by Kalamalama staff

Three valedictory speakers, chosen for their outstanding academic performance, made presentations. Melissa Opacic (B.A. in Psychology), a native of Fair Lawn, N.J., represented the on-campus baccalaureate degree programs. Anna Dihne (MSIS), who grew up in Varberg, Sweden, represented the graduate degree programs. Richard D. DesJardin, Jr. (B.S. in Computer Science), who grew up in Escanaba, Mich. represented the Military Campus Programs. Dr. Louanne Kennedy, emeritus provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at California State University at Northridge, delivered the commencement speech. She also received the Fellow of the Pacific Award, the University’s highest accolade, in recognition of her outstanding contributions and service to the community and higher education. Kennedy is a passionate educator who most recently led CSU-Northridge through 10 years of change and progress. After being elected by college presidents to the Western Association for Schools and Colleges regional accreditation commission, she served as vice chairman of the Commission and then as chairman of the committee that wrote the new standards now guiding regional accreditation in California, Hawai‘i, and the Pacific region. This was Dr. Kennedy’s third visit to the HPU campus, where, according to Dr. Nancy Hedlund, associate vice president of Assessment and Planning, she has led meetings and inspired faculty and staff to set high goals and seek excellence through a dynamic participatory strategic planning process.

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