NMC’s Eliptico is awarded UOG President’s Medal

University of Guam president Dr. Thomas W. Krise, right, awards the “Milåyan Presidenten” or The President’s Award to Northern Marianas College vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie M. Eliptico at the Rotary Club of Saipan meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2022. (NMC)

Frankie M. Eliptico, who was acting president of the Northern Marianas College before the appointment of the current president, was awarded the “Milåyan Presidenten” or The President’s Medal in honor of his leadership of the college during Super Typhoon Yutu and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The award, which is the highest award and given by the University of Guam president to individuals outside the university, also recognized Eliptico’s role in helping secure millions in grants to help rebuild NMC’s campus.

UOG president Dr. Thomas W. Krise presented the award to Eliptico at the Rotary Club of Saipan meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in an event that was also attended by NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, NMC board of regents chair Charles V. Cepeda, UOG dean of College of Natural and Applied Sciences Dr. Lee Yudin, Rotary Club president Wendell Posadas, and other Rotarians.

In his presentation of the medal, Krise commended Eliptico’s leadership of the college. “Frankie has really done a remarkable job in his role as interim president,” Krise said. “He’s been a terrific partner for all of us during this time.”

Krise also mentioned how Eliptico was able to secure millions in grants to help rebuild the college’s campus. He also praised Eliptico’s leadership in helping to lead  an increase in NMC student enrollment even when many other colleges saw an enrollment decline, especially during the pandemic.

“Frankie is a super-connector,” Krise said. “If you want to get anything done, talk to him and he’ll know people, and he’ll be happy to connect you with them.”

Krise also said Eliptico was instrumental in the strengthening of the partnership between NMC and UOG.

“This is such a great honor to be recognized by the University of Guam,” Eliptico said. “It was something that I was not expecting at all. And to have it presented at the Rotary Club meeting was very special. Nonetheless, I am very thankful for Dr. Krise’s presentation and his team’s partnership. I am also thankful to the team at Northern Marianas College for their support and commitment to the recovery, rebuilding, and forward momentum efforts that the college has embarked on.”

Eliptico is currently vice president for Administration and Advancement at NMC.

The Milåyan Presidenten is awarded to individuals who share the spirit of the mission of the University of Guam: Ina, Deskubre, and Setbe (Shine, Discover, and Serve). President’s Medals are a means to recognize service and showcase the role service has in creating vibrant communities in Guam, the rest of Micronesia, and beyond. Service can take many forms:  sharing one’s expertise, indigenous knowledge, organizational skills, outreach abilities, outstanding personal or professional endeavors that complement the University’s mission, or other ways individuals make positive impacts through service. (PR)