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.

Nicia Sanelli | University Relations | 22 February 2013

Last year, a handful of students formed a research group in a subject they are all interested in: neuroscience. After much time, effort, and energy, BYU–Hawaii students were able to see the fruit of their labor as their research was published in Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, a Routledge publication.

The group was mentored by Ron Miller, professor of psychology at BYU–Hawaii. “[This] study is interesting because it is comparing a person’s subjective experience to an objective measure to determine how best to assist that person.”

Michael Johanson | University Relations | 21 February 2013

One of the most prominent displays on BYU–Hawaii’s Laie campus is the large tile mosaic showcasing an American flag raising ceremony on February 7, 1921, attended by then Elder David O. McKay and Hugh J. Cannon. The two were on assignment from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to visit members of the Church throughout the world when they stopped in Laie. It was at this flag raising that Elder McKay saw an institution of higher learning that would bring students together from all across the globe, and then send them back as learners, leaders and builders in their respective countries. 

[READ A TIMELINE OF BYU–HAWAII]

Nicia Sanelli | University Relations | 20 February 2013

This weekend, the BYU–Hawaii Music and Theatre Department will present a musical production of Little Women. The story portrays the love shared between four sisters and their mother, battling through tragedy, loss, and tests of strength.

Although the Music and Theatre Department performs multiple plays each year, they only have one musical annually. This year, the cast is made up of 24 talented students who auditioned and were chosen for their selective parts by Director Craig Ferre and Musical Director Michael Belnap.

“Everyone came together to produce a show that is powerful, full of talent, and enchanting to the core. It has been a privilege to be a part of this musical cast,” said Cassie Fryhoff, playing the character Marmee (the mother).

Ariel Chaffin | University Relations | 11 February 2013

Spirit Week begins Monday, February 11, with “Seasider Red Day.” Students, faculty and staff across campus donned red apparel to honor the birthday anniversary of BYU–Hawaii. Daily activities along with campus-wide dress themes will take place all week. Spirit Week is a series of events highlighting the ground breaking of the Church College of Hawaii, now BYU–Hawaii, that occurred on February 12, 1955, by David O. McKay.

The purpose of the annual Spirit Week is to celebrate BYU–Hawaii’s heritage and those who have come before, while reconnecting students, faculty, staff and alumni with the school's mission and each other. 

Casandra Fryhoff | University Relations | 11 February 2013

Drawing from several influential philosophers, Dean Phillip McArthur presented an engaging address on language and the challenges and opportunities it presents with regard to meaning. The address was the 2013 annual David O. McKay Lecture which welcomed hundreds of students and others from the campus community to the Cannon Activities Center to listen to McArthur and his remarks entitled, "Shadows, Curtains, and a Shiny Canoe...to Consider (earnestly) the Uncertainty of Meaning.” 

“Individual words and sounds carry no significance alone, but only in their relationship to other words and sounds, and thus, meaning is dependent upon differences, or the contrast between sounds and words,” said McArthur. “Fundamentally then, linguistic signs are determined by what they are not.”