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Humanities Council turns 20
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Posted on Aug 14 2011
Over 300 humanities advocates and supporters gathered at Pacific Islands Club’s Magellan restaurant Friday night to join in the celebration of the NMI Humanities Council’s 20th anniversary for a fundraising dinner.
Established in 1991, the NMI Humanities Council is a private, non-profit corporation which aims to foster awareness, understanding and appreciation of the humanities through support of educational programs that relate the humanities to the indigenous cultures and to the intellectual needs and interests of the people of the CNMI.
Friday’s program featured the presentation of congressional recognition to the council’s current and former board members from the 31st Guam Legislature, the 17th CNMI House of Representatives, and the U.S. House of Representatives by Guam Senator B.J. Cruz, Guam House Speaker Judith T. Won Pat, CNMI House Speaker Eli Cabrera, and Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan.
The evening was highlighted by the special remarks entitled “I Korason Un’Mestisun Americano” of Fr. Eric Forbes of Guam, who underlined that people have a choice in defining who they are and the limitations inherent in this free will .
The event also featured some 15 donated artworks and signature items that were auctioned off as well as prizes given away in the raffle draw. American Red Cross NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh won the grand prize of two roundtrip tickets to Hong Kong courtesy of Fly Guam.
Live entertainment was provided by Larry Lee, Kaliko Johnson, and Virgil Viray.
NMI Humanities Council board chair Tracy Guerrero, in an interview, said the event turnout was beyond expectations. “I wasn’t expecting this many people to come and I’m so pleasantly surprised that we had this many people who care so much about the humanities in the Northern Marianas and I’m just happy that this has been a very successful event.”
For his part, executive director Scott Russell said, “I think everybody had a great time. I thought Fr. Forbes did an excellent job with his lecture. I’m just very thankful for all the people in the community that supported the Humanities on its 20th birthday.”
