By Emiko Bacon
The motto “Enter to learn, go forth to serve” will take on a greater international emphasis as BYU-Hawaii plans to increase enrollment of students from Asia.
“The brethren have asked us to increase the enrollment from Asia as a way of offering an educational option that fosters leadership and Church activity,” said Eric B. Shumway, president of BYU-Hawaii.
This new change will fulfill BYU-Hawaii”s goal to admit an equal amount of students from four key areas; mainland U.S.A., Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Asia.
BYU-Hawaii has a little over 2,300 students said Michael Sudlow, director of international admissions and recruiting.
Shumway said in the past there was an effort to admit an equal amount of students, however, mainland U.S.A. students were always in larger number.
Nearly 40 percent of BYU-Hawaii”s student body is from mainland U.S.A., said Sudlow.
In the future more international students will be admitted by reducing the mainland U.S.A. enrollment, Shumway said.
Upon completing their education, international students are encouraged to return to their home countries to help strengthen The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in those areas.
“Our recruitment, training, internships, and placement of students will be anchored in the idea that we are to train people to go back to their countries and build Zion,” Shumway said.
BYU-Hawaii”s crucial role in the internationalization of The Church of Jesus Christ was first prophesized in 1955 by President David O. McKay.
“From this school will go forth men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally. They will be leaders, leaders all the world is hungering for,” President McKay said.
Hundreds of alumni have been a literal fulfillment of this prophecy, Shumway said.
“Every time I encounter area presidencies in Asia, they say the graduates of BYU-Hawaii are really the stalwarts of the Church,” he said.
Indri Kunayati, a senior from Indonesia majoring in exercise science believes her experience at BYU-Hawaii has enabled her to be a better example to her people.
Kunayati had the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City to help translate temple ordinances into her native language.
Brigham Guo, 30, a freshman from China majoring in business is not a member of the church and has been learning more about The Church of Jesus Christ since coming to BYU-Hawaii.
“I”m curious. I want to learn more because most of the people I meet are good. I want to learn what made them that way,” Guo said.
