Chaminade University of Honolulu

Honors and Awards

Knowledge Learned at Chaminade Helps Nakoa ‘15 Earn Milken Foundation ‘Teacher of Promise’ Award

“Old school” chalkboards and erasers remain fixtures in many classrooms. But Chaminade University graduate Peter Kai Mana Nakoa ‘15, an instructor at Nānākuli Elementary School, knows the future of education is digital, not analog.

The knowledge Nakoa gained through Chaminade’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program helped him earn the prestigious “Teacher of Promise” accolade in March from the California-based Milken Family Foundation. Milken awards are often called “the Oscars of teaching.”

Peter Kai Mana Nakoa (MAT ‘15)Nakoa, affectionately known by his students as “Kumu Kai Mana,” is also the first Hawaiian Language Immersion Education teacher to win this award.

Since graduating from Chaminade, Nakoa has assumed additional leadership roles at his school on Oahu’s Leeward Coast. This includes joining a cohort that’s integrating technology into the classroom to support a Digital Common Core Curriculum. He’s also part of an instruction and assessment group that determines what curriculum will be implemented at the school.

Nakoa credits MAT with providing a solid foundation in the latest teaching methods.

“I was able to apply what I learned in my classes and use it with my current students at the time and get real results and data that I could then use to drive my instruction,” Nakoa says.

Another benefit of his Chaminade education, Nakoa says, was learning how to adapt teaching methods to multiple grade levels.

“Because I teach combination and multiple grades at one time, learning how to differentiate my instruction really does help me to address all benchmarks and standards for all my students, regardless of their grades,” Nakoa says.

And that, he says, “has become a key to ensuring that all my students succeed and holomua (progress).”

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is part of Chaminade’s Division of Education. MAT is designed for students who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and and seek licensure to teach. MAT includes these state-approved licensure programs: Elementary Education with Licensure, Secondary Education with Licensure (with an emphasis in Math, Science, English or Social Studies), Special Education, and Early Childhood Education with Licensure. Chaminade’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs are accredited by the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board. The Montessori Program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and affiliated with the American Montessori Society.

Co-Curricular Awards Celebrate Student Leadership and Involvement

Chaminade University celebrated student leadership and involvement, as well as individual and organizational accomplishments, during its annual 2017 Co-Curricular Awards Recognition Dinner. The event, held on April 19 in Clarence T. C. Ching Conference Center, recognized 22 students, one staff member, and two student organizations for their positive impact and contributions to Chaminade University and the greater community.

2017 CO-CURRICULAR AWARDS

Awards Presented by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership (OSAL)

Bro. Joseph Becker Awards of Excellence:
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (freshman): Max Karg (Business Administration major)
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (sophomore): Dalton Alatan (Elementary Education major)
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (junior): Rena Pascual (Historical and Political Studies major)
Bro. Joseph Becker Award of Excellence (senior): Kau’imaeole Perreira (Communication major — Marketing Concentration)

Awarded annually to a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior who displayed exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities; who showed outstanding qualities of character, leadership, service, integrity, and scholarship; who demonstrated initiative, motivation, and potential for continued student leadership; who motivated his or her fellow classmates to become actively involved in the campus community; who contributed time and energy to the improvement of student/campus life and his or her designated class/community/organization during the academic year.

Bro. Elmer Dunsky Outstanding Student Organization Award:
Residence Hall Association and the Filipino Club

Awarded annually to a student or 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.

Fr. Stephen Tutas Program Award for Excellence:
Alumni Reunion Street Festival (hosted by the Residence Hall Association and Institutional Advancement–Office of Alumni Relations)

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. The program must have appealed to a broad cross-section of the University community, displayed originality, and elicited participation by members of the sponsoring organization during all phases of the effort.

Rev. David Schuyler Advisor of the Year Award:
Megan Robinson, Career Specialist for Retention, Advising and Career Preparation

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.

Awards Presented by Athletics

Male Athlete of the Year:
Rohndell Goodwin (Communication major)

Outstanding overall season performance in his conference sport; received ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘First Team’ conference recognition; must have represented Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.

Female Athlete of the Year:
Lilia Maio (Elementary Education major)

Outstanding overall season performance in her conference sport; Received ‘Player of the Year’ or ‘First Team’ conference recognition; Must have represented Chaminade University in a prideful and honorable manner during his season.

Silversword Award:
Cassie Rushlow (Psychology major)

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.

Awards Presented by Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry Award:
Jerri Gisela Francisco (Accounting major)

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.

Liturgy Award:
Kierstyn Oshita (Biochemistry major)

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.

