Skip to main content
Campus Community

Tanners Address BYU–Hawaii Ohana to Open New Academic Year, New Administration

BYU–Hawaii’s new President and First Lady, John S. and Susan W. Tanner, addressed staff, faculty, missionaries and volunteers at BYU–Hawaii at the university’s annual Ohana Meeting on Friday, July 31, 2015.

Watch the Tanners' messages at the Fall 2015 Ohana Meeting. 

Sister Tanner began her remarks by sharing insights on the type of man that would stand as the new university president.

Sister Tanner, former Young Women General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke with excitement about their new assignment, and introduced her husband with the acronym “MAP” as a memorable way to get to know the new president. “The ‘M’ stands for minister,” she explained. “His mother would describe him when he was a child as a little minister.” She added that the “A” stood for “academic” referring to President Tanner’s passion for academic learning and integrity, and the “P” represented “a principled man,” sharing personal stories about his character based on the gospel and Christ-like living.

Biography of President John S. Tanner

President Tanner then shared his excitement for their new assignment. He quipped about the prospect of his new assignment beginning the day of his 65th birthday. He also shared some background about himself, his wife, and their five children and 19 (soon-to-be 20) grandchildren, before speaking on his impressions about BYU–Hawaii from David O. McKay’s vision.  

Tanner praised his predecessor, President Steven C. Wheelwright, and his leadership of the University, specifically referring to the mission that President Wheelwright consistently emphasized with the well-known triplet “Learn, Lead, Build.” Tanner added his belief in and support of this mission.

Inspired by David O. McKay’s vision for this place and the university, President Tanner said his attention was struck when McKay said “…the purpose for which [the university] is being built, first, the things pertaining to God and His kingdom, a testimony of the existence of Deity.” Tanner stated, “When a Prophet of God tells you what the purpose of something is for, you pay attention.”

Reveling in the history of the Church and the University, and noting the 60th Anniversary of BYU–Hawaii and the 150th Anniversary of the Church in Laie, Tanner explained how he felt inspired by the visions of the people who established the Church and University here, and described how special it is that BYU–Hawaii is built in the shadow of the Laie Hawaii Temple.

Adding to the “Learn, Lead, Build” mission of BYU–Hawaii, Tanner also discussed the importance of character and testimony.

Quoting a phrase once also quoted by David O. McKay, “character is higher than intellect,” Tanner explained why character is integral in learning. He also explained how the importance of testimony, and how our foundation will help us build if it is based upon the “Prince of Peace,” noting that while there will always be “rough waters” ahead, the Prince of Peace “is our rock, not our umbrella.”

 

Mari Romney, an alumnus who was recognized as one of the new BYU–Hawaii ohana members as Reading and Writing Center Assistant Coordinator, reflected, “I really felt the warmth and interest of the new administration. President Tanner is clearly anxiously engaged in his new calling, magnifying his purpose with warmth and aloha. It was wonderful to see him show so much interest in the campus ohana, the history of Laie, and the university's spiritual destiny.”