BYU–Hawaii faculty dressed in their academic regalia as the Fall 2019 graduating class– 203 bachelor’s degrees and 15 associate’s degrees– entered the Cannon Activities Center. Speakers invited graduates to be compassionately aware of opportunities to learn and serve, as well as choose hard rights instead of easy wrongs.
As a tradition, Daniel Bradshaw, professor of language and performing arts, played “Pomp and Circumstance” while they were walking in. The audience welcomed them with thunderous applause. Four speakers gave speeches to encourage the graduates to continue seeking God and go forth to serve.
President John S. Tanner opened the ceremony with a remark about three things. First, he said to not be sad to leave the “paradise” of Laie. He referenced Adam and Eve and how they were meant to leave the Garden of Eden. He explained how it was a part of God’s Plan of Happiness.
Second, he said Adam and Eve were meant to eat from the tree of knowledge and to learn. “To be learned is good if you hearken unto God (2 Nephi 9:29). God’s power is His intelligence, and we honor God and his glorious intelligence by loving Him. So, hearken to God, and be determined to obey Him,” President Tanner advised.
Third, he said, “You can take paradise with you if you develop divine virtues.” Godly attributes, such as faith, virtue, patience, and love will help the graduates to bring paradise wherever they go, said President Tanner. He added the world full of new possibilities is waiting for them.
Brent White, an accounting professor, said, “President Tanner’s talk was very inspiring and made me want to be a better person. There [were] many accounting graduates this semester, and I’m so proud of them.”
Graduate speaker
Leila N.K. Hyde, a graduating senior from Hawaii majoring in history, quoted President Thomas S. Monson, “Our decisions determine our destiny.” She encouraged everyone to be courageous and choose hard rights instead of easy wrongs.
She said it is acceptable to be different from the world, and students do not need to see the world to know how to live. She challenged everyone to be happy in whatever circumstance they are in.
Remarks from R. Kelly Haws
R. Kelly Haws, assistant to the commissioner and secretary to the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, said graduates deserve to be celebrated in this commencement ceremony because of their hard work of over 5000 hours of study in class, homework, and over 300 exams they did in their student years, according to his calculation.
He explained how academic exams and quizzes may end, but not the life quizzes that God prepared for them. He said, “The Spirit will always whisper the correct answer if you listen. You can live in enemy territory without being deceived if you listen to the Spirit.” Kneeling down and praying to Him will be a pop quiz preparation, he added.
Following his speech was an inspiring musical number by Nicole Villejo, a graduate from Hawaii majoring in music and Lawrence Laureano, a junior from the Philippines majoring in music. Villejo sang a famous Filipino song called “Follow your dream,” and the lyrics said:
Follow your dream
The courage found within
Your soul is keeping you so strong
That you could rise each time you fall
Thoughts from Sister Bonnie H. Cordon
She started explaining how commencement means beginning, and the graduates are lucky to start their life journey in this magical time of the year. She compared how three wise men and shepherds can be a good example for students to seek the Savior.
She advised graduates to be determined to seek Christ without being distracted by social media and other worldly distractions. She emphasized how Heavenly Father is the best teacher.
“Stretch your current spiritual ability and invite Him to be part of all you do. He is interested in every aspect of your life,” she said. Then she shared the Parable of the Good Samaritan and encouraged graduates to be compassionately aware of people and serve them.
Hironori Kato, a graduate from Japan majoring in information systems, said, “This graduation is a big turning point of my life, just like Sister Cordon said. All the speeches were amazing and inspired me to go forward and do great things in my career and life.”
After her speech, President Tanner and Vice President for Academics John Bell handed the diplomas to graduates. Some of the parents were crying to see their children receiving their diploma and were doing videos for their personal memory. Many shared it was a proud moment for them. Some members of the audience were shouting with joy.
Thoughts from the audience
Neil J. Anderson, a TESOL professor, said, “I always love the celebration of graduation. First, I love to see my EIL students’ progress and achieving their goals. Second, I’m uplifted by President Tanner’s messages. I hope all the graduates today will go forward and achieve great success in their lives.”
Gemma Gutierrez, a mother of Julian Gutierrez, a graduate who majored in psychology, said, “I am very delighted with my son’s graduation. The commencement ceremony was very reverent and spiritual. The talks gave the graduates a good guide.”
Sage Biggs, a recent alumna, said her husband, Nainoa Biggs, majored in computer science and graduated summa cum laude, and she is proud of him. “Sister Cordon’s talk was enlightening of how to practice what we have learned and how to stay faithful in God.”