Wainaku Executive Center, Hilo

Those of you here tonight represent several generations of Big Islanders, so I don’t have to tell you how far UH Hilo has come since our founding 60 years ago. A few of you even helped get us started, and you can probably tell our history better than I can.

Some of you remember the tiny two-year extension program in the Hilo Boarding School, which grew into a small undergraduate liberal arts college, which evolved into the multi-faceted university we are today.

You’ve watched us take advantage of our island’s unique geographical setting to develop signature programs in marine science, astronomy, and conservation biology. You’ve seen us add six master’s programs and two doctoral programs. You’ve seen us double our enrollment, and burst at the seams!

Some of you may have joined your children or grandchildren for exciting adventures at our ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. Or you may have hired our graduates and experienced firsthand the powerful economic impact of UH Hilo.

I wonder, however, how many of you have had an opportunity to look beyond these achievements and see some of the critical problems that the university is working to solve.

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Chancellor Rose Tseng has named April R. Komenaka, PhD, (at left) to serve as interim dean of the College of Continuing Education and Community Service, replacing Michael O’Donnell who resigned this month. The appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Since 2003, Komenaka has served as assistant dean at the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to her teaching activities in linguistics and English, she previously served UH Hilo in various administrative capacities, including chair of the Division of Humanities, chair of the Department of English, and chair of the Department of Education.

She also is active in accreditation issues, serving as UHH’s liaison to the Western Accreditation for Schools and Colleges and chairing the Accreditation Steering Committee to prepare for the 2007 WASC site visit. Her current research interests include electronic and distance learning.

Chancellor Tseng writes a column in today’s Hawaii Tribune-Herald (external news site determines when link expires).

Summary:

UH Hilo’s new College of Pharmacy welcomes its inaugural class of 90. The program will draw increasing numbers of students to other disciplines like chemistry and biology, which are core requirements of the pre-pharmacy program. These programs have already exhibited tremendous growth in recent years, and the College of Pharmacy will add an extra boost.

In support of this growth, the Legislature appropriated and Gov. Lingle released funding for construction of a new Physical Sciences Building on campus.

Clear signage, good lighting and clean landscapes enhance campus safety.
Photo by William Ing.

As the new semester commences, Chancellor Tseng reaffirms that campus safety and security remain a top priority at UH Hilo.

“The safety and well being of our students, faculty and staff continues to be our paramount concern here at UH Hilo,” said Tseng. “We pride ourselves on providing a quality education with aloha, which means that our top priority is a secure, well-lit campus with a trained, professional and courteous security staff.

“At the start of another school year, we have worked hard to meet the challenges of ensuring everyone’s safety and peace of mind while on campus,” she said.

Full press release here.

Governor Lingle announces release of $11.9 million for UH Hilo, which will be used for the renovation of laboratories, fencing the soccer field, reroofing the business office, accessibility and signage improvements throughout the campus, traffic light improvements at the main entrance to the campus and sewer connection upgrades.

Also included are temporary facilities that will house programs displaced by repairs and maintenance projects, such as the Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall, which is undergoing a major replacement of the air conditioning system.

Full UH press release here.

UH Hilo ties for sixth place among the nation’s liberal arts colleges for ethnic and racial diversity among the student body in the 2008 edition of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. The exclusive rankings, which this year feature some substantial changes in methodology, is published in the magazine’s current issue.

UH Hilo had the highest percentage of Asian Americans among liberal arts colleges in the U.S. at 50 percent. The university, which ranked in the fourth tier overall among liberal arts colleges, is tied with Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i, where the percentage of Asian Americans stood at 40 percent.

“The multicultural makeup of our student body has and continues to be one of the strengths and distinguishing features of UH Hilo,” said Chancellor Rose Tseng. “This diversity is both a tremendous source of pride and a valuable asset in preparing our students to excel in a global society.”

For more information about the rankings and the changes in methodology employed by US News, visit the magazine online at www.usnews.com/colleges .

UH Hilo press release here.

UH Hilo campus will resume operation Thursday, Aug. 16. UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College closed on Aug. 14 and 15 due to Hurricane Flossie.

Read full press release here.

Orientation staff and all faculty and staff,

I want to tell you how much I appreciate that you work so hard to accommodate the students. Every one of you has been extra conscientious of the needs of the students and been superb in making the last minute arrangements. Thank you all.

Mahalo,

Rose

Due to the unpredictability of Hurricane Flossie, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College campuses will remain closed on Wednesday, Aug. 15. All employees are advised to stay at home.

Read the full press release at: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/news/press/view/586/

Chancellor Tseng delivers Convocation at Ho‘oulu Terrace. Photo by John Oshima.

Aloha!

Today is the beginning of a new academic year. It’s exciting to welcome newcomers, and reunite with all of you, our university ‘ohana.

This week is busy with orientation activities. Thank you for your time helping students and new faculty. Your spirit of aloha makes UH Hilo a very special place. Before we introduce new members of our ‘ohana, I’d like to share some highlights of our university.

When I came to UH Hilo in 1998, I surveyed our university and local communities and together we made three major goals to achieve our Strategic Plan: 1) academic excellence, 2) enrollment growth, and 3) resource development.

We have all been working hard on all three. Thank you!

Academic excellence is our foundation. You are the best teachers, and your aloha spirit creates a very special learning environment.

Our island inspires the spirit of discovery, and many of our programs make the most of our living laboratory — culture, science, art, and more.

Student and professor collect data at the summit of Hualalai. Photo courtesy of Keaholoa STEM program.

At UH Hilo, we integrate science, culture and technology to prepare students for the 21st-century global economy and society.

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