Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chair of the Executive Committee of the Board, introduced the next president of BYU–Hawaii as John Sears Tanner during the campus devotional on May 12.
Tanner will be working with current BYUH President Steven C. Wheelwright over the next few months. He will then become the 10th president of BYUH on July 27. Students, faculty and community members said they felt uplifted by the event.
Renee Ahuna Cabrinha, a wedding planner in Laie, said, “I cried through mostly all of it. I felt very blessed that I was able to be here. As soon as President Tanner began to speak, I received confirmation that he is truly called of God and I just couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better and supporting them.”
Tanner has served as first counselor in the General Sunday School Presidency, chair of the English Department at BYU and academic vice president from 2004-2011.
He has written BYU’s Educational AIMS, which serve as the university’s desired educational outcomes for all students. BYU’s website says these include spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, character building, lifelong learning and service for all students. His wife, Susan, served as the Young Women’s General President from 2002 to 2008, according to Elder Nelson’s remarks.
Tanner graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from BYU and earned doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley in 1980. He also served a mission in Brazil and later returned as a mission president there, according to his biographical information. Rumors were spreading around the school about a new president being announced, but some students were still taken back by the news.
“For me, I was very surprised,” said Olivia Jong, a sophomore from South Korea studying international cultural studies in communication. “I thought I was going to graduate this school when President Wheelwright was serving here.”
Jong’s friend who sat next to her, Shine Kang, from South Korea, a sophomore studying international cultural studies, said, “I was so happy that we have a new president from BYU Provo.”
Nicholas Grayson, a junior from Colorado studying applied mathematics, added, “That new president has a great smile. I just want to give him a hug.”
Students showed appreciation for the work President Wheelwright and his wife have done for the school by singing “Aloha Oe” at the end of the devotional. President Wheelwright has been working for BYUH since 2007.
Margaret Wheelwright said, “Our hearts are so full, but it feels really right. We’ve done our best and we know the Tanners are going to be fabulous. We’re going to leave this wonderful place that really is a little bit of Zion.”
The Church announced on May 16 the Wheelwrights will be returning to Boston to become the president and matron at the Boston Massachusetts Temple.
Lei Cummings, a resident from Laie working with LDS Philanthropies, added, “I am excited. We’re grateful to President and Sister Wheelwright and for all they have done. I work with donors who help the university, so I know from the inside the other things he has been involved in. But I’m so excited to get to know the Tanners.”
Katie Grayson, a junior from Texas studying international cultural studies in communications and peacebuilding, said, “I’m sure we’re all going to miss President Wheelwright, but it’s awesome we’re getting somebody else, and he seems like a great guy.”
The devotional was centered on faith, and talks were given by the members of the Executive Committee of the Church Board of Education and the Board of Trustees including Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy, Sister Linda K. Burton, General President of the Relief Society, and Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy and Church Commissioner of Education. Elder Nelson conducted the meeting and spoke as well.