Students, faculty and staff came out in full-force to welcome the newest members of the Chaminade ‘ohana.
New Student Orientation officially began with move-in day on Thursday, August 22. The Chaminade women’s soccer team, men’s soccer team and women’s volleyball team greeted new students and their families in the parking lot to help unload. Later that evening, families joined for a welcome dinner and meet and greet with residence life staff at Hale Lokelani.
Friday began with a welcome by President Lynn Babington and a prayer service in the Mystical Rose Oratory. After, students broke out to meet their faculty while parents met with the Dean of Students. They reconnected over lunch with our Marianist brothers before heading to learn more about student life and exploring the local area on a guided trolley tour.
The day culminated at Academic Convocation, a time-honored tradition where faculty gather and dress in full academic regalia to welcome new students in an official ceremony. As explained by President Lynn Babington, “Academic Convocation formally marks the beginning of your educational experience at Chaminade, bringing together for the first time faculty and students.”
This year’s faculty speaker, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science and Chemistry Dr. Kate Perrault, encouraged students to embrace new opportunities and explore new passions. “You guys are in the driver’s seat now,” said Dr. Perrault. “Your education is in your hands. You will actively make decisions—some small, some a lot bigger—throughout the next four years that are going to shape this journey. Focus on things and decisions that will bring you happiness or fulfillment. Experiment with a new hobby and try new things, and if it doesn’t work, try something else.”
On Saturday, students explored Oahu on an island tour, stopping along the way to take in the sights at various lookout points, explore a Macademia nut farm and taste Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation. On Sunday, the official last day of New Student Orientation, students and their families took an early morning hike up to the top of Diamond Head before heading off to prepare for the first day of classes on Monday.
Welcome class of 2023—we can’t wait to see what you do with your time at Chaminade.