ARTICLE
After three examinations, two projects, three innovation challenges, two live and one virtual session, the Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) “Upsilon” Class was celebrated and honored on July 20 at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. The ceremony for 82 graduates marked the conclusion of the 63rd annual session of WCMS and the 61st graduation commencement. Four individuals from Hawaii graduated with the Upsilon Class. In total, there were 19 WCMS Hawaii Hui members from 4 different islands attending WCMS this year. The commencement ceremony was held in Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College campus. This was WCMS’s 50th session held on the Pomona College campus. The graduating class especially recognized David Ellings, WCMS Director of Campus Activities, who passed unexpectedly prior to the session. Troy Stang, commencement speaker and president/CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association, encouraged and inspired students to accomplish great things on behalf of their members when they return to their credit unions. Winona Nava, president and CEO of Guadalupe Credit Union in New Mexico, received this year’s James D. Likens WCMS Alumni Recognition Award for significant achievements in the credit union field since graduating from the school. Each year, this prestigious honor is awarded to a WCMS alumnus who has made significant professional growth and strides in a credit union career — as well as leading through significant service to the credit union community — after graduation from WCMS. Dr. James Likens devoted his life and career to WCMS students, alumni, and the school’s philosophy. One Upsilon student graduated with “High Honors,” and twelve students graduated with “Honors.” One student, who earned highest distinction on each of the tests and projects, graduated from WCMS as a "Highest Honors" graduate, only the tenth student to earn the distinction in the school's history. These distinctions were earned based on each student’s performance on the examinations taken by all students at the end of each school year and for their analysis in each of their two major research projects (based on their credit union) completed between sessions. Ben Metzger, vice president of strategy for Canvas CU (Colorado), also received the Rick Craig Prize for Excellence in Project II. The award recognizes superb excellence in a student’s second year WCMS project, an endeavor usually taking each student more than 200 hours to complete. In addition, every year the graduating student who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication, and academic achievement is nominated by his or her class to receive the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award. This year’s recipient was Dave Nellis, Manager, Human Capital Management, America First Credit Union, Utah. This year’s graduating class gift of $18,500 represents the total raised over the past three years in Upsilon Class led efforts. In his charge to the graduates, WCMS Dean Dr. Michael Steinberger reflected on the legacies of several WCMS alumni have made on the credit union movement, and then challenged each student to "build your own legacy of service." Graduation Dinner at Ponoma College Front Row (left to right): Lance Soma (Hickam FCU), Monica Hudman (Big Island FCU), Kris Reymundo (Valley Isle Community FCU), Tasha Mahelona (Maui FCU), Dawn Kalili-Iokia (Hawaii Law Enforcement FCU) , Kellie Iniba (Wailuku FCU), Brandon Beck (CU Hawaii FCU), Jolene Paakaula (HawaiiUSA FCU), Doring Aiaj (Hawaii First FCU), Kristi Lyn Fujii (Hawaii County Employees FCU). Back Row (left to right): Donn Mende (HFS FCU), Jacob McWhorter (Hawaii FCU), Tad Matsubara (Hawaii Community FCU), Kelii Peltier (HawaiiUSA FCU), Scott Brand (HFS FCU) , Davin Pai (HawaiiUSA FCU), Tyson Klask (Hawaii Community FCU), Suzanne Uchima (Hawaii County Employees FCU), Rubelyn Tolentino (Kauai Teachers FCU). Graduation Dinner Scott Brand, Kelii Peltier, Kellie Iniba, Tab Matsubara, Davin Pai, Dawn Kalili-Iokia, Tasha Mahelona Donn Mende, Monica Hudman, Doring Aiaj, Jolene Paakaula, Brandon Beck, Tyson Klask, Jacob McWhorter, Lance Soma, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Kris Reymundo, Rubelyn Tolentino, Suzanne Uchima. Hawaii students enjoy the Phi Class of 2024 event, dressing in 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s attire. Front Row (left to right): Brandon Beck, Jolene Paakaula, Donn Mende, Davin Pai, Doring Aiaj. Middle Row (left to right): Tasha Mahelona, Monica Hudman, Rubelyn Tolentino, Back Row (left to right): Kris Reymundo, Tyson Klask, Kellie Iniba, Lance Soma. Hawaii Hui hosted the Saturday Welcome Mixer. Students made wearable flowers and sampled local snacks like li hing gummies