The University of Hawaii at Hilo will be joined by Neil “Dutch” Kuyper, president and CEO of Parker Ranch Inc. and Paniolo Power Co., as keynote speaker at spring commencement at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multipurpose Stadium.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo will be joined by Neil “Dutch” Kuyper, president and CEO of Parker Ranch Inc. and Paniolo Power Co., as keynote speaker at spring commencement at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multipurpose Stadium.
Students petitioned for a total of 724 degrees and/or certificates, while 28 others are candidates for various post-graduate honors.
Born and raised on Oahu, Kuyper graduated from Punahou School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Occidental College and a graduate degree in business from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College.
Kuyper was named to his current position in 2011 after more than 20 years as a senior executive on the mainland and in Asia. In his present capacity, Kuyper oversees a 130,000-acre cattle operation that produces 10 million pounds of beef per year. He is also responsible for carrying out the legacy and vision of late Parker Ranch heir Richard Smart in addition to fulfilling the responsibility to the Trust’s beneficiaries and the Waimea community.
Dylon Koehn, a linguistics major, represents the graduating class as student speaker. Originally from Greeley, Colo., Koehn transferred to UH-Hilo two years ago. He has maintained a 3.52 GPA and made the Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language Dean’s List the past two semesters.
Among those receiving their degrees will be Earl Harbin, who will complete a journey that began in 1957 when he graduates with a double major in political science and administration of justice. With his degrees, Harbin plans to continue his work in trauma literacy.