NMC celebrates 31st Charter Day, presents awards

Hundreds of Northern Marianas College students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members converged on the college’s extensive back lot on Friday for NMC’s Charter Day festivities, which also kicked off the NMC Month celebration this May.

“I’ve now been here for approximately 10 months and have enjoyed every moment of my time here at the college,” said NMC president Sharon Hart in her remarks.

Through the steadfast efforts of its faculty and staff, NMC can now be perceived “not only being a provider of educational opportunity but an educational provider that leads to work here in the CNMI and beyond,” Hart said.

She pointed out that NMC continues to have a number of wonderful opportunities and activities for all students-no matter their age-more than 30 years since then governor Carlos S. Camacho signed Executive Order No. 25 that created the institution.

“I truly believe that this is an institution has so much to offer and I know that one of the ways on how we have been successful is due to the leadership of our fine leaders,” said the president.

The event opened with the singing of the national anthem by the college’s own Proa Music Society. Friday’s event also saw the signing of the proclamation that designated May as NMC Month. NMC’s Amber Mendiola read the proclamation signed by Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos.

Members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Eli Cabrera also presented Hart with a commemorative resolution. A separate resolution was presented by Sen. Jovita Taimanao.

More than a dozen recognition awards were also presented to faculty, staff, and alumni of the college in celebration of Charter Day festivities.

These awards were bestowed on “individuals at NMC who have demonstrated a commitment to the mission of the college and who have exhibited dedication to student learning, provided a high quality of service, and demonstrated initiative and positive work attitude in their everyday work environment.”

Recognized were Alumnus of the Year awardee, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, who “has expressed that education starting with NMC has prepared him for his career path”; Student of the Year Keolester Buenpacifico, Supervisor of the Year Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Non-instructional Faculty of the Year Judy Deleon Guerrero Torres, and Instructional Faculty of the Year Charlotte Cepeda. Each awardee received a “small cash prize,” a plaque, and a much-coveted parking space for the year.

Other awards presented were Donor of the Year to Tan Siu Lin Foundation; Farmer of the Year to James Matsumoto; and Dean’s Farmer’s Recognition Award to Inez Rabago Guerrero.

College staff who volunteered to take on additional work without pay for the spring semester were also acknowledged. Among them were King Palacios, Oscar Flores, Frankie Eliptico, Hervin Jacinto, Velma Deleon Guerrero, James Revilla, Aileen Babauta, Daisy Mae Camacho, Theresa Sablan, Zenaida Javier, Leo Pangelinan, Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Barbara Hunter, Bobbie Marfalen, Raymond Muna, Lorraine Cabrera, Amanda Allen, and John Cook.

In an interview after the program, Hart said that the Charter Day celebration is also an opportunity for the public to see the institution up close and “hopefully decide that this is where they want to pursue more education.”

She commended the committee for working tirelessly to ensure an event that everyone can enjoy. “I’m the one up here but in reality, I’m the one behind the scenes.So really, they’re the individuals I want to say thank you to because without them, none of this would be possible,” added Hart.

Trophies and certificates were also presented to the winners of the various games and competitions.