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NMC to graduate largest batch
Part of the 204-strong graduating batch of the Northern Marianas College 2016 class pose for a group photo after attending yesterday’s baccalaureate mass presided by Rev. Fr. James Balajadia at the San Jose Church. (Contributed Photo)
The largest batch of graduates from the Northern Marianas College will be receiving their respective degrees in the 35-year institution’s 2016 commencement exercise on Saturday at 4:30pm at the Koblerville Gym across Coral Ocean Point Golf Resort.
NMC will be conferring 204 degrees this year, which NMC Academic Programs and Services dean Barbara Merfalen said is “record breaking in NMC’s history in terms of the number of degrees awarded.”
NMC interim president David J. Attao said that they are proud of all their graduates and their accomplishments. “They have worked so hard to reach this accomplishment and we applaud all of them for their commitment and unwavering dedication to their studies.”
“We are also very proud to be graduating the first group of students who have earned their bachelor’s degree in business management,” Attao added
NMC offered the degree program two years ago to accommodate the growing need to the local work fore.
Education, liberal arts, natural resource management, nursing, business administration, criminal justice, and hospitality management are the other bachelor’s degrees that NMC will confer.
Attao said most of the graduates overcame different challenges in their lives just to finish a college degree.
“Some were juggling full time jobs, raising families, or battling illness. Nonetheless, they were all determined to reach this milestone so other opportunities to better their lives can open up for them,” he said.
“We are also impressed at the resilience of our students and our employees. Despite having been impacted greatly by the devastation of Super Typhoon Soudelor, they were able to recover and continue their educational journey,” he added.
“We are also thankful for the help of our government leaders, business community, and our employees who helped the college rebuild from Soudelor’s wrath.”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres will be giving the leadership award, while students that finished with the highest grade point average will also be honored.
The ceremony will also be streamed live at www.marianas.edu/nmclivetv so relatives and friends who are off-island and could not attend could watch the proceedings.
