Skip to main content
March 20, 2015

Elena L. H. Tom Scholarship Endowment

Honoring Elena

Photo of Elena Tom by Clinton Inouye

In recognition of a remarkable woman, we invite you to join the TIM International Inc., UH Alumni Association Chapter and make a gift to support scholarships for UH Manoa School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) students through the Elena L. H. Tom Scholarship Endowment.

For 35 years of Elena provided exceptional service to TIM school students and alumni. She was a friend, an informal advisor, and a “mom” to many students who were entering a new and foreign world of college away from home.

About Elena

Elena Tom was born and raised in Honolulu. She graduated from Mckinley High School and earned her BA from UH Mānoa. Elena enjoyed a long career at UH and worked at the Institute for Astronomy and Kapi‘olani Community College before joining the TIM School team in September 1979. During Elena’s service at the TIM School she was promoted to secretary, a position she held until retiring on Dec. 31, 2014.

What distinguished Elena the most in the hearts of students was her genuine interest in their academic and personal welfare. She went above and beyond the call of duty volunteering at hundreds of TIM school events. Years later and even thousands of miles away, TIM School alumni have never forgotten Elena’s kindness that helped make their UH journey both happy and successful.

According to Elena, she “enjoyed every minute” of her career at the UH TIM School. Her work philosophy was: 1) to be of service; 2) always teach; 3) always share; and 4) you always have a choice, and any choice you make is good.

Join us

We hope that you will join us and honor a remarkable woman by making a gift to the Elena L. H. Tom Scholarship Endowment at the UH Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management.

Questions? / More Information

If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808 376-7800 or send us a message.