
The Silversword: Home > Chaminade Life
One of the most beautiful things about Hawaii is that it beckons people to come and enjoy its diversity. At Chaminade, the International Extravaganza invites the students, staff and faculty to express their own culture and to learn about others and the beauty they all hold.
Kangaroos, koalas and devils, oh my. No, that introduction doesn’t refer to an Australian remake of “Wizard of Oz” or the “Wiz,” but the recent adventures of Chaminade communications instructor Tom Galli.
Chaminade’s student advertising group, adVta, was unable to surpass their rivals from Hawaii Pacific University in the Hawaii Regional of the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) on April 25. As the runners-up, AdVta missed out on the opportunity to represent the area at the national competition in Washington, D.C., this June.
Its Vegas baby! Chaminade students partied “Vegas style” this past weekend at the Spring Commencement Ball held at the Honolulu Country club. In recognition of the graduating seniors of 2009, students danced, ate great food, won prizes and created memories that will last a lifetime.
According to Sulak Sivaraksa, a revered Buddhist and social justice activist, greed is the foundation for social injustice. Sivaraksa spoke at the Fifth Fujitani Interfaith lecture April 18 at Chaminade’s Mystical Rose Oratory. He is a community organizer, an author of several books published in English and Thai, and is a friend of the Dalai Lama.
Chaminade faculty and staff crowded into the Ching Conference Center on April 16 for President Bernie Ploeger’s first formal address. Before Ploeger stepped into the room, people were chatting amiably, and jokes and laughter filled the room. As soon as “President Bernie” stepped to the podium, however, the audience went silent and turned its full attention to Ploeger.
Last month it was announced that Dr. Teena Michael of the Chaminade Biology Department may be let go mere months before her tenure was to go into effect. Tenure essentially guarantees a faculty member has permanent employment at an institution of higher learning.
At every end of the semester, we, the Chaminade community, must say our goodbyes to one special class, the graduating seniors. Unlike many other classes before them, this class is graduating into a recession-filled economy and a depleted job market, unless they decide to continue onto an even higher education by going to graduate school. Even with the country’s financial downfall, these Chaminade graduates have obtained great morals and skills within their years here that will help them shape their futures.
Witi Ihimaera, lauded Maori author of “Whale Rider” visited Chaminade on April 15 during a presentation of the film based on his book. Aulama Student Literary Magazine sponsored the event as part of their international film festival.