The UOG Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony held November 14, 2013 at the Guam Hilton Resort and Spa was memorable. A total of five awards were given to individuals deserving of the
distinction. The winners are listed below along with their
thoughts on how their education at UOG shaped them into who they are today.
Awardees:
Annparo Rios
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner,
Guam Behavioral Health & Wellness Center
B.S, Nursing, 2003
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
“My education from the University of Guam has helped to shape me into the person I am today by allowing me to reconnect with my island home after spending my childhood and early adult life away from Guam. I didn’t have a sense of where “home” was. My goal was to pursue a nursing degree and have a career as a nurse. It wasn’t an easy one and would not have been possible without the support of my loved ones and instructors who knew and understood my history and experiences and encouraged me every step of the way to achieve my goal. My experience at UOG allowed me to accomplish my goals, forge friendships with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and be comfortable calling Guam “home” once again.”
Darlene Moore
Founder & President,
Micronesian Archaeological Research Services
B.A. Anthropology, 1979, MA Behavioral Science, 1984
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
“The education I received at the University of Guam during the years from 1976 to 1983 in pursuit of BA and MA degrees in Anthropology and Behavioral Science with a focus on Archaeology provided the background, training, and experience that were required in order for me to meet the federal qualification standards for directing and participating in Historic Preservation projects. After graduation, I worked on several UOG archaeological research projects which provided additional training opportunities. Then I formed a sole proprietorship and hired other qualified people as needed to complete Cultural Resource Management projects in the Mariana Islands. As the number and size of our projects grew, we (two other women with BA degrees and one with a PhD degree in Anthropology) formed Micronesian Archaeological Research Services (MARS), Inc. Incorporated in 1992, we are still operating, although two of our four original people have since retired. The past 25 years would not have been possible if UOG had not been there to offer the classes and guidance needed to qualify me for work in this fascinating field.”
George Chiu
Executive Vice President,
Tan Holdings Corporation
B.A. Accounting, 1987
School of Business and Public Administration
“I’d experienced stateside campus life, but it was at the University of Guam that my commitment to education was fortified. Professors and facilitators opened opportunities through learning not in just my primary fields of study – but other supportive and relevant areas that provided well-rounded and thoughtful opportunities that contributed to my success. Attending classes with students from the islands who also became leaders and professionals has developed a collegiate fraternity. I often meet individuals who also attended UOG; we share experiences, college courses, personalities and knowledge that contributes to a valuable basis of friendship and spirit of cooperation in mutually rewarding and beneficial collaborations and endeavors.”
Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera
Assistant Professor, University of Guam
B.A. Early Childhood Elementary, 1997, M.ED. Language and Literacy 2000
School of Education
“I am proud to be an alumna of the University of Guam. Without the guidance and inspiration of my brilliant professors at UOG’s School of Education, I would not have made it this far in my career. Thank you UOG for helping me to grow and gain the wisdom to excel in all that I do. Like my father always says, “Winning starts in the mind. Whatever the mind can conceive, it will achieve.“ Let us all think like winners! BIBA UOG!”
Shiela Concepcion
Quality Manager, DZSP 21 LLC
B.A. Computer Science, 2002.
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
“My education at the University of Guam has been instrumental in shaping both my professional and personal life. It helped expand my creativity, enhance my project management skills, build my self-confidence and foster my passion for technology – all of which has transformed my life and propelled my career from being the lead Computer Programmer to the Manager of Quality on the largest Base Operations Support Services Contract in the Department of Defense. The experiences I gained from the University served as the ultimate foundation for my dreams coming true, but this is only the beginning….”
Nominees were judged by a committee composed of the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, the respective dean or director of the school or college, a faculty member from the respective school or college, a representative of the UOG Alumni Association and an at-large judge from the community based on the following criteria:
• Professional accomplishment in the field: has the nominee attained a high level of distinction and achievement through scholarship, research, teaching, creative contributions to the arts (comprising Humanities, Performing and Fine Arts, Social Sciences and Business) or sciences (comprising Science, Engineering and Health Sciences) and/or service to society?
• Candidate exhibits a high degree of character and integrity.
• Civic and University involvement, awareness and concern.
• Do the nominee's achievements have local, national and/or international significance?
For more information, please contact Norman Analista, Director, Development and Alumni Affairs, University of Guam at 735-2586 or 797-3333.
--------------------------------------------------Awardees:
Annparo Rios
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner,
Guam Behavioral Health & Wellness Center
B.S, Nursing, 2003
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
“My education from the University of Guam has helped to shape me into the person I am today by allowing me to reconnect with my island home after spending my childhood and early adult life away from Guam. I didn’t have a sense of where “home” was. My goal was to pursue a nursing degree and have a career as a nurse. It wasn’t an easy one and would not have been possible without the support of my loved ones and instructors who knew and understood my history and experiences and encouraged me every step of the way to achieve my goal. My experience at UOG allowed me to accomplish my goals, forge friendships with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and be comfortable calling Guam “home” once again.”
