UH Manoa College of Education selects Robert Stodden as Dai Ho Chun Endowed Chair

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Helen Au, (808) 956-4949
College of Education
Posted: Feb 9, 2007

HONOLULU — The College of Education (COE) announces the appointment of Robert A. Stodden, director and professor of the Center on Disability Studies, as Dai Ho Chun Endowed Chair of the College of Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The endowed chair position in Educational Leadership was established in June 2001 when the COE received a $1 million gift from the Estate of Dai Ho Chun. Dr. Chun was a public school teacher, supervisor of student teachers and principal of University Laboratory School, faculty member in the College of Education, and director of the International Cooperative Center — the forerunner of the East-West Center."Dai Ho Chun coupled his interest in education with a lifelong advocacy for international endeavors," said Donald Young, interim dean of the College of Education. "We are very proud to claim Dr. Chun as an emeritus faculty member of our College of Education. His vision and leadership are exemplified in the endowed chair in his name, which enables us to honor the research and teaching of Dr. Stodden, who truly has a national reputation for leadership in his field."

Stodden is a nationally renowned scholar in the areas of educational policy development and evidence-based practice whose work has impacted educational systems and classroom practices on local, national and international levels. His research explores the use of indigenous and other cultural values and behaviors as a means of teaching and supporting Native Hawaiian and other minority student groups who are most at risk for school failure.

Stodden received his BA in education and psychology from Western Washington University, his master‘s in adolescent counseling and career guidance from California State University, Long Beach, and his Ph.D. in developmental disabilities/vocational rehabilitation from the University of Florida.

"I am honored to serve as the Dai Ho Chun Endowed Chair and I look forward to participating in educational leadership activities focused upon addressing policy and practice issues which impact upon students in Hawaiʻi‘s public schools most in need of assistance and support to succeed," said Stodden.

About the College of Education
The College of Education at UH Mānoa comprises a diverse mix of faculty, staff, and students whose aims are to advance and generate knowledge in the fields of education, human development, counseling, administration, assessment, evaluation, research, technology, disabilities, and other related disciplines. In addition to being a professional school of education, the College also houses units which employ and prepare professionals in the related fields of counseling, educational psychology, technology, research on disabilities, athletic training, evaluation, assessment, and curriculum development. For more information, visit http://www.hawaii.edu/coe.