Book on Agnes McPhetres published

The front cover of the new book Perseverance and Grit: The Contributions of Agnes Manglona McPhetres to Education Across the Pacific. (Contributed Photo)

A new book has just been published about well-known local educator Agnes McPhetres, who is the CEO of Northern Marianas Technical Institute and former president of Northern Marianas College. The book is entitled Perseverance and Grit: The Contributions of Agnes Manglona McPhetres to Education Across the Pacific and is written/compiled and published by long-time Saipan resident and professional colleague of McPhetres, Ivan Propst.

Perseverance and Grit presents a public record of the contributions of McPhetres to education across the Pacific, a record that will be of value and benefit to present and future generations of educators, students, historians, humanities scholars, researchers, and citizens interested in understanding the history of education in the region and the role of pioneering leaders like McPhetres.

McPhetres was a pioneer in many respects, well-known for her tenacity and determined leadership – her perseverance and grit – in a time, place, and professional arena where it was highly uncommon for women to assume leadership positions. Few individuals have made such a positive and enduring mark on education as McPhetres, who has dedicated more than 60 years of her life to education – as a school teacher and principal, as a top-level educational administrator for the Trust Territory’s Department of Education, as associate Ssuperintendent for the Northern Marianas Public School System, as president of Northern Marianas College for 16 years, and currently as the chief executive officer of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.

The book documents McPhetres’ professional accomplishments and contributions to raising the quality of education – and quality of life – for so many in the region, throughout her decades of service.

Publication of the book was made possible by support from the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, a nonprofit, private corporation funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Copies of Perseverance and Grit can be acquired at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the library at Northern Marianas College, or Northern Marianas Technical Institute at Lower Base for a donation of $10 or more per copy. Proceeds will go to library acquisitions at the two libraries or to instructional supplies and materials at NMTI, wherever the donation is made. (PR)