Hawai‘i Pacific University recognized three outstanding alumni for their achievements at the fifth annual Paul C.T. Loo Distinguished Alumni Awards April 27, at the Waialae Country Club.
The awards, named in honor of Paul C.T. Loo, one of the University’s founders, honor HPU alumni in three categories: Professional Achievement Award, Alumni Service Award, and Young Alumni Award. The awardees for 2007 are as follows:
Barbara K. Ideta (B.S.N. 1989) received the Professional Achievement Award, an award recognizing the distinguished career accomplishments of graduates. Since graduating summa cum laude, Ideta has risen steadily as a leader in Hawai‘i’s healthcare industry. She has held a range of positions, including manager of the Queen’s Medical Center Emergency Services department, vice president for Patient Services at Kuakini Medical Center, nursing home administrator at One Kalakaua Senior Living, and CEO for the Queen’s Federal Credit Union. Ideta has also coordinated the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian cancer research project at the Pacific Health Research Institute. She is the founder and director of the Laura Armstrong Scholarship Fund, a review committee member of the State Health Planning Agency, a practice committee member of Kokua Nurses, Soroptimist International of Waikiki, Inc. past president, and member and former director of the National League for Nurses.
Ralf Mitteregger (M.B.A. Information Systems 2002) received the Alumni Service Award, recognition reserved for graduates with outstanding service to the community and to Hawai‘i Pacific University. He has served as Austria’s alumni chapter coordinator since graduating with distinction, encouraging alumni to network and actively assisting with recruiting efforts in the region. He coordinated the activities of the International Vocal Ensemble’s trip to Austria in
June 2006. The trip culminated in a special dinner with other HPU alumni in the area. Mitteregger is a valued supporter of the German “Kindernothlife” (children’s help in need) and “Johanniter” (Knights Hospitallers). Currently working toward his doctorate degree, Mitteregger plans to return to HPU to teach graduate courses.
Evan Leong (B.S.B.A. 2001) received the Young Alumni Award, given to a recent graduate who has served as an outstanding role model for future alumni. His highly acclaimed media programs, Greater Good Radio and Greater Good Television, bring business, government, and
civic leaders together to promote philanthropy and charitable giving. Leong and his wife Kari established Greater Good Inc. to promote social responsibility. Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann proclaimed September 2006 as Greater Good Month, recognizing Leong’s contributions to the Island community.
Leong is a Pacific Century Fellow 2006 class member, a member of the 2006 Pacific Business News “Forty Under 40” list, and recipient of the High-Tech Leader Award. Most recently, he and his wife won the Small Business Association Small Business Journalists of the Year award for the state of Hawai‘i and the West Coast Region. Leong’s newest projects include Kokua.org, a Web resource to help nonprofit organizations reach a broader audience, and the Kokua Project, in which students run for-profit businesses that pay for their tuition, and help them gain experience and earn school credit.
Sponsors for the event included: Paul and Vi Loo; Bank of Hawaii; Central Pacific Bank; Ernest H. Fukeda, Jr.; First Hawaiian Bank; GEICO Direct; Greater Good TV and Radio; Hawai‘i Direct Telephone; Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; John Hancock Financial Services/ Nash Subotic, unit manager; and Nelnet.
