Spring 2012 - Chaminade University of Honolulu

Transcription

12
THE REAL SILVERSWORD
A SALUTE TO THE
ETHOS OF SERVING
Aloha!
As part of a public forum on higher education issues earlier
this year, I was asked about the value of a college degree.
Many studies have focused on the lifetime earning potential
of college graduates as compared to those without degrees.
The average take home pay of college graduates is close to twice the level of those with only a high
school education. Employment figures also provide a stark validation of the importance of finishing
high school and going on to earn a college degree: high school drop outs are unemployed at a rate of
13.8% compared to 9.6% for college graduates.
Beyond the purely economic cost-benefit analysis, however, is the truly transformational nature of
education itself. This was recognized by our founder, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade; the
Bro. Bernard Ploeger
(left) and Fr. George
Cerniglia (right)
congratulate Ginger
Miller, Henry Gomes
and Angela Leilani
Salas on their
Founders’ Day
awards.
principles of a Marianist education are predicated upon these beliefs.
In January, we marked the 250th anniversary of the passing of Fr. Chaminade with a Mass at the
Mystical Rose Oratory. To honor his memory and legacy, we celebrate yearly a student, a member of
the faculty and a member of the staff who exemplify the Marianist spirit on campus and in the
community. This year Angela Leilani Salas ’12, Henry Gomes ’74 and Ginger Miller ’08 were
all honored. (See photo above.)
In this issue, we focus on service to country and how that intersects with the Marianist ideal of
service. Many of our alumni have served honorably and risen through the military ranks to positions
of great responsibility. In the university’s formative years, there was a need to help those returning
from combat who wanted to pursue their education. This has developed into a special niche for
Chaminade. We are proud to continue those efforts today in educating active and former service
members and their spouses.
Blessings,
Bro. Bernard J. Ploeger, SM, PhD
President
Fr. Cerniglia
(rector), Joan Riggs
(director, Interior Design),
Kathleen “Kitty” Wo
(chair, Board of Regents),
Ronald “Buzz” Wo (Kitty’s
husband), and Bro. Bernard
Ploeger celebrate Mr. and
Mrs. Wo’s endowed gift to
Chaminade University’s
Interior Design program.
Chaminade is the only
university in Hawaii to
offer a bachelor’s degree in
interior design (BFA).
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Chaminade Quarterly

Spring 2012
Features
Table
of
Contents
4 The Real Silversword
8 A Salute to the Ethos of Ser ving
C HAMINADE
Q UARTERLY
Departments
Bro. Bernard J. Ploeger, SM
12 Class Notes
President
Diane Peters-Nguyen
15 Silversword Spotter
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Kapono Dowson Ryan
Director of Communications
Editor, Chaminade Quarterly
Be-Jay Kodama
Director of Alumni Relations
Brandi Watanabe
Director of Annual Giving
Staff
Lesley Loon and Lindsey Mountain
Cover Photo
Eric White
BOARD OF REGENTS
Bro. Martin Solma, SM
Chancellor
Kathleen "Kitty" Wo
Chair
Daniel L. Colin
First Vice Chair
Cori Ching Weston
Second Vice Chair
Gae Bergquist Trommald
Secretary
Jeanne A. Anderson
William Anonsen
Violeta A. Arnobit
Carolyn Berry
Gen. David A. Bramlett, Army (Ret.)
Bro. Edward Brink, SM
Daniel J. Curran
Nicole M. Dupont
Edward K.O. Eu (Emeritus)
Daniel D. Goo
Amy L. Jampel
Brig. Gen. Dwight M. Kealoha USAF (Ret.)
Michael F. Kerr
Vice Adm. Robert K. U. Kihune USN (Ret.)
James Kraus
Gary E. Liebl (Emeritus)
Violet S. Loo
Rev. Paul Marshall
Rev. John A. McGrath, SM
Dr. Edison H. Miyawaki (Emeritus)
Bennette M. Misalucha
Anna Marie Springer
Willibrord K. Tallett
Dr. Laurie K.S. Tom
Dr. Lawrence K.W. Tseu
Vaughn G.A. Vasconcellos
Shelly J. Wilson
The Honorable Patrick K.S.L. Yim (Retired Judge)
Hoyt H. Zia
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Upcoming Events
April 12-15 Spring Musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
April 12-15 Alumni Reunion Events April 22 Marianist Jubilee Celebration
May 13 Baccalaureate and Honors Ceremonies May 14 Spring Commencement
This paper stock has been independently certified to FSC standards.
Also the inks selected for this issue are renewable vegetable based inks.
Michael Kerr Chair
Anton Krucky Vice Chair
Sharon McPhee Second Vice Chair
Blaine Rand Y. Lesnik Secretary
Joseph Melehan
Arnold M. Baptiste, Jr.
Wilson Thomas “Tom” Orbe
John C. Brogan
Diane Peters-Nguyen
Sai Cheong Chui
Walter A. Dods, Jr.
Donald D. Rodrigues
Adelia C. Dung
Richard E. Tanaka
Edward K. O. Eu
James J. Viso
Eddie Flores, Jr.
Gulab Watumull
Col. Christine “Crissy” M. Gayagas
Julie T. Watumull
Robert S. Harrison
J. Michael Windsor
Ed and Lynn Hogan
Jim R. Yates
Gary Hogan
Adm. R.J. “Zap” Zlatoper,
Bro. Robert Juenemann, SM
USN (Ret.)