and hurricane popcorn. Front Row (left to right): Scott Brand, Monica Hudman, Kris Reymundo, Doring Aiaj, Rubelyn Tolentino, Lance Soma, Jolene Paakaula, Kelii Peltier. Middle Row (left to right): Davin Pai, Tasha Mahelona, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Tyson Klask. Back Row (left to right): Donn Mende, Kellie Iniba, Suzanne Uchima, Dawn Kalili-Iokia, Brandon Beck, Jacob McWhorter, Tad Matsubara. Upsilon Class hosted a lip sync battle Front Row (left to right): Monica Hudman, Lance Soma, Donn Mende, Tasha Mahelona, Kris Reymundo, Brandon Beck, Middle Row (left to right): Tad Matsubara, Jolene Paakaula, Doring Aiaj, Rubelyn Tolentino, Kellie Iniba, Suzanne Uchima, Back Row (left to right): Davin Pai, Kelii Peltier, Jacob McWhorter, Scott Brand, Tyson Klask. Welcome Luau was hosted by the Hawaii Hui. Front Row (left to right): Davin Pai, Rubelyn Tolentino, Monica Hudman, Tasha Mahelona, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Brandon Beck. Phi Class of 2024 taking a photo at the photo booth during the Chi Class Talent Show and Graduation Party Event. Kris Reymundo, Donn Mende, Kelii Peltier, Kellie Iniba, Tasha Mahelona, Davin Pai. Graduation Day for Upsilon Class! Front Row (left to right): Monica Hudman, Lance Soma, Donn Mende, Rubelyn Tolentino, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Brandon Beck. Back Row (left to right): Tad Matsubara, Kellie Iniba, Kris Reymundo, Tyson Klask, Jacob McWhorter, Tasha Mahelona, Jolene Paakaula, Doring Aiaj, Suzanne Uchima. Graduating from WCMS has been one of the most impactful events in my professional career. I am grateful to everyone for being a part of this journey in making me a better person each and every day. Mahalo Nui Loa! Lance Soma, Hickam FCU Sr. Vice President, Finance
After three examinations, two projects, three innovation challenges, two live and one virtual session, the Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) “Upsilon” Class was celebrated and honored on July 20 at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. The ceremony for 82 graduates marked the conclusion of the 63rd annual session of WCMS and the 61st graduation commencement.
Four individuals from Hawaii graduated with the Upsilon Class. In total, there were 19 WCMS Hawaii Hui members from 4 different islands attending WCMS this year.
The commencement ceremony was held in Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College campus. This was WCMS’s 50th session held on the Pomona College campus.
The graduating class especially recognized David Ellings, WCMS Director of Campus Activities, who passed unexpectedly prior to the session.
Troy Stang, commencement speaker and president/CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association, encouraged and inspired students to accomplish great things on behalf of their members when they return to their credit unions.
Winona Nava, president and CEO of Guadalupe Credit Union in New Mexico, received this year’s James D. Likens WCMS Alumni Recognition Award for significant achievements in the credit union field since graduating from the school. Each year, this prestigious honor is awarded to a WCMS alumnus who has made significant professional growth and strides in a credit union career — as well as leading through significant service to the credit union community — after graduation from WCMS. Dr. James Likens devoted his life and career to WCMS students, alumni, and the school’s philosophy.
One Upsilon student graduated with “High Honors,” and twelve students graduated with “Honors.” One student, who earned highest distinction on each of the tests and projects, graduated from WCMS as a "Highest Honors" graduate, only the tenth student to earn the distinction in the school's history. These distinctions were earned based on each student’s performance on the examinations taken by all students at the end of each school year and for their analysis in each of their two major research projects (based on their credit union) completed between sessions.
Ben Metzger, vice president of strategy for Canvas CU (Colorado), also received the Rick Craig Prize for Excellence in Project II. The award recognizes superb excellence in a student’s second year WCMS project, an endeavor usually taking each student more than 200 hours to complete.
In addition, every year the graduating student who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication, and academic achievement is nominated by his or her class to receive the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award. This year’s recipient was Dave Nellis, Manager, Human Capital Management, America First Credit Union, Utah.
This year’s graduating class gift of $18,500 represents the total raised over the past three years in Upsilon Class led efforts.
