Professor Terrance Jalbert: A Legacy of Dedication and Excellence at UH Hilo

CoBE Newsletter - March 2025 Edition PDF Download

As the Fall 2024 semester came to a close, the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) bid a heartfelt farewell to one of its most esteemed faculty members, Professor Terrance Jalbert, who retired after 28 years of exceptional service at UH Hilo.

Joining UH Hilo in 1996, Dr. Jalbert brought a passion for teaching and research that shaped the College of Business and Economics. A dedicated finance professor, he previously taught at Texas Tech University and the Naval Postgraduate School. He earned the UH Board of Regents' Medal for Excellence in Teaching and was consistently ranked among the nation’s top finance professors. Dr. Jalbert enjoyed teaching and working with students. He was renowned for his joke of the day.

Professor Jalbert had a distinguished research career, authoring 91 journal articles, 13 in A or A-rated journals. Ranked in the top one-fourth of one percent of academics for research impact by the Social Science Research Network, he co-authored nine articles with UH Hilo students, reflecting his commitment to mentoring. His recent seminal research on currency adjusted stock indexes and April effects in stock returns boosted the college's academic reputation.

In 2014, Professor Jalbert, in collaboration with Dr. Gary Fleischman and Mercedes Jalbert, researched Hawaiʻi’s income tax itemized deduction limits. Their study identified "tax cliffs," where small income increases led to significant tax hikes. His findings were instrumental in the introduction of Hawaii State House Bills HB-83 in 2015, and HB-145 in 2017, which addressed these issues. Jalbert’s publication was featured in the local newspaper and in Forbes online magazine.

Professor Jalbert’s impact went beyond the classroom. As the keynote speaker at UH Hilo’s Spring 2024 Commencement, he shared his personal journey and highlighted how UH Hilo offers an exceptional education, often exceeding that of larger institutions. His message to graduates was inspirational: “From where you are today, you can get anywhere you want to be.”

Among his many service contributions, Dr. Jalbert helped develop scoring systems for the Merrie Monarch Hula festival and served as scorekeeper for many years. He was a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrator, where he adjudicated disputes between stockbrokers and their clients. Dr. Jalbert was known for monitoring the College’s rankings. He was always proud that the UH Hilo College of Business and Economics (CoBE) ranked above business programs at large, elite, universities. He was quick to present CoBE rankings to any audience.

Professor Jalbert, a proud UH Hilo ambassador, was featured in the Spring 2020 Vulcan Vibe for his academic and community contributions. Passionate about supporting students, he awarded $50 scholarships to children attending class with their parents. Scott Igawa, a Waiākea High graduate, was the first Jalbert Family Scholarship recipient.

As Professor Jalbert retires, he leaves a lasting legacy at UH Hilo. His impact as a scholar, educator, and mentor has shaped the university’s future, inspiring students to reach their potential. While we will miss him, we celebrate his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his dedication and profound influence. Congratulations, Professor Jalbert, and best wishes for this next chapter!