Hawai‘i Island - Longtime Hawai‘i Community College administrator Dr. Barbara Arthurs and her husband Robert (Bob) Arthurs have pledged $127,000 to establish three endowments to support UH Hilo and Hawai‘i CC students.
These endowments build on Dr. Arthurs’ significant philanthropic and educational contributions to the Hawai‘i Island community. She served the UH System for more than 20 years as a counselor, acting dean of student services, head counselor and most recently as the vice chancellor for student affairs at Hawai‘i Community College.
“Dr. Barbara Arthurs had a positive impact on so many students, faculty and staff during her decades of service at Hawai‘i Community College and UH Hilo,” said Hawai‘i CC Interim Chancellor Joni Onishi. “These endowed scholarships ensure that her positive influence on students and our community will continue in perpetuity.”
A diligent and dedicated educator and administrator, Arthurs made it her life’s mission and work to improve the university’s educational system through student services. In recognition of her outstanding dedication, she received the 2010 Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor’s Award.
Robert Arthurs was Consul and First Secretary with the U.S. Department of State and is now retired. He is currently a member of several fraternal and community organizations involved with volunteer work.
“Behind every scholarship is a person or family with a connection to the university and a desire to help our students,” said UH Hilo Chancellor Don Straney. “I hope others in our university and island communities will be inspired by the Arthurs’ spirit of paying it forward and make an investment in the future of our island by funding scholarships such as these.”
Three new endowed scholarships
- Barbara Bongo Arthurs Scholarship Endowment at Hawai‘i CC:
Established with $50,000 this endowment will provide scholarships to full-time undergraduate Hawai‘i CC students. - Barbara Bongo Arthurs Scholarship Endowment at UH Hilo:
Established with $50,000, this endowment will provide scholarships to full-time undergraduate UH Hilo students who obtained a degree or certificate from Hawai‘i CC. - Lyman Squadron Civil Air Patrol Scholarship Endowment:
Established with $27,000, this endowment will provide scholarships to full-time undergraduate students who were cadets in the civil air patrol and are pursuing a degree or certificate at any campus in the University of Hawai‘i System with preference to students who desire to pursue a career in aerospace or aviation.
These new scholarships build on the impact the Arthurs are already making in the lives of UH students through the four scholarships they established earlier. Previously, they established two scholarships in honor of their children, both of whom are UH alumni; a scholarship at Honolulu Community College in memory of Barbara Arthurs’ brother who attended Honolulu CC; and a scholarship at Hawai‘i Community College in honor of family members who supported her academic success.
If you would like to support UH Hilo and Hawai‘i CC programs and students:
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The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. The mission of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is to unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations www.uhfoundation.org.