Richard C. Lim
Janet Liang
The Chaminade Quarterly is published by Chaminade University of Honolulu, ©2012.
All rights reserved. Please address editorial correspondence to Editor, Chaminade Quarterly,
3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816-1578 or quarter@chaminade.edu. Third-class
postage paid at Honolulu, HI 96816.
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
3
According to Henry Gomes, Chaminade’s botany expert on native Hawaiian
plants, the plant known as the Kau silversword (Argyroxiphium kauenses) is
endemic and endangered. Normally found in bogs and openings in the wet
forest, it has also been found in small colonies on well-drained, relatively dry
sites. The plant itself can be as tall as 2.5 feet, but the inflorescence can
reach to about eight feet high.
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Spring 2012
THE REA L
S I LVERSWORD
A
By Jam e s K ra u s
As a community, Volcano Village on the island of Hawaii is small and
close-knit, and the Sunday morning Farmers’ Market provides a
regular meeting place. It was there in early July of 2010 that I heard
the silversword (Argyroxiphium kauenses) were in bloom.
My wife, Kai White ’02, and I had just moved to the big island earlier
that year when she agreed to accept a position as a historian at Volcano
National Park, and we had moved into a short-term rental in Volcano
Village, not far from the park.
Years earlier, while backpacking in Haleakala National Park, I had seen
quite a few silversword consisting mostly of balls of pointed silver-gray
leaves. I remembered them as growing in areas where nothing else
would – isolated communities of silver, glimmering balls, growing out
of a field of black cinder, seeming to draw their sustenance from light
itself so that in moonlight they became light sources themselves,
seeming to glow.
But I had never seen one in bloom, and I hadn’t realized that silversword
were found outside Haleakala on the island of Maui.
The reintroduction project involved taking cuttings from one of the sites
and raising them in a greenhouse. This generated enough seeds so that
by 2004, over 10,000 seedlings had been transplanted to protected sites
like the one we were soon to explore. The lifespan of silversword can be
from 20 – 30 years. Because of their beauty, rarity and vulnerability, they
have come to symbolize both the sacredness and the fragility of native
Hawaiian plants.
The particular blooming silversword that we wanted to see was the result
of that project. It had been one of the seedlings that had been planted
inside two “exclosures” – large areas that had been fenced to keep out
wandering hoved animals (sheep, primarily) that could damage the plants
and disrupt their habitat. The exclosure protecting the Kau silversword is
near the Mauna Loa trail at about the 7,000-foot elevation.
The mostly one-lane Mauna Loa Strip Road ends at a dirt parking lot,
where the trail to the 13,660-foot summit of Mauna Loa begins. There is
a covered stone lookout shelter maintained by the National Park Service
at the parking lot. From the lookout, we looked out over the spectacular
continued on page 6
Before we left Farmers’ Market, we gathered some basic information about
the location and soon found out that many of the residents of Volcano
had been involved in reintroducing a very rare species of silversword,
the Kau silversword, through a collaborative project that began in 1998.
The project involved state and federal agencies, along with conservation
groups and numerous community volunteers, including children and
parents from Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, the kindergarten
through eighth grade public charter school located between Volcano
Village and the entrance to Volcano National Park.
The Kau silversword is an exceptionally rare plant. Prior to the
reintroduction project, there were only two areas on the southern and
eastern slopes of Mauna Loa where they could be found, and there were
probably fewer than 700 individuals between them. Historically, biologists
believe there may have been many more, but the arrival of grazing animals
caused a dramatic reduction of the population.
“Because of their
beauty, rarity and
vulnerability, they have
come to symbolize both
the sacredness and
the fragility of native
Hawaiian plants.”
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
5
Wife and alumna Kai White ’02
photographed her husband
James Kraus, PhD, standing
next to a silversword with a central
stalk more than seven feet high
(right). Kraus has been a long-time
Chaminade professor of English
and currently serves as faculty
senate president and university
regent. A poet and nature writer,
Kraus, enthralled with the
silversword, captured its beauty
in photos above and to the left.
continued from page 5
landscape: Halemaumau and its plume some nine miles away and beyond
that the ocean. The trail begins in a koa grove, then opens onto an old
pahoehoe lava flow now populated with ohia and other native plants and
birds (‘apapane and i‘i‘wi).
By the time we found the exclosure, the sun was low. We saw a few small
silversword rosettes nestled into cracks and holes in the pahoehoe where
soil had accumulated. There were also other plants -- grasses and small
trees. But it was starting to get chilly, and the sun was dropping rapidly.
Happy that we’d found the exclosure, but disappointed that we would not
see any blooming silversword, we began the return over the rocky trail.
After talking with more Volcano residents that night, we soon had a rough
map on some scrap paper, so the next day we set off again. This time we
found the ladder that goes over the fence. After about half an hour of
searching we came upon a grove of small trees adjacent to an ‘a‘ā lava
flow, probably dating from the 1980s. The grove is within what is called
a k l̄ puka, a place around which lava has flowed, a kind of sanctuary for
plants and animals.
