UOG, families celebrate Fanuchånan 2023 graduates

Family members, friends, and dignitaries from across the Micronesia region gathered to celebrate 220 graduates during the University of Guam’s Fanuchånan 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, December 17, at the UOG Calvo Field House.

The commencement speaker, a former high school dropout who grew up poor, and became an internationally known motivational and keynote speaker, shared some of his most life-changing lessons. 

Dr. Samuel Betances said before he got accepted into college, he volunteered for jobs that no one else wanted, and in doing so received mentorship that encouraged him to read. 

“Read memoirs about people who had it tougher than you that bounced back and managed to excel,” said Dr. Betances, who holds a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in education from Harvard University. 

He urged the graduates to continue learning, become someone’s mentor, and be part of change for a better community. 

“The fires are raging, and it is your turn to hold the hose,” he said, receiving an enthusiastic response from the graduates, their family members, and friends.

UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez encouraged the graduates to share the University’s “values of respect, compassion and community.” 

“Give back in your capacities as new professionals, as value-added critical thinkers and problem-solvers, be represented in all industry sectors, and work collaboratively and in harmony with and through others as Triton alumni,” the President said. 

Aspiring psychologist Haley Mae M. Carreon is the valedictorian. Born in Guam and the daughter of Filipino immigrants Andy Carreon, an electrical engineer, and Shirley Carreon, an accountant, Haley Carreon credits her family’s strong support of her education since childhood. She said she practiced good time management, a solid work ethic, and the humility she learned from home. She studied psychology as her major and sociology was her minor. 

“We gather here not just as graduates but also as people who have experienced a transformative journey, molded by the obstacles we have overcome, the knowledge we have gained, and the connections we have created here at UOG,” the valedictorian said. “Today is not just a culmination of four years of hard work, it is a celebration of resilience and growth.” 

The graduates overcame almost three years of the pandemic and the devastation caused by Typhoon Mawar.

The commencement also celebrated 22 graduates who comprise the first cohort in the Master of Accountancy Program at the School of Business Administration. 

UOG Press October • Oktubre Newsletter

 

Join us for the launch of our Kantan CHamoru Children's Book Series!  “These books reintroduce long beloved songs to young readers, but they also introduce them to new musical voices who are carrying on the tradition. The Kantan CHamoru book series celebrates the musical tradition in CHamoru culture. The lyrics in each poem or song reflect key values for the community, such as the importance of respecting elders, perpetuating cultural practices, and expressing pride in one’s heritage.” – Kiana Brown, Project Manager   Pre-Order Now for $12 2023 Association of University Presses Directors Residency Report: Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, University of Guam Press, reports on visiting five presses UOG Press Director of Publishing Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero spent the beginning of May visiting university presses on the U.S. East Coast and learning from their directors and teams as part of a press director's residency program organized by the Association of University Presses. She learned a variety of approaches to academic publishing including editorial, production, marketing, and business strategies and is excited to apply this expanded knowledge at UOG Press.    Leon Guerrero visited Princeton University Press and Rutgers University Press in New Jersey and New York University Press and Fordham University Press in New York City. She also had meetings with the directors of Temple University Press, University of Pennsylvania Press, Oxford University Press, and Columbia University Press. She ended her trip at Brown University in Rhode Island, where she learned about their exciting and innovative digital publications program.  Read the full article here! Finu’ Chamorro for Beginners by Faye Untalan Pre-Order Now for $45

Publish your writing with Songsong Stories!   What can you submit? You can submit poetry, prose, or an excerpt of a larger piece along with a short bio. You may also include a photo or artwork to accompany the publication.   All pieces published in Songsong stories will also be lined up for publication in PDN's Lifestyle section or Pika magazine.   Word limit is 600-800 words for PDN. There is no word limit for Songsong stories, but most blog pieces range between 1,600 - 1,900 words.   Your Songsong Stories submission will be edited prior and sent back to you for your final review/approval.   Where do you submit? uogpress@triton.uog.edu   When can you submit? Submissions are open year-round. View Songsong Stories Follow UOG Press on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @UOGPress for updates and exciting news regarding our latest publicatins, Youth Empowerment Grant initiatives, upcoming art and writing workshops, and more!

Join us for the D204 Lions Clubs Thanksgiving Saturday Story Time - Nov. 4 🦃

 Register at https://bit.ly/lionsclubreading We look forward to seeing you there! 🦁🦃📚

UOG President Enriquez begins five-year term

Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, 12th president of the University of Guam, is seen in the Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building in Mangilao on August 3, 2023.

The University of Guam Board of Regents and Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez last week executed the contract officially appointing her as the 12th president of UOG. 

Dr. Enriquez assumed her new role as president effective August 6, following a search process that began with 30 U.S. and international applicants and was later whittled down to three finalists. She moves to the presidency after serving as the senior vice president and provost at UOG for the last 10 years. 
 
 "The Board is excited about the future of the University under her capable leadership," said Chairperson Liza Provido. "We are confident that she will bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and vision to her new role, leading UOG to even greater heights."   
  
Over her 30-year career at UOG, Dr. Enriquez has held other administrator positions — including serving as the first female CHamoru dean of the UOG School of Business and Public Administration, interim director of the Center for Continuing Education and Outreach Programs, and most recently, the senior vice president and provost.  
  
