Chaminade University of Honolulu

Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private Marianist university in Honolulu, Hawaii. Founded in 1955 by the Society of Mary, Chaminade is located in Kaimuki, Honolulu at the base of St. Louis Heights. Chaminade offers bachelor's degrees in 23 fields of study and 5 master's degree programs. Chaminade University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

History


Chaminade University of Honolulu was named after Father William Joseph Chaminade, a French Catholic priest who survived persecution during the French Revolution. He founded the Society of Mary in 1817. In 1849, Marianists sent missionaries to the United States to serve immigrant populations. In September 1883, eight Marianist priests arrived in Honolulu and established Saint Louis School, today a middle and high school for boys. With the encouragement of Saint Louis alumni, the Marianists established a university to serve the educational needs of local Hawai'i Catholics. They opened Saint Louis Junior College in 1955. Upon becoming a four-year institution, the school changed its name to Chaminade College in 1957. When graduate programs were added in 1977, Chaminade College changed its name to Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Marianist traditions
The Society of Mary (Marianists) is a religious order of brothers and priests following in the vision of Father William Joseph Chaminade, the founder of the Society of Mary. Since Father Chaminade believed schools were instrumental in changing society, Marianist schools today focus on the education of the whole person, realizing the importance of both faith and reason, and preparing students for entry into their chosen careers. Chaminade's approach to education is founded in the Marianist education values:


 * 1) Educate for formation in faith
 * 2) Provide an excellent education
 * 3) Educate in family spirit
 * 4) Educate for service, justice and peace
 * 5) Educate for adaptation to change

Campus
Chaminade's main campus, serving the undergraduate program and graduate program, is at the base of St. Louis Heights, a residential division of the Kaimuki district. Chaminade is approximately two miles outside Waikiki and four miles from Downtown Honolulu.

After receiving a large grant in 2003, the campus underwent extensive renovation and construction. This included the construction of the Sullivan Family Library, and the Dr. Lawrence K.W. and Mrs. BoHing Chan Tseu Center for Nursing Education.

Chaminade's accelerated evening and online program (Adult Evening and Online Program) offers evening courses for nine degree programs at satellite locations on local military bases, community colleges and community centers.

Academics
Chaminade has 5 schools: Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Business and Communication; Humanities, Arts, and Design; Education and Behavioral Science; and Nursing. Across the schools, there are 25 day undergraduate majors, 36 minors, 14 certificates, 6 associate degrees, 19 online degrees, 6 master degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees.

The Adult Evening and Online Program (AEOP) offers accelerated courses for non-traditional students who wish to take classes in the evening and online.

Chaminade University of Honolulu Montessori Teacher Education Program is accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and affiliated with American Montessori Society (AMS).

Athletics
Chaminade University of Honolulu competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II as a member of the Pacific West Conference, a nine-member athletic conference with members located in California, Hawaii, and Utah. Chaminade University fields teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf for men, softball, tennis, and volleyball for women. In the fall of 2006 men's and women's soccer were added for the first time as well as women's basketball. Chaminade University of Honolulu's team name is the "Silverswords," a reference to a Hawaiian plant prized for its beauty and ability to withstand harsh conditions.

Diversity
In 2010, Chaminade's student body was 66% Asian/Pacific Islander, 18% White, 6% Hispanic, 4% Black, 2% Non-Resident Alien, and 0.7% American Indian/Alaska Native. Additionally, Chaminade University is a Native Hawaiian Serving Institution, offering a Native Hawaiian emphasis of study in the Behavioral Studies Program, Native Hawaiian culture resources, and scholarships for students of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

Clubs and organizations
Chaminade students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, with over 30 clubs represented on campus. Clubs include student government, clubs for specific majors, and a variety of cultural clubs. Each year, members of the Samoan, Hawaiian, Micronesian, Tahitian, and Marianas clubs participate in the Pacific Island Review, an event showcasing the traditional ethnic dances of the Pacific Islands.

Residence halls
Chaminade offers on and off campus housing facilities for approximately 400 students. On-campus dorms include Hale Lokelani, Hale Pohaku and Keiffer Hall. Keiffer Hall is the only single sex dorm, offering housing for first-year and upper-class women. Hale Lokelani and Hale Pohaku are co-ed, suite style dorms available to first-year students (freshman status). Off-campus dorms are apartment style living facilities with full kitchens and living rooms. The off-campus dorms are intended for upper class students and are within a mile from campus. The off-campus facilities are: Waialae Avenue, Date Street and Iolani Terrace.