Among the 2024 University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa awardees was a surprise honoree. UH President David Lassner received the “Outstanding President of the University of Hawaiʻi” award at the UH Mānoa Awards Ceremony on May 8 at Kennedy Theatre.
UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno was joined by UH Mānoa leadership onstage who presented him with the award along with a special oli. They praised Lassner for his contributions to the university and the wider community over his distinguished 45-year career, as well as his dedication and transformative leadership of the 10-campus system over the past decade.
“He has no idea we’re going to do this, but after 4-plus decades, 10 years of steering this canoe, this university we all love through storms—political, financial and even medical, through COVID, the Mānoa leadership would like to recognize our leader, David Lassner,” stated Bruno.
The award certificate, signed by all members of the Mānoa cabinet, commended Lassner’s “unwavering vision, stellar leadership, commitment to excellence, strategic innovation, inspiring resilience, and endless achievements” throughout his tenure.
“Our successes are the successes of the team,” said UH President David Lassner. “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with a group of remarkable leaders who have excelled in moving UH Mānoa forward for our students and the entire State of Hawaiʻi.”
Lassner announced in September 2023 that he will retire at the end of 2024. He has served as the 15th president of Hawaiʻi’s 10-campus public higher education system since September 2013, the first 10 months on an interim basis.
