Second Joint Commencement Exercises at FSM-FMI and Yap Campuses
(Colonia, Yap) - The 2nd joint commencement exercises for the FSM Fisheries & Maritime Institute (FSM-FMI) and Yap Campus to recognize the accomplishments of 38 graduates was held at Yap’s Community Center on May 20, 2014.
In attendance were members of the community, including key government and traditional leaders as well as the President and CEO of the College Joseph M. Daisy, Ed. D. who traveled to Yap to take part in the ceremony as the keynote speaker.
The ceremony opened with FSM-FMI cadets formally leading the procession onto the stage, followed by the FSM National Anthem performed by FMI faculty member Penjamini Nailati and graduating cadets. Yap Campus Dean Lourdes Roboman gave the welcoming remarks and thanked everyone for attending the event. In congratulating the students’ successes, she expressed that “personal growth and success come when you fall and you pick yourself up again and continue your journey.”
Through his keynote address Dr. Daisy used a relevant message from Oh The Places You’ll Go by Thomas Giesel (better known as Dr. Suess), to illustrate different situations and decisions the graduates will face in their lifelong journey. In his closing remarks, President Daisy challenged the students to “dream more, learn more, do more, become more, and give more” and shared a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Special messages were also given by Yap State Governor Sebastian Anefal, Speaker Henry Falan of the 8th Yap State Legislature, and Arnold Yokbay representing the Department of Education. This was followed by recommendation and conferring of degrees.
Yap Campus graduated nine students: One A.A. Degree in Teacher Preparation; seven certificates in Agriculture and Food Technology; one certificate in Electronic Engineering Technology; and one certificate in CHS- Health Assistant Training Program.
FSM-FMI graduated 29 students this year: Eight advanced certificates in Navigation (Class 5 Master); twelve advanced certificates in Navigation Class 5 Master (with Fishing Technology Courses); five advanced certificates in Marine Engineering (Class 5 Engineer); one certificate in Marine Engineering (Class 6); and three certificates in Navigation Class 6 (with Fishing Technology Courses).
A special message from the 8th Yap State Legislature in the form of a Resolution was read by master of ceremony Teresa Filepin “expressing the appreciation and congratulations of the members of Legislature and the people of State of Yap to Dr. Joseph M. Daisy for leading the College of Micronesia – FSM into accreditation [reaffirmation] and upon his continued presidency of the college”. Under the leadership of the current president, the college had moved from probationary status in 2011 to accreditation reaffirmation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in August 2013.
FSM-FMI Director Captain Matthias Ewarmai then performed the Administration of Oath for the graduating cadets followed by graduation speeches by Sheena Giltineg of Yap Campus and Corps Commander Tony Ganangred of FSM-FMI.
At the closing the FSM-FMI cadets performed the formality of the Change of Command ceremony, whereby authority and responsibilities from the graduating Corps Commander is passed on to a new Commander, who then led the recessional out and ended the commencement ceremony.
For more photos, check out the college's Official Facebook Page.
