Aloha,

Yesterday I informed the UH Board of Regents that I am stepping down as chancellor on Dec. 31, 2009.

My years at UH Hilo have been some of the best of my life and very rewarding. Soon I will commence on my next phase of intellectual stimulation working on projects in which I am personally interested.

A lot has been accomplished during the 10 years I have been chancellor. With everyone working together, we have increased enrollment, built new facilities, started new degree programs, increased grants, and increased global recognition of UH Hilo.

We moved together in the same direction and overcame many obstacles to take advantage of many opportunities. Now that UH Hilo has permanent deans and vice chancellors, I feel it’s in a good position to keep the momentum going.

December 2009 is 19 months from now and should give the university enough time to plan and strategize. Our momentum has been so positive that I’m confident UH Hilo will attract excellent candidates to be its next chancellor. I’ll be in contact with President McClain about initiating a search with broad participation from the UH Hilo campus and the community.

I look forward to working with all of you in the months ahead to continue our string of accomplishments. Together we make great things happen!

Mahalo for all your support,

Rose

Aloha,

George Applegate, executive director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau, is asking business leaders and residents to write letters to him regarding the need for more flights to Hilo.

Mr. Applegate plans to use these letters to persuade airlines to fly from the mainland to Hilo and Kona. Because of the recent departures of ATA and Aloha Airlines, some 9,500 seats into Hilo will be lost this summer.

Mr. Applegate says local people want to travel off-island for vacations, and to visit friends and family. Besides tourism, businesses that ship products — especially agricultural businesses — would benefit from more flights. He says Hawai‘i really has to set itself apart from other tourist destinations and show airlines they will have support if they fly here.

He says we are up against some really heavy duty competition, but that he’s not worried. The Big Island has a lot to offer like its rich culture and Kilauea volcano.

The Big Island has the fastest growing population in the state and Puna alone is growing at a tremendous rate. He says folks living here want to know they can travel to the mainland once a year to visit family and friends.

Mayor Harry Kim encourages the community to support Mr. Applegate’s efforts and send letters.

Mr. Applegate encourages anyone who wants a mainland-Hilo flight to write him (Applegate) and tell him why at his e-mail address: bivbhilo@hvcb.org .

He says people can also write him at 250 Keawe St., Hilo, HI, 96720, by May 16.

Please direct any questions about the proposal or letters requested to Mr. Applegate.

Mahalo for your attention to this matter,

Rose Tseng

Left to right: Rose Tseng, Michael Crosby, Luoluo Hong and William Carter. Photo by John Oshima.

Chancellor Tseng hosted a reception this evening in honor of three newcomers to UH Hilo: Luoluo Hong, vice chancellor for student affairs; Michael Crosby, vice chancellor for research; and William Carter, state director of the UH Hilo Small Business Development Center. All three joined UH Hilo last month.

Hong’s most recent administrative position was serving as the dean of students at Arizona State University-West. She holds a PhD from Louisiana State University in educational leadership.

Crosby’s appointment is funded by the National Science Board. He is on a leave of absence from his current position as executive director of the NSB. He holds a PhD from the University of Maryland.

Carter was previously the state SBDC director in Oregon. He holds a PhD from Oregon State University, where he was an instructor in the College of Business.

Aloha and Welcome to all three!

Story in Pacific Business News on UH Hilo’s new director of research, link here (outside news source determines link expiration). Story below:

UH Hilo gets help in developing scientific research

Michael Crosby was recently named to a one-year post as vice chancellor for research at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

He is on leave from his position as executive officer of the National Science Board, a Virginia-based group hand-picked by President Bush to advise Congress on policy issues related to science and engineering research and education.

UH Hilo created the research position to help expand its scientific research capabilities and funding. The National Science Board is funding Crosby’s Hilo appointment.

Crosby, who holds a master’s degree in biology and a doctorate degree in marine estuarine-environmental sciences, has more than 30 years of experience as a scientific researcher. He spoke with PBN’s Nanea Kalani about his new role at UH Hilo.

How did your appointment with UH Hilo come about?

Members of the scientific research community have an obligation to play a more active role in the national policy and administrative aspects of our country’s science programs during some portion of their career. During the recent years, I have been proud to have made a contribution to our community’s obligation at the federal government level. While this has been an extremely rewarding period, I feel a desire to make a more direct contribution through a science administration position that will bring me closer to the front line for research and science education.

In many conversations with [UH Hilo] Chancellor Rose Tseng, leaders in the UH system and colleagues in Hawaii, it became clear that UH Hilo would greatly benefit in moving to the next step in its research enterprise if it could fill a position it didn’t have: vice chancellor for research. It became clear that a temporary assignment for me to serve UH Hilo would facilitate cooperation, address mutual goals and benefit all our institutions.

What research experience do you bring to the table?

National and international success in building and managing both marine research programs and science-driven resource management efforts as well as my experience teaching at the university level. I will be pleased to serve as a UH Hilo focal point and catalyst for stimulating sustainable improvements in UH research and competitiveness with a principal focus on development of a vibrant interdisciplinary and applied research enterprise at UH Hilo. Success will depend on a team effort for mixing together essential ingredients, which I believe already exist.

