Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection

June 2009

Celebrating Spring Commencement and a $1.5 million anonymous donation

UH Hilo celebrated Spring Commencement on May 16. It was a joy to see the support of friends, families and the community for our graduates. Many state and county elected officials also attended to honor our graduates.

Our keynote speaker was Jerry Yang, co-founder and Chief Yahoo at Yahoo! Mr. Yang also was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from UH. He really enjoyed becoming part of the UH Hilo ‘ohana!

Jerry has an impressive background as co-developer of Yahoo! in 1994 while working toward his Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford University. He was chief executive officer of Yahoo! in 2007-2009. He currently serves on the board of directors of Cisco Systems, Yahoo! Japan, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and is also on Stanford’s Board of Trustees. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford and is currently on a leave of absence from Stanford’s electrical engineering Ph.D. program.

I’ve known Jerry many years from when I lived in Silicon Valley, and as I knew he would, he delivered an inspiring and timely keynote to our graduates. He emphasized the importance of looking past adversity such as a down economy, reminding everyone, not just our graduates, that from adversity comes innovation and new ideas.

“Great companies, great ideas, products, even social movements have come about as people are throwing away the status quo and doing everything in new ways,” he said. “In some ways, there’s not a better time to be a graduate, to be part of this renewal.”

He emphasized hard work and perseverance, and encouraged our graduates to explore the world as much as possible. He told us he’d spent six months in Japan as a graduate student, making friends who later helped him start Yahoo! He said traveling changed his worldview on people, cultures, and ideologies.

These important concepts Jerry talked about—innovation, new ideas, hard work, a global perspective— are all activities and values we promote and cultivate in our students for just the reasons he cited. Our students are well prepared to address the challenges of a global marketplace.

“Information technology has flattened the world, and your UH Hilo education has prepared you well,” Jerry said in his keynote. “You need to appreciate how great your potential is, given the incredible tools you are blessed with.”

You can view Jerry’s entire address on video posted on my website.

In other news, I’m excited to report UH Hilo received an anonymous donation of $1.5 million. At the donor’s request, $1 million is designated for financial assistance and scholarships to all eligible students. An additional $500,000 is designated for unrestricted purposes, enabling the university to advance its goals.

UH Hilo will use this groundbreaking gift to recruit and retain the students from Hawai‘i and elsewhere, to remove barriers to student access and achievement, and to enhance programs that support student success.

UH Hilo is proud to be recognized with this wonderful vote of confidence in our ability to transform the lives of our students. The university serves as an economic engine for our state and region, and we will repay this investment many times over as our students graduate and take their place in the professional workforce.

Mahalo for all you support. When we all work together, great things happen!

Aloha,
Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
May 2009

Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan approved

I am happy to inform you that the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan was unanimously approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Mahalo for your support! A special thanks to Barbara Hastings and others for testimony, members for participation in the April 6 rally, support of the CMP on the Chamber’s website and through email notices. Your support was invaluable and I sincerely thank each and every one of you.

I’m pleased and proud to commit the University of Hawaii at Hilo to take the lead in implementing the Comprehensive Management Plan. We recognize that stewardship of Mauna Kea needs to be from the Big Island. In the year 2000, UH changed the organizational structure for the management of Mauna Kea, and UH Hilo assumed responsibility.

We’ve been the lead campus for the past eight and a half years, working through our Office of Mauna Kea Management. Its mission is to find harmony, balance and trust in the sustainable management and stewardship of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. We involve the public in preserving and enhancing the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of Mauna Kea. We also aim to provide a world-class center for education, research, and astronomy.

The Office of Mauna Kea Management has made sure that no change is made on Mauna Kea without considerable community oversight and involvement. The Mauna Kea Management Board advises OMKM and me on stewardship issues. It’s a hard-working, community-based board that actively helps to manage the mountain. All its meetings are open to the public. Mahalo to Barry Taniguchi for his leadership as board chair.

The Kahu Ku Mauna Council and Environment Committee also volunteer many hours to study stewardship issues and provide thoughtful input to OMKM and the board. Kahu Ku Mauna means “guardians of the mountain,” and they provide guidance on cultural matters.

