Tennis, cross country standouts top scholars

More than 300 students, faculty, and staff were present to honor Matey Pampulov and Janine Brown as HPU’s 2003-04 Scholar-Athletes of the Year at the University’s annual student athlete awards banquet at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel April 30.

Kalamalama wins two national, top local awards

For the eighth straight year, Kalamalama, the HPU newspaper, received a top national award and a national First Place with Special Merit award that placed it among the top six college newspapers in the nation, overall. This year it also received the top regional award for Best College Newspaper from the Hawai‘i Publishers Association and a Finalist Award for opinion writing from the Society of Professional Journalist Hawai‘i Chapter.

High school journalists receive scholarships

The HPU College of Communication awarded three scholarships to local students at the Hawai‘i Publisher’s Association High School Journalism Awards Banquet April 29 at the Pagoda Hotel. Teresa Bell of Waialua High School, Jermel-Lynn Quillopa of Moanalua High School, and Krystal Duldulao of James Campbell High School were honored, along with dozens of other journalism students from across the state.

Ostrowski wins Trustee's teaching ecellence award

HPU psychology instructor Bernard Ostrowski was named the winner of the University’s 2004 Trustees’ Award for Teaching Excellence at the spring commencement ceremony May 19 at the Waikiki Shell. This annual award is given to a faculty member—nominated by students and chosen by a committee representing the entire HPU community—who best exemplifies the ideals of distinguished teaching.

New course: Environmental Com

“Accurate communication is crucial to understanding pressures on the natural environment,” according to Dr. Helen Varner, dean of the College of Communication.

TIM networks with industry pros

HPU Travel Industry Management department hosted an April event at Dave & Buster’s that allowed students to interact and network with industry professional . . .

Trustee heads healthcare system

HPU Trustee Charles A. Sted became president and chief executive officer of Hawai‘i Pacific Health, the state’s largest health care system on July 1.

Alumnus gets Japan position

Jason Yumen, a May 2003 Travel Industry Management graduate, has been selected to be a Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program assistant language teacher in Okinawa, beginning in July.

Tjark's plays produced locally

HPU English instructor Mark Tjarks has two plays in production this week at the 11th annual Original Play Festival (OPF XI) by the Kailua-Kona-based Aloha Performing Arts Company. Evil at the Post Office and The Very Old Mango Man will be performed Aug. 19 and 20, respectively, along with four other plays selected for the four-day festival of locally written theatrical offerings.

Juarez new acting dean

Dr. Carlos Juárez, associate professor of political science and program chair in the College of International Studies at HPU was appointed acting dean of International Studies, effective July 1.

New assistant dean for HPU military campuses

Dr. Phil Mendel, an HPU adjunct faculty member at Kane‘ohe Marine Corps Base, was hired in July for the recently created position of assistant dean-academics with the HPU Military Campus Program.

HPU signs exchange agreement with German university

Hawai‘i Pacific University recently signed a study abroad and exchange agreement with Hochschule fuer Bankwirtschaft (HfB), the Business School of Finance and Management, located in Frankfurt, the financial hub of Germany.

New assistant nursing dean

On May 12, Dr. Patty Lange-Otsuka was promoted to associate dean of Nursing. “Lange-Otsuka is a seasoned nursing educator and SON Graduate Program chair,” said Dr. Carol Winters-Moorhead, dean of Nursing. “For the past three years, she has served as the chair of the HPU Faculty Assembly.”

Agrusa addresses tourism conferences across Asia

TIM professor Dr. Jerome Agrusa recently returned from a tour of Asia, where he made presentations in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

Romig to direct Center for Business; Kearns interim dean

In mid-June, HPU President Chatt G. Wright announced a change in the leadership of the College of Business Administration. Dr. Rod Romig, for 10 years dean of the college, was named director of the new HPU Center for Business and the Community, and effective July 1 Dr. John Kearns became interim dean of the College of Business Administration.

Students upgrade family shelter

When a battered woman grabs her children and flees for her life, she should be able to find a welcoming environment. But the staffs of domestic violence shelters often don’t have the time or the money to do more than provide the basics. That’s where the senior class of HPU’s Social Work program stepped in.

Varner wins PR professional award

Dr. Helen Varner, dean of HPU’s College of Communication, has been awarded the 2004 Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Hawai‘i chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The award was presented July 21 at the chapter’s annual Koa Anvil awards.

Kathy Chee university librarian

On April 30, HPU President Chatt G. Wright announced the appointment of Kathy Chee as university librarian. Chee will be responsible, Wright said, for the “management of library services and administration” for both Meader and Atherton libraries.

AUW bake sale raises nearly 2K

The second annual HPU/Aloha United Way Bake Sale more than doubled 2003 proceeds, raising $1,957.75 for the local umbrella charity.

Aloha from the President

As a new academic year gets underway, I would like to tell you how glad we are that you have chosen to join us at Hawai‘i Pacific University. Some of you are here for the first time while others are returning for another year. For some of you, home was just down the road or a neighbor island away. For others, the journey to HPU has carried you thousands of miles across numerous time zones. We welcome all of you with the spirit of aloha!