In his charge to the graduates, WCMS Dean Dr. Michael Steinberger reflected on the legacies of several WCMS alumni have made on the credit union movement, and then challenged each student to "build your own legacy of service."
Graduation Dinner at Ponoma College
Front Row (left to right): Lance Soma (Hickam FCU), Monica Hudman (Big Island FCU), Kris Reymundo (Valley Isle Community FCU), Tasha Mahelona (Maui FCU), Dawn Kalili-Iokia (Hawaii Law Enforcement FCU) , Kellie Iniba (Wailuku FCU), Brandon Beck (CU Hawaii FCU), Jolene Paakaula (HawaiiUSA FCU), Doring Aiaj (Hawaii First FCU), Kristi Lyn Fujii (Hawaii County Employees FCU).
Back Row (left to right): Donn Mende (HFS FCU), Jacob McWhorter (Hawaii FCU), Tad Matsubara (Hawaii Community FCU), Kelii Peltier (HawaiiUSA FCU), Scott Brand (HFS FCU) , Davin Pai (HawaiiUSA FCU), Tyson Klask (Hawaii Community FCU), Suzanne Uchima (Hawaii County Employees FCU), Rubelyn Tolentino (Kauai Teachers FCU).
Graduation Dinner Scott Brand, Kelii Peltier, Kellie Iniba, Tab Matsubara, Davin Pai, Dawn Kalili-Iokia, Tasha Mahelona Donn Mende, Monica Hudman, Doring Aiaj, Jolene Paakaula, Brandon Beck, Tyson Klask, Jacob McWhorter, Lance Soma, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Kris Reymundo, Rubelyn Tolentino, Suzanne Uchima.
Hawaii students enjoy the Phi Class of 2024 event, dressing in 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s attire.
Front Row (left to right): Brandon Beck, Jolene Paakaula, Donn Mende, Davin Pai, Doring Aiaj.
Middle Row (left to right): Tasha Mahelona, Monica Hudman, Rubelyn Tolentino,
Back Row (left to right): Kris Reymundo, Tyson Klask, Kellie Iniba, Lance Soma.
Hawaii Hui hosted the Saturday Welcome Mixer. Students made wearable flowers and sampled local snacks like li hing gummies and hurricane popcorn.
Front Row (left to right): Scott Brand, Monica Hudman, Kris Reymundo, Doring Aiaj, Rubelyn Tolentino, Lance Soma, Jolene Paakaula, Kelii Peltier.
Middle Row (left to right): Davin Pai, Tasha Mahelona, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Tyson Klask.
Back Row (left to right): Donn Mende, Kellie Iniba, Suzanne Uchima, Dawn Kalili-Iokia, Brandon Beck, Jacob McWhorter, Tad Matsubara.
Upsilon Class hosted a lip sync battle
Front Row (left to right): Monica Hudman, Lance Soma, Donn Mende, Tasha Mahelona, Kris Reymundo, Brandon Beck,
Middle Row (left to right): Tad Matsubara, Jolene Paakaula, Doring Aiaj, Rubelyn Tolentino, Kellie Iniba, Suzanne Uchima,
Back Row (left to right): Davin Pai, Kelii Peltier, Jacob McWhorter, Scott Brand, Tyson Klask.
Welcome Luau was hosted by the Hawaii Hui.
Front Row (left to right): Davin Pai, Rubelyn Tolentino, Monica Hudman, Tasha Mahelona, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Brandon Beck.
Phi Class of 2024 taking a photo at the photo booth during the Chi Class Talent Show and Graduation Party Event.
Kris Reymundo, Donn Mende, Kelii Peltier, Kellie Iniba, Tasha Mahelona, Davin Pai.
Graduation Day for Upsilon Class!
Front Row (left to right): Monica Hudman, Lance Soma, Donn Mende, Rubelyn Tolentino, Kristi Lyn Fujii, Brandon Beck.
Back Row (left to right): Tad Matsubara, Kellie Iniba, Kris Reymundo, Tyson Klask, Jacob McWhorter, Tasha Mahelona, Jolene Paakaula, Doring Aiaj, Suzanne Uchima.
Graduating from WCMS has been one of the most impactful events in my professional career. I am grateful to everyone for being a part of this journey in making me a better person each and every day. Mahalo Nui Loa!
Lance Soma, Hickam FCU Sr. Vice President, Finance