First 2nd Century Scholar graduates

The first college graduate of an innovative scholarship program established by the Bank of Hawai‘i has earned her degree from Hawai‘i Pacific University and participated in the winter 2005 commencement ceremony.

Book Beat: Library positions open

Like many students at the beginning of a new term, many feel strapped for cash. With tuition, the price of books, and the high cost of living in Hawai‘i, many students have to scrimp to get by while earning an education. The obvious solution: get a job. Unfortunately, many employers are unwilling to accommodate your heavy study schedules.

James M. Vaughan poetry award winner named

Nalani Scharsch of Honolulu has been named the recipient of HPU’s James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry for her two poems, “Night Dive” and “Wana.” Scharsch will receive $500 and will be recognized at HPU’s eighth annual Ko‘olau Writing Workshops on March 12, at the Hawai‘i Loa campus.

Teacher shortage: fewer grads opting to teach

Teacher training today is so rigorous under President Bush’s No Child Left Behind that graduating high school seniors must know, as they enter college,. that they want to teach. Consequently, fewer high school graduates are deciding to become teachers, and that has created a nationwide shortage. Teachers have always faced long hours, low pay, equipment shortages, and overcrowded classrooms. Historically, women took on the roll of educating our children because there weren’t many options open to them, and men rarely chose education because they had unlimited career choices. Because women now have nearly unlimited career choices, they are choosing to enter other fields.

HPU kicks off Tsunami Relief Fund Drive

HPU joined Asian tsunami relief efforts, kicking off its fund drive efforts with with a “Run for Relief” event Jan. 28 on Fort Street Mall. Everyone who donated was invited to participate in the “Run for Relief” bungee-run race.

Aloha from the President

A little over a year ago, I took the opportunity in this column to talk about our general education program. At that time, I said that HPU was always working to make general education better. Well, I’m happy to report that faculty and staff have joined together to do just that. Beginning in 2005, students will be able to fulfill general education requirements with a wider variety of options. Where students now have a list of set requirements with few options, they will often have two or more choices.