We soon saw that there was not one blooming silversword, but two. And
more significantly, we noticed the scent -- sweet, rich, full. Once we were
within a few feet, it was very intense. The aroma seemed to permeate the
air with a kind density that filled the nostrils, mouth and lungs. I thought
of vanilla and almond, and sandalwood incense, perhaps some sort of
ambrosia. I also thought of fully ripened peaches.
Because of their stature, the blooming plants had an almost human
presence, but taller than either my wife or myself. When the central stalk
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Spring 2012
had bolted upward from the rosette, the cluster of silver, pointed leaves
browned and turned downward forming a kind of skirt. The two
blooming individuals seemed to be astride a path that leads through
the grove. Nearby, at least a dozen other silversword also seemed to be
approaching maturity. We seemed to have arrived at a kind of sacred
place.
It would be over 18 months before we would return. We found the dried
and seed-filled stalks of the two serene plants we had originally seen, as
well as third plant nearby, that had bloomed in the meantime. On the
ground we found numerous seedlings, some no larger than a small coin.
In the trees nearby we would occasionally see glimpses of an ‘apapane or
i‘i‘wi, two rare native honeycreepers.
Virtually as soon as we arrived we began talking about whether or not
we would stay in Volcano or move back to Oahu, in which case I would
have to fly back and forth between Hilo and Honolulu once classes began
at the end of the summer. We knew from the outset that the decisive
factor would revolve around whether or not there would be a “fit” for
our 6-year-old daughter, Clara, in a new school.
By the end of the summer, a place for Clara opened up at Volcano School
of Arts and Sciences, and we decided to stay. The school, integral to the
Volcano community, emphasizes close study, appreciation and care of the
area’s unique environment. Beyond the school, Volcano community is one
that nurtures a preservation and conservationist ethic. After all, the
community is in many ways an extension of Volcano National Park,
which is a United Nations-designated International Biosphere Reserve.
It’s a community where the conservationist and preservation ethic is
alive and well, where people are committed to realizing humanity’s
all-important role of being steward of the environment.
THE CH A M I NA D E
SILV ERSWORD CONNECTI O N
Valerie Coleman, long-time Chaminade librarian, and Bro. Tom Jalbert,
who helps with archive, were able to find some interesting details on the
elusive Chaminade-Silversword connection.
According to the very first issue of “The Silversword” Chaminade
College Newspaper, distributed on April 2, 1963, “Silversword” had won
a Chaminade Nickname Contest. The nickname was meant to be to
Chaminade as “The Fighting Irish” was to Notre Dame.
Mary Lou Torres ’64, a Maui junior, won. On her entry, she had written,
“The silversword plant can be seen to grow and flourish only in Hawaii.
Indeed a rarity, just as the Christian leaders being trained in the light,
the word, and the truth...The sword has always had a note of nobility to
it, a note of leadership and chivalry. Silver is precious. Thus we have at
Chaminade, the precious education, the Christian education, the sword
which enables us to venture out into a materialistic world, ready to joust
with the dragons of communism, commercialism, and apathy. Yes, truly
the silversword is representative of that rare Christian education, found
only at a Christian Liberal Arts College.”
Submissions were judged on two criteria: originality and meaningfulness
or significance in expressing the ideals and objectives of Chaminade.
Bro. Harold Hammond (administration), Howard Delaney (faculty
representative), Harold Malterre ’64 (student representative and judging
committee chair), Phyllis Shea ’62 (Alumni Association representative)
and Jeffrey Keuss ’64 (student representative) judged the submissions of
the contest sponsored by the Student Association of Chaminade College
of Honolulu.
A press release revealed that in August 2007, more than 40 years after
“Silversword” was chosen, the university’s athletics department held a
contest to find an athletics logo that would be as unique as the university’s
nickname: the Silverswords. Glennie Adams, former Chaminade volleyball
coach, came up with the winning design that is now used on much of
the university’s sports promotional and
developmental materials.
The recent Chaminade’s Student Handbook
Academic Planner 2011-2012 also stated that
“Chaminade is identified with the rare
silversword plant, Argyroxiphium sandwicense,
or in Hawaiian, āhinahina. This plant is
indigenous to Hawaii and is found on
Haleakala, a dormant volcano on the Island of
Maui. The flowers of this exotic plant are said
to resemble the Cross, the symbol of Christian
faith.”
By the way, the silversword plant can also be
found on the mountains of Mauna Kea and
Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii, and Mary
Lou Torres is now Mary Lou Morgado, EdD.
Just in case you were wondering.
The photo (left) of Mary Lou Torres holding her
award-winning drawing of the Chaminade
silversword was found in the April-May
1963 issue of “The Chaminade Newsletter,”
published by Chaminade’s development
department. Chaminade’s athletics program
adopted the silversword logo (above),
thanks to another contest in 2007.
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
7
A SA LUTE TO TH E
E T HOS O F SERV I NG
By Kapono Ryan
o
Staff Sgt. Lon
Ret. Marine
S
U
a
as
Stender served
d
an
s
ar
ye
Marine for 10
ic
em
ad
ac
an
now serves as
dergraduate
advisor for un
haminade.
students at C
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Spring 2012
T
The Transition from US Marine to Academic Advisor
Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Lono Stender (MBA ’11), is a quiet deliberate
man. Though he no longer wears the uniform, a sense of what a Marine is
emanates through everything he does and values. On his wall are
family photos and a battle fatigue hat from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On his desk are special merit coins displayed in a slotted wooden tray.
