245 students graduate from NMC

The Northern Marianas College awarded degrees, diplomas, and certificates to 245 students during the institution’s 28th Commencement Exercise Saturday evening at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Hazel Sharon Bedia Handayan, who graduated with an associate degree in Nursing, led the graduating class with summa cum laude honors. Jacklyn Elago Echon, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, was awarded magna cum laude.

The two, together with Semona Ann Imagam, summa cum laude, associate degree in Liberal Arts; and Wen Hui Ye, summa cum laude, associate degree in Liberal Arts, received Spring 2008’s Academic Achievement Awards.

NMC presented 144 degrees, 65 certificates, and 36 diplomas. The degrees awarded include 28 bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education, 38 associate degrees in Applied Sciences, 13 associate degrees in Science; 27 masters degrees from the Framingham State College; 59 certificates of completion; six certificates of achievement, and 36 GED/Adult School diplomas.

NMC president Carmen Fernandez said that NMC’s graduation celebrates a major accomplishment for all its students. “I am thankful many community members were able to attend the ceremony as our graduates appear to assume important positions of responsibility and leadership in our society.”

Handayan, who also received the Leadership Award, said that she is very proud to have been part of the NMC community. She said its diversity encourages students to be who they are despite their different backgrounds.

“The NMC community breaks barriers, prejudice and encourages everyone to become part of the community to be able to share, understand and learn,” she said.

Handayan’s family flew all the way from the Philippines to see her graduate. She said their arrival came as a shock to her, but it was by far her perfect graduation gift.

Echon, who also received the Leadership Award, provided a word of advice to her fellow graduates: “We are all educated. Our certification is in our degree. And you may think of it as a ticket to the good life but let me ask you to think of it as an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”

She expressed gratitude for all the friendship, support, wisdom and happy and stressful moments she received at NMC.

Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, president and chief executive of Bank of Guam, delivered the keynote address.

Leon Guerrero, who serves as the chair of Bank of Guam’s board, had served as a senator for four terms in Guam’s legislature. She is also a member of the Guam Nurses Association.