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Leilani Arthurs STEM Endowed Scholarship & Rob Arthurs Endowed Scholarship

July 14, 2015
  • Arthurs Honor Their Kids with Scholarships

Longtime Hawai‘i Community College administrator Dr. Barbara Arthurs and her husband Robert Arthurs have given $50,000 to establish two endowments in honor of their children, Leilani and Rob, both of whom are University of Hawai‘i at Hilo alumni.

These endowments build on Dr. Arthurs’ significant 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. Arthurs served as role model of tireless and faithful commitment to the cause of education. She put in long hours, even on the weekends, to improve opportunities for students,” said Hawai‘i CC Chancellor Noreen Yamane. “Through these endowments, her legacy of giving back and providing students with the resources they need to succeed will live on.”

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 a 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.

Support for STEM students

In honor of their daughter, the Arthurs established the Leilani Arthurs STEM Endowed Scholarship. This fund supports UH Hilo students who are affiliated with Filipino culture, programs or studies, and who are majoring in the natural sciences, technology, pre-engineering or math.

Leilani Arthurs graduated as valedictorian from Mid-Pacific Institute in 1991, earned a BA in peace and conflict studies from University of California, Berkeley, earned a BS in geology from UH Hilo, and a PhD in geochemistry from the University of Notre Dame. She has been a faculty member in higher education and teaches and does research in geochemistry and STEM education. She also studied Spanish, German, Mandarin, Japanese and Hawaiian.

Celebrating creativity

The Rob Arthurs Endowed Scholarship honors the Arthurs’ son Rob. This fund supports UH Hilo students who are affiliated with Filipino culture, programs or studies, and who are majoring in art, the performing arts or philosophy.

Rob Arthurs completed his high school requirements at Waiakea High School and completed his BA in Art at UH Hilo in 2002. While at UH Hilo he built sets for productions at the Performing Arts Center. His creative gifts have been expressed through graphic arts, music, poetry and home construction. He enjoys hiking, camping and sailing. His latest pursuit is in the field of jurisprudence.


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.