Darlene Moore
Founder & President,
Micronesian Archaeological Research Services
B.A. Anthropology, 1979, MA Behavioral Science, 1984
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
“The education I received at the University of Guam during the years from 1976 to 1983 in pursuit of BA and MA degrees in Anthropology and Behavioral Science with a focus on Archaeology provided the background, training, and experience that were required in order for me to meet the federal qualification standards for directing and participating in Historic Preservation projects. After graduation, I worked on several UOG archaeological research projects which provided additional training opportunities. Then I formed a sole proprietorship and hired other qualified people as needed to complete Cultural Resource Management projects in the Mariana Islands. As the number and size of our projects grew, we (two other women with BA degrees and one with a PhD degree in Anthropology) formed Micronesian Archaeological Research Services (MARS), Inc. Incorporated in 1992, we are still operating, although two of our four original people have since retired. The past 25 years would not have been possible if UOG had not been there to offer the classes and guidance needed to qualify me for work in this fascinating field.”
George Chiu
Executive Vice President,
Tan Holdings Corporation
B.A. Accounting, 1987
School of Business and Public Administration
“I’d experienced stateside campus life, but it was at the University of Guam that my commitment to education was fortified. Professors and facilitators opened opportunities through learning not in just my primary fields of study – but other supportive and relevant areas that provided well-rounded and thoughtful opportunities that contributed to my success. Attending classes with students from the islands who also became leaders and professionals has developed a collegiate fraternity. I often meet individuals who also attended UOG; we share experiences, college courses, personalities and knowledge that contributes to a valuable basis of friendship and spirit of cooperation in mutually rewarding and beneficial collaborations and endeavors.”
Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera
Assistant Professor, University of Guam
B.A. Early Childhood Elementary, 1997, M.ED. Language and Literacy 2000
School of Education
“I am proud to be an alumna of the University of Guam. Without the guidance and inspiration of my brilliant professors at UOG’s School of Education, I would not have made it this far in my career. Thank you UOG for helping me to grow and gain the wisdom to excel in all that I do. Like my father always says, “Winning starts in the mind. Whatever the mind can conceive, it will achieve.“ Let us all think like winners! BIBA UOG!”
Shiela Concepcion
Quality Manager, DZSP 21 LLC
B.A. Computer Science, 2002.
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
“My education at the University of Guam has been instrumental in shaping both my professional and personal life. It helped expand my creativity, enhance my project management skills, build my self-confidence and foster my passion for technology – all of which has transformed my life and propelled my career from being the lead Computer Programmer to the Manager of Quality on the largest Base Operations Support Services Contract in the Department of Defense. The experiences I gained from the University served as the ultimate foundation for my dreams coming true, but this is only the beginning….”
Nominees were judged by a committee composed of the Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, the respective dean or director of the school or college, a faculty member from the respective school or college, a representative of the UOG Alumni Association and an at-large judge from the community based on the following criteria:
• Professional accomplishment in the field: has the nominee attained a high level of distinction and achievement through scholarship, research, teaching, creative contributions to the arts (comprising Humanities, Performing and Fine Arts, Social Sciences and Business) or sciences (comprising Science, Engineering and Health Sciences) and/or service to society?
• Candidate exhibits a high degree of character and integrity.
• Civic and University involvement, awareness and concern.
• Do the nominee's achievements have local, national and/or international significance?
For more information, please contact Norman Analista, Director, Development and Alumni Affairs, University of Guam at 735-2586 or 797-3333.
Additional Thoughts:
"I am deeply grateful for the honor, love, and support shared during this special event. Thank you for this award and all you do for UOG - the Natural Choice. I can only hope that the instrumental examples set by this year's award recipients inspire other alumni to do what they can for this great institution and the rest of the community."
-Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, SOE Alumni Association Webmaster
Si Yu'os Ma'ase'! Salamat! Kalangan! Kommool tata! Mesulang! Kammagar! Xie Xie! Domo Arigato! Thank you once again! BIBA UOG!
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| UOG Distinguished Alumni Awards: Pictured L-R: Norman Analista, Director for Development & Alumni Affairs; Eileen Agahan, UOG Alumni Association President; Dr. Robert Underwood, UOG President; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, UOG Distinguished Alumni award recipient for School of Education; Dr. John Sanchez, Interim SOE Dean; Dr. Anita Enriquez, Interim SVP; and Grace Griffin, SOE Alumni Association President. |
