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Non-member: Ereen Ilaban
Nonmember senior says university religion teachers were a source of help, understanding and acceptance
BY HAILEY HUHANE
Growing up Catholic, Ereen Ilaban said he felt intimidated and overwhelmed when he was accepted to BYU–Hawaii. Now, as a senior looking back at his years at the university, Ilaban said he felt both welcomed and accepted by his classmates and teachers.
Feeling encouraged and supported
Ilaban, a social work major from Kahuku, was raised in a predominantly Latter-day Saint community. As a self-described “social butterfly,” Ilaban said all of his friends growing up were members of the Church, and he frequently attended sacrament meetings and missionary homecomings and farewells.
Although his upbringing helped familiarize him with the Church, Ilaban said his decision to attend BYUH was difficult. “I am not a member of the Church, so coming to school here gave me an overwhelming feeling.”
Ilaban said the first religion class he took was Doctrine & Covenants. Because he wasn’t raised in the Church, he said the class was difficult, “I thought I was dumb,” he said. Ilaban said he would hear his classmates say how easy the class was, but because he had never read The Book of Mormon, understanding D&C seemed impossible.
Throughout the semester, Ilaban said he began to understand the stories behind the scriptures they were studying, and his classmates and teachers were a source of help and strength he frequently relied on.
“I was able to give my opinion on certain things, and the teachers and students would encourage me. It felt great.”
While taking the Eternal Family class, Ilaban said Shad Anderson, who taught the class was helpful and patient with him. “I always asked questions, and [Brother Anderson] would always help me.” Ilaban said the two would converse over email, and his teacher would frequently reach out to see if he was in need of any extra guidance.
Ilaban said, “[Brother Anderson] knew I wasn’t a member, yet he was understanding. That’s how it was with all of the other teachers as well.”
Leading by example
Ilaban’s friend, Randell Mahe, a senior from Laie majoring in social work, said Ilaban is often the one in their friend group to encourage them to attend firesides, stake conferences and the weekly devotionals. “He would go weekly and was a reminder for us to go. Even though he’s not a part of the Church, he was definitely a huge help to his friends who are members.”
Ilaban’s friend since seventh grade, Maeleen Wesley, a freshman from Laie majoring in business management, said Ilaban is a part of most of her favorite memories.
“A lot has changed since [seventh grade], and it is a blessing our friendship isn’t one of them. It’s been inspiring to see how he’s dealt with coming to school at BYUH as a nonmember, and I’m proud of all the things he’s accomplished.”
“I don’t know what it is,” said Ilaban. “I guess learning about the Lord through the LDS perspective opens my eyes and helps me to see things more clearly.”
Ilaban recounted a time when he would visit the Laie temple grounds frequently. “I don’t pray a lot, but a few semesters ago, I would go to the temple every day and ponder for 20 to 30 minutes. There were so many good experiences there.”
One day, while feeling stressed over a class, Ilaban said he went to the temple and prayed for help. He said a few hours later, his prayer was answered. Looking back on the experience, Ilaban said, “The Lord, He hears me.”
An eye towards the future
As a social work major, Ilaban said Victor Kaufusi’s Introduction to Social Work class was the reason he was drawn to the program. “Just hearing [Brother Kaufusi’s] experiences and learning more about the field made me more interested. He was able to help people. I loved that.”
Currently, Ilaban said he is interning at the Kahuku Medical Center and has applied to graduate school to continue his education and obtain his master’s of social work. Ilaban’s goal is simple, he said. “I [just] want to help people.”•
