HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Felis Anu Nuebu (Chamorro)

Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)

Parakapw Mwahu (Pohnpei)

Ungil Becheserrak (Palau)

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian)

Sut dal kum mum (Korean)

Gung Hay Fat Choy (Chinese)

Chúc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)

May the year 2014 bring you abundant blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Congratulations Fall 2013 Graduates!

The University of Guam celebrated the graduation of its 236 students on December 22, 2013 at the UOG Field House. It also marked a milestone by graduating its first fully-online Reading Program candidates.  Of the graduates, 67 received graduate degrees and 169 received undergraduate degrees. The Commencement Ceremonies featured keynote speaker Esther Puakela Kia’aina, First Deputy Director, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Reources.  Kia’aina served for nearly two decades on Capitol Hill as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Representative and UOG President Dr. Robert A. Underwood and to U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-Hawai’i), and as Legislative Assistant to former U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawai’i).  Kia’aina was recently nominated by President Obama to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior.  Congratulations Reading Cohort and Fall 2013 candidates! Enjoy the following UOG Commencement snapshots!

Keynote speaker Esther Puakela Kia’aina

 

Rachel Duenas, Elementary Education major from the School of Education, is this semester's Valedictorian.  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, DEAL/SOE; Duenas; and Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, SOE's Reading Program Chair.

 

Reading Cohort graduates pose for the camera!

 

Reading Cohort member from Pohnpei poses for the camera.  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Reading Program adjunct/DEAL Asst. Professor; Mr. Biza; Leilani Welley-Biza, Reading Cohort Pohnpei graduate; and Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, Reading Program Chair.

 

Reading Cohort with their signature "Thumb's Up!"
 

FIRST ONLINE COHORT:  The Reading Cohort gives a BIG smile, as they are the first to graduate from UOG's first fully-online program!

 

UOG's Dr. Rivera's!  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Dr. John Rivera.

   

Pictured L-R:  Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, Reading Program Chair; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, DEAL Asst. Professor & Reading Program Adjunct; and Troy McVey, Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

 

UOG Commencement Ceremonies held December 22, 2013 at the UOG Field House.

Teaching is a Noble Profession

Teaching is truly a noble profession.  Kudos to all teachers/professors who make a difference in the lives of their students!  God Bless you all.

Welcome New SOE Alumni Association Members!

Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood

Annie Perez

Theodore "Ted" Nededog

Nilfa Milan

SOE Alumni Association Holds its Annual Election

The SOE Alumni Association held a meaningful election and general membership drive December 14, 2013 at IRA's Community Book Fair held at the Agana Shopping Center.  Congratulations to the following officers who were re-elected:

President:  Graziella "Grace" Griffin
Vice-President:  Margaret Beem
Secretary:  Martha Sudo
Treasurer:  Rose Marie Cruz Castro
Publicity:  Lois Taitano Gumataotao
Webmaster:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera

We are also happy to announce the following new members and those who have renewed their membership:  Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, Annie Perez, Theodore Joseph Tenorio Nededog, Nilfa M. Milan, and Sandy Liberty.  We appreciate your support of your Alma Mater!  Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this special event!

Fine Arts Methods Students Shine!

The UOG Fine Arts Methods classes taught by Dr. Lourdes Ferrer showcased their bullying plays in the SBPA Multipurpose Room on December 13, 2013. They shared a special awareness message regarding the need to prevent bullying in our schools. Kudos to all involved! Enjoy the following snapshots taken during the performance!

SOE Recognition Ceremony Memorable

The SOE Recognition Ceremony held December 9, 2013 at the Sheraton Laguna and Resort was meaningful.  We celebrated the achievements of our undergraduates and graduates who will be receiving their respective degrees this semester.  A special recognition was also announced for the first online Reading Cohort chaired by Dr. Catherine Stoicovy and 2013 Distinguished Alumni Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera.  We are proud of our students, and we look forward to their continued success and contribution to our island's children.  Enjoy the following snapshots!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Enjoy this special holiday with your loved ones, and be sure to thank those who have touched your life and made a difference.

SOE Alumni Association - Final Call for Nominations

The SOE Alumni Association is accepting final nominations of officers, namely President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer Publicity, and Webmaster. The call for nominations will close Tuesday, December 10, 2013. The alumni election will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2011 from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the IRA Community Book Fair at Agana Shopping Center.

Exercise your right to vote for your favorite candidate at the SOE alumni table on December 14, 2013. Please note that only active SOE alumni members can cast their votes. SOE Alumni membership forms will also be available for membership. For more information, you may e-mail soe.alumni@gmail.com or contegriffin@gmail.com.

The current SOE Alumni Officers include the following:

President: Graziella "Grace" Griffin

Vice President: Margaret Beem

Recording Secretary: Martha Sudo

Treasurer: Rose Marie Cruz Castro

Publicity:  Lois Taitano Gumataotao

Webmaster:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera

*Dr. Lourdes Palomo Klitzkie, Professor Emerita, is the Advisor for the SOE Alumni Association.

26th Language Arts Conference Engaging!

The 26th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference held November 15 and 16, 2013 at UOG's Tan Lam Pek Kim English and Communication Building was engaging! The conference theme was Interweaving Tradition, Innovation, and Core Curriculum Standards in Literacy. The literacy-filled presentations and keynote speech by former Guam Department of Education Superintendent, Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, was insightful. Drs. George Kallingal and Margaruite Smith also served as plenary speakers with inspirational messages.  Enjoy the following snapshots!

IRA & SOE Alumni Association Officers present their workshop titled Using Journals to Connect Reading and Writing. Pictured L-R:  Grace Griffin, SOE Alumni President & IRA Webmaster; Margaret Beem, SOE Alumni Vice President & IRA Member; Martha Sudo, SOE Alumni & IRA Secretary; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, SOE Alumni & IRA Webmaster/LAC Chair; and Lois Gumataotao, SOE Alumni PIO & IRA Member.

IRA members enjoying the 26th Annual Regional Language Arts Conference.
Pictured L-R:  Charleena Yanger, IRA Historian; Lois T. Gumataotao, IRA member; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, IRA/SOE Alumni/LAC Webmaster; and Amanda Quan. 

LAC Presentation:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Lois T. Gumataotao get ready for their presentation Differentiated Instruction for English Language Arts.  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Rivera; Gumataotao; and Martha Sudo, IRA/SOE Alumni Secretary. 

The presentation, Differentiated Instruction for English Language Arts, was well attended. 

More participants from the Differentiated Instruction for English Language Arts presentation.