Hogan Students Honored at Annual Ceremony

On April 26 the Hogan Entrepreneurs program graduated the 15^th class and inducted a new group of students at the Mystical Rose Oratory. In total, the Hogan program graduated 34 students and welcomed in 19 new students to carry on the tradition of dedication to entrepreneurship and leadership.

The ceremony began at 10 a.m. with Honolulu businessmen and women, faculty, as well as family and friends filling in the seats of Mystical Rose Oratory. Pianist Megumi Karachi provided the music.

Once everyone was settled in, Sean Keoni Craig provided the room with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and led the students to perform in unison, the Oli of thanks to the Hogan Family and President Bro. Bernard Ploeger for all their dedication to the program.

For the past 15 years, the Hogan Foundation have been generous benefactors of the program that has provided Chaminade students with opportunities to learn and grow as entrepreneurs and leaders. In addition, since 2009, Bro. Ploeger has shown great support to the Hogan Program’s development.

To show their gratitude the students and staff presented the Hogan family and Bro. Ploeger with hand-crafted Hawaiian weapons. The Hogan family received a Pahi Kaua (war knife) made from a Flatbill swordfish with a kou wooden stand. Bro. Ploeger received a wooden staff made from native Kamani wood with the Niho Niho designs on the top and bottom, which are thought to protect and keep unwanted out.

Following the Oli and gifts, Hogan’s Denny McDonough, an adjunct professor and mentor who works closely with all first-year students, was celebrated for his contributions he has made to the program.

“Denny has had such an impact on my life and the life of so many others,” said senior Business major Alexa Shah. “He always pushes us to be our best so it was great to see him rewarded for that.”

McDonough and six other students  were  presented with awards, including outstanding Senior of the Year. This year’s winner was Sheehan Chase, who recently launched his business Tale to Tell, which is a service that provides stories for future generations to learn about their ancestors.

“I wasn’t expecting to be awarded, but to be acknowledged in that way was an awesome feeling, and I couldn’t have done it with out the guidance of my mentors at the Hogan Program,” said Chase.

Other student award winners included Karanna Soulvongs, Hannah Sablan, and Deire Depondicchello who all received the Aloha award as students who best demonstrate the values of the program. In addition, Matthew Southard received the award for outstanding Junior of the Year, and Judy Ng was announced the Entrepreneur of the Year for her dedication to the program and it’s values.

“I am so thankful for my time in Hogan,” Ng said. “I learned so much and it has taught me so many skills that I am excited to use in my career.”

The program’s motto is to do, “Business things that make social sense and social things that make business sense.” This is taught through a challenging curriculum that includes weekly speaker sessions, internships, and community based service learning.