Ariel Chaffin | University Relations | 3 April 2013

Approximately 550 students representing 46 different countries will participate in the upcoming BYU–Hawaii commencement exercises on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Out of the 46 countries represented, this is the first graduation to include a graduate from the British Virgin Islands and Lebanon. Addressing the graduates will be Elder Richard J. Maynes, Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Commencement will be held at 9:30 AM in the George Q. Cannon Activities Center and will be streamed live online at http://tv.byuh.edu/livestream/livestream.php.

The student speaker will be Karen Iwamoto, from Quezon City, Philippines, who is graduating with a degree in TESOL.

Casandra Fryhoff | University Relations | 1 April 2013

Elected by the student body, John Fisihetau, Raife Campbell and Sephra Kinikini are the new Brigham Young University–Hawaii Student Association (BYUHSA) Presidency who will serve during the 2013-14 school year. 

John Fisihetau, a senior in business management from Utah, is the new president. John’s running mate, Raife Campbell, a junior in business finance and supply chain from Australia, is the new executive vice president. After the election, interviews for the second executive vice president position were held and Sephra Kinikini was selected, completing the three-person presidency. Sephra is a senior studying history from Hawaii.

Skyler Chambers | University Relations | 28 March 2013

The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship hosted the university’s annual business plan competition on March 20-21, giving students the chance to get cash awards to move their carefully designed plans into action. 

Ariel Chaffin | University Relations | 21 March 2013

Mark H. Willes, former CEO of Deseret Management Corporation and former president of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, was honored with the Global Leadership Award by the BYU–Hawaii student chapter of the BYU Management Society Tuesday night at their Annual Global Leadership Award Gala Dinner. 

Through his career, Willes has served as president and CEO of KSL Television and Radio, as well as at Times Mirror. He was the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president, CFO, president, COO and vice chairman of General Mills, and served as both the president and first vice president in different banks of the Federal Reserve System. 

University Relations | 15 March 2013

A new website, www.mormonsandchina.org, is being launched with specific information for those from the People's Republic of China who have joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living outside of China. 

Typically, more than 70 students at BYU–Hawaii are from the People's Republic of China – many of them falling into the category of having joined the LDS Church while living in a different country. This is currently the seventh largest country representation on campus and is part of the university's target area for its international student base. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, BYU–Hawaii is the most international of all baccalaureate institutions in the United States. 

Rachel Romney | University Relations | 11 March 2013

The BYU–Hawaii Alliance of Marketing Professionals & Students (AMPS) is hosting its first annual Marketing Week with a series of campus-wide events that are available to students from all majors to participate, learn, and network as marketers. The mission of AMPS is to “help prepare students for business success through programs, projects and activities that enhance their knowledge, experience and connections within the marketing industry.”

Jenifer Herrera | University Relations | 5 March 2013

To help BYU–Hawaii students fulfill the university’s mission in building leaders around the world, the Alumni Association Office is ready to help students network with over 400 alumni mentors worldwide through the Professional Mentorship Program. 

“Alumni get involved by helping us recruit students and by becoming mentors to students to help them find their desired job,” said Corbin Thomander, alumni relations manager of BYU–Hawaii. “The most beneficial aspect of this program is students get the chance to network with someone who works in the desired field and location the student hopes to enter when they graduate. The mentor program has been really successful and a great way to network.” 

Nicia Sanelli | University Relations | 4 March 2013

Alfred Grace became the President and CEO of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) on February 26, 2013, succeeding Von Orgill who served for 12 years in that capacity. Orgill will begin a new assignment in July 2013 presiding over the California Irvine Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Grace started building his roots at BYU–Hawaii in 1983 when he came to attend school as a freshman. During his years at school, he was able to work in several different areas of the PCC. He started at the PCC as a dancer, and later worked as a technician, tour guide, and light operator. These jobs eventually led him to a sales position in the reservation office.  He also worked on the BYU–Hawaii school farm as a student.