Retreat Leader of the Year:
Payton Sorg (Accounting major)

Award acknowledges the overwhelming commitment and dedication shown by a retreat leader in creating communities of support, faith, and love on campus. The leader selected for this award has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, maturity, dedication, and commitment to the mission of Campus Ministry.

Service Award:
Hannah Sablan (Business Administration major)

Award acknowledges outstanding servant leadership in the area of restorative justice and service for the people and the `āina (land) of Hawaii. The individual selected for this award has demonstrated just moral character, leadership skills, good humor, dedication, and humility.

Presented by Retention, Advising, and Career Preparation (RACP)

Outstanding Orientation Leader:
Lyka Raza (English and Biology–Cellular and Molecular majors)

The position of Orientation Leader is for someone who enjoys getting to know other students and wants to make Chaminade an even better place by building community between returning and new students. Orientation Leaders are involved with planning, implementing, and evaluating New Student Orientation. Their primary objective is to welcome new students and their families and help welcome them fully into the Chaminade ‘ohana. While all Orientation Leaders play an important role in creating an environment of success for incoming students, the recipient of this award has displayed exemplary performance of their duties.

Outstanding Peer Mentor:
Toni Mitsumoto (Forensic Sciences major)

Students who apply for and are hired to be Peer Mentors take a leadership role in the University by being visible, available upper-class students to which first-year students can connect. As co-teachers of CUH 100, they commit significant hours to training and class preparation. Peer Mentors are responsible for maintaining regular contact with students in their class, engaging them in University life, and assisting them with both academic and personal transitions that occur during the critical first few months on campus. While all Peer Mentors play an important role in helping first-year students to adjust to and succeed at Chaminade, this Peer Mentor’s performance of these responsibilities is exemplary.

Student Employee of the Year:
Briyanna Vitug (Psychology major) and Nicole Sagapolutele (English and Psychology majors)

Awarded annually to a student employee who has demonstrated the following qualities/skills in the campus work setting: reliability, initiative, unique contribution, quality work, professionalism, community, and campus service.

Distinguished Tutor of the Year:
Milton-Eugene Bratter (Biology–Integrative and Organismal major)

Acknowledges the outstanding commitment and dedication shown by a tutor to serve the Chaminade University of Honolulu community better. This distinguished individual will be selected based on the following criteria: active attendance and participation in training seminars and meetings; overall performance; dependability; leadership skills; overall dedication to the Tutoring Center; ability to initiate contact with tutees, fellow tutors, faculty, and staff; tutor-report cards.

Presented by Residential Life

Residence Hall Association Award of Excellence:
Savannah Delos Santos (Business Administration major — Marketing Concentration)

Resident Assistant Award of Excellence:
Alilia Fataua (English major) and Cassaundra Song (Forensic Sciences major)

Dean of Students’ Special Recognition:
Kierstyn Oshita (Biochemistry major)

Frederick K.K. Kauhane, Sr. Aloha Spirit Award: 
Gracelyn Lorenzo (Criminology and Criminal Justice major)

Awarded annually to a student who exhibits a humble, cheerful, and generous spirit; a dedication to fostering a sense of `ohana around campus; the ability to raise other’s spirits by consistently improving the environment around them.

Henry Halenani Gomes Alaka‘i Award:
Kahiau McKeague (Forensic Sciences major)

This award recognizes a Chaminade undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and service to the Native Hawaiian community. In ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language), Alaka‘i is the Hawaiian value of leadership. It includes coaching, guiding, and mentoring others to support their growth. Those who are Alaka‘i lead with care for their community.

Milken Foundation Honors Chaminade Grad Nakoa as ‘Teacher of Promise’

The Milken Family Foundation recently presented one of its prestigious awards – often called “the Oscars of teaching” – to Chaminade University graduate Peter Kai Mana Nakoa, an instructor at Nānākuli Elementary School.

Affectionately known by his students as “Kumu Kai Mana,” Nakoa was named “Teacher of Promise” for the Nānākuli/Waiʻanae Complex and Leeward District. He is also the first Hawaiian Language Immersion Education teacher to win this award.

Since graduating from Chaminade in May 2015 with a master of arts degree in teaching, Nakoa has assumed additional leadership roles at his school. This includes joining a cohort that’s integrating technology in the classroom to support a Digital Common Core Curriculum.

Nakoa credits Chaminade with providing a solid understanding of the latest teaching methods – including the use of digital technology – that help his students excel in innovative ways.

“I was able to apply what I learned in my classes and use it with my current students at the time and get real results and data that I could then use to drive my instruction,” Nakoa says.

