BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY HAWAII | POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER Grateful intern returns home, p. 1 BYU–Hawaii: The charted course, p. 2 The importance of internships, p. 3 Radiating aloha, p. 13 PCC: Advancing the work, p. 15 FALL 2008 table OF CONTENTS 2 | BYU–Hawaii: The charted course 3 | Prepare for tomorrow by interning today 5 | Than Lim—a Cambodian student’s journey 6 | Alumni demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit 7 | New BYU–Hawaii President’s Council in place 3 10 9 | Distance learning: Taking BYU–Hawaii to the world 10 | Needed makeover approved for campus backyard 11 | New year-round calendar begins in January 13 | Radiating aloha, miracles at PCC 15 | PCC: Advancing the work 6 16 | Teaching hula to speakers of other languages 17 | Iosepa's new home 19 | Campus department focuses on careers and alumni 21 | CCH alumni reunite on campus 22 | Fulisia Saleuesile—a case for BYU–Hawaii 15 14 ON THE cover Intern conducts research, identifies life’s goals Last summer Ting-Ning Pao Fowers interned in the molecular medicine department of her native Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung Medical University. “My internship broadened my knowl- “I’m indeed very grateful for my China both have developing biotechnol- edge and gave me a chance to do research internship and all those who helped me ogy industries, and I’d like to be involved,” beyond what I would ever get to do at along the way,” she says. she says. school. It helped me see where I want to Currently she is working on her go, to set goals for my life,” says Fowers. senior research project with assistant Appreciating BYU–Hawaii professor Jean Engohang-ndong. “Rita is About her time at Brigham Young Uni- Expanding medical knowledge always ready to explore new approaches versity Hawaii Fowers says, “When I As an intern her days in the lab often and tackle problems that arise from exper- graduate next June, I will miss the peo- lasted from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. She ana- imental procedures. She is very creative ple here—the relationships I have with lyzed data on the hepatitis B virus and was and will be an outstanding researcher if friends, professors, and Church members introduced to the emerging field of bioin- she decides to pursue that field,” he says. and leaders. We are all working towards formatics. “I was able to see and to really Eventually—within 10 years—Fow- the same goal.” be a part of the medical research process. I ers and her husband would like to settle want to be a researcher,” she says. in either Taiwan or China. “Taiwan and 1 www.byuh.edu PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE The charted course At Brigham Young University Hawaii we are directed by prophets to benefit students here and now and across the world for generations to come. In all that we do there is constant gratitude for our heritage and daily reminders of our destiny. Aloha, and mahalo for all you do to the Lord would have His children learn. exemplify the mission of BYU–Hawaii. The faculty and staff must emulate the Sister Wheelwright and I extend our love characteristics that we have been asked and warm regards to each of you as you to develop in our students. And as special extend the blessings of BYU–Hawaii to friends to the students and the university, your homes and communities. you bring energy and resources to aid in As you know, BYU–Hawaii’s mission this preparation. We all are engaged in a is focused on two themes. First, we must truly unique work that requires our most educate for eternity, integrating the divine excellent efforts. with the academic. And second, we must We are going through a major President Steven C. Wheelwright prepare leaders of character and integ- restructuring of both the university’s rity who can make a difference in their organization and our operational proce- homes and communities and in build- dures. As we realign our organization and From this school ing the kingdom throughout the world. resources, we are striving to apply the wise Speaking of this great university, Elder Presidents’ Leadership Council Hawaii, counsel Elder M. Russell Ballard provided Neal A. Maxwell said: “The best lies BYU–Hawaii alumni, and other friends during our April PLC Hawaii meetings. ahead! There will be even wider radiat- of the university make it possible for us to He said: “It’s time . for there to be some ing effects which pulsate outward from succeed in these goals. changes—we have to move with a little this place as the Lord makes His facilitat- more efficiency, a little more focus, a little ing moves on the checker board of the Focusing on students more direction, and a little more courage” nations. [Indeed] tens of thousands in The young men and women who come (“Toward Our Destiny,” PLC Hawaii the world who will never set foot on this to this campus are special. Training them meeting, April 