At the end of Commencement ceremonies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, thereʻs a standing ritual that always surprises the hundreds of graduates as they stream out of the Stan Sheriff Center with their diplomas in hand. As the cap-and-gowners walk out of the arena to meet awaiting family members and friends, they exit between two long lines of dignitaries, made up of the UH President, Provost, Deans, Directors and faculty.
And these dignitaries are all applauding the graduates.
On my first time witnessing this, I remember the amazed looks from the students and the smiling faces of the VIPs. This is what itʻs all about, I thought. This collective gesture tells the students, “Congratulations!” “You deserve applause for what you achieved!” and “Now go out and celebrate!”
That’s also the overwhelming good feelings that sweep over me on reading stories of accomplishment in our College of Social Sciences Newsletter. In this Summer 2026 issue, meet our Outstanding Graduating Senior for 2026 who realized – after leaving the islands for a university on the continent – that returning to Hawaiʻi and CSS was the right thing to do.
Also, meet the award-winning lecturer in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies who is teaching one of the most popular courses on campus.
And learn how the Center for Oral History is celebrating its 50th golden anniversary in a big way this year.
Congratulations to all of our CSS students, faculty and departments for a job well done. Congratulations to us all.
Denise Eby Konan
Dean, College of Social Sciences
