Students, faculty and alumni honor BYUH’s seven-decade legacy of academic excellence and cultural unity
Students, faculty, alumni, families and friends gathered on the hallowed grounds of BYU–Hawaii from Feb. 10 to 12 to celebrate seven decades of academic excellence, cultural harmony and spiritual development. Spanning from current students to graduates from decades ago, the BYUH community enjoyed three days of reflecting on the past and looking forward to a bright future, said Alumni Relations Manager Lei Cummings.
Led by Alumni Relations, Cummings said the celebrations focused on honoring the kupuna, or ancestors. “We used to only have cake on Founders Day, but look at how big our ohana has grown,” she expressed. The milestone event included a kickoff program, campus tour, student and alumni talent show, service project, time capsule opening and dance, each bearing special meaning for every attendee, shared Cummings.
She said the university will remain steadfast in its mission to prepare students for a lifelong journey of academic and spiritual success, even in the decades to come. “If we remain mindful of our purpose here, we can unite in our efforts to fulfill the university’s enduring mission,” she voiced. She said BYUH’s pursuit to unite different countries and cultures into one big ohana is something no other university can fully achieve.
Celebrating seven decades of aloha
Celebrating Founders Day encouraged everyone at BYUH to reflect on its origins, dating back to February 12, 1955, when President David O. McKay marked the birth of the university, says BYUH website. “Every part of the event was significant for us,” expressed Cummings. She said the celebration served as a reminder of their journey from being students to esteemed faculty and alumni.
“The last time we had this event for BYUH’s anniversary was 20 years ago, on our 50th,” she shared. Additionally, she said, not only did it bring together the alumni, but it also involved current students. “It is always a beautiful feeling to look back and see how much has changed,” she voiced.
Cummings said a great deal of thought went into each event. “We sought to show our alumni that the university is still thriving,” she expressed. They wanted to highlight BYUH’s amazing students, who are still steadfastly striving to be disciples of Jesus Christ in their own unique ways, she shared. “For our alumni to learn about that is great, because they will always be rooting for us. They will always be part of this university even though they are not always here,” she said.
She emphasized the time capsule event as an undeniable highlight. The event featured a tribute to service missionaries, followed by a service opportunity at the Iosepa canoe. “We learned about the missionaries who offered their time and service, the first students who graduated and all those people who helped build a school that is still alive today,” she shared. Through learning about these people’s sacrifices and devotion, they were reminded of their purpose and mission for the university, she explained.
They also organized a mentoring session, a talent show and a dance that involved the students. “It shouldn’t just be about our alumni—everybody should be celebrating BYUH’s birthday,” she expressed. The events fostered connections between the current students and past graduates, and she said it was inspiring to witness the past and the present come together to shape the future. This, she reflected, is the true culmination of BYUH’s seventy years of existence.
Giving back and looking ahead
“BYUH is my home, and working for the university is one of the best ways I can give back to the school,” expressed Campus Safety and Risk Management Manager Eugenia Soliai, who graduated from BYUH with a degree in public health administration in 2005.
Soliai said participating in the celebration was special because it allowed her to reconnect with fellow alumni, catch up on their journeys and witness how far they have come, reminding one another of their shared beginnings at BYUH. However, beyond the joy of reunion, she said it was also an opportunity to give back to the university that shaped them. “I love working with the students here. I love helping them develop their skills and tap into their potential,” she expressed.
Whether through mentorship, contributions or simply sharing their personal experiences, she said alumni play a vital role in supporting the current students throughout their journey toward success. “Alumni can provide them with unique opportunities domestically and internationally,” she shared. These opportunities, she explained, include internships, employment prospects and hands-on experiences that will help students expand their professional networks.
Soliai said she has been part of the university’s faculty for 28 years, making her a witness to the campus’ remarkable evolution. “The students today probably could no longer imagine what it was like back then,” she shared. Reflecting on her time here as a student, she said those years were among the best of her life, and she said she hopes the current and future generations will feel the same. “The campus has progressed tremendously to make that possible,” she stated.
“I am excited to see the new buildings rise—beautiful infrastructures designed for future students who will one day call BYUH their home,” she expressed. Apart from these structures, she said she hopes she and her fellow faculty members can leave behind a meaningful legacy, ensuring that future generations will experience the same transformative opportunities they once did.
Jonnel Perin, a sophomore from the Philippines studying psychology, said it was inspiring to see alumni return and express gratitude for BYUH’s impact on their lives. “I realized our time here is really not simply about earning a degree but also about becoming part of a lifelong community,” he expressed. He said this milestone event encouraged him to make the most out of his time here and one day give back to the university that has given him so much.
“I hope to create lasting memories and experiences that will shape me into a better person, just as so many alumni before me have,” he shared. With all the exciting developments happening on campus, he said he cannot wait to see how BYUH will continue to grow while upholding its mission. “I want to be part of something much bigger than myself— a community built on love, faith and service,” he expressed.