In addition to her career in academia, Dr. Enriquez has extensive private sector experience in organizational management and marketing and as an entrepreneur. She believes her careers in private enterprise and public service fuels her passion for workforce and economic development for the island and the rest of Micronesia. 
 
"The University of Guam is a conduit that energizes our economy, provides our community opportunities for social mobility, informs public policy, and cultivates our future thought leaders," said Dr. Enriquez.  
  
Thankful for the Board’s vote of confidence, Dr. Enriquez said she will be guided by Guam's “cultural values of respect, of compassion, of community.    

The University's mission is 'Ina, Deskubre, Setbe — To Enlighten, To Discover, To Serve," she said. "Student-centered focus and service to our island and region is woven into everything we do as a university." 
  
Dr. Enriquez holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Guam, and a Doctor of Business Administration in International Business Administration (Marketing) from Alliant International University. 
 
Dr. Enriquez is the second woman to become president in the 71-year history of UOG. The late Rosa Carter was president of the university from 1977 to 1983.  
  
The transition in leadership follows the completion of former President Thomas W. Krise’s five-year term on August 5. 
 
The schedule for Dr. Enriquez's investiture ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Dr. Enriquez named UOG’s 12th President

The University of Guam Board of Regents (BOR) on Thursday, June 22, 2023, selected Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez as the next President of the University of Guam.  Congratulations, Dr. Enriquez!

UOG Charter Day - March 2

 

This year marks the 55th UOG Charter Day celebration, marking the anniversary of the University’s founding in 1952 and the signing of the charter that renamed the Territorial College of Guam to the University of Guam in 1968.

Charter Day is typically the largest community event held on the University of Guam campus every year — with more than 6,000 people in attendance enjoying food, games, demonstrations, and activities. This year, the celebration will include live music and entertainment, food trucks, vendors, campus tours and more!

Check out the Schedule page for the complete list of activities!

Under the theme "UOG Forward," this year's celebration looks to the future of the University's role in academics, research, and service.

‘Just push forward’: Upcoming master’s degree grad and cancer survivor shares story

Shirley Biala Balmeo will be one of more than 250 students who will receive their diplomas during the 2022 Fanuchånan Commencement at the University of Guam on Dec. 18.  

In a sea of graduates wearing caps and gowns on Sunday, Balmeo will not stand out conspicuously from the others who will be receiving their diplomas.  

But if you hear her story, the day she receives a second Master of Education degree will be a testimony of her personal triumph and not just her academic feat.  

The mother, middle school teacher for almost two decades, and graduate student was quietly battling breast cancer mid-life as she carried on with meeting the academic requirements for her master’s degree the past several months.  

And it was a battle she did not expect.  

At the beginning of this semester, Balmeo went for a routine mammogram, which is something she had done just as a matter of procedure. This year, when the scheduling to get a routine mammogram appeared to be more complex than necessary, she thought about being screened another time, but her husband Manny Balmeo persuaded her to just get it done. 

It turned out to be the one mammogram screening that would send her into a maze of more health screenings and tests and medical appointments and ultimately surgery – all while completing her homework and projects.  

She is going to earn a Master of Education with specialization in reading, to become more focused on classroom literacy and intervention. Her first graduate degree focused more on educational leadership.  

With her health crisis, she decided to carry on with her graduate studies.  

Balmeo compared her view to running a marathon: She’s past the point of turning back and is so close to the finish line, so she might as well finish what she started.  

But as sure as she was about her decision, it also left her feeling vulnerable – so much so that at one point she felt, she had lost control of all her academic responsibilities for her studies and wondered if all her major assignments were submitted on time – while she was undergoing treatment off island. 

It was during this time that she finally messaged one of her professors and shared with her that she was going through breast cancer surgery and post-surgery care. Prior to that point, none of her professors knew about her health crisis.  

“There was one instance when I was struggling with an assignment, and I wanted to make sure that I had submitted it and I don't know if it was the time difference or whatnot, but I had to just let my professor know that I was off island and why,” she said.  

She remembered Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, assistant professor in the UOG School of Education, as among the educators who supported her as soon as Rivera found out.  

Shirley Balmeo got through the demands from home as a mom and wife, her academic requirements, her obligation to her students, and attending to her health care by approaching the seemingly daunting tasks piecemeal: She took steps one day at a time, one week at a time, one medical appointment at a time, and one assignment at a time.  

Eventually, all her assignments and work required were submitted.  

"It helps to have a circle of support from family members, educators and others, including the cancer support groups in Guam," she said. For current and future students who might hit rough spots while pursuing degrees, here’s a piece of advice based on her experience.  

“When you get through a situation that seems daunting, and there seems no way out, take it a day at a time and get support. You don’t need to do it alone,” she said.  

“Just push forward; there's always tomorrow. I guess what I'm trying to say is there's always hope that you’ll get through it – even if it's just talking to your professors and letting them know what you're going through, and you know, I was pretty lucky that Dr. Rivera was supportive.” 

Dr. Rivera said her team is dedicated and committed to providing students with quality education.   

“We sincerely want our students to succeed and achieve their goals in life,” Rivera said.  

“Shirley has shown that despite adversity, with faith, hope, and the will to succeed, one can achieve great things.”

Please see original story at https://www.uog.edu/news-announcements/2022-2023/just-push-forward-upcoming-masters-degree-grad-and-cancer-survivor-shares-story.php