Previous Story
Sam McPhetres retires
|
Posted on Mar 30 2012
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
After three decades of teaching, longtime educator and constitutionalist Sam McPhetres has called it quits and will be retiring from the Northern Marianas College.
McPhetres told Saipan Tribune yesterday that this semester will be his last at the college after 30 years. NMC has already been notified of his decision.
Now 74, the well-respected educator said that he will stick around to continue doing the things he like. Among them are compiling his collections, digitizing his files, providing consultancy services, possibly part-time teaching, and writing more books.
McPhetres was among the pioneer at NMC since its inception in 1981. He was the first to teach a Marianas History class to college students and has taught courses in U.S. history, American government, political science, world history, and current issues.
He describes all these years of service to the college and students as a “wonderful experience.”
McPhetres’ Current Issues classes were particularly noted for their surveys and studies, all related to issues in the Commonwealth. Notable among these were about CNMI tourism, Saipan’s stray animals, and the impact of poker arcades. Just last year, his students held a referendum survey on the casino issue at the request of the Senate.
A survey conducted among NMC students also became a subject of controversy after the results showed a low satisfaction rate in the performances of the NMC Board of Regents and former college president Dr. Carmen Fernandez. His contract was not renewed in 2010, prompting a strong public outcry, resulting in his return after just a few months.
McPhetres said that his students’ activities helped many sectors in the Commonwealth that would approach his classes for its help.
McPhetres’ valuable contributions have not only been recognized in the Marianas but throughout the Pacific region, where he also contributed several chapters to their history books.
Despite some health issues, McPhetres said he is committed to fulfilling all the things he wants to do and that he will continue to keep his Garapan office open and accept consultancy work.
