The Claremont Graduate University (CGU) School of Educational Studies honored University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Chancellor Maenette Benham as its 2024-2025 Distinguished Bowen Lecturer. The Distinguished Bowen Lecture, now in its 41st year and named in honor of Dr. Howard Bowen, features some of the most respected scholars in higher education who present their work and engage CGU students and faculty in discussions about critical issues in higher education.
Benham presented her lecture, “In Our Mothers’ Voice: Ulu a‘e ke welina a ke aloha,” on Oct. 7 at the CGU campus in Claremont, Calif. Click here to see a recording of Benham’s full presentation.
Her talk wove together ancestral stories, professional knowledge, and community-based action. Benham explored the concept of “nānā i ke kumu” (looking to the source/finding your truth) as a powerful approach to navigating challenges and creating spaces for dynamic learning and growth. The presentation offered valuable insights into how cultural knowledge can offer guidance in living and leading with balance, justice, and grace.
Benham said her message focused on the importance of community engagement, “university in community; community in university.”
“Our UH West O‘ahu faculty, staff, and students exemplify this post-secondary education commitment through the vibrancy of our engaged learning and teaching, our engaged scholarship with our students and the communities we serve, and our engaged service to ‘Ho‘ola, Ho‘oulu Pae‘āina; Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,’ ” Benham said. “It was an honor to be asked to present the way I think about and lead our campus, and the remarkable work of our extended ‘ohana.”
Dr. DeLacy Ganley, CGU School of Educational Studies Dean and Professor, said Benham “hit a home run with her talk,” which drew about 100 attendees.
“The take-away from Chancellor Benham’s talk was, for me at least, two-fold: First, we need to ground the identity and spirit of our educational institutions in the identity and spirit of our community and heritage. Strength, balance, and health (what some might call being pono) comes from this alignment,” Ganley said. “And, second, people — all people —have an inner gift, something that they bring to their community and share with the world.”
During her presentation Benham shared, “Building a Beloved Community: The Boy with a Gift,” an illustrated story narrated by Aunty Puanani Burgess and animated by then-UH West O‘ahu Creative Media student Michelle Zheng as part of her senior capstone project.
“What an inspiration!” Ganley said. “Told with humility and honesty, everyone was left not only reflecting upon their own gift but also how to respect the gifts of others. For a room full of educators, nothing could be a more important or empowering take-away.”
Ganley added, “At the end, she received a standing ovation. I can’t recall any speaker of recent years having such a profound impact on the audience.”
Among those who attended Benham’s presentation was Moana Alo, a Ph.D. candidate in a joint doctoral program in education at San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University.
“As a Native Hawaiian living on the continent who is also a community leader and youth advocate, listening to Dr. Benham speak I was reminded that I seldom see myself represented in educational spaces,” Alo said. “With that in mind, I recognized the importance of representation and chose to bring my ‘ohana, which included my aunt, cousin, niece, and daughter — three generations who are part of the diaspora who advocate for more inclusivity. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her story as did my nā ‘ōpio.”
According to the CGU website, the Distinguished Bowen Lecture is named in honor of the late Howard R. Bowen. A scholar of economics and an authority on the economics of higher education, Bowen joined the CGU faculty in 1969, bringing with him a remarkable record of service in government, business, and higher education. In 1970, Bowen became president and then chancellor of Claremont University Center, serving four years in that capacity before returning to the classroom in 1974. In tribute to Bowen following his death, Clark Kerr, former president of the University of California, described Bowen as “the moral mentor for all of us” and “the Chief Justice of American Higher Education.”