I’m proud UH Hilo has the expertise and capacity to implement the CMP. We’ve been growing steadily over the past 11 years. With over 600 employees, we are the second largest employer in East Hawaii. Moreover, we’re a comprehensive university with expertise in Hawaiian language and culture as well as degree programs in many other relevant subjects, including conservation biology, environmental studies, astronomy, geology, and other disciplines.

We pride ourselves on being able to integrate culture and science. We run special science programs to give first-generation college students and other under-represented groups opportunities to succeed in science studies. We are increasing the numbers of Native Hawaiian students majoring in the sciences and achieving degrees, and do a lot of K-12 outreach. We built ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center to bring science and culture together.

The Office of Mauna Kea Management and the Mauna Kea Management Board have already made great strides in managing the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. We have brought transparency and accountability to the Science Reserve. We’ve already laid the foundation for implementing the CMP recommendations.

UH Hilo is a community-driven university. We work for the community, and the community has always supported us in a true partnership. Mauna Kea is important to the community and UH Hilo together. We’re all the more ready to support the recommendations of the CMP because they were developed with wide and deep community input. Again, mahalo to the Chamber for all your support in our efforts.

Last month, I told you about our Spring Commencement keynote Jerry Yang, co-founder and Chief Yahoo at Yahoo! I wanted to tell you that UH Hilo nominated Mr. Yang to receive an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from UH.  Mr. Yang was chief executive officer of Yahoo! from June 2007 to January 2009. He co-developed Yahoo! in 1994 while he was working toward his Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford University. Mr. Yang currently serves on the board of directors of Cisco Systems, Yahoo! Japan, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and is also on Stanford’s Board of Trustees. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford and is currently on a leave of absence from Stanford’s electrical engineering Ph.D. program. I’ve known Jerry many years from when I lived in Silicon Valley, and I look forward to hearing his remarks at Spring Commencement on May 16. I know he’ll be an inspiration to our graduates.

Mahalo for all you support. When we all work together, great things happen!

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
April 2009

Community and international outreach benefits everyone

I’d like to share with you some exciting events, community outreach, and two international forums held at UH Hilo in March.

UH Hilo sponsored a joint US-China delegation of 40 top scientists and technical experts on renewable energy from the National Academies of Science and Engineering. This prestigious group chose UH Hilo as the location to discuss the future of renewable energy for the world. The work of this Committee on US-China Cooperation on Electricity from Renewables will help national governments and private industry in developing renewable energy. They were very interested in the Big Island’s renewable energy plans and how research strengthens the economic foundation of our community. Participants included UH Hilo faculty and staff, representatives of Mayor Billy Kenoi, Hawai?i Electric Light Company, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, and Richard Ha and others from local agriculture businesses.

Our College of Hawaiian Language sponsored an optional extension of the 1^st International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation, held at UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i. The conference focused on the theme of collaboration in language documentation and revitalization, and linguistic educators from all over the world came to Hilo to learn more about our internationally acclaimed Hawaiian language revitalization programs. The conference in Hilo was of great value to the participants who are working on language revitalization in many different countries.

The American Association of University Women sponsored the 17^th Annual Math/Science Conference for 7th Grade Girls held at UH Hilo. In my welcome remarks I encouraged the young scholars to continue their education and interest in science and math. I wanted them to understand that the future of our communities and of the world will be in the hands of people well educated in science, technology, engineering and math professions.

Many thanks to Jan Higashi and the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center Advisory Board for the 5th Annual Girls’ Day Diva Festival. It was another great event with food samplings donated by favorite local restaurants, a silent auction, door prizes and a sold out concert featuring the Society of Seven. Mahalo for all the community support! The proceeds will benefit the UH Hilo’s Performing Arts Center.

Our annual Ocean Day will take place on April 25 at UH Hilo’s Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center. Once a year, the Keaukaha research facility opens its gates to the community, providing hands-on educational activities focused on celebrating Hawai’i's ocean and coastal heritage. Families with their kids enjoy music, food and fun. The event is hosted by UH Hilo and our Department of Marine Science, in partnership with UH Sea Grant. Please come join us!

