NMC graduates largest class ever

The Northern Marianas College graduated its largest class ever in its 35th commencement ceremony last Saturday afternoon at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

NMC’s class of 2015, comprised of about 167 students, was made up of students graduating with associate’s or bachelor’s degrees, and sometimes both. About 35 of these students graduated with a bachelor’s in education.

College president Dr. Sharon Hart welcomed the graduates, their friends, and family in her remarks.

Hart told the students that the college “proa” was sometimes shaken, rocked, and challenged during her times as president. But as someone with a couple of decades experience in higher education, she said her times here were her most enjoyable. She encouraged students to launch the sails of their proa “full speed ahead” in their future endeavors.

“As you leave this institution, know that you will joining a prestigious network of NMC alumni who are working in our community and in other parts of the world as business professional, educators, health providers, natural resource managers, community leaders, researchers, and officers of the law…We look forward to hearing great things about you and your explorations,” said Hart and NMC board chair Juan T. Lizama in their joint message.

Keynote speaker Shirley Sablan shared lessons from “life-changing” experiences as recipient of the Maga-haga Award and the 2014 First Hawaiian Bank Guam Business Magazine Businesswomen of the Year.

Sablan noted some “insecurities” about giving the keynote speech that day, but otherwise rose to the task with a message of confidence and taking up life’s challenges. She urged students not to get too caught up in the “rat race” or the economic climb and give back and become players in their community.

To celebrate their top students, the college also presented “Academic Excellence Awards” and “Student Leadership Awards.”

Jimin Cheon, with an associate in liberal arts degree, and Hyemin Lee, with her associate degree in hospitality management, won the “Academic Excellence” awards.

For the “Student Leadership Award,” the college presented this to Guadalupe Adelbai Camacho, who graduated with an associate of arts degree with an emphasis in education, and Jolly Ann Cruz, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education, and an associate’s degree in natural resource management.

The college graduation was witnessed by a packed crowd of families, friends, and local legislators, mayors, as well as Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP).

The college’s vision is to serve as the “engine to drive the economic growth and the social and cultural vitality in the Commonwealth.” Last Saturday’s largest graduating class comes nearly a year after earning initial accreditation from the WASC Senior Commission last July 2014.