Against the window is a glass case that holds an American flag neatly
folded into a triangle, stars outward, flanked by medals, ribbons and
awards. In the top left-hand corner, there is a medal with a Navy anchor
and stars at each corner attached to a green ribbon with two orange
stripes. Two extra stars are pinned on the ribbon. Stender explained that
it was the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal awarded to him
three times for superior achievement. There is also a bronze Valor device
award.
Stender spent 10 years as a Marine. A 1993 graduate of Kamehameha
Schools, he entered the Corps at 22 with a bachelor’s in Hawaiian Studies
from University of Hawaii-Manoa. “There were many experiences as a
Marine that accelerated my growth,” he recalled. Deployed three times
to Iraq and Kuwait from 2002 to 2005, he moved up the ranks and was
given greater and greater responsibility over junior personnel. “Groomed
for leadership,” he called it. By the time he retired, he was responsible for
50 young Marines, most between the ages of 17 and mid-twenties. He
found it fulfilling in that he was granted the privilege to not just lead,
but to mentor and teach young Marines.
In his thirties, the decorated veteran looked for opportunities to better
himself and his family. His goal was to find work that not only paid
a decent wage but also had significance. “My highest priority is that
wherever I worked, it had to be aligned with my personal beliefs and
goals,” he said. “The biggest part is in serving others.”
Using his GI benefits, Stender attended Chaminade night classes,
graduating with his MBA in 2011. He has served as an academic advisor
in Chaminade’s day undergraduate program since February 2011 and
has found it to be an excellent fit. “Watching people learn things,
watching them grow and being a part of that process has always been
very rewarding to me,” he explained. “Students have so much potential. I
get great satisfaction in helping people accomplish their goals,
keeping them on mission.”
the yellow foot prints stand for,” he said. It marked the beginning of a
transformative process that would define his life. It was also the moment
that would prepare him to help define the lives of other Marines and
now Chaminade students.
Air Force ROTC Cadet Prepares for New Horizons
Cadet Leah Phipps dreams of entering the medical field and becoming
a doctor. She hopes to graduate in 2014 or 2015 with a major in biology
and a minor in communications. When accepted by Chaminade, she was
ecstatic. Because of the diversity and the inclusiveness, the small classes
and personal touch, as well as the academics, she knew that Chaminade
was a good fit for her. “What I like is the family life at Chaminade. People
know who you are, and faculty members know you by name,” the young
cadet shared.
Studying hard at Chaminade, she understood that her future career
options would open up; however, looking forward, she realized how
expensive postgraduate costs would be. Though her undergraduate costs
are covered by her Chaminade financial aid package, she hoped that her
postgraduate costs could be covered by the Air Force.
The Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at University of
Hawaii - Manoa (UH-Manoa) has a partnership with Chaminade
University. Chaminade does not have its own ROTC program, but
Chaminade students can join the UH-Manoa program, which will
prepare them to become officers in the U.S. Military. In exchange for a
paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, cadets
commit to serve in the Military after graduation. UH offers two
programs: Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC.
As Phipps relayed what the Air Force ROTC program meant to her, her
eyes widen with excitement. The cadet is a member of a flight unit that
includes 14 other cadets, whom she respects and works closely with.
They are like family, and she enjoys working with them. She mentioned
Not one to just rattle off the Marine core values of honor, courage and
commitment, he shares his values from a heart that has deliberated on
experience and reflected heavily on a life. He understands clearly that his
relationships with students are genuine opportunities to serve.
Students will admire his coins and his ribbons. He only shares if asked.
He pointed out a dog-tag shaped coin given to him in Iraq by James E.
Cartwright, now retired US Marine Corps four-star general and eighth
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Stender pulled out another coin, a round one the size of a half-dollar
with yellow footprints. His fingers lingered on it awhile. He bought this
one as a reminder of his first steps as a Marine, his first day at boot camp
and standing on those yellow footprints. “Every Marine knows what
Air Force ROTC Cadet Leah
Phipps dreams of becoming
a medical doctor. Chaminade
University and the Air Force
provide a double-railed bridge
to help her reach her goals.
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
9
Mrs. Keys engages her students on Kaneohe Marine
Corps Base, one of seven bases served by Chaminade’s
AEOP (for more information on AEOP, go to:
www.chaminade.edu/aeop).
she dropped in at the Kaneohe Marine Base education center and was
greeted by the AEOP staff. “They were friendly and nice,” she said.
“I had no idea that there was so much opportunity available right there.”
She appreciated the convenience of the satellite location, just minutes
from her home on base, and the small classes. There was lots of personal
attention, help with papers and studies. Everything was right there. She
smiled at the memories.
Hired as an AEOP education assistant in 1998, she completed her
bachelor’s and took a program coordinator position on base in 1999.
Continuing her education, she soon completed her MBA. The Keys
family returned to California upon her husband’s retirement, but her
husband knew that she loved Hawaii. The family returned in 2008, and
she began teaching and working in her current position for Chaminade in
2011. “I now teach at the very place that I was amazed with,” said Keys
who enjoys encouraging her students one-on-one.
the rigor of the physical training, the running of road races with others
in her unit and talked about the meaningfulness of service projects done
together with unit members. “Through people, you learn who you are.
We compete, volunteer, and work together,” she said.