I’m happy to announce our 2009 Spring Commencement speaker will be Jerry Yang, co-founder, director and chief yahoo of Yahoo! Inc. He was chief executive officer of Yahoo! from June 2007 to January 2009. He co-developed Yahoo! in 1994 while he was working toward his Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford University. He also serves as a director of Yahoo! Japan Corporation and Cisco Systems, Inc. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. I’ve known Jerry many years from when I lived in Silicon Valley, and I look forward to hearing his remarks at Spring Commencement on May 16. I know he’ll be an inspiration to our graduates.

Mahalo for your support of these and other events. When we all work together, great things happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
March 2009

Advancing UH Hilo, Hilo and the Big Island: When we grow, you grow

I’d like to share with you some of the exciting educational and research programs I’ve been participating in and promoting during my recent travels.

I met with staff of Senator Daniel Inouye and Congressman Neil Abercrombie to discuss UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i, our College of Pharmacy, our National Science Foundation grants and programs, and other funding sources to support the university and community programs. We also discussed the decommissioned Army Reserve property in Hilo; the 3.75 acres parcel is an ideal location for the operation and expansion of UH Hilo.

I’m excited to be serving as vice chair of the steering committee at the Millennium Learning Initiative Institute. The MLI is part of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and is a leadership development program that provides individuals from underrepresented groups a unique opportunity to advance to the presidency in higher education.

The MLI program identifies African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islanders and women in senior-level positions, who are interested in career advancement to the presidency, and helps them achieve that goal. It’s an honor to be vice chair of the steering committee at the MLI Institute, where we are charged with strategic planning for the Institute.

I’ve also been active at the Executive Network Board at the American Council on Education (ACE). I currently represent Hawai’i on the State Coordinators’ Conference, held as part of ACE’s annual meeting, where I interact with representatives from other states on important issues such as student and faculty retention, diversity and minority enrollment, personnel issues, funding, and international networking. I learn a tremendous amount at these gatherings, and it’s also highly valuable for putting UH Hilo, Hilo and the Big Island on the map through sharing and promoting our unique location and excellent programs in these areas.

One of UH Hilo’s most exciting initiatives is the Islands of Opportunity Alliance program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. I serve as principal investigator and UH Hilo is the lead institution in the 19-member NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation or LSAMP program, which has the goal of increasing the number of students successfully completing baccalaureate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics: the STEM fields.

The Islands of Opportunity Alliance recently held a summit in Honolulu with representatives from the 19 institutions, including University of Guam, Palau Community College, Hawai’i Pacific University, Chaminade University and the 10 campuses of the University of Hawai’i system. Institution representatives met with NSF directors from Washington, D.C., to evaluate progress, share best practices, and reassess plans for the second half of the award period.

What I have learned in my travels over the past 10 years is that UH Hilo serves as a model institution on issues of diversity, international networking and interaction, collaborative research and STEM programs, and other educational programs that prepare our students for the 21^st century global society. Many organizations and universities look to UH Hilo for leadership in these areas, and it’s an honor for me to share our expertise and learn from others so that together we can build even stronger programs.

My participation in these prestigious organizations and initiatives is extremely important not only for advancing and promoting UH Hilo throughout the country and internationally, but also Hilo and the Big Island. What’s good for the university is also very good for our local communities and businesses. When we grow, you grow!

Thank you for your continued support. When we all work together, great things happen!

Aloha and mahalo,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
February 2009

Mahalo for Chamber’s advocacy at State Legislature

Thank you to the Chambers and business community for your support of UH Hilo each legislative session. This year is more important than ever as the legislature addresses the crucial need to invest in building Hawai’i's workforce during tough economic times. Community support inspires and galvanizes our Big Island delegation in their efforts to champion UH Hilo as a comprehensive university. I am always pleased to see that everyone rallies around UH Hilo.

I’d like to share with you an excerpt of my testimony to the Legislature:

“On behalf of the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, I express our deepest appreciation to the legislature for its investment in UH Hilo over the years. With your support, UH Hilo has become a comprehensive university, with 36 bachelor’s, six master’s, and two doctoral degree programs.  Enrollment has increased 43% since 1997; UH Hilo’s 3,773 headcount in Fall 2008 was the highest in our history.

“Yet, our commitment to personalized baccalaureate education ensures we offer a close-knit, supportive learning community as we prepare graduates to tackle the serious global challenges facing us.

“UH Hilo has developed programs to meet statewide needs for graduates in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other fields essential to the state’s growth and survival. In Fall 2007 our College of Pharmacy, which still awaits its new building, welcomed its first cohort.

“The Big Island’s natural laboratory has enabled UH Hilo to provide incomparable hands-on learning experiences in marine science, agriculture, aquaculture, astronomy, and many other fields. We are well-known for our student-faculty research collaborations. In addition, we have established ourselves as a leader in Hawaiian and indigenous studies, and we have been acknowledged for our ability to successfully integrate science and culture.

“UH Hilo has served students well even without having received sufficient funding to support enrollment growth over the past years. We are a cost-effective investment for Hawai’i taxpayers.  However, our constrained budget has been reduced further by the state’s economic decline. We are therefore taking the following steps to increase efficiency: Reducing energy use and consumption of natural resources, reducing travel, obtaining grants to strengthen student support services, deferring or delaying some hiring, and examining more efficient ways to recruit and graduate students.

“As we have analyzed our budget and operational practices, UH Hilo has allocated its limited resources to continue forward, focused always on producing trained graduates able to help build and sustain Hawai’i's future.

“Yet despite our determination to cut costs, for UH Hilo to serve the state’s workforce demands, we need further investments by the state. We have critical, urgent needs in the areas of student services, STEM programs, and campus security and emergency preparedness.

“For every $1 in state investment, UH Hilo generates $2.38 to $2.75 in direct expenditures. UH Hilo is a crucial contributor to the financial health of the Big Island, an area still struggling to overcome rural poverty. As UH Hilo continues to grow, so does our benefit to the state economy.

“I look forward to continuing our partnership with you as UH Hilo evolves into a world-class comprehensive university meeting state higher education and workforce needs in the years to come.”

I will keep you informed of our progress with the Legislature. Mahalo again for all your support. When we all work together, great things happen!

Mahalo and aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Messsage
Chamber Connection
January 2009

UH Hilo 2008 Highlights

Happy New Year!

Let me share some highlights on our progress at University of Hawai’i at Hilo in 2008. This past year was very special as we celebrated UH Hilo’s 60^th anniversary.

UH Hilo and Hawai’i Community College signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate undergraduate classes for students attending both institutions. Now community college students can complete a four-year degree at UH Hilo.

UH Hilo partnered with Colorado School of Mines to work on space research at UH Hilo’s Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES). Also, PISCES joined the Japan-US Science, Technology & Space Applications Program (JUSTSAP) to host the annual symposium on the Big island, during which scientists conducted exciting research at Mauna Kea in preparation for space exploration.

We opened the beautiful Student Life Center on campus that offers an Olympic-sized pool, health and fitness facilities, and a café. We also opened the new expansion at UH Hilo’s North Hawai’i Education and Research Center in Honoka’a. I’d like to thank our island community and elected officials for all the support in these two projects.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which supports science-based initiatives, awarded UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center $637,000 for science and technology education for K-12 students from around the island.

Also, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Pacific Islands Region, and Volcanoes National Park signed a memorandum of agreement to collaborate on education, outreach, staff interchange, and training.

UH Hilo’s College of Pharmacy received Candidate Accreditation Status by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. As the first and only pharmacy school in the Pacific Basin, we fill a need for Pacific Islanders to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees locally. Our first group of Pharm. D. students will graduate in May 2011.

We’ve received a five-year National Science Foundation grant to start a Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST). Our Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science graduate program will establish the collaborative CREST Center in Tropical Ecology and Evolution in Marine and Terrestrial Environments.

Our international education programs are making exciting progress as we prepare our students for a global marketplace. We currently have 328 international students, which is 8.7% of the student body, representing 39 countries. We also have exchange and study abroad programs with about 100 students currently participating. UH Hilo’s Center for Global Education and Exchange oversees exchange agreements with 106 international universities.

