Chancellor Rose Tseng

Chamber Column

September 2007

UH Hilo celebrates new people

The start of a new academic year is always exciting as we welcome newcomers and reunite with our university ‘ohana.

During orientation week, we welcomed hundreds of parents, students and new faculty and staff. Our university community did a marvelous job of looking after everyone and making last minute arrangements during the two days campus was closed due to the hurricane watch.

About 180 new faculty and staff have joined us. This influx of people enriches our campus and island community. They bring new energy and give a big boost to the island economy.

At our College of Pharmacy, the inaugural class of 90 students arrived along with over a dozen new faculty. Along with Hawai‘i residents, they herald from the continental U.S., the Pacific region, Asia and elsewhere and enhance our university’s diverse population.

The Education, Nursing and Business programs also welcome new faculty. In addition, new research positions have been filled.

We say aloha to former vice chancellors Steve Hora and Bill Chen and give our thanks for their exemplary service. With their departure, we welcome our new Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Phil Castille and Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Debra Fitzsimons.

Dr. Castille was founding dean at the College of Arts & Letters at Eastern Washington University. Previously, he served at Louisiana Tech University, and before that at the University of Houston Downtown as assistant chair of the Division of Arts & Humanities.

Dr. Fitzsimons joins us from Southwestern Community College District near San Diego, where she served as vice president of administrative affairs and chief business officer. Previously, she was CBO and administration dean at Grossmont College, California. Before that, she was executive director of financial affairs at Youngston State University, Ohio.

All search committees are to be commended for finding people of such high quality for UH Hilo as we transition into a truly comprehensive university. A special thank you to Chamber members who came to our open forums for candidates, and also to those who helped during the interviews and then assisted our newcomers with relocating. You are all the Aloha Spirit at work.

We’re off to a good start for 2007-2008! Thank you for all your support. When we work together, great things can happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng