House commends Larry Lee

Former Northern Marianas College instructor Lawrence Allan “Larry” Lee was honored by the Legislature for his outstanding services and contributions to the Commonwealth, most especially his contribution to higher education in the CNMI.

In a ceremony held at the Legislature this week, a House resolution was presented to Lee in the presence of his family, friends, and students.

House Resolution 18-23 was authored by Rep. Christopher D. Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan).

Lee, fondly known by friends and colleagues as Larry, moved to Saipan in 1989 and has been an active member of the community for more than 24 years.

He first landed a job as environmental education specialist and public information officer for the Division of Fish & Wildlife.

In 1991, Lee became vice president of Sunset Advertising Group on Saipan. He became the president of Eleven Foto, Inc. in 1994 up to the present.

Lee enrolled in graduate degree courses in 1999 in educational leadership from the University of Guam. From 2000 to 2003, he was the marketing and public relations manager at NMC.

He then became the college’s business and tourism instructor under NMC’s Business Department while also serving as faculty adviser for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and PROA Music Society.

Lee, from 2010 to 2013, served as NMC’s faculty senate president and sat as an honorary member of the Board of Regents. Additionally, he also served other capacities in the college including business department chairperson and faculty senate vice president. He was also a former adjunct instructor for the Argosy University.

In 2011, Lee was awarded the NMC Presidential Award for Outstanding Faculty.

He is also an active volunteer of the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, served the Marianas Visitors Authority board, and a ukulele instructor for hundreds of CNMI kids.

“Over the years, Lawrence Allan Lee has given generously of his time, energy, and abilities to assist NMC and has demonstrated a praiseworthy commitment to the success of the higher education system in the CNMI,” reads the House resolution.

It also stated, “Lee has developed a reputation for his integrity, strength of character, resilience, selflessness, dedication, and is highly respected in the field of education.”

Lee graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Oregon State University. He obtained his master’s in Business Administration from National University in San Diego, California in 2004.

Prior to moving to the CNMI, he worked as a Marine Fisheries Extension agent for the U.S. Peace Corps in Palawan, Philippines. He was also a former recreational director for The Sea Ranch, Holiday Resorts Ltd. in Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Other previous jobs Lee held was as an English language instructor in Ube City, Yamaguchi-ken, Japan; a marketing manager and instructor for Sports Fishing Guide for Ocean Adventures in Hawaii; and a boat captain for Alaska Connections in Juneau, Alaska.