After 18 years, McPhetres retires from NMC • Ex-College president endorses Sablan as successor

Agnes McPhetres retired as president of the College last Friday after 18 years of service.

Ms. McPhetres, clad in a red dress, tried to hold back her tears as students and staff trooped to her office to bid her goodbye. On Saturday, she was given a party by the whole NMC community , their way of saying thank you for all the work that she has done.

The NMC Board of Regents has named her President Emeritus in recognition of the work she has accomplished for the College.

But wait, Ms. McPhetres said she will not be totally out of circulation. In fact, she is willing to continue helping the College either through researches or policy planning.

Although she said she is keeping her options open, she has expressed interest in running for public office to serve more people in the Commonwealth.

With her departure, she is confident that the people she is leaving behind are capable of pursuing the goals she has always wanted to achieve for NMC.

“Actually, I feel sad to leave the people who have worked here for many years. It is really a sad day but I am going to start a new chapter in my life,” she said.

Asked if there was anything she regret not having done when she left NMC, Ms. McPhetres said she would have wanted a new facility for the College built as the current structures have undergone various renovations to accommodate the students.

“We made this acceptable for higher education and I just regret that I am leaving without building a new facility so that our youth would feel proud to enter the College,” she said. Ms. McPhetres expressed hopes that the College will get an accreditation when it offers a four-year degree in the fields of education and business.

A selection committee in NMC has been evaluating the application of some 20 people who have applied for the position, majority of whom are from the United States.

But Ms. McPhetres said she believes that NMC Vice President Jack Sablan is very qualified to assume the post since he has also worked in the College for many years before holding his current job. Mr. Sablan is the acting president of the College until the board announces its final decision.

“Anyone who comes to assume the job will find it easier now since those who started already made things happen,” she said.

With her departure from NMC, she hopes Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and the Legislature would provide more funding to the institution which has been under fire in recent months due to allegations of mismanagement of funds.

“I think the Governor and the Legislature needs to see a new face to help the College more. Sometimes, they think that if they help the College, they are helping Agnes McPhetres,” she said.