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Latest News and Events
Social workers at the front: The Israeli Case by Uri Yanay Photo l to r: Uri Yanay presents a gift to dean Jon K. Matsuoka Photo and story by Jackie Graessle	Social workers at the front: The Israeli Case by Uri Yanay On August 20, 2009, visiting scholar Uri Yanay gave a brown-bag presentation entitled Social workers at the front: The Israeli Case. Highlighted were some of the challenges facing social workers in Israel, including a constant stream of immigrants with housing, medical and mental health needs, and what it is like to live under the constant threat of terrorist acts. To read the full article please click on this link.
Dean Matsuoka Appointed Chair of the Commission on Global Social Work Education	Dean Matsuoka Appointed Chair of the Commission on Global Social Work Education Dr. Jon Matsuoka, dean of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawai‘i Manoa, has been given the prestigious honor of being named Chair of the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Global Social Work Education. The commission works with various organizations to promote international programs and to develop international dimensions of social work curricula. The Chair is tasked with, among other things, providing leadership in global social work education and research. To read the complete article, please click on this link
"Gifts to be Grateful for" Highlights School of Social Work Faculty l to r: Ryan Nakaima of Nan, Inc., Practicum Instructor Lei Shimizu, MSW Student Chuck Wilson	"Gifts to be Grateful for" Highlights School of Social Work Faculty In Diane Chang's Parents and `Ohana column, "Gifts to be Grateful for", tells the generous actions of Leven "Chuck" Wilson who is a MSW graduate and a faculty member of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. Below is an excerpt of the column: The gift of giving. What is it about the benevolence of islanders, who often go out of their way to practice generosity? Take Leven “Chuck” Wilson, who began pursuing something remarkable three years ago on his way to earning his master’s degree in the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. One of his cases involved a client who was diagnosed as bipolar, leading to her self-neglect and the deterioration of her eight-bedroom home in Kalihi. The structure had fallen into such disrepair, foreclosure proceedings were imminent. So guess what Chuck did? He decided to save the house. To read the complete column, click on this link
Social Work Student Creates Waimanalo Market, a Community Cooperative	Social Work Student Creates Waimanalo Market, a Community Cooperative Recent Master of Social Work graduate Kehau Padilla participated in the School’s Native Hawaiian Learning Program with financial support from OHA and Kamehameha Schools. She was mentored by the School’s Native Hawaiian Kupuna and consultant, Lynette Paglinawan. Click on this link to see full article
Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Students in the Philippines L. to R. Lorena Umana, Chris Smith, Craig Burns, Leslie Cabingabang, Darren Wong, Maricela Yee, Erica Rimando, Georgia Clariza, Ron Matayoshi	Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Students in the Philippines The Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work is sending its fourth cohort of MSW students to the Philippines to engage in a summer practicum experience. The international program is supported by the Consuelo Foundation. The students will spend 10 weeks at Consuelo supported programs in Dumaguete, and Bohol that address the needs of children and families. The picture represents those who have previously been involved and Chris Smith, Erica Rimando, and Georgia Clariza who will be going to Philippines this summer. Click on this link to see full article
Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Faculty Chair of UH Commission on the Status of Women	Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Faculty Chair of UH Commission on the Status of Women Jackie Graessle (second from left) was recently elected chair of the University of Hawai'i Commission on the Status of Women. The commissioners recently held their bi-annual meeting with UH President David McClain (center). Click on this link to go to the UH Commission on the Status of Women Website
Spring 2009 BSW Student Dean's List	Spring 2009 BSW Student Dean's List Congratulations to the Spring 2009 BSW Students who made the Dean's List for their excellent academic performance. The Dean’s List distinction is awarded to undergraduate students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more graded credits, without receiving grades of W, I, F or NC for that semester. Click on this link to view the List.
Brown Bag Presentation with Dr. Rey Martinez	Brown Bag Presentation with Dr. Rey Martinez Dr. Rey Martinez, LMSW, associate professor at the New Mexico Highlands University, recently gave a wonderful brown-bag presentation entitled "Conducting and Teaching Culturally Competent Social Work Research" for faculty and students. Dr. Martinez is a UH alum.
Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Board of Advisors	Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Board of Advisors In June, 2009, the School's Board of Advisors held their quarterly meeting. Front row, l to r: Masaru Oshiro, Elena Gaborno, board chair Patti Lyons, Lorraine Robinson. Back row, l to r: dean Jon Matsuoka, Al Nakatani, Speaker Calvin Say, Lynn Watanabe, Jennifer Cilfone, Susan Doyle, and Sally Kanehe Lampson. Click on this link to see the full board of advisors
Alumni and Friends March 2009 Meeting Alumni and Friends of the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work posed in front of a photo the School's namesake, Myron "Pinky" Thompson at the March 2009 board meeting. Back row L to R: student Sanford Sasaki, president Jennifer Cilphone, vice-president Sally Lampson Kanehe, student Dina Ahakuelo, student Belinda Quack, student Leatapo "Ata" Laleopa, and alumnus/lecturer Eddie Mercereau Front Row L to R: alumnus/lecturer Marty Oliphant, faculty member Jackie Graessle, alumnus Michael Esquibil, secretary/treasurer Kathy Kreinic, and faculty member Nathan Chang To find out more about joining this organization, log onto http://www.alumniconnections.com/hawaii/.	Alumni and Friends March 2009 Meeting The Alumni and Friends of the School of Social Work provides critical support to the School of Social Work. The this photo was taken at June 2009 meeting. First row l to r: Kathi Kreinik, Ah Nee Leong, Ethel Yamane, Michael Esquibil Second row l to r: Bernie Strand, Sanford Sasaki, Sally Kanehe Lampson, Carrie Shklov, Leatapo "Ata" Kaleopa, Lisa Kiehl, Jennifer Cilfone, Jonathan Parker, Michelle Sajona, Eddie Mersereau, Nathan Chang, Marty Oliphant, Dolly Tatofi, and dean Jon Matsuoka. If you are interested in more information about this important organization, please contact president Jennifer Cilfone at JCilfone@FamilyProgramsHi or vice president Sally Kanehe at Skanehe@aol.com. To join, simply click onto this link - http://www.alumniconnections.com/hawaii/ - and choose social work as your affiliation.