And after learning to use online platforms for completing and submitting his Chaminade assignments, Nakoa applied that tech knowledge at Nānākuli Elementary.

“It has given me the confidence to integrate different forms of technology in my classroom as part of my curriculum and approach in teaching my students,” Nakoa says, “and how to support my students’ families when they go home.”

Another benefit of his Chaminade education, Nakoa says, is learning how to adapt his teaching methods for multiple grade levels.

“Because I teach combination and multiple grades at one time, learning how to differentiate my instruction really does help me to address all benchmarks and standards for all my students, regardless of their grades,” Nakoa says.

And that has become key, he says, “to ensuring that all my students succeed and holomua (progress).”

The Milken Educator Awards, an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation, honor top teachers across the country who inspire excellence in the world of education. Candidates are chosen through a confidential selection process, reviewed by panels appointed by the state departments of education, and given final approval by the Milken Family Foundation.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is part of the Division of Education. The program is designed for students who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and are seeking licensure to teach. The Master of Arts in Teaching includes these state-approved teacher licensure programs: Elementary Education with Licensure, Secondary Education with Licensure (with emphasis in Math, Science, English or Social Studies), Special Education and Early Childhood Education with Licensure. Chaminade University’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs are accredited by the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board. The Montessori Program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and affiliated with the American Montessori Society.

Chaminade University’s Athletics Gala Celebrated 2017 Inductees

Nearly 400 people attended Chaminade University’s 2017 Intercollegiate Athletics Gala, held on March 16 at the Ala Moana Beach Hotel.  They came to celebrate the induction of Chaminade president Bro. Bernard Ploeger, S.M., Ph.D. and Chaminade alumnus and 1991 Maui Invitational MVP George Gilmore, Jr. ’04 into the 2017 Silversword Hall of Fame.

Filled with well-wishers – family, friends, colleagues, university supporters, and student-athletes– the ninth annual gala event bustled with excitement. The crowd in the Hibiscus Ballroom quietened as the two honorees prepared for their entrances.  As they were separately ushered into the room, emcee Lei U ‘I Kaholokula shared with the crowd the clear impact the men had on the university and on the community at large.

2017 Athletics Gala, George Gilmore, Jr. '04George Gilmore, Jr. ’04, after earning junior college all-America honors in men’s basketball at Santé Fe Community College in Florida in 1990, followed his coach to Chaminade University. In his first game in the 1991 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, he scored 23 points against Iowa State. He followed that with 28 points against Toledo then 33 against Loyola Marymount. He finished the 1991-92 season second in the nation in scoring with a 28.3 scoring average while earning Division II All-America honors. The following year proved to be his landmark season when he set the Maui Invitational scoring record by pouring in 93 points in the three-game tournament, earning him the tournament’s Most Valuable Player honors, one of only two Chaminade players to hold that distinction.  He graduated from Chaminade in 2004. Today, the Kailua resident, in alignment with Chaminade’s mission and values, works at the Kapolei Detention Home helping to mentor at-risk youths turn their lives around.

2017 Athletics Gala, Bro. Bernie Ploeger, SMBro. Bernard Ploeger, S.M., Ph.D., who concludes his service as Chaminade University president on June 30, 2017, will have served Chaminade for 23 years: eight years as its president, plus the prior 15 years in other leadership capacities.  He is considered the chief architect in developing and carrying out the University’s strategic plans since 2008.  One of the major key levers of success in those strategic plans has been to renew Chaminade’s participation in intercollegiate athletics as a point of pride for alumni and for campus and community supporters. Ploeger has been instrumental in encouraging Chaminade’s competitive success in regional and conference sports, has helped ensure an increase in outreach in Hawaii, and has pressed for financial support in securing program facilities.

The crowd applauded loudly in a standing ovation. The processions were followed by Kaipo Leopoldino ’14 offering the Hawaiian ‘oli  “He Mele No Kaminaka” (Song or Chant of Chaminade), which Leopoldino had composed when he was a Chaminade student. Chaminade regent Bro. William Campbell, S.M. delivered the invocation. Video tributes for the two men played as dinner was served. The student-athlete speaker Megan McClanahan ’18, who originates from Nebraska and plays women’s soccer at Chaminade, shared her gratitude for the sports’ program and Chaminade’s academic program, which led to her acceptance into George Washington University Medical School.

Soon it was time for the honorees to share a few words. Gilmore spoke about his hardships in his early upbringing and his gratitude at being at Chaminade.  Not only did he shine athletically at the university, but he also met his wife at Chaminade.  Bro. Ploeger said that he had mentioned Gilmore as a possible inductee in the past and felt honored to be inducted at the same time as Gilmore.

