HAWAI‘I—UH Mānoa retired professor Dr. Jim Carpenter and his wife Jeanne who retired from the Hawai‘i Department of Education, care deeply about animals. To help prepare future veterinarians and others who work with animals, they made a $75,000 gift to create endowed scholarships at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
“I have enjoyed a very rewarding career at the University of Hawai‘i, and the students and people of Hawai‘i have been an integral part of our family’s life,” said Dr. Carpenter. “Because we have been blessed in our careers, health and spiritual growth while living in Hawai‘i we wanted to give back to the community. With these scholarships we can help young people fulfill their dreams to attend UH and attain degrees that will prepare them for rewarding animal-related careers.”
Carpenter added, “We hope these scholarships will allow students to place greater emphasis on their course work and other educational requirements, rather than being pulled away from campus to work,” said Dr. Carpenter. “Good internship experiences and opportunities to be involved in research projects with faculty members during their time at UH are invaluable learning experiences. We hope that these scholarships give students the time and resources they need to make the most out of these critical opportunities.”
The James and Jeanne Carpenter Endowed Scholarship at UH Hilo will assist full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree at the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management with a pre-veterinary medicine or livestock production specialty in animal science or aquaculture.
Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management Bruce Mathews said, “The scholarships will be key in advancing the careers of promising students in animal science and aquaculture and it is hoped that many of them will eventually contribute to the revitalization and advancement of Hawai‘i's terrestrial and aquatic animal production sectors.”
The James and Jeanne Carpenter Endowed Scholarship at UH Mānoa will assist full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree in animal sciences and/or studies in the pre-veterinary program in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR).
Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Maria Gallo said, “CTAHR is honored to receive this endowed scholarship, generously provided by one of our outstanding retired faculty, Dr. Jim Carpenter, and his wife, Jeanne. Dr. Carpenter served in CTAHR's Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, as a faculty member as well as its chair. Students in Animal Sciences and the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Program will greatly benefit from this endowed scholarship, which provides financial assistance that allows students to focus more on their education. The generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter demonstrates their commitment to helping others and giving back to the community.”
Dr. Carpenter grew up in Vermont where both his paternal and maternal grandparents had dairy farms. His love for animals and recognition of the importance of their proper growth and development greatly influenced his career. He earned his M.S. Animal Science at UH Mānoa, and his Ph.D. Ruminant Nutrition from Cornell University.
Dr. Carpenter began his career in academia as an assistant professor of animal science in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management at UH Hilo in 1975 where he was one of three faculty members who started the College. In late 1979 he joined the faculty in the Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences Department in CTAHR at UH Mānoa where he worked for the remainder of his career. He retired in December 2009 and during his time at the two campuses taught 16 different animal science related classes. Twice during his tenure, he was appointed chair of the department.
Dr. Carpenter was actively involved in both undergraduate and graduate education through teaching, coordinating the animal science internship program, advising and other academic affairs activities. He received the 1992 National Association of College Teachers in Agriculture "Teaching Award of Merit," the UH Mānoa "Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 1993," the 2005 National ABC-USA New Life Award for outstanding leadership in his church, and in 2007 the “Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Distinguished Teacher Award.” Additionally, Dr. Carpenter has consulted both in the South Pacific and on the mainland and was an active member of several professional societies. He presented numerous papers at various national meetings and has been an invited speaker at national, international and local conferences and workshops.
Dr. Carpenter also served the State of Hawai‘i as an officer in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard for over 28 years. After 35 years of military service he retired in 2004 as a Brigadier General with his last assignment being Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard. Dr. Carpenter and his wife Jeanne have two grown sons, Anthony and Derrick, whose families live in Kahului, Maui and Superior, Colorado and five grandchildren.
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