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.

Our last review with WASC a few years ago was very good, and we are accredited for 10 years. The WASC team commended us for transforming from liberal arts college to comprehensive university.

Also accredited are the College of Business and Economics, and Nursing and Education programs.

The new College of Pharmacy just received pre-candidate status — the first and only in the state of Hawai‘i.

Now I’d like to share a few highlights from each college.

Students collecting data, aquaculture program, University Farm at Pana‘ewa.

At the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management, we have exciting programs that are helping local and international business and economy - aquaculture, horticulture, animal science and more.

In April, faculty joined Marine Science faculty to host Ocean Day Hawai‘i. Hundreds of school children visited UH Hilo’s Pacific Aquaculture Center and learned about ocean resources. It was a fun day! Thank you to everyone who helped organize.

Students rehearsing, Performing Arts program, UH Hilo Performing Arts Center.

As most of you know, I love the theater. At the College of Arts and Sciences, our new Performing Arts program enhances the cultural life of the university and our local community.

By the way, did you know our University Showcase Singers will be performing at Carnegie Hall in January? They will be joining other singers from across the nation to form a 200-person choir!

Student at new UH Hilo genetics lab funded through EPSCoR.

Our innovative STEM programs are increasing underserved students in science, and encouraging them to pursue graduate studies. EPSCoR has developed genetics labs. (EPSCoR is the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, a statewide initiative funded by the National Science Foundation and administered at UH Hilo.)

New B.S. in Marine Science was established (in addition to existing B.A.)

The College of Business and Economics, students have internships with local, mainland and international businesses.

This summer, three students attended the “Elite American Youth Leader Camp” in Taiwan — fully paid!

New Accounting degree was established.

First UH Hilo PhD cohort, College of Hawaiian Language, begins second year.

At the College of Hawaiian Language, the first doctoral cohort will start its second year this fall. This is the first Ph.D. at UH Hilo, and was approved by WASC — thanks to faculty!

At the College of Pharmacy, the inaugural class of 90 students begins this fall.

As I mentioned before, the college received pre-candidate status for accreditation.

At the College of Continuing Education and Community Service, the Fitness for Life program offers fun and healthy classes for everyone.

In three years, the Osher program has enrolled more than 1,300 adult learners in 126 courses.

The Library is being renovated to better serve UH Hilo, Hawai‘i Community College and the local community.

Thank you to the library staff for being accommodating during renovation. We all appreciate your patience and maintaining good service.

Congratulations for all your hard work with grants and research. Faculty are working with major grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, NASA, USDA, and others. Active grants are currently about $20 million.

From 1997 to 2006, we’ve had an overall increase in students of about 33%. The Fall 2006 headcount of 3,507 was the highest enrollment in the history of our campus.

But with this growth comes challenges. The level of funding has not kept pace with us.

We submitted 36 requests for Biennium Budget, but received only about half. But compared to other campuses, we are doing very well. Thanks to our state legislators Jerry Chang and Cliff Tsuji — here with us today– and other legislators.

For example, we received money for:

• Tutorial services
• Nursing & Education
• Library
• EEO/AA office
• Title IX

For CIP, we received for:

• Student Services Building
• Modular buildings for Pharmacy
• And money for Science and Tech building was released.

Construction at Student Life Center. Image snapped by site’s Web cam Aug 11.

I wanted to show you the progress of our Student Life Center. It will have classrooms, exercise rooms, human performance testing, swimming pool, covered deck and café. When finished next year, it will be a major part of our transformation into a premier residential campus

We are trying to boost services and infrastructure to support our students and make this a true comprehensive university. It’s a very exciting time for UH Hilo.

But, with it comes growing pains. Change is always hard. I want to sincerely thank you all for bearing the inconvenience. Your patience and understanding will benefit our students in the long run. Thank you.

New covered walkway between University Classroom Building and Campus Center Plaza.

We have many achievements to celebrate, and we have many challenges ahead.

Thank you, everyone, for working together to build the best university that truly benefits our diverse students and the entire community. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Have a great fall semester.

Aloha.

(Photos by William Ing unless otherwise noted.)