UH Hilo hosted an international panel of women who are presidents of universities in China, Uganda, Japan, and Australia, as well as Wisconsin and Honolulu. The group held a conversation on leadership that was well attended by the public. Each university represented signed agreements of cooperation with UH Hilo for future research and education exchange programs.

Before I close, I’d like to update you on the UH Centennial Campaign. We set an ambitious goal to raise $15 million by June 2009 and I’m pleased that more than $9.5 million has been contributed to the campaign, increasing UH Hilo’s endowment to over $3.5 million. We’re grateful for the generosity of the many donors whose support reflects the shared vision of UH Hilo’s role in transforming our students, island and state. There is still time to take part in this important transformation and a commitment from you today will help leave a powerful legacy for the future of our community.

It’s been an exciting year and I thank you for your support. I look forward to collaborating with you in 2009 as we continue our momentum into the future. When we work together, great things happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
December 2008

UH Hilo’s space center hosts NASA, international researchers

UH Hilo’s Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, or PISCES, hosted a team of NASA scientists last month, who conducted research at Mauna Kea in preparation for space exploration. The research was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Japan-US Science, Technology and Space Exploration Program (JUSTSAP).

This type of partnership is very exciting, as it brings international recognition to our island as a living laboratory of benefit to the world.

JUSTSAP is a prestigious group of distinguished scientists, educators, government officials, and business professionals dedicated to international collaboration in space exploration. The organization meets on our island each November to report on individual team projects and to plan for future activities. The United States Secretariat for JUSTSAP coordinates the annual symposium and is housed within the Office of Aerospace Development at the Hawai’i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.

It’s very exciting to have this type of symposium and research here on the island of Hawai’i. JUSTSAP focuses on research in advanced communications, remote sensing, renewable energy, resource utilization, and other space-based systems. The goal is to network governments, private sectors and universities like UH Hilo in both Japan and the United States to boost innovation in space exploration. Of particular interest is in earth orbiting missions and both robotic and manned exploration of the moon and Mars.

In conjunction with the JUSTSAP-PICSES symposium this year, more than 75 scientists from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the German Space Agency, Carnegie Mellon University and a number of other organizations conducted two weeks of tests on the volcanic soil of Mauna Kea. The goal was to test systems that will one day assist astronauts at a lunar outpost, by drilling into alien soil and extracting water that could be used to create oxygen. The tests were held here because Mauna Kea’s soil is so similar to the moon’s surface.

This research was hosted by PISCES, which is based at UH Hilo. In addition to the scientific success of the tests, about 18 UH Hilo undergraduate students worked alongside the visiting scientists, adding significant value to their educational experience.

Also during the symposium, PISCES organized several very successful school visitations.  NASA scientist Bill Larson from the Kennedy Space Center spoke to almost 800 children from Keaukaha Elementary School, Ka ‘Umeke Ka’eo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School and Ke Ana La’ahana Public Charter School.  NASA scientist Jerry Sanders from Johnson Space Center spoke to almost 500 children from Kamehameha Schools.  The presentations were organized by PISCES Education Director Koa Rice and are part of NASA and PISCES commitment to bring science and technology education to the children of the Big Island.

As another part of the PISCES/NASA commitment to public outreach, the Rotary Club of Hilo was treated to an update on the NASA project at its November meeting.

PISCES and NASA also sponsored a free public event at UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. Big Island residents were treated to lectures and demonstrations on the recent NASA research and observed for themselves the kinds of robots being developed for use on the moon.

This type of scientific research and public outreach is a high priority for UH Hilo. The activity stimulates our economy and puts our island on the map as a prime location for research of benefit to the world. As always, I’m grateful for the Chamber’s support in our efforts. When we all work together, great things happen!

Aloha and mahalo,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
November 2008

Prestigious group of international women leaders visits UH Hilo

Last month, for the first time in the history of the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, a group of international women leaders in higher education gathered on campus to share ideas about global exchange and international affairs. During the visit, we signed several reciprocal agreements, which pave the way for student exchange, faculty exchange and exciting research opportunities across the globe. We also had an exciting public forum called “A Global Dialogue… Women in Higher Education,” which was well attended.

