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Inauguration of Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw Governor Linda Lingles Remarks Inauguration of Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw
Governor Linda Lingles Remarks

Thank you very much President McClain for the generous introduction, to Chancellor Virginia
Hinshaw and your entire family, to Al Landon, chair of the University of Hawaii Board of
Regents, and all of the legislators and others who are in the audience.

This inauguration comes at a critical time in the history of the University of Hawaii at Mnoa
and our entire state. I feel truly honored to be here at this important occasion.

Globalization and technology are reshaping our daily lives and our world. We must adapt and
better prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Higher education
at UH Mnoa is vital to the progress of our state, the Pacific region, and I believe, our nation.
We need to both make progress on improving our quality of life, while protecting everything that
makes Hawaii so special.

Chancellor Hinshaw understands all of this; her favorite quote is from former President Carter,
who said, You must adapt to changing times, but hold to unchanging principles. Chancellor
Hinshaw is a perfect leader for this new era and for Hawaiis future.

The following story about her illustrates a key reason why I think shes the perfect leader for this
new era. As a young girl, Chancellor Hinshaw was fascinated by penicillin. Most girls are
fascinated by dolls, or in my case bicycles; she was fascinated by penicillin. She decided to
grow antibiotic mold for a science project, but she needed a type of moonshine liquor to grow the
mold. She told her mother that she couldnt use an illegal substance. This is a true story: her
mother asked a friend, a South Carolina judge, for a sample of evidence from a moonshine case.
She was able to grow the mold.

Her mother didnt believe in the word cant, and the Chancellor shows that she has listened to
mothers advice. She doesnt let any obstacles stand in her way and that is the exact mindset that
we need and the mindset that she brings to UH Mnoa and to the state. This mindset of dont
say cant that she will instill in the faculty and staff and students, not because of what she says,
but I believe, because of what she will do.

Her background in science will also be an asset to the University. Her work in microbiology
with influenza viruses and vaccines is becoming critically important in the world today. She will
make certain that our university works toward becoming a global leader in research, which
makes perfect sense for our new Chancellor, a self-described lab rat. She is tuned into
technology and not just because she rides her Segway around the campus. She purchased it
because she was fascinated by the technology, and she recognizes the value of subjects such as
student robotics. She knows that these engineering and problem solving skills in robotics will
help our students in whatever field they may choose. She supported these fields when she was at
the University of California at Davis and she is now supporting our robotics initiative and
promises to be very hands-on.
Chancellor Hinshaw is an innovator by nature. Shes willing to make changes and to try new
things. And this attitude will be so useful both for the University and for the state. Shes taken a
very collaborative approach since her arrival in July. She has gathered feedback from the
University community and the community at large. She wears a name tag every day to make her
more approachable. I have thought about doing the same thing, but I didnt know if my ego
could take that. She understands that the pooling of ideas and a team approach is what leads to
improvements and to innovation. She joins other women leaders of higher education at UH Hilo,
Windward Community College, Kauai Community College and Chaminade. And she will be an
inspiration and mentor to young women.

The Chancellor also has a cultural sensitivity that is critical to anyone succeeding in our state.
The host culture is the foundation of these islands and is well recognized in the mission of the
University. I know she has immersed herself in books since coming here, and even before
coming here, to better understand Hawaii history and society. She herself has connections with
the Native American culture, as she is part Cherokee and cherishes gifts that the Indian tribes
bring the country.

Its been an amazing first 100 years at UH Mnoa. Chancellor Hinshaw will undoubtedly start
the University on a continued path of greatness for the next 100 years. I agree with the
assessment by president McClain who said, Dr. Hinshaws rich experience, coupled with her
inclusive and collaborative nature, will enable the campus to fulfill its considerable potential for
the benefit of students, the advancement of knowledge and the welfare of all the people
Hawaii. We look forward to her success the continued success of UH Mnoa. Their success is
our success.

Congratulations Chancellor and mahalo to all.