Shidler students thank donors for nearly $1.1M in scholarship support

2024 Shidler Scholarship Luncheon attendees (Photo credit: Scott Nishi/UH Foundation)

Sally Citrawireja, Shidler Dean Vance Roley, Manny August and Rockwell Adolpho Credit: Scott Nishi

(Photo credit: Scott Nishi/UH Foundation)

(Photo credit: Scott Nishi/UH Foundation)

(Photo credit: Scott Nishi/UH Foundation)

Nearly 300 donors and students gathered at The Royal Hawaiian Resort on November 4, as the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business hosted its annual Scholarship Luncheon. This event is cherished by donors, as they meet with their student recipients and learn about the impact their gifts have on their lives.

This year, the Shidler College of Business awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships to more than 300 deserving students. The luncheon is a celebration of scholarly achievement and generosity. Students were also able to put a face to the names behind their scholarships as they shared their stories with donors.

The event’s student speakers were Sally Citrawireja, a sophomore majoring in travel industry management and a recipient of the Hoʻoilina Scholarship; and Rockwell Adolpho, a master of business administration candidate and recipient of the Shidler Visionary Scholarship, the Michael and Judy Pietsch Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship and the Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd. Scholarship in Honor of Professor K.K. Seo.

“This scholarship has truly been a blessing for my family and I, lifting a huge weight off our shoulders as we faced the uncertainty of my college education,” said Citrawireja, who is originally from Indonesia and her family emigrated to Maui. “It’s hard to put into words how much relief it has brought us—knowing that my dreams are possible and that my family doesn’t have to bear the financial strain. As the eldest of five children, this scholarship has inspired me to keep going and to show my younger siblings that they, too, can achieve their dreams.”

Manny August, BBA ’98, first vice president, and executive residential loan officer at American Savings Bank, was this year’s keynote speaker and recounted his college experience and his reason for giving back.

“When I look back at my college experience, I do not feel that I was able to fully enjoy college,” August said. “I overcame going into debt by working multiple jobs and coordinating my classes to allow me the time to accomplish everything, however, I also ended up sacrificing my college experience which is why I set up the scholarship.”

With more than 20 years in the mortgage industry, in 2017, August established a $35,000 endowed scholarship for full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing an accounting degree at Shidler’s School of Accountancy.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our alumni, donors and friends who recognize the transformative power of education,” said Shidler College Dean Vance Roley. “I am inspired every year by this event, as I witness our business and travel industry management students come together with those who make their education possible. This generous support from our donors has a significant impact on our students. It eases the large financial burden and opens doors for students to fully engage in leadership opportunities, internships and volunteer work to enrich their learning experience.”

This year’s title sponsor was Enterprise and the Shidler College of Business Alumni Association served as a gold sponsor. Hawaii Business Magazine served as media sponsor for the seventh year.

For a complete list of scholarship awards and recipients, visit Shidler’s website.