Many of my cousins did not have the opportunity to attend college, though they are making sure their children do. When I am with them, some are in awe of my job. Being the chancellor of a university is a big deal in their minds. In these encounters I lead with humility, as my cousin who is a butcher and store owner is every bit as essential to his community as I am to mine.
When they ask me what my job is like, I usually answer that most of the time “I go to meetings and I sign stuff.” The details of the heavy responsibility behind those signatures are hard to describe outside the university. My job also has many privileges, however, like the pleasure of attending events such as student presentations, visiting faculty lectures or sporting events. Every time I attend one of these, I am grateful for the journey that brought me to UH-Hilo.
Last month, I was honored to attend our “annual” (first one we have had in a few years, due to COVID) scholarship celebration. As I looked out over all the smiling faces in the room, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I was grateful that so many students were in attendance, despite the fact that the event was held around midterm time. I was grateful that so many donors attended, given that some are still avoiding large gatherings. I was grateful for our hard working staff and faculty, who make not only events like that but also everything we do on campus successful.
When I greeted some donors before the event started and thanked them for coming, they replied that the pleasure was theirs and that they had missed the event the last few years. “It’s like Christmas for us!” they insisted. The deep pleasure one gets from being able to contribute to the success of our students, whether it be helping with tuition or helping them study abroad, was on full display in the room as donors happily chatted with students, and students were able to express their gratitude for those who are supporting their journeys. Many of our friends in the room give to other projects at the university as well. Some are friends of ‘Imiloa; others may have adopted a beehive at our Panaewa Farm. Seeing the warm community support and the rewards of that support is certainly one of the highlights of my year.
Last week, I got to attend a presentation by the architects who are working with the State Historic Preservation Division to design their new home that we hope will be located on the UH-Hilo campus, and the next day I presented to the UH Board of Regents seeking their approval for the United State Geological Survey to build their regional offices on the UH-Hilo campus. I am grateful not only for the promise that both these projects bring, but also for the long partnerships we have had with both state and federal agencies. These agencies partner with our faculty on important research and service and they provide professional opportunities for our students and alumni. The partnerships contribute greatly to our success.
Another event in our year that inspires immense gratitude is commencement, and this fall we will celebrate with two ceremonies: one an alumni commencement for those graduates who missed out on an in-person commencement because of the pandemic, and the other, our traditional fall ceremony.
Commencement is by far the happiest day of the academic year. Relieved parents, proud families, happy students, happy faculty and staff. I am always grateful on those days for the many families who entrusted their students to us for their educational journeys. I am also grateful for the students who have chosen service professions; our community needs nurses and teachers, natural resource managers, and business professionals. These new professionals will build the future of our community, improve the world, and safeguard our citizens and our ‘aina.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, events like these allow those of us at UH-Hilo to reflect on the many people for whom we are grateful. We are honored to serve our community and always grateful for the opportunity.
Bonnie D. Irwin is chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Her column appears monthly in the Tribune-Herald.