{"id":211549,"date":"2025-02-28T15:32:42","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T01:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=211549"},"modified":"2025-02-28T18:40:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:40:54","slug":"alice-ball-day-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/28\/alice-ball-day-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa honors Alice Ball\u2019s legacy at 2025 celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Naava Simckes, Michael Bruno, Wendy Hensel, N\u014dweo Kai, Niya McAdoo, LeJoya Shelly and Valerie Monson celebrate Alice Ball Day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa honored the legacy of Alice Augusta Ball on February 28 with a moving ceremony at the chaulmoogra tree next to Bachman Hall. Held annually, Alice Ball Day serves as a powerful tribute to perseverance, innovation and the lasting impact of Ball\u2019s contributions to science and history.<\/p>\n

\"Alice<\/p>\n

A UH<\/abbr> alumna and groundbreaking chemist, Ball developed the first effective treatment for Hansen\u2019s disease (also known as leprosy), transforming countless lives. Ball died on December 31, 1916, at the age of 24, before publishing her groundbreaking work. Students, faculty and community members gathered to reflect on her achievements and the barriers she overcame.<\/p>\n

Emcee LaJoya Shelly, a lecturer in ethnic studies and educational administration, led the event. Featured speakers included UH<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Provost Michael Bruno, Valerie Monson, executive director of Ka ʻOhana<\/span> O Kalaupapa, and other distinguished guests. Shelly recited a poem about Ball by Kathryn Waddell Takara, emeritus professor of ethnic studies, who was unable to attend.<\/p>\n

Former UH<\/abbr> President David Lassner, who established this annual event and helped elevate Ball\u2019s legacy, was also in attendance. Lassner played a key role in supporting the installation of a life-sized bronze bust of Alice Ball<\/a> at Hamilton Library in December 2024.<\/p>\n

“Her contributions may have been overlooked for decades, but together, we stand here today to ensure that Alice Augusta Ball is remembered and celebrated,” Hensel said before reading Gov. Josh Green\u2019s official proclamation declaring February 28, 2025, as Alice Augusta Ball Day.<\/p>\n

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Michael Bruno, Rachel Jun and Wendy Hensel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the speakers was Naava Lee Simckes, a UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa undergraduate in mechanical engineering, who shared how Ball\u2019s story has inspired her own academic journey.<\/p>\n

“Alice Ball\u2019s determination proves that we, too, can push boundaries and create change,” Simckes said. “Her legacy drives me to push myself further as a woman in STEM<\/abbr>, appreciate the opportunities I have, and never take them for granted. She inspires me to follow in her footsteps.”<\/p>\n

The ceremony also recognized Paul Wermager<\/a>, a retired UH<\/abbr> science librarian who founded the Alice Augusta Ball Endowed Scholarship in 2017 and is finishing up a comprehensive biography of Ball. While Wermager was unable to attend, Bruno applauded his dedication.<\/p>\n

“Paul has dedicated years to uplifting Alice\u2019s story and ensuring future generations are inspired by her,” Bruno said, as current scholarship recipient Rachel Jun was presented with a lei.<\/p>\n

The event concluded with an oli led by N\u014dweo Kai, campus arboretum curator, as attendees placed lei and flowers at Ball\u2019s plaque beneath the chaulmoogra tree. Donated in 1931 by the King of Siam in gratitude for Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s efforts in combating Hansen\u2019s disease, the tree stands as a tribute to Ball, whose groundbreaking work continues to inspire students and researchers alike.<\/p>\n

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LaJoya Shelly with daughter and keiki from the Â鶹´«Ã½Children’s Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expanding recognition for Ball\u2019s contributions<\/h2>\n

Ball\u2019s legacy also extends with the annual Remembrance Walk organized by the Black Student Association and Sister Circle at M\u0101noa. Participants visited the bronze bust of Ball at Hamilton Library before gathering at the Queen Liliʻuokalani<\/span> Center for Student Services for a screening of The Ball Method <\/em>film.<\/p>\n

Announced by Lassner at the 2024 event<\/a>, the American Chemical Society had unanimously approved Alice Augusta Ball\u2019s nomination for the National Historic Chemical Landmark designation in recognition of her groundbreaking treatment for Hansen\u2019s Disease. Further details on the official recognition will be shared at a later date.<\/p>\n

More Â鶹´«Ã½News<\/em> stories on Alice Ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"proclamation\"
Gov. Josh Green’s proclamation declaring February 28, 2025 as Alice Augusta Ball Day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UH<\/abbr> celebrated Alice Augusta Ball Day on February 28, 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[679,251,225,9,947,1626],"class_list":["post-211549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-alumni-recognition","tag-chemistry","tag-history","tag-uh-manoa","tag-uh-system","tag-women-of-uh","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t