After each spoke, each received a traditional Native Hawaiian implement — a sword created from the bill of a swordfish and crafted by alumnus Gordon “Umi” Kai ’73. Chairman of the Board of Regents Vaughn Vasconcellos was moved to tears during his closing remarks as he spoke of Bro. Ploeger’s influence on Chaminade. Both Ploeger and Gilmore have left unique marks on the University and the community at large. Chaminade was grateful and proud.

With the strong leadership of event chair Dr. Edison H. Miyawaki, the athletics gala has raised $1.5 Million over the last nine years in support of Chaminade University’s 10-sports intercollegiate athletics program. 

Bro. Bernie Ploeger’s, S.M., video tribute
George Gilmore, Jr. ’04 video tribute

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.”

E+ID Professor Honored by Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)

Dr. Junghwa Suh

Junghwa Suh, D. Arch., assistant professor in the Environmental + Interior Design (E+ID) Program, has received an honorable mention in the 2016 CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) Award for Excellence Competition. Open to faculty members and collaborating teams at CIDA-accredited interior design programs, the competition recognizes outstanding practices in interior design education and honors design educators for their exceptional work.

Dr. Suh’s submission “Learning on the Go: Using Mobile Tools in Design Education” researched opportunities for students to explore and analyze key design elements and principles in various interior spaces. In order to facilitate understanding and application of how the components of lighting design are integrated and designed in various interior spaces, students needed to analyze the components in a physical context. She used mobile technology as a tool to provide students with a way to visit various interior spaces and conduct meaningful visual analyses. Instead of seeking a specific educational mobile application, Suh chose Instagram, a social networking mobile application which her students were already familiar with and constantly using. The activity was successfully introduced and developed in her “Introduction to Lighting Design” class.

In fall 2016, Makana Mattos, Faculty Center instructional designer,  and Tom Galli, Communications senior lecturer, had encouraged Suh to enter the competition. “The research had been already done, so it was a matter of making a video, which was the media format requirement for the award competition,” Suh noted.

Besides Mattos and Galli, two of her students participated in the video. Jenelyn Sison and “Ryan” Zhu Fan had been in her E+ID 325: Intro to Lighting Design class in a previous semester and had participated in her Instagram class activity.

In recognition of her achievement, CIDA will widely publicize her entry in the media, on its website, and through social media. Award winners will also be recognized at the upcoming Interior Design Educator Council’s Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois this spring. Dr. Suh has also been invited to present her research at the IDEC conference.

Environmental and Interior Design

“Overall, this was indeed an accomplishment in my design education career and E+ID program,” wrote Suh. “I thank Makana, Tom, Jen, and Ryan for helping me to make this wonderful video. This gave me a chance to share my teaching methodology with everyone in the world. I am also thankful for the continuous support from our E+ID director Joan Riggs and from the Chaminade Faculty Center,” she added.

The submitted research video “Learning on the Go: Using Mobile Tools in Design Education” can be found by visiting  https://vimeo.com/183874306

About CIDA 
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization for interior design education programs at colleges and universities in the United States and internationally. For more than 35 years, this knowledge-driven organization has been passionately committed to the ongoing enrichment of the interior design profession through identifying, developing and promoting quality standards for the education of entry-level interior designers, and then encouraging, accrediting and supporting educational programs to aspire to those standards. Through a process of program self-evaluation and peer review, accreditation promotes achievement of high academic standards, while making education more responsive to student and societal needs. The Council engages nearly 200 volunteers, all drawn from interior design practice and education, to carry out its work. More than 150 interior design programs are currently accredited by the Council, serving an estimated 20,000 students. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation is recognized as a reliable authority on interior design education by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The CHEA-recognized scope of accreditation is professional-level interior design programs that culminate in a bachelor’s or master’s degree located in the United States and internationally.  Chaminade’s E+ID program has been accredited by CIDA since 2013.

About Environmental + Interior Design Program 
Chaminade University offers the only degree-granting Environmental + Interior Design program in the state of Hawaii and is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the body that oversees and evaluates academic standards for baccalaureate institutions. Chaminade’s comprehensive Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program prepares students to embark upon a successful career in interior design, environmental design, and other design-related fields. The degree satisfies the educational requirement for professional licensing through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), as well as prepare students for post-graduate studies and entry-level positions in the field. The E+ID program is unique from other academic programs, in that it extends beyond the traditional scope of interior design by encompassing the broader aspects of the environment into the design process. The curriculum addresses the symbiotic relationship between the indoor (built) and the outdoor (natural) environments by cultivating a design approach that integrates rather than compartmentalizes the spaces and places humans occupy.