$600K gift puts UH business college’s computer lab on cutting-edge

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Marc Arakaki, (808) 228-3215
Content Producer, UH Communications
Posted: Aug 15, 2022


(Photo courtesy: Bowers + Kubota)
(Photo courtesy: Bowers + Kubota)
(Photo courtesy: Bowers + Kubota)
(Photo courtesy: Bowers + Kubota)

A blessing was held at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business on August 11 to celebrate the completed renovation of the Tom W.S. Hee Undergraduate Computer Room into a state-of-the-art facility. The $600,000 lab renovation was funded from the estate of Clifford and Blanche Hee and named in honor of their son Tom Hee, who was an admired alumnus of the college and an accomplished banking professional, computer expert and community-minded volunteer.

Lab upgrades include a full refresh and modernization of the space, with sleek new furnishings, upgraded computer systems, sound dampening technology, large digital displays and flexible working spaces designed specifically for group collaboration. Additional Bloomberg terminals were added for students to conduct high-level financial analysis projects. The renovation was managed by Bowers + Kubota Consulting, which transformed the space to evoke a modern yet functional workspace for current and future students.

“The transformation of this highly-used student space is amazing to witness,” said Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley. “Every day, students rely on the computer room for projects, group work, research and more, and they now have a modern, functional space to be proud of. We’re grateful for the Hee family’s generosity and are honored to be able to commemorate alumnus Tom Hee in such a meaningful way.”

“I am delighted that Shidler will be dedicating this new Undergraduate Computer Lab for current and future students,” said Tony Ching, trustee and brother of Blanche Hee. “Although my nephew Tom Hee lived with many challenges, he never allowed these obstacles to define his life. While Tom and his parents are not here to witness the transformation, I know that they are celebrating the advent of ideas and technology being pooled together to make for learning and enhancement of our community.”

“It’s heartwarming to see the Hee family’s legacy of giving to honor their son’s memory expand to upgrading a much-used computer lab that will benefit hundreds of Shidler undergraduate students starting with the new school year,” said Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and CEO of UH Foundation. “Their generosity, which has already resulted in scholarships for more than a dozen Shidler students, ensures Tom’s legacy will support even more students going forward.”

Clifford and Blanche Hee first established an endowed scholarship in 2002 in honor of their sons Tom and Michael Hee, who unfortunately predeceased their parents due to complications arising from hemophilia. The estate later committed to a $2 million bequest to the college to support additional student scholarships as well as the modernization and naming of the Undergraduate Computer Room to further honor Tom Hee’s leadership and legacy.

Tom Hee graduated in 1978 with a degree in accounting and management information systems. During his academic career, he co-founded the Management Information Systems club and received the outstanding senior in management information systems award at Business Night. He enjoyed a successful career rising to vice president in the controller’s division at First Hawaiian Bank. Tom Hee selflessly served the community as president of the Hawaiʻi Jaycees and the Honolulu Marathon Association. He was a staunch advocate and volunteer for the Hemophilia Foundation. Tom was also the founder and co-owner of Star Computer.

For more information on how to support the Shidler College of Business, contact Kristi Bates, executive director of development at (808) 956-3597 or email Kristi.bates@uhfoundation.org.

 

About Shidler College of Business

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa was established in 1949 as the College of Business Administration and named in 2006 after alumnus Jay H. Shidler, founder and managing partner of The Shidler Group. The Shidler College of Business is renowned for its expertise in international management education and is consistently ranked among the nation's top business schools for international business by U.S. News & World Report. Long recognized for its Asia Pacific focus, the college offers a wide variety of degree, certificate and executive programs. The college offers the only graduate program in the state of Hawai‘i and Vietnam accredited by AACSB International. http://www.shidler.hawaii.edu/

About UH Mānoa

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa serves approximately 20,000 students pursuing more than 225 different degrees. Coming from every Hawaiian island, every state in the nation, and more than 100 countries, UH Mānoa students thrive in an enriching environment for the global exchange of ideas. For more information, visit manoa.hawaii.edu. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/uhmanoa and Twitter www.twitter.com/UHManoaNews.

About UH Foundation

The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. The mission of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawai‘i and our future generations. Visit us at uhfoundation.org