7, 2008). campus will be blessed and served by the to become leaders in the world and in the Our realignment will focus on these thousands who have been blessed to be Church will require all those who work short-term objectives: here” (“This is a Special Institution,” Pro- and serve here to model the qualities that First, we must better prepare incom- file Magazine, December 1994, 9–11). ing students by working with mentors, May your lives be blessed as you con- advisors, and local priesthood leaders. tinue to provide leadership and resources Online classes should allow students to to the great work under way at Brigham complete a degree in less than four years Young University Hawaii. on campus, thus preserving resources, lowering costs, and extending the bless- Sincerely, ings of education to additional students. Second, we must better equip our students for future careers through more effective use of internships and mentoring programs, as well as through campus and Steven C. Wheelwright, President Polynesian Cultural Center employment Brigham Young University Hawaii that builds on students’ major classes. Third, we must restructure univer- sity operations to serve more students with our existing resources. FALL 2008 2 2008 INTERNSHIPS BYU–Hawaii students prepare for tomorrow by interning today “Real-world experience is the key to suc- With added institutional emphasis Last year 339 students filled academic cess for today’s university students,” says and the generosity of supporters Gene internships in 42 countries. Projected over Kim Austin, Brigham Young University and Allyson Yamagata and the Yamagata four years, this means that more than half Hawaii’s director of Career Services. Foundation, the number of BYU–Hawaii of BYU–Hawaii students will intern—a In the 50-plus years of the uni- interns has steadily increased over the past truly remarkable figure. versity’s history, the concerted effort five years. Thus far in 2008 the university is on to academically and spiritually prepare track to exceed last year’s number of stu- students for success at home, wherever dent interns and the number of countries that may be, has come to be known as in which internships were filled. Among return-ability. And it has become clear the many destinations for BYU–Hawaii that when students complete internships interns this year were Costa Rica and Ser- in their native countries, their return- bia—a first for both countries. ability increases. Austin notes that several recent studies, including one conducted by BYU–Hawaii, Interns get jobs conclude that approximately three quarters “Internships break down barriers— of employers use internships as a pre-selec- students reconnect with family and cul- tion tool for hiring. ture, build networks with employers, and s Kim Austin, left, directs BYU–Hawaii’s Stu- “What does this tell us? Internships apply concepts learned in the classroom to dent Work, Career, and Alumni Services Depart- are essential to getting a good job in the real world of work,” says Austin. ment, which coordinates student internships. today’s market,” she says. 3 www.byuh.edu Former intern hosts interns Thailand native and BYU–Hawaii gradu- ate Janjira Sirisarn (’04) has taken to heart President David O. McKay’s pro- phetic vision for BYU–Hawaii students to spread peace internationally. She is show- ing her gratitude to those who helped her as a student by serving both her country and BYU–Hawaii students. s Janjira Sirisarn, left, graduated from BYU– Hawaii in 2004. Elder Stanley Tak Chung Wan, Bringing education home center, also a BYU–Hawaii alumnus, helped her After completing a mission to Bang- and Opetagon Kaneeworn, right, start a busi- kok, Thailand, Sirisarn worked for LDS ness in Thailand. In the past year their company, Church Employment Resource Services EduSquare Language Center, has hosted several in Thailand, where she taught job seekers BYU–Hawaii student interns. Sarawut Srijunthuk essential job skills. While serving in this and Graph Dheeramawan are in back. capacity, Elder Stanley Tak Chung Wan (’79) gave her the idea to start a busi- ness. With his help, Sirisarn and fellow Fulfilling prophecy BYU–Hawaii alumna Opetagon Kanee- Now the international alumni chapter worn, both with political science degrees, chair in Thailand for BYU’s Provo and founded EduSquare Language Center— Hawaii campuses, Sirisarn encourages an organization that teaches English to students to return to their native coun- Thailanders. The task of starting and tries: “There are so many opportunities running the company seemed daunting waiting for BYU–Hawaii graduates at for Sirisarn and Kaneeworn, who have home. I have no doubt that if we follow no business backgrounds. However, with President McKay’s counsel we will be a In 2007, 339 students filled academic faith and help from others, the pair now good influence to others.” internships in 42 countries; in 2008, runs a successful organization.