The flight units are at the entry level of a hierarchy of responsibility, a
chain of command, that continues up to squadron, group and then to
wing command levels. The cadets learn leadership through following those
above them and leading others coming up the ranks. “We learn to lead by
first following. I’ve learned the value of obedience is for your own safety.
If you follow correctly, you’ll live,” she explained.
The chain of command and Phipps’ connection to her flight team
provide her with a sense of order and strong bonding. She disciplines
herself to carry out the orders of those over her and then take responsibility for those coming up the ranks. With this time-tested process, she
continues to grow in skill level, confidence and leadership capacity.
“Integrity, excellence and service before self are the Air Force core values,
which are very important for me,” the idealistic cadet said. “These values
are part of the reason I chose the medical field. Hopefully someday I
could help by serving around the world.”
The fit with Chaminade is excellent because of its values of service and
educating in a family spirit. The higher education opportunity will
broaden her career options and will help her actualize her professional
dreams. The Air Force fit is also excellent. The Air Force ROTC program
can help her achieve her career goals and develop her potential as a
leader who is a vital member of a group. “Education and military
service suits me,” she said.
Phipps hopes to steward well both opportunities. Her dreams are high,
but Chaminade and the Air Force have added lift to her wings.
Military Wife Has Chaminade Family Spirit
Kimberly Keys (BA Psychology ’99, MBA ’02) is the assistant director
of Accelerated Evening Online Program (AEOP). Originally from
California, she has been the wife of U.S. Marine Corps Ret. Master Sgt.
Duane A. Keys for nearly 30 years. Her husband joined the Marine
Corps in 1981 and retired in 2002.
Her family is definitely a Chaminade family: Her husband, who already
holds a BS in Aeronautics and an MBA from Embry riddle University,
is currently seeking a BA in Psychology through AEOP; and her
daughter Aja Keys, who serves as Chaminade’s resident hall director, will
attain her Chaminade MBA shortly. Both husband and daughter hope
to graduate in the spring of 2013. Mrs. Keys earned both her degrees
from Chaminade University and currently teaches communications for
Professional Studies as an adjunct on Kaneohe Marine Base.
It was serendipitous, how she first connected with Chaminade. One day
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Chaminade Quarterly

Spring 2012
The active military and their family members consider education to be
very important for their futures, and Chaminade plays a key part of their
preparation. “A lot of us in the military are thankful for the opportunity
that Chaminade provides because we know that after our military service,
serving our country, we still got to continue serving in a different format
by being tomorrow’s leaders,” said Noe Soltero, a young Marine from
Keys’ AEOP Communication 101 class. “We’re going to continue serving
our country by getting our education, becoming more competitive, vital
citizens, not just in the military, but also as civilians.”
Speaking highly of both her and Chaminade, her students are very
grateful. Soltero continued, “We’re appreciative for the opportunity to
study and also for the understanding from the teachers, the faculty, in
that they understand that we are in high level stress, we have full time
jobs, but they make it available to us in a way that we are still getting
educated as we serve (in the military),” he said.
Geared For Active Military and Their Families
Morris “Skip” Lee (BGS-Management ’78, MBA ’83) has worked for
AEOP for 29 years come May. His connection with Chaminade is much
longer than that. In 1978 Lee earned a Bachelor of General Studies in
Management degree while on active duty. He retired from the military,
and in May 1983 he acquired his Master’s in Business Administration
degree. During that last spring 1983 session, he worked for Chaminade as
a VA work study as an assistant to the program coordinator at Schofield
Barracks. MBA in hand, he took over as Chaminade’s Schofield program
coordinator and remained there for 11 years. In July 1994, he moved up
to director for AEOP and has remained there ever since.
Lee pointed out that Chaminade has served service men and women and
their family members for 45 years and began offering classes in evenings
and on weekends at Schofield Barracks in 1967. The university soon
expanded to all military bases and became the first in the state to add
online classes to its program as well. AEOP currently serves about 1,200
students of which nearly 1,000 are military and their family members.
With about a dozen staff members, AEOP operates on the main Kaimuki
campus and offers classes on eight Oahu satellite locations: Camp Smith,
Hickam Air Force Base, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, Pearl Harbor Naval
Base, Schofield Barracks, Tripler Army Medical Center, Sand Island Coast
Guard Base and Leeward Community College. Students can pursue an
associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, depending on their goals.
“Chaminade has a good reputation for the quality of its programs.
Students realize that they will need to work for good grades in their classes
but also understand the value they are gaining for their careers and the
future,” said Lee, who is proud of the university’s reputation with the
armed services. “What we do is extremely beneficial to a great number of
people and makes a difference in a lot of people’s lives.”
Woven into the fabric of Chaminade’s community are military men and women who are currently
active, or have previously served, or are looking forward to a military career. As faculty, staff,
students and alumni, they interlace strong threads of military values, such as honor, service and
commitment, into the diverse weave of campus life. Chaminade with its Marianist values is a place of
transformative integration for them and their family members. The university’s value of
service, the opportunity to better oneself through education and the push towards leadership
match well their hopes. These profiles highlight that there are thousands
of Chaminade military stories out there.
