Students receive mentorships and awards at annual Business Night

From left, Nakata, Zheng, Shidler, Tabussi, Mizumoto, Roley and Light.

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa celebrated its 54th Business Night on May 7. The goal of Business Night is to pair students one-to-one with business professionals to share ideas, exchange valuable information, and give students an opportunity to gain confidence as they enter the workplace.

Each year, Business Night has successfully led to internships, job opportunities, life-long mentorships and business partnerships. Nearly $50,000 in cash awards were handed out to Shidler top undergraduate and graduate students. The awards were donated by companies, organizations and individuals.

First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) served as title sponsor for the 10th consecutive year with a $30,000 donation. With its support, over 270 students were able to attend Business Night at a subsidized price. “We’re proud to support an event highlighting the vital partnership between Shidler College and Hawaiʻi’s business community,” said Steve Tabussi, FICOH senior vice president. “Over 10% of our associates are Shidler graduates. Like so many local companies, we benefit every day from the world-class education Shidler College provides.”

Lance Mizumoto, president and chief banking officer for Central Pacific Bank, served as the alumni keynote speaker. Mizumoto received his bachelor of business administration in management from the Shidler College of Business in 1980.

“The success of Business Night would not be possible without business leaders and corporate support,” said Shidler College of Business Dean V. Vance Roley. “We are extremely grateful to Lance Mizumoto, First Insurance, and our alumni and friends for supporting Business Night for over 50 years.”

To view pictures from the event, visit www.shidler.hawaii.edu/business-night. For more information on how to support Business Night, please contact Jana Light, associate director of development, at jana.light@uhfoundation.org or (808) 956-2276.

(Full caption information for group photo, from left) Unyong Nakata, senior director of development, Shidler College of Business; Karen Zheng, student and Business Night executive director, Shidler College of Business; Jay H. Shidler; Steve Tabussi, senior vice president, First Insurance Company of Hawaiʻi; Lance Mizumoto, president and chief banking officer, Central Pacific Bank; Vance Roley, dean, Shidler College of Business; and Jana Light, associate director of development, Shidler College of Business.

See UH News Video, titled "Business leaders help Shidler students succeed," at http://www.hawaii.edu/news/videos-gallery/.