Michael Ullman Successfully Defends Doctoral Dissertation Pictured l to r: Michael Ullman and Dean Jon K. Matsuoka	Michael Ullman Successfully Defends Doctoral Dissertation On June 1, 2009, Michael Ullman successfully defended his doctoral dissertation entitled "Factors Related to Program Retention in a Transitional Substance Abuse Treatment Program for Homeless Veterans". Ullman's dissertation committee included Dr. Susan Chandler (chair) and Drs. Eddie Wong, John Gartrell, Karl Kim and Hamilton McCubbin.
Kupuna is Honored at the Hawai'i Peacemakers and Justice Seekers Luncheon Pictured l to r: Bryan Nakamura (Stagner's ho'oponopono graduate assistant who presented the award), Dr. Rev. Kaleo Patterson - President of PJRC and SW peace studies teacher, awardee Dr. Ishmael Stagner, & Dr. Ha'aheo Guanson - E.D. of PJRC and SW peace studies teacher.	Kupuna is Honored at the Hawai'i Peacemakers and Justice Seekers Luncheon On Saturday, March 28, 2009, school kupuna Dr. Ishmael Stagner, specialist on cultural protocol, teacher of ho'oponopono, scholar, historian, and mentor, was recently presented with an award from the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center (PJRC) for his tireless work in this area. Stagner, instructed and mentored by the likes of Mary Kawena Puku'i, holds a special place with the Myron B. Thompson SSW. He was instrumental in advising planners on matters of cultural protocol for the highly successful conference "Indigenous Voices in Social Work: Not Lost in Translation" for which the School remains forever grateful. Story and photo by Jackie Graessle
Social Work Friends Amy Agbayani and Puanani Burgess Honored as 2009 Living Treasures L to r: Puanani Burgess, Ho'oipo DeCambra	Social Work Friends Amy Agbayani and Puanani Burgess Honored as 2009 Living Treasures Amy Agbayani and Puanani Burgess have been honored as Living Treasures of Hawaii by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii's annual program which started 33 years ago. Amy Agbayani is the founding director of the Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity program at University of Hawaii and Puanani Burgess is the executive director of the Waianae Coast Community Alternative Development Corp. Click on this link to see more pictures of this event
7th Annual Practicum Instructor's Appreciation Luncheon	7th Annual Practicum Instructor's Appreciation Luncheon The 7th Annual Practicum Instructor's Appreciation Luncheon was held on April 30, 2009 at The Willows. There were as many as 80 PIs and several of the School of Social Work faculty was in attendance. The luncheon is held as an expression of appreciation to those who give so much of their time to help prepare the School's students to become social workers. Click on this link to view more pictures of this wonderful event
BSW Student Wins UH Poetry Contest BSW junior Leona Kapiko was awarded 3rd prize for her poem "Just Imagine" in the "Why Diversity Matters" competition.	BSW Student Wins UH Poetry Contest The UH Manoa Commission on Diversity sponsored a poetry contest and BSW junior Leona Kapiko was awarded 3rd prize for the following poem: Just Imagine" in the "Why Diversity Matters" competition held by the UHM Commission on Diversity in March. Click on this link to read the poem. Click on this link to read the 1st place essay & other news worthy articles in the UHM Commission on Diversity Spring 2009 Newsletter.
Ohana Day 2009	Ohana Day 2009 A bit of history: 'Ohana Day began in 2004 after one of our students lost his family home in a fire on New Year's eve. The GSO officers of that year created a family-centered fund raising event to help his family rebuild their home (which they eventually did!). Since that time, 'Ohana Day has been a special event for all students, faculty, staff, your friends and families to gather & simply spend fun time together! This year's Ohana Day was held on Sunday, February 15 at Ala Moana Beach Park (Magic Island). Congratulations on a wonderful event and thanks to everyone who participated. Click on this link to view more pictures of the fun event.
Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Celebration Dinner Myron "Pinky" Thompson	Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Celebration Dinner The Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work hosted a dinner to celebrate its new name, on December 9, 2008 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Almost 400 guests attended the event which featured entertainment by the Nahenahe Singers, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble and Haunani Apoliona. Pinky Thompson's family were guests of honor and his grand daughter Tia Blankenfeld began the evening by reading Pinky's Pule. Funds raised from the event helped to establish the Myron B. Thompson Endowed Scholarship in Social Work Nainoa Thompson, who could not attend the dinner, wrote the following speech that was read by the dean. Click on this link to view Nainoa Thompson's speech. (PDF) Click on this Link to View Pictures from the Wonderful Event
	The Indigenous Conference: Indigenous Voices in Social Work: Not Lost In Translation - was held on June 4-7, 2007 at the beautiful Makaha Resort. Click on this link to go to the Indigenous Conference Website http://vrchawaii.org/IVSW/index.html -
See more news by clicking on this link! Go to our News Site See upcoming events by clicking on this link! Go to our Events Calendar	Other News School Named in Honor of Myron B. Thompson Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work Celebration Dinner Practicum Fair 2009 Rally at the Capitol! Indigenous Issues Brown Bag 2009 Human Rights Day 2009 Legislature Opening Day