Ret. Army Warrant Officer Morris “Skip” Lee (above) enlisted
right out of high school in 1958, did ground tours in Vietnam,
worked as a helicopter mechanic, and after flight training, became
a warrant officer who flew Huey helicopters. He retired after 20
years of active service and is now Chaminade’s AEOP director.
Friend Frank Metsker (left) and “Skip” (right) take a breather at
Camp Evans, Vietnam. Both served with Command C 158
Combat Aviation Battalion 101st Air Born Division,
nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles.”
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
11
Alumni Class Notes
1970s
Bro. Bernie Ploeger, Chaminade’s president,
acknowledges those alumni celebrating
special anniversary years at the Alumni
Reunion Weekend.
Aloha Alumni,
Each year I look forward with much
anticipation to the Alumni Reunion Weekend
Celebration. Seeing your smiling faces and
watching you connect with your classmates
and our campus ‘ohana is truly what our
Marianist family spirit is all about. The
friendships we made yesterday last a life time.
Join us at this year’s Alumni Reunion
Weekend Celebration. It’s a chance to
experience our Chaminade community
once again. The 50 Minute University
continues to be popular among those
interested in learning and discovering.
You will find this year’s classes informative,
educational and inspirational. The alumni
reunion committee has planned a variety of
topics from how to adapt to the economic
changes to tips on healthy living to how one
can boost one’s professional image. You can
even get up and personal with President Bro.
Bernie Ploeger, SM, as he shares the then,
now and future of Chaminade. He is looking
forward to a lively conversation with you!
Celebrate the spirit of Chaminade on
April 12 -15, 2012 at the Alumni Reunion
Weekend Celebration. Special recognition
will take place for the Class of 1962
celebrating its 50th Anniversary Year and
those classes ending in ‘2’ and ‘7’.
Return to where the journey began.
Celebrate with me the then, now
and always Chaminade!
Always with warm aloha,
Be-Jay Kodama ’86
Alumni Relations Director
bkodama@chaminade.edu
www.chaminade.edu/alumni
P.S. – Register online for the alumni luau
and receive a special alumni tee-shirt.
12
Chaminade Quarterly

Spring 2012
Thomas Chenchar, BA Political Science ’71
Thomas Chenchar contacted the Alumni
Office and shared how he was watching the
Sony Open recently on television and it
brought back memories of his Chaminade
experience. Chenchar said “The Sony Open
was originally the Hawaiian Open when I
attended Chaminade.” He recalled playing at
golf courses all over the islands and at Waialae
Golf Course every Friday for four years as a
part of the golf team. Chenchar along with
Robert Tintera, Bruce Benedict and his
brother Rex Benedict in the late 60s formed
Chaminade’s first golf team. It has been forty
something years, and these college buddies
still keep in touch with one another. Last
year they attended the Masters Tournament
together in Augusta, Georgia. His Chaminade
memories also included one of his speech
professors, Melba Kop. Chenchar is now
retired from United Airlines.
Henry Gomes, BA Biology ’74
In celebration of Founders’ Day, Chaminade
University presented Henry Gomes with the
Chaminade Award. The Chaminade Award
is presented to a faculty or professional
staff member who displays a continuous
of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the president of
Hawai’i Maoli (a non-profit Native Hawaiian
organization), and a member of the board of
the Hawai’i Council for the Humanities.
Todd McNamara, BA Asian History ’74
Todd McNamara has been listed as one
of the top fifty lawyers in Colorado for
the last several years. He was also listed in
Colorado Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in
America for many years. He writes “We travel
frequently to Hawaii every couple of years
to see some long time friends and were
blessed to go to the Galapagos Islands
with National Geographic this year; a
trip of a lifetime!”
Kenneth Chang, BA Political Science ’76
Kenneth Chang is the CEO of the Kiamalu
Consulting and Investigations Agency, which
is a company that started off primarily
conducting all types of investigations.
Chang says, “Chaminade University
provided the knowledge and guidance
for my career within the Honolulu Police
Department and continues to provide the
resources within the private sector.
The education received has given me much
needed guidance in the field of
investigatory services.”
1980s
Dennis Flaherty, BA Business
Administration ’83
Dennis Flaherty writes: “Thank you,
Chaminade! You gave me the will and
ability to take on more demanding challenges
in the U.S. Air Force. You also motivated
me to pursue graduate work which
culminated in a master’s degree in public
administration. Accordingly, I tip my hat to
you for a fulfilling 30 year career in the Air
Force and a very rewarding second career
with the State of Arizona. While I’m now
retired and living the good life in Arizona,
I hope to see old friends and acquaintances
at the 2013 reunion.”
commitment to the Marianist values in
education by promoting the dignity and
rights of all people, accepting others
with love and respect, being dedicated to a
collaborative and honest search for truth,
undertaking the intellectual life as a form of
service in the interest of justice and truth, and
exhibiting the Marianist traits of openness,
hospitality, graciousness, and faith in a
loving God. Gomes began teaching at
Chaminade University in 1978 and
became the associate provost in 2001.
He currently serves as Chaminades director of
Native Hawaiian Partnerships. He is active in
the Hawaiian community. Gomes is the chair
of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu
Scholarship Committee, the chair of the
Education Committee of the Association
1990s
David Tapp, MSCJA ’91
Judge David Tapp has been a Drug Court
judge for the State of Kentucky since
2005. He has recently been awarded the
All Rise award by the National Association
of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) in
Washington, D.C. He was honored for his
interview on the importance of Drug
Courts with Kentucky Congressman Hal
Rogers. This interview was eventually
featured in the All Rise magazine. Chris
Deutsch, the director of Communications
for the NADCP said “Judge Tapp is an
outstanding ambassador for Drug Courts
both in Kentucky and around the world.