Since I first arrived at UH Hilo in 1998, one of my main goals has been to internationalize the university to fully prepare our students for a global society. The visit of these leaders in higher education was an important step in UH Hilo’s evolution into international affairs. Not only did UH Hilo establish formal connections with important universities in China, Japan, Australia and the United States, but at the public forum, the women discussed the accomplishments and challenges of a professional career in higher education, myself included.

Joining us were Josefina Castillo Baltodano, president of Marian University, Wisconsin; Sandra Harding, vice-chancellor and president of James Cook University, Australia; my UH colleague Virginia Hinshaw, chancellor at University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu; Noriko Mizuta, president of Josai International University and chancellor of Josai University Corporation, Japan; Chen Naifang, former president of Beijing Foreign Studies University, China; Mary Okwakol, vice chancellor of Busitema University, Uganda; and Chen Weijia, chair of the University Council, Communication University of China.

It was an honor to have these accomplished women come and share their thoughts and experiences with the public. It’s a rare opportunity to network with women leaders of universities from around the world, and among them were educators, a zoologist, a feminist writer, and an economist. Each of the women has broken the glass ceiling in their own country, and they are role models for young aspiring women leaders and others.

There were many young women in the audience, both our students and women from our East Hawai’i community, and I was delighted to see their excitement. It’s important for young aspiring leaders to understand international affairs and for our students to understand global affairs, and the panel was a gold mine of information and inspiration. The Q&A could have gone on for hours!

Following the Hilo visit, we traveled to Honolulu to attend Governor Lingle’s Fifth Annual International Women’s Leadership Conference. Over 1,000 people attended. At the conference, I hosted a special panel discussion with the women leaders who visited Hilo along with Helen Turner, dean of the College of Natural Science at Chaminade University. We were again met with an enthusiastic audience eager to learn as much as they could from the panel!

It’s important for our university and our island community to become full participants in the global society. This amazing group of women gave our students, faculty and community a rare opportunity to share, learn and grow together in an international context. It was very exciting to have this group of women visit and share their knowledge with us.

Hawai’i is a perfect location to discuss international exchange and collaboration. Our island and state are a bridge between East and West, and we have one of the most diverse populations in the United States. It is an ideal setting to explore leadership, partnerships, and the potential for long-term growth in an international context.

Globalization has made collaboration and partnerships more important than ever as we adapt to changing leadership in the 21^st century, and everyone who participated in the events was enriched with new found alliances and friendships.

Always, I thank the members of the Chamber for your support. When we all work together, great things happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
October 2008

UH Hilo celebrates a diverse campus community

The start of a new academic year is always exciting as we welcome newcomers. This year we welcomed almost 100 new faculty, staff and administrators and about 1,215 total new incoming students, including about 550 new freshman students.

This influx of people enriches our campus and island community. They bring new energy and give a big boost to the island economy.

Our newcomers are a diverse group. While universities across the country struggle to achieve diversity in human resources despite 30 years of affirmative action, UH Hilo is attracting the best and brightest recruits.

This year, among our new faculty, staff and administrators, 53.3% are females, 46.7% are males; 50% are from ethnic/racial minority groups; and 50% are white. Ethnicities include among others African American or Black, Filipino, Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese and Pacific Islanders.

UH Hilo boasts one of the most diverse student population in the country and is the most diverse of any public U.S. university.

This semester, of the 1,215 new arrival students, 22% are Native Hawaiian, 9.1% Japanese, and 5.9% Filipino, one of the fastest growing ethnic groups at UH Hilo. Other incoming ethnicities include Chinese, Korean, Mixed Asian, Pacific Islander, Vietnamese, Hispanic, and many self-identified as Mixed Race.

This year’s new first time freshman class continues our trends in gender diversity: 312 females joined us and 214 males.

Our resident students continue to increase: 405 first time freshman are residents and 143 are non-residents. Sixty-three percent of resident students are from our island of Hawai’i.

