Hi everyone,

Hope this semester is going well for all of you. I've been pretty busy with everything I'm doing. CAB has been doing well, I encourage anyone reading the blog to follow us on our Facebook page (Campus Activities Board of Hawaii Pacific University) for updates on our board meetings, event committee meetings, and for event updates.

Being a member of the UN Club in the spring is a very interesting time for all members; from the group attending the conference in two months, to the rest of our club members. I'm very proud to be the main facilitator for the Model UN class for our delegate group and we're making some great progress (perhaps because for the most past, everyone is a lot older and more experienced than last year). For a group with only three returner delegates, I'm proud to say that everyone has been doing a GREAT job on their papers, research and even with learning the proper rules of procedure. I'm also excited to have a little break this coming Saturday, my fellow officers and I were fortunate enough to have retired UN Ambassadors come and speak about how Pacific islands like Fiji interact within the United Nations. The struggle now is that my class and I only have two more classes before we head off to the National Conference in New York City. Now for those reading this that are unfamiliar with an academic conference, this is no field trip to the Mainland. There is going to be some serious workloads being taken care of by only 14 HPU students. This trip is important because HPU's UN club has been regularly attending this conference for many years. It puts our school, the most diverse in the country, on the international map because we are meeting with and interacting with people from all over the world.

Well that's enough jabbering for me. I'm going to finish some of my grad work (never thought lesson plans were so complicated) and then I'm crashing. Goodnight readers!!

Happy New Year and Upcoming Events!!!

Hey everyone. Hope you are all having a great start to 2015, staying warm and safe during this well-deserved winter break. I'm currently freezing my butt-off in below 0 weather (Welcome to Chiberia). Because of my position in the Campus Activities Board, anyone that follows me will be able to get the latest updates on upcoming events that are being held. Here are a few of the things that are happening, but please like and follow our Facebook page (facebook.com/CABHPU)

On January 21st from 6:30-9:30pm, join us at the Hawaii Loa Campus for Movie Night on the Lanai. The film that we are screening is Neighbors, starring Zac Efron and Seth Rogen. Invite your friends, bring a blanket, grab some refreshments and enjoy the show. There will be a bus taking students back from HLC to the Downtown campus or Waikiki so no need to worry about getting home. 

CAB will be having its first Welcome Back Lu‘au on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Polynesian Cultural Center from 3pm-9pm. The cost is $10 for HPU students and $20 for HPU staff and/or guests. It will be an authentic island experience with hands-on activities, a canoe ride and pageant, village exhibits, luau dinner and ‘HA-Breath of Life night show! If you’d like to know more, visit www.polynesia.com. Transportation will be provided from the Downtown Campus, Hawaii Loa Campus, and Waikiki Housing at 1:30pm, and will be departing PCC at 9:30pm. Seats are limited so visit our website at http://www.hpu.edu/CAB/index.html to reserve your seat.

If you’re wondering, “Golly, that Justin is so involved. How can I be like him?” Well don’t you fret readers, that following Friday is HPU’s Club Carnival. From 10-2 you can walk around Fort Street and check out the unique clubs and organizations that our university has to offer. Now I can’t say for sure that CAB will have goodies, but we usually have something so feel free to stop by to chat with one of us. 

Well, I apologize for this kinda long post. But I just wanted to let you all know about the upcoming activities so that you can get involved and enjoy the fine things that Hawaii and HPU have to offer. Since I’m a bit in a timezone jump, I’ll say goodnight and stay warm folks!!

 (for my local friends who have never seen snow)

A Little Introduction

Hi everyone! I'm Justin Brown and I am currently a graduate student here at Hawaii Pacific University. I am working on getting my Masters in Secondary Education and will graduate (fingers crossed) Spring 2016. I am a continuing student, starting my college career here in 2010. I have a pretty active social life, being an executive officer of The Campus Activities Board, the Student Philanthropy Council and the United Nations Club. I also work at the office of admissions where I get to share my story with many perspective students that wish to come out to Hawaii for college.

For some general information about me; I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, where I am the oldest of five boys. My mother works as a nurse and my father is a police detective for the city. I wanted to go into education because I experienced the education system of a public school and private school and realized how much more prepared private school kids seemed to be when in college. My goal is to provide the same level of education that private school kids receive, and bring it into the public system. I attended the same high school as Michael Jordan’s three kids, and swam on the high school swim team with Olympic gold medalist, Connor Dwyer (he might not remember me since I was a “freshie”). For fun, I enjoy cooking and eating good foods. I am also a big fan of gaming and enjoy playing with friends.

Well, I figure that is enough about me for now (I like to keep things short). I hope to inform all readers about the awesome new things that are going to be in store for you all as HPU students. And maybe give you an inside look into the mind of a student that’s kinda been here for awhile. Thank you all and have a great day!!