It is an honor for NADCP to present
Judge Tapp with this award.”
Barbra Pleadwell, BA Communications ’92
The Organization of Women Leaders (OWL)
recognized Barbra Pleadwell as its 2011
Outstanding Women Leader. Pleadwell is a
partner with Hastings & Pleadwell, a 15-yearold communications company that ranks
among the top ten Honolulu public relations companies,
according to Pacific
Business News.
Pleadwell is a
communication
strategist who
specializes in
both for-profit
and non-profit
outreach, anchored
in integrity and
corporate responsibility. Pleadwell
has been recognized
throughout her
career for business
and community
leadership, including honors from the
U.S. Small Business
Administration, Hawaii Business magazine,
Pacific Business News as well as from community groups.
Jason Harris, BA Psychology ’95
Jason Harris is living on the North Shore in
Hawaii and is currently the Youth Market
director at the American Heart Association.
Harris is responsible for programs in Hawaii,
Guam, and Japan. According to Harris,
“Earning my degree at Chaminade University
allowed me to enter the military as an officer,
where I developed my leadership skills and
gained experience traveling and working in
foreign nations.”
2000s
Kimberly Keys, BA Psychology ’99,
MBA ’02
Kimberly Keys was one of the few Hawaii
residents privileged enough to get up and
close to President Barack Obama during his
recent vacation in Hawaii. She wanted to
be sure to promote Chaminade when they
met. Keys said, “I made sure that I wore my
Chaminade shirt and invited him to come
visit our campus. He responded with,
“I love Chaminade!”
George Sanqui, BA Psychology ’99,
MSCP ’04
Chaminade University recently hired
George Sanqui as the new assistant director
of Personnel. Sanqui will be working with
Lucille Streeter in the personnel office. He is
the son of Evelyn Sanqui, purchasing clerk
and long time staff member at Chaminade.
Erica Nolte, BA Biology, BS
Forensic Science ’05
Erica Nolte has been promoted to director
of Camp Sweyolakan for Camp Fire USA
Inland Northwest Council. Nolte was also a
camp program director and lead facilitator
for Century 21 which is an after school and
summer program at Shaw Middle School in
Spokane, Wash. Century 21 is a partnership
of AmeriCorps, Spokane Public Schools, and
Camp Fire USA whose goal is to provide
leadership and academic programs to
students outside the classroom. In 2001,
Nolte received the highest Camp Fire
honor, the Wohelo Award.
Gregory T. Perez, BA Business
Administration ’02, MSCJA ’05
After 25 years of active duty, retirement is in
the plans for Lt. Gregory T. Perez, U.S. Navy.
Perez is grateful for his experience. “I want to
say aloha to all the faculty, teachers and fellow
classmates at Chaminade. As I close this
chapter in my life, I now look forward to
what lies ahead with enthusiasm.”
Anthony Griffin, BS Criminal Justice ’06
Anthony “Tony” Griffin served in the U.S.
Navy from 1998 to 2007. He now has a
new chapter in his life. He recently opened
a new law firm, TK Law LLC, in Roseburg,
Oregon. “Our business model is to serve
the person who can’t afford an hourly rate,”
Griffin said. “We offer a flat rate with a
monthly payment plan. We focus on
criminal defense, family law, juvenile
dependency and estate planning.”
Zack Whiting, BA Communications ’06
Zack Whiting wrote to the Chaminade
Alumni Office and shared that he works
with a company called Ray Morgan. The Ray
Morgan Company was established in 1956
and has been helping businesses save money
through document technology for over 50
years. The company is located in Chico,
Calif. Zack wrote, “I am using my
communications degree to communicate our
document technology products to customers
in a professional but personable manner.”
Kahala Kabalis, BS Criminal Justice ’05,
MSCJA ’07
Chaminade University has hired Kahala
Kabalis, a former Chaminade volleyball
standout to be the new head coach for the
women’s volleyball team. As a Silversword,
Kahala earned first team honors in 2003 and
2004 with the Pacific West Conference. She
has coached volleyball teams at Radford High
School, Le Jardin High School and Hawaii
Pacific University. She is also the founder of
the HI Intensity Volleyball Club in 2006.
Kahala is currently working on her doctorate
from Capella University. She previously stated
that her goal was “to acquire a head coach
position at the collegiate level in Hawaii
and achieve success by winning conference
championships and qualifying for the NCAA
National Tournament. “Now that I’m here, I
can’t wait to get started.”
Boris Jelic, BBA ’06, MBA ’08
Boris Jelic writes, “After almost a year
(amazing one) spent in Dubai and the
United Arab Emirates, I have decided to
move on to a new challenge. Working in
Burj Al Arab, the world’s only seven star
and most luxurious hotel, was an amazing,
once in a lifetime experience. I have met an
array of wonderful people, both colleagues
and guests, and this was a big stepping
stone in my career. I will be moving back to
Cambodia and South East Asia where I had
started my hospitality journey after graduating with my MBA. I am joining the Song Saa
Private Island Resort, which is located south
of the country’s port town of Sihanoukville.