What are your priorities and goals for the university?

The more important goal for me is to build a strong strategic foundation for long-term success that will be realized after my assignment. One specific goal is to identify a clear and unique niche for a UH Hilo science research enterprise for 2010 and beyond that emphasizes research excellence and linkages to undergraduate education, and takes full advantage of the natural environment and cultural diversity afforded by its island setting.

What potential do you see for the university’s research capabilities?

I see the potential for UH Hilo to serve as a nexus institution where future generations of scientists and a scientifically literate citizenry are educated and launch their careers. I hope to work closely with UH Hilo faculty, staff and students, as well as the broader UH system family and the local science and technology business community to identify a clear and unique niche for a UH Hilo science research enterprise.

The accomplishments of UH Hilo’s Women’s Cross Country and Volleyball teams will be recognized in the opening day of this year’s Hawaii State Legislative session.

Through the initiative and encouragement of State Rep. Jerry Chang, House Speaker Calvin Say will acknowledge UH Hilo teams in his speech on opening day at the Capitol Rotunda after the opening ceremony celebrating UH’s 100 year centennial.

UH Hilo’s women’s cross country team repeated as Pacific West Conference Champions and coach Jaime Guerpo was named PWC (women’s) Coach of the Year. Team members are Kari Andrews, Ashley Benson, Alison Engle, Nina Hagemann, Kelly Rogers, Alejandra Sanchez and Malia Williams. Laura Hernandez was the assistant coach. Kari Andrews, Kelly Rogers and Alejandra Sanchez were named to the All-PacWest Conference first team, while Nina Hagemann and Ashley Benson were named to the second team.

UH Hilo’s volleyball team also captured Pacific West Conference Championship and coach Bruce Atkinson was named PWC Coach of the Year. Team members are Desiree Agader, Lauren Bayer, Mary Claire Bolo, Morgan Bonney, Kelli Ann Chun, Kaniu Hernandez, Hillary Hurley, Shawna Kaiura, Kauwila Laveu, ‘Eleu Novikoff, Hoku Oleole, Josemara Pinheiro, Laura Rodriguez, Fabiane Seben, Chelsea Spadaro, Laura Thompson, Lauren Tonokawa and Kiani Yasak. Assistant coaches were Gavin Rudder and Taina Savage. Fabiane Seben was selected Player of the Year. Laura Rodriguez was selected Libero of the Year. Hillary Hurley was selected Freshman of the Year. Lauren Bayer was selected Newcomer of the Year. Seben, Rodriguez and Hurley earned first-team All-PacWest Conference recognition while Bayer, Desiree Agader and Josemara Pinheiro were on the second team.

Congratulations to the Vulcans!

Aloha,

It is with pleasure that I am writing to announce that Dr. Luoluo Hong has just accepted the position of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

Dr. Hong’s most recent administrative position was serving as the Dean of Students at Arizona State University-West. Before this she was the Dean of Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also has served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Shepherd College and Director of Wellness Education and Outreach Services at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Dr. Hong has been a faculty member in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Women’s Studies. She is a nationally known speaker and consultant in the area of leadership, health, and social justice.

She holds her BA degree in Psychology from Amherst College, her Master’s of Public Health, Health Promotion, Policy and Resources from Yale University, and her PhD from Louisiana State University in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Hong will begin at UH Hilo on January 1, 2008. Please join me in welcoming her.

A special note of thanks goes to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Search Committee, which was comprised of Search Chairs Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin and Search Committee Members Sonia Juvik, Jeff Scofield, Emmeline De Pillis, Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego, and Kehau Cortez-Camero.

Mahalo,

Rose Tseng
Chancellor

[12/3 UH Hilo press release here. ]

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.

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

Summer 2007

UH Hilo celebrated 2007 Spring Commencement on May 12. 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. Keynote speaker was Jack Gifford, a pioneer in the analog microchip industry and founder of Maxim Integrated Products.

Each commencement is more exciting than the last with our growth of enrollment and degree programs. Not long ago, UH Hilo was a small liberal arts campus on a few acres. Now, we are a comprehensive university excelling in liberal arts, professional degrees and applied research with room to grow to 700 acres. We now have five academic colleges and offer 35 baccalaureate degrees, six master degrees and two doctorates.

Our master programs were established in response to the state’s social, economic and cultural issues. The university currently serves over 100 graduate students in the fields of China U.S. Relations; Counseling Psychology; Education; Hawaiian Language and Literature; Indigenous Language, Culture and Education; and Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science.

We just received news that the university’s College of Pharmacy has achieved the first step in the Pharmacy School Accreditation Process. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education has granted the College of Pharmacy Pre-Candidate Status. Our college is the first recognized by the ACPE to offer the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the State of Hawai‘i. It is expected to enroll an inaugural class of 90 students beginning this fall with 45 students from Hawai‘i and 45 students from the mainland and elsewhere in the world.

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The end of the academic year is a time of celebration and my special time to express deep appreciation to the UH Hilo ‘ohana. Thanks to each of you for always striving to achieve the best teaching and learning environment for our students.

At this time of year, we honor campus colleagues and local community members for exemplary service and dedication to our university. Please join me in congratulating the following people for their commendable achievements.

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