And while our resident students continue to increase, we attract international students as well. Of the 1,215 new arrival freshman and transfer students, 119 come from abroad. Eighteen of these are first time freshman and 101 are transfer students. These new arrivals come from 26 different countries in diverse areas such as the Pacific, Europe, South America, Asia and elsewhere.

Diversity like this is a valuable asset. It brings increased productivity by making faculty, staff, administrators and students more comfortable, improving their performance, and encouraging creativity. It also reduces turnover and conflict.

A diverse campus community nurtures and enables everyone to be all they can be in a changing world that is becoming increasingly populated by people of color and women. Most importantly, diversity on campus prepares students for a global society.

The diversity at UH Hilo reflects a commitment to include many voices and many perspectives in our academic community. I’m sure you know the value of this in business, too. The diversity at UH Hilo not only enhances the lives of everyone at the university and in our local community, but also broadens cultural and economic opportunities for our society as a whole: everyone benefits.

Thank you for your support. When we all work together, great things can happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
September 2008

UH Hilo begins a new academic year

At the start of the 2008-2009 year, UH Hilo stands to continue its 10-year trend of enrollment growth. Based on our application and admissions rates, the number of new freshmen admitted to the campus for Fall 2008 increased 15%, or 150 more than last fall, with the bulk of the growth occurring among students from Hawai’i.

We’ve had an increase in enrollment of more than 38% since 1998, with strong growth in residents, especially Native Hawaiians and Filipinos who account for over 21% of the student body. I’m proud that UH Hilo is the gateway for Hawai’i's first generation to receive a college degree and enter the workforce.

One of our professional degrees is the Doctor of Pharmacy, which is answering our state’s need for more professionals in health care. This year we received a total of 1,034 applications for 90 positions in the second cohort, which includes 47 Hawai’i residents, 43 from outside the state, 74 with a bachelor’s degree and an average incoming grade point of 3.22.

The College of Pharmacy’s inaugural class had 38 Dean’s List honorees in their first year of studies. They are studying with a distinguished faculty and staff of 37. Among them is UH Hilo Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kenneth R. Morris, serving as chair of the Advisory Committee for Pharmaceutical Science and Clinical Pharmacology that advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on drug-related products.

The College of Pharmacy is progressing well in its accreditation process and is planning an October groundbreaking of their new building. Phase I construction will build temporary quarters for the college while a permanent building is planned, funded and built over the next few years.

UH Hilo excitedly anticipates the opening of our beautiful new state-of-the-art Student Life Center, which will have an Olympic-sized pool, health and fitness facilities and a café. If construction proceeds as planned, it will open for students this month with a formal opening event for the public later in the fall.

The benefits of the new center extend far beyond its health and recreational value for our students. If all goes according to plan, it will become our island’s first building to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold rating. The LEED rating reflects sustainable building practices like water efficiency, energy use, atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor air quality, and innovation in design. The Gold certification is hard to earn, but we’re committed to efficiency, saving energy and preserving our island’s resources. The Student Life Center will be a valuable learning laboratory in many ways.

Before I close, I’d like to invite you a very special public event at UH Hilo September 22. I will be hosting an international panel of women presidents who will lead “A Global Dialogue with Women in Higher Education.” The gathering is the first of its kind at UH Hilo and will feature Sandra Harding, vice chancellor at James Cook University, Australia; Noriko Mizuta, president at Josai University, Japan; Chen Naifang, president at Beijing Foreign Studies University, China; Mary Jossy Nakandha Okwakol, vice chancellor at Busitema University, Uganda; and Chen Weijia, chair of university council, Communication University of China.

The event precedes the 2008 International Women’s Leadership Conference in Honolulu hosted by Governor Linda Lingle with 1,200 attendees. The UH Hilo gathering is a rare opportunity for our community to meet and network with these esteemed women in higher education from around the world who are eager to foster, motivate and inspire Hawai’i's current and future leaders. Hope to see you there, September 22, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the UH Hilo Performing Art Center. Please RSVP by September 10 by calling 974-7555 or email uhhconferencecenter@gmail.com.

As always, thank you for all your support. Remember, when we all work together, great things can happen!

Mahalo and aloha,

Rose Tseng