Graduates receive counsel in “parable of BYU–Hawaii”

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Kelsey Royer | University Relations | 19 December 2011

Elder Jeffery R. Holland urged students to live up to their potential at the BYU–Hawaii Commencement Exercises on Saturday, Dec. 17. 

More than 220 students marched in BYU–Hawaii’s December Commencement in the Cannon Activities Center led by Elder Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In his address, Elder Holland implored graduation candidates not to let a “blur in vision” keep them from achieving their goals while also congratulating them on completing their education. 

Elder Holland began his address by relating the “parable of BYU–Hawaii,” in which he reminded students and other listeners of the school’s humble beginnings. He counseled the graduates “to see the divine potential in [themselves], and to know with God’s help there is literally nothing we can’t become.” 

Continuing, Elder Holland said, “defeat begins more with a blur of vision” and that “for Latter-day saints in general and BYU–Hawaii students there should be no blur in the vision of what is humanly possible.” He then encouraged students to “get over” any insecurities or lack of confidence standing in the way of their successes.

“God always needs us to elevate our view. Jesus said to the Twelve who were just newly ordained, ‘Lift up your eyes’,” said Elder Holland. He said Christ is still asking people to lift up their eyes. Looking at the graduates, he said, “Take your dreams, take your education, and take the love of a whole Church full of people… and go make something of yourself.”

He also warned graduates they would not always be able to live in a “Zion-like” place as Laie.  “As graduates you’ll be …out of this nest, this little academic Garden of Eden and spending a lot of time in the cold and dreary world,” and “Don’t see your work-a-day world as something less wonderful than BYU–Hawaii.”

Elder Holland concluded his address by reemphasizing clear vision, saying, “Seasiders that you are, set sail.” 

BYU–Hawaii Vice President for Academics Max L. Checketts, said of Elder Holland’s talk, “I think it was perfect for me and perfect for everyone to remind us that we have to elevate and expand our vision. To hear that at a commencement, with all of our [graduating] students and faculty, was just amazing.” 

Eliza Hokanson, who graduated in International Cultural Studies, commented on Elder Holland’s talk saying, “I felt like he really cared about us and really wanted us to succeed and do well.” 

Elder Paul V. Johnson, CES Commissioner and a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, also spoke at commencement about people mattering just as much as the world’s battles. He quoted Frank M. Bareham who, after describing the way in which the men of the world were caught up with Napoleon and battle, asked, “Which of the battles of 1809 mattered more than the babies of 1809?” Johnson applied this question to 1940, when he said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elders Quentin L. Cook, and Jeffery R. Holland were born. Lastly, Elder Johnson related this concept to students by applying the question to “20 something years ago,” saying some of the world’s great could be among the day’s graduates.

Additionally, BYU–Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright spoke at commencement and encouraged the graduates to fulfill part of David O. McKay’s prophetic vision for the school by being the kind of leaders the world is “hungry” for. Wheelwright specifically identified righteous leadership, leadership in the home and family, and leadership in communities, as “three areas we hope will be hallmarks in your life.”

The graduates were also addressed by student speaker Marcus Lobendahn, a business management-corporate finance and accounting major from Paihia, New Zealand, who challenged them not to settle for the “easy A” in life. After the ceremonies, Lobendahn said about sitting on the stage, “I would say it was exciting. I felt honored because I got to speak with Elder Holland and you can just feel his warmth not only as an Apostle but as a person.“ He said of his experience at BYU–Hawaii, “It was amazing. The best thing I had from it was the opportunity to really get to know my professors.”

Of the more than 220 students who participated in the exercises, candidates for graduation hailed from 35 different countries. 

Tyler Luszeck, a graduate from California in biological sciences, gave the benediction at the ceremony. He said his time at BYU–Hawaii has changed him “in more ways than he can imagine.” Luszeck added his college experiences have been remarkable and “the best I could possibly have had. It has really helped me to know where I want to go, what I want to do, and it’s given me the skills to get there.” 

Later in the day, Elder Holland presided over a groundbreaking for the first in a number of phases of BYU–Hawaii construction at the site of a future multi-use building on campus.