Nearly 500 donors, students and members of the UH ‘ohana filled the Stan Sheriff Center arena to celebrate the impact private support makes in the lives of so many UH students.
Student Regent and scholarship recipient Jeffrey Acido brought tears to eyes as he shared how his immigrant parents both worked two jobs while he was growing up so that he would be able to go to college. He noted that every scholarship gives parents like his a chance to rest, a chance to spend more time with their children rather than leave them to work a second job. The reason he became a regent was to insure a student’s economic background would not prevent him or her from getting an education at UH.
Colonel Hal Jensen, a long time donor to UH, spoke about the emotional rewards of giving during one’s lifetime, and the deep sense of accomplishment he feels for having played a role in the success of his more than 130 scholarship recipients.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Reed Dasenbrock shared how donors are opening doors of opportunity in communities around the state. Regent Barry Mizuno offered his personal story of how scholarships gave him the confidence to persevere in his education and complete his degree.
Special performances by the UH Mānoa Brass Ensemble, Drumline, and Color Guard contributed to the festive atmosphere. UH leadership including Regent Barry Mizuno and UH deans and directors were honored and recognized as they walked through the flag arch created by the color guard as the brass ensemble performed the Olympic fanfare.
Last year the University of Hawai‘i Foundation raised more than $17M for student support and awarded more than $10M in student aid across the 10 UH campuses. Of this, $8M helped support more than 2,000 Mānoa students. Over the last ten years, donors contributed more than $72M to help more than 23,000 UH students!
