians from universities around the country.

The Po’okela Awards were launched in 1984. A panel of judges selects honorees in 23 categories, including for producing and directing, individual and cast performances, and design.

Here are all of this year’s awards to Chaminade students or faculty:

  • Excellence in Service: Chaminade senior Katelyn Shedden
  • Excellence in Ensemble Performance in a Musical: The cast of the Chaminade’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Those honored were: Aulani Oka, Elijah Abramo, Angelo Oasay, Kainoa Enos, Jr., and Sofia Vela
  • Excellence in Scenic Design: Chaminade Performing Arts Technical Director Claire Paul
  • Excellence in Performance in a Non-traditional Production: Brother Gary Morris
  • Excellence in Direction in Musical Theatre: Christopher Patrinos

Business Students Win in Las Vegas

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A team of Chaminade business students took home third place in the annual International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) student case study competition in Las Vegas. Lady Luck may have been on the students’ side, but their win was well deserved after weeks of hard work and preparation.

Business students at IACBE competition

The IACBE competition is held during the organization’s annual conference and is open to students from all IACBE-member and non-member institutions worldwide. It’s split into two portions over the course of two days—the live business case competition and the ethical case competition. This year’s conference and competition was held on April 9–12 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

“This experience provides students with great opportunities for creativity, critical analysis and intellectual engagement, and can lead to a higher level of learning than mere knowledge absorption,” Dr. Guanlin Gao, assistant professor of economics and faculty mentor, said. “It also can help students acquire practical career-relevant competencies such as data analysis, writing and oral presentation skills, time management and the ability to give and receive constructive criticism.”

The first day of competition was the live business case. This year, competing teams were required to create a business plan for écree, a fast-growing writing support technology company based in North Carolina, which they then had to present to two panels of judges. The plan and executive summary submitted by Chaminade’s team included all the perspectives of growth strategy, sales and business development, marketing, research and development, reporting, financial planning and analysis. Teams received the parameters of this case a month prior to the competition.

Business students at IACBE competition

But the second-day case, otherwise known as the urgent ethical case, was released the same day as the competition, only four hours before. It was provided by the University of Arizona Eller Center for Leadership Ethics and asked students to make recommendations regarding the incorporation of artificial intelligence in law enforcement for a fictional company. This was also followed by two different presentations to two panels of judges.  

Thirty students from eight different institutions qualified for the finals and competed in this year’s competition. Chaminade’s team was comprised of four students including Savannah Lyn Delos Santos, Renee Leifi, Daniel Maximo and Kai Rivera.

The team began preparing for the IACBE competition in mid-January, spending five hours every Friday and Sunday learning how to approach a business case and conduct business research, listening to guest speakers and practicing with cases used in previous years.

The first case was released at the end of March so team members forfeited their spring break to prepare for the competition, clocking at least 70 hours during those eight days. In order to train for the same-day ethics case, the students practiced with a variety of scenarios so that they’d be prepared for anything.

But the hard work and dedication paid off, and Chaminade took home third place in a close competition. Chaminade’s team was only two points behind second place winner, Germany’s Cologne Business School, which was only one point behind first place winner, Lynn University in Florida.

“I think placing was really nice but it didn’t mean as much compared to the new friendships I had fostered with my teammates, coaches and students and faculty from the other institutions attending the conference,” Maximo said. “That in itself was the true win.”

Regardless of how Chaminade’s team placed in the competition, the students who participated agree that the experience challenged them to grow and learn outside of the traditional classroom setting.

“I learned to discern humbly that there is no one right way to do something,” Delos Santos, senior business marketing major, said. “Answers vary in business. We have to constantly be adapting to macro-environmental changes in business, and keep up with the trends and what methods are currently successful.”

Dr. Kate Perrault receives 2020 Satinder Ahuja Award

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Katelynn Perrault

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Dr. Kate Perrault for receiving the 2020 Satinder Ahuja Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science.

Professor Perrault is known for her work as a forensic scientist and odor scientist. Her research analyzes the chemicals and compounds released by odors, specifically the odors that law enforcement canines use to find dead bodies.

According to the award selection committee, “Perrault’s application is founded on extraordinary contributions to innovating GC separations as well as separations approaches and fundamental processes of legally supportive confirmatory analyses that are significant to advancing forensics.”

This award is given annually by the American Chemical Society’s Analytical Division Subdivision of Chromatography and Separations Chemistry to recognize outstanding contributions to the fields of analytical chemistry. In the 16 years this award has been presented, Dr. Perrault is the first female to receive the honor.

“It is such an honor to be recognized for my contributions to analytical chemistry at this early stage in my career,” says Dr. Perrault. “I hope to continue making valuable contributions to this field as my career progresses, and to be able to guide the next generation of women chemists and underserved minorities to serve society through the application of chemical disciplines.”

