Remembering Leroy Laney

By Ken Schoolland, Associate Professor of Economics

Retired HPU Professor of Economics and Finance
Leroy Laney, Ph.D., died on Monday, Jan. 11, 2016

Leroy Laney was the person I considered the most esteemed scholar at Hawaii Pacific University. Leroy was Senior Economist at the Dallas Federal Reserve, taught at eight universities over his career, and served for many years as Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for First Hawaiian Bank. 

In his capacity at the bank, he hosted the Bank's annual Economic Outlook Forum on the neighbor islands and, in recent years, at the Neal Blaisdell Center before an audience of nearly 500 business and community leaders. Luminaries from the mainland were always invited to give their take on national and global economic issues of the day, but it was really Leroy everyone came to hear. 

Leroy was clear, insightful, and always instructive about our home state. His graphic presentations and multidimensional perspective were easy to grasp and stuck with us. Leroy explained to us what was going on, what caused it, and where we were headed. He took his lessons island hopping to Hawaii’s major islands and surveyed conditions as far away as Guam, the Northern Marianas, and the Pacific Northwest. Wise decision making throughout the Pacific owed much to his analysis and instruction before the grand classroom. 

Colleague Jack Karbens reminisced, “As a professor in Hawaii since the 70’s, I read his First Hawaiian Bank Economics letters religiously and attended some of his first class presentations regarding the status of the economy. He was highly regarded by all who knew him as a gentleman and a scholar. I was honored to serve with him since he joined our faculty. He was always open to discussion of many subjects. He was a valued fellow member of our committees.”  Finance Professor, Bei Zeng, remembered him warmly for many conversations they had on research topics. “He was so good at that.”

One student, Moe Sy, observed, “I really enjoyed his way of challenging me. When I look back over my college years, he is the one I most enjoyed having in depth economics discussions with. He relished the controversies.” An international student from Finland, Rebecca Ristikangas, said, “He was super smart. And he always made sense.”

Foily Wittayanont, a student from Thailand, expressed great sorrow at the news saying, “He made me realize that I can do and be anything. I never thought that I could ever understand economics at a deeper level until Dr. Laney showed me that I could. He was one of the best and most inspiring teachers I've ever had.”

Speaking of his collaboration with Leroy, Jack Suyderhoud, Professor of Economics at UH-Manoa said, “Leroy and I worked together for many years on the State Council of Revenues and First Hawaiian Bank's business outlook forums. Leroy was a fine macroeconomist who leveraged his Federal Reserve Bank experience to help us better understand monetary policies and its limitations. Leroy was also able to extend his analytical skills to more micro and Hawaii-specific issues. His work for First Hawaiian Bank featured in-depth understanding of what was happening in all of Hawaii’s counties and went beyond the normal statistical sources that we economists normally rely on. Leroy was not afraid to contribute his insights to the public discourse on important issues, whether it was the Jones Act or rail transit. His voice of reason will be missed.”

Indeed, Leroy was a good friend and a stellar professional. Whether at a community social, in his office, or at home, it was always a pleasure to visit. We will all miss his wise presence. A memorial will be held for Leroy 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Waikiki Yacht Club, February 13.

Star-Advertiser business section tribute article here (subscription required) and obituary here.

Practicing a ministry of presence

For more than 20 years, the Rev. Dale Burke has offered a listening ear and caring heart at Hawai‘i Pacific University. Last week, HPU's chaplain was recognized for his dedication, with the Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award. Presented to him at the 2016 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, it honors Division II faculty members who mentor student-athletes and commit to their lifelong learning and well-being.

"Awards are not what you strive for. It's an unexpected blessing for doing the things you do," Burke said.

Burke also teaches as an assistant professor of Communication. When one of his students has a game, he likes to tell the rest of the class. He does the same for musicians, artists and others when they share their talents outside of class. It helps foster a sense of community for the students, which is important at this time in their lives. They need to know that they are not alone, he said.

NCAA PacWest Commissioner Bob Hogue; former HPU volleyball player Christina Furrer, who represents college athletes of the PacWest Conference on the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; the Rev. Dale Burke and wife Barbara; HPU Faculty Athletics Representative Barbara Hannum; and HPU Executive Director of Athletics Vince Baldemor attend the 2016 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Jan. 14, where Rev. Burke was presented the Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award. (Photo courtesy of NCAA)

That means showing the community he's there for them. "The Rev" is a familiar face at HPU Sharks games. He also meets student-athletes when they need someone to talk to. In fact, he makes time to speak to anyone and can often be seen walking around Fort Street Mall, engaging in conversations.

"I practice a ministry of presence," he said, adding if he waited in his office for those who need help "they won't come."

So he heads to the mall, to Club Carnivals and other events and shares a warm smile and handshake. "Just being around, then they will approach you. You call them by name."

When it's time for someone to talk about a difficult challenge, like a sick family member, he says they come up to him, no matter where they are.

"That's when ministry happens," he said, "on the mall, at a basketball game … when they have a need, it's not a stranger."

He finds that despite technological and cultural changes, college students still ask the same questions over the years.