It is a brand new Australian company, and I
am joining as the Guest Experience (Front
Office) manager. It will be by far the
largest challenge I have taken so far as I will
be one of the department heads reporting
directly to the director of Rooms. At the same
time it will be great to go back to Asia and
Cambodia where I have a lot of friends.”
Ginger Miller, BA History and Political
Science ’08
Each year, Chaminade University presents
to a staff member the Marianist Award. This
year the honor went to Ginger Miller. The
Marianist Award is presented to a staff
member who exhibits a continuous and
extraordinary commitment to the Marianist
value of family spirit by living the Marianist
traits of openness, hospitality, graciousness
and faith in a loving God. Miller has been
the secretary for the Hogan Entrepreneurial
Program since its inception. As such, she is
the “face” of the program. She has a smile for
everyone. “Ginger follows Mother Teresa’s
axiom: it is not how much we do but how
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
13
communications provider in Canada
providing a broad range of consumer and
business solutions including land line service,
high-speed internet, wireless, digital TV, IP
networking and monitored security. Glennie
has also recently been selected to serve on the
Board of Directors at Age and Opportunity,
a mid size non-profit organization that
provides support service to older adults.
much loving we put in the doing.” As one
peer noted, “All this is second nature for
Ginger..” She also received an award from the
Hogan Entrepreneurial Program for 10 years
of outstanding service.
Horst Leo von Wendorff, BA International
Studies, MBA ’10
Horst Leo von Wendorff is the founder and
CEO of Virtual Knowledge Workers, Inc.
VKW is a leader in off-site staffing solutions.
Their team can help with scheduling,
customer service, telemarketing and a
variety of personal assistant tasks. Each
Virtual Private Assistant at VKW is highly
educated, language proficient and specially
trained based on the clients specific job
criteria.
Craig Glennie MBA ’11
Since graduating from Chaminade University
in May 2011, Craig Glennie has worked as
a Consumer Sales Representative at MTS
Allstream Inc. in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MTS Allstream Inc. is the fourth-largest
Shane Hanson, BA Communications ’11
Shane Hanson, a recent communication marketing graduate from California, is the founder and head trainer of Progression Athletics.
The company values providing
professional training at an affordable
cost. They offer sports training, personal
training and other fitness services. They train
athletes in California and Hawaii. “I have
developed a network of professionals from
numerous fields while attending Chaminade
University and participating in the Hogan
Entrepreneurial Program. I hope to use these
connections to expand my company around
the world. That process is currently underway.
I just returned from Serbia in August 2011
where I directed a peace education program
for the U.S. Embassy of Belgrade, Serbia for
10 days. Progression Athletics is a fully
functional for-profit organization, and I
am currently in the process of developing
Progression Athletics International, which is a
non-profit organization to improve orphans’
lifestyles around the world through athletics.”
Chandra Legdesog, BS Environmental
Science ’11
Chandra Legdesog of Chalan, Pago has
Alumni Reunion
April 12 – 15, 2012
50 Minute University
Networking Mixer
Leveraging Linkedin: Boost Your
Professional Online Image
Alumni Luau
Mass
Register Today!
www.Chaminade.edu/alumni
*Register for the Luau and receive
a special Alumni T-shirt,
while supplies last.
14
Chaminade Quarterly

Spring 2012
been selected for a Peace Corps forestry
assignment in Zambia. She will begin her
training as a forestry extension volunteer.
During the first three months of service, she
will live in Zambia with a host family to
become fully immersed in the country’s
culture and language. Peace Corps service
is a 27 month commitment.
Memorials
Amy
C. Wong BA ’66
Leonard Paul Jaber BGS ’81
John Savidge BGS ’82
Ward Hayward – former professor
Dorothy Toomey – former
Chaminade Administrator
Beverly Murray – wife of
William Murray
Joseph Ryan ’66 flew
in from California to
celebrate his special
anniversary year.
Jan Seymour ’76 reminisced with Diane Peters-Nguyen
on why Chaminade and Hawaii are so special.
“TK” Terrence Kong ’89, ’03 volunteers each year
at the Reunion Weekend.
Willie Tallett ’62, current Chaminade Regent,
enjoyed the festivities while dancing with his
sweetheart, Pauline.
Class of 1962 celebrated its 50th anniversary reunion year with a scholarship gift for students and a traditional kahili pa‘a lima to Bro. Bernie Ploeger.
Spring 2012

Chaminade Quarterly
15
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HONOLULU, HI
PERMIT NO. 320
3140 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816-1578
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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youecraenncmeak
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Because of your generous contributions to the Annual Fund for Excellence, our students
continue to have more life-changing opportunities for learning and success here, through
student scholarships, curriculum and research, student life activities and countless others
ways. Your giving is making a difference, and we are sincerely grateful.
As we wind down on another successful academic year, we ask you to please continue
your support. All gifts to the Annual Fund received by June 30 will be counted towards
this year’s 2011-12 campaign. Make yours today using the enclosed envelope
or online at www.chaminade.edu/gifts.
With your support, our students—students like Kristina and so many
others—can accomplish even more.
For more information, please contact Brandi Abe at (808) 735-4763
or afund@chaminade.edu.
M AHALO FOR YOUR SUPPORT !
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