Student Leaders are Recognized at Co-Curricular Awards

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To acknowledge members of the Chaminade community that go above and beyond in their contributions to the university and the community, Chaminade hosted its 14th Annual Co-Curricular Awards dinner on April 17 in Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center. Twenty seven awards were presented to three student organizations, one staff member and 18 students.

The Division of Student Affairs, Campus Ministry and the Office of Advising and Career Development presented the awards at the celebration. Every recipient demonstrated outstanding leadership by playing an integral part in making Chaminade a better place to learn.

A few of the awards presented included the Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards, the Dean of Students’ Special Recognition award and the Brother Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence, which are presented to one freshman, sophomore, junior and senior each year who have displayed exceptional leadership in co-curricular activities throughout the academic year.

In addition to honoring outstanding individuals, awards were given to the Chaminade Student Nurses Association and the Rotaract Club, student organizations that have fostered a positive environment at the university.

The students, staff and student-run organizations recognized at the Annual Co-Curricular Awards, and others that share the same commitment to leadership and service, are what make receiving an education at Chaminade so special.

2019 CO-CURRICULAR AWARDS

AWARDS PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP (OSAL)

Bro. Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence:

Awarded annually to a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior who displayed exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities.
Freshman: Amber Sablan
Sophomore: Symone Perez
Junior: Shane Cobacha
Senior: Claire Riggan

Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award:

Awarded annually to a student organization who has gone beyond the bounds of their membership by helping to create a positive campus environment for all students and made an outstanding contribution to Chaminade University as an organization.
Chaminade Student Nursing Association
Rotaract Club

Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence:

Awarded annually to a student or student organization who has exceptional creativity, planning, and execution of a university program which significantly contributed to the quality of life at Chaminade.
Tales & Treats (Lumanai O Samoa/Micronesian Club)

Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award:

Awarded annually to a member of faculty, staff or administration who advises a student club/organization and consistently helped to identify, encourage, and support students in their leadership development and campus involvement, repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to the community and its needs, and expanded the horizons, skills and value systems of Chaminade students by providing support and guidance within co-curricular life.
Dr. David Carter

AWARDS PRESENTED BY ATHLETICS

Male Athlete of the Year:

Awarded annually to a student-athlete who represents Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.
Grant Dressler (Men’s Basketball)

Female Athlete of the Year:

Awarded annually to a student-athlete who represents Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during her season.
Emma Tecklenberg (Women’s Volleyball)

Silversword Award:

Recognizes an act or series of acts associated with an athletic activity that represents the spirit of the Marianist philosophy to include sportsmanship, integrity, honesty, truthfulness and respect for self and others.
Erik Schieve (Men’s Basketball)

AWARDS PRESENTED BY CAMPUS MINISTRY

Campus Ministry Award:

Awarded to a student who has participated in all areas of Campus Ministry (liturgy, community service and retreats). This person is an all-around amazing member of the Campus Ministry ‘ohana.
Adam Perez

Liturgy Award:

Awarded to an individual who has willingly volunteered his or her time and talent to contribute to the quality and spirituality of our weekend and special liturgies and prayer experiences.
Savannah Delos Santos
Andrew Ines

Retreat Leader of the Year:

Acknowledges the overwhelming commitment and dedication shown by a retreat leader in creating communities of support, faith, and love on campus.
Claire Riggan

Service Award:

Acknowledges outstanding servant leadership in the area of restorative justice and service for the people and the `āina (land) of Hawaii.
Antonio Bonnetty

AWARDS PRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF ADVISING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Distinguished Tutor of the Year:

Acknowledges the outstanding commitment and dedication shown by a tutor to serve the Chaminade University of Honolulu community.
Spencer Lee

Outstanding Orientation Leader:

Awarded to an Orientation Leader who has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.
Adam Perez
Nicole Sagapolutele

Outstanding Peer Mentor:

Awarded to a Peer Mentor who has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.
Savannah Delos Santos
Marvin Trantham

AWARDS PRESENTED BY RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence:

Awarded to a Resident Hall Association Representative who is a role model for other representatives, has demonstrated strong leadership skills and who positively impacted the organization and residential community.
Je’sha-Ariana Outlaw-Pila

Resident Assistant Award of Excellence:

Awarded to a Resident Assistant who has a high-level of maturity, exhibits the ability to work as an individual community leader as well as an active participant on the Residential Life team.
Jamie Beesley-Wadzinsk

AWARDS PRESENTED BY DEAN OF STUDENTS

Dean of Students’ Special Recognition:

Recognizes a student who in his or her time at Chaminade has continuously contributed to the betterment of the overall community.
Andrew Trapsi

Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award:

Antonio Bonnetty

Awarded annually to students who exhibit a humble, cheerful, and generous spirit; a dedication to fostering a sense of `ohana around campus and the ability to raise other’s spirits by consistently improving the environment around them.
Antonio Bonnetty
Savannah Delos Santos

Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award:

Recognizes a Chaminade undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the Native Hawaiian community.
Ryan Kawena Phillips