"It's the same as when I was in school," he said, with the big question, "What am I gonna do the rest of my life?"

"I encourage them to take as many classes to get exposure," he said. "If we can get these students get ahold of their passion, ignite that fire, we'll give them a good start to their journey."

Burke speaks from experience. He graduated from high school in Los Angeles and went off to college, wanting to become a dentist.

Student-athletes have a conversation with the Rev. Dale Burke, on Fort Street Mall. From left, Amanda Moriarty, Kara Wong, Burke, Kasey Thompson and Elizabeth Culpepper. (Eric Alcantara/HPU Athletics photo)

"My heart wasn't in it, but it sounded good," he said with a laugh.

A rejection letter from a dental school served as another sign that maybe that career wasn't for him. During that trying time, he said he "felt the call, inspiration from the Lord to pursue ministry."

He studied at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, located in Berkeley, Calif., in the late 1960s, during the Vietnam War.

"Berkeley was the hub of demonstrations — anti-war, anti-government. It was an exciting place to do theology."

Burke came out of the experience stronger, figuring if he could work through that, he could work anywhere. His first parish as a pastor was in San Diego. Then he was offered a chance to establish a church in the new neighborhood of Mililani, in central Oahu. He and wife Barbara moved to Hawaii in 1979 and haven't left — which is a good thing because he enjoys being in the water six days a week ("except Sunday"), surfing or bodyboarding.

As he built the church, his wife taught math at Hawai‘i Pacific. They also raised two sons. In 1994, he learned of an opening for a chaplain at HPU. He's been here since, providing counsel and guidance to countless students.

These days, he isn't alone on campus. He's also proud to be part of team with Kevin Bowman and Kathryn Berano, of Counseling and Behavioral Health. He's happy to see them step outside, showing the HPU community they're there, too.

"It used to be just me!" he said with a smile. "We see the three of us as team — available, responsive and caring for our students."

"It's been a great experience."

Jan. 19, 2016: Announcements

Presidential Lecture Series launch: 2/9 & 2/18

The University’s inaugural Presidential Lecture Series on Global Leadership and Sustainability will launch, featuring Inger Andersen, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Neal Lane, Ph.D., Senior Fellow for Science and Technology, Rice University Baker Institute. Free, public lecture. Details and RSVP here.

Extended hours to finish Spring registration business

The faculty and staff are excited to welcome students back to campus. If you have not already done so, please take immediate action to get registered for your classes. The last day to register for Spring term classes is Monday, Jan. 25. Register here. If a class you want is full, electronic waitlist information here.

·         The following departments will be open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. from Tuesday, Jan. 19-Friday, Jan. 22: Admission, Academic Advising Center, Business Office, Downtown Military/Veteran Center, Financial Aid, ID Card Services, and Registrar.

·         The Downtown Bookstore hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19-Friday, Jan. 22; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. 

·         The Hawaii Loa Bookstore hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19-Friday, Jan. 22; and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. 

Deadline for spring internships: 1/25

In some cases a general petition may be required. Check with the Career Services Center prior to starting any internship for academic credit.

Spring 2016 UPass and distribution
Undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled full-time during the Spring 2016 semester and are taking at least one class on the Downtown or Hawaii Loa campus are eligible to receive a UPass. A UPass is a sticker affixed to a student's HPU ID, which entitles the student to unlimited use of TheBus (Oahu’s public transportation system). For more information including the UPass distribution schedule, see The Transportation Fee (UPass) Website.

Fleece sale at the Bookstore
The entire stock of regular-priced fleece is on sale at 25% off, no exclusions! Need that hoodie to keep warm in class or have a friend or family member dealing with the snow, then visit the Downtown or Hawaii Loa campus bookstore and pick up what you need. Sale ends Friday, Jan. 22.

Resume writing workshop: 2/3
Learn useful tips to create and enhance your resume at this workshop hosted by Career Services in conjunction with Robert Half Hawaii Staffing on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. in the Career Services Center. Call 544-0230 or email csc@hpu.edu to RSVP.

Library Orientation sessions: 2/1-2/4

Session to cover the basic uses of the Library catalog and getting familiar with the Library’s print and electronic resources. Various dates, times, locations and sign-ups are available here.

Auditions for Da Freakshow
Start preparing your act NOW for Da Freakshow, HPU’s 11^th annual talent show, which will be at Hawaii Theatre on Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m. Winners are eligible for a cash prize!

·       Auditions by appointment only and must be confirmed by Feb. 12 with Katie Scott,   kscott@hpu.edu. Aloha Tower Marketplace, 2/16, noon-2 p.m.; 2/18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m; HLC Dining Commons, 2/17, 10 a.m.-noon; 2/19, noon-2 p.m. Applications posted here. Bring completed application to the audition.

·         Call for Volunteers: students needed to help with auditions, rehearsal, front of house, production/stage management. Email studentlife@hpu.edu with your name and HPU email address.

Federal Work Study (FWS) Communications jobs
You will earn some money and build your resume while making a positive contribution to your university! University Communications Spring 2016 FWS positions #10153  and #10300 on HPU Connect.