First Combined Commencement Exercises Held for COM-FSM Yap Campus & FSM-FMI

(Colonia, Yap) - COM-FSM Yap Campus and FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute (FSM-FMI) held their first combined Commencement Exercises for Spring 2013 at the Colonia Community Center On Friday, May 24, 2013.  Over 200 people attended the event to celebrate the occasion with the graduates.

The ceremony opened with the introduction of honored guests starting with DOE Director Vincent Parren representing the Office of the Governor, Senator Charles Chieng and Senator Jerry Fagolimul on behalf of Yap State Legislature, DOE School Administrator Arnold Yokbay  gave the remarks on behalf of the Department of Education, Yap High School Principal Domingo Techur, Pastor Ruda and Father Moses Tachibelit. The Keynote speech was given  by Public Works & Transportation Dept Director Vincent Figir.  Also among the invited guests were the chief from Gagil Municipality, Francis Fithingmow.

This is the first combined commencement exercise for both campuses since Dean Lourdes Roboman assumed leadership over the FSM-FMI campus starting May 2012.  The Dean gave the welcoming remarks and noted that “It’s been a most challenging year for both campuses….our students, faculty members, and staff…as the two campuses offer very different programs and services.   But I’m very pleased to inform you all that at the end of our first year, we’ve emerged united, with greater cooperation, and functioning as one but at two separate locations.  We are doing more with less.  And we are committed to continuous improvements.”

In his address to the graduates, keynote speaker Vincent Figir quoted the Chinese proverb “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny” and urged them to remember that “you can be anything you want to be."

Special messages were given from the Office of the Governor, the Yap State Legislature and Department of Education.  All the speakers congratulated students/cadets and encouraged them to continue pursuing higher learning and additional skills to use as future leaders of our nation and states.

Dr. Joy Guarin, Science Instructor and Acting Instructional Coordinator presented the candidates for Yap Campus and Captain Benjamin James presented candidates for FMI campus.  Conferral of certificates and degrees were performed by Dean Roboman and Director Vincent Parren accepted the  graduates for Yap Campus on behalf of the Governor, while Captain Matthias Ewarmai accepted FMI graduates on behalf of the Secretary of FSM TC&I. 

Thirty-two certificates and degrees were awarded to the graduating classes.  Seven students from Yap Campus were awarded the following degrees and certificates:  Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education -1; Associate of Arts Degree in Teacher Preparation – 1; AS Degree in Computer Information Systems – 1; AS Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management – 1; Certificate of Achievement in Electronic Engineering Technology – 2; and Certificate of Achievement in Agriculature and Food Technology -1.

FSM-FMI graduated 25 cadets with nine Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Navigation to six graduates from Pohnpei and three from Chuuk; nine Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Fishing Technology to five graduates from Yap, two from Pohnpei, and two from Chuuk; and seven Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Marine Engineering to four graduates from Chuuk, three from Yap, and one from Pohnpei State.

Captain Matthias administered the Oath to the FMI graduates on behalf of FSM TC&I Secretary Francis Itimai and Corps Commander Benedict Thilmaw gave the graduation speech for his colleagues, while Virginia Laatman addressed her fellow graduates from Yap Campus.  Closing remarks from Captian Matthias Ewarmai followed by the performance of the Change of Command ceremony by FMI Cadets ended the ceremony.