As the current BYU-Hawaii President, President Steven Wheelwright accomplished significant things over the course of his service, said Michael Johanson, director of communications in the President’s office.
In a special devotional held on May 12, 2015 when John S. Tanner was announced as the succeeding university president later this year, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve said President Wheelwright has served with high distinction as president of BYUH for nearly eight years.
Looking back on how President Wheelwright has contributed for BYUH, people may be surprised to find out what he did for the student body and university. Johanson said, “His contributions over his eight years as president come down to two things in my mind. No. 1 is his love for students…He would find ways to best serve those students. Not only the ones who were here, but also students who would be coming in the future. He had a great vision for serving students.”
Johanson continued, “He [also] made significant progress in each of the three imperatives given to him when he started as president in 2007: serve more students, continue to improve the quality of all we do, and lower the relative costs. The physical buildings on campus and mapping a plan for the future campus, was a hallmark of President Wheelwright’s tenure as president.”
Ho Si Wong, a senior majoring in marketing from Hong Kong, said, “I am so grateful to be able to live in the new hale on campus, and I know that President wheelwright thinks about students all the time.”
Johanson said he thought about President Wheelwright’s consistence with the mission of BYUH, as he studied and learned from what all of the prophets’ visions were through the years regarding BYUH. “President David O. Mackay had seen what Brigham Young University in Hawaii means to education in the church and more specifically to build up a kingdom of God. He reinforced the mission in every certain steps and every conversation.
"President Wheelwright believes in the mission, and he brought into clear focus the mission of the university and how each individual member of the campus Ohana fits into that mission, whatever role they play at BYU–Hawaii. The LEARN-LEAD-BUILD triplet that he created embodies that mission."
Yuko Kunishi, a senior in TESOL from Japan, said “President Wheelwright is always smiling!” In her mind, President Wheelwright has been an example of optimism, and he is a man of faith and commitment to righteousness.
Johanson expressed President Wheelwright and Sister Wheelwright will miss the interaction with the students more than anything. Their love for students was more a part of their everyday lives than anything else.
In his regular meetings with President Wheelwright, he said they always prayed, and he always prayed for students. Also, President Wheelwright knew that succeeding university President John S. Tanner has been prepared to serve in this capacity, and he will do very well to seek the guidance of the spirit in important decisions affecting the university and its students.
The Wheelwrights will continue their service in the Church as President and Matron of the Boston Temple later in 2015.]
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