NMC Weekly Update - April 12th

NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE





HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY NMC!

Greetings, Tirow and Hafa Adai! Please read the following articles about our college!

A Message/Open Invitation from our Acting President to Celebrate our 26th Year!
The Northern Marianas College thanks you for your contributions through the years and your willingness to partake and acknowledge the importance of postsecondary education in the CNMI.

The College is humbly requesting your presence to participate in the proclamation of April as “College Month” on April 13, 2007, Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the Student Center, building J.

With the discernment of our Commonwealth’s economic crisis, the college will proceed with its traditional annual Charter Day on a modest scale to showcase the institution’s academic programs and services to the students and the stakeholders of our community.

At the Open House, our academic programs and service-oriented programs such as Admissions and Records, Financial Aid Office, Career Center, Community Development Institute, CREES and the TRIO Program will showcase the various degrees, certifications, institutional, and communal services available to our students and community at large. We will culminate the day’s event with a mini carnival for wholesome family oriented entertainment at the Southfield.

The college’s bereavement of our Korean students has left a void in the hearts of the students, faculty and staff. Therefore, we will commence the activities and entertainment segment of the event with a thirty-minute tribute that includes songs and testaments of their contributions to life, love, and their conviction to quality learning.

I hope you may join us for this memorial event. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Ms. Debbie Diaz at 234-5498, ext. 2100.

Respectfully,

/s/ Jeanette T. Villagomez, Acting President
Northern Marianas College



A Message from the Chair of our 26th NMC Charter Day Celebration – Ms. Debbie Diaz
As Chairperson for the 26th Northern Marianas College Charter Day event, it is my pleasure to share some of the events that will take place during our traditional annual celebration.

Charter Day will be tomorrow, Friday, 13 April 2007, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. We will start off with our Open House to showcase all our academic/student programs and services from all departments from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Our academic departments have submitted a variety of creative promotional activities to promote each of their programs including video presentations, slide shows, and informational materials to hand-out to the general public visiting our campus. Our student services and community programs have also worked to prepare for such event with similar activities as that of academic departments. CREES department, for one, is starting the open-house with a coffee connection that the College community is invited to
attend. All in all, our campus is working collaboratively to ensure that our open house is one that will be beneficial to the college, participating private and public schools, and the general CNMI community as a whole. Thank you to all faculty, staff and administrators for your valuable contribution and participation on this.

We will close our humble ceremony with food, fun and entertainment at the Southfield of our campus from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Logistics Team (Ross Manglona), ASNMC (Rose Jones), Marketing and Solicitation (Marian Tudela and Tanya Songsong), Finance and Budget (Sol Barnes), Open House (Chrislaine Pangelinan and Clarice Deleon Guerrero), and Entertainment Team (Paul Guerrero) have worked extremely hard to make this event a reality despite many obstacles along the way to include funding constraints, the passing of our beloved Korean students, and the then approaching typhoon. I, along with Co-Chair Mark Mendiola, want to take this small window of opportunity to THANK them, along with their respective subcommittees, for their untiring efforts in ensuring such an event. Without the dedicated commitment of these hard working team, this Charter Day event will not come to pass.

For your reference on all activities that will take place, I have attached the program of events for our Charter Day. Please feel free to share your input or comments as it would help future Charter Day committees shape a better and improved Charter Day annual event.

Again, on behalf of all Committee members, THANK YOU for your part into making this year's Charter Day possible, and we look forward to a successful event.

Best Regards,

/s/ Debbie M. Diaz


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Northern Marianas College
26th Charter Day – Cultural Diversity in Education
April 13, 2007
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

PROGRAM

I. OPEN HOUSE - Northern Marianas College Main Campus

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Open House

Board of Regents – Building P
Office of the President – Building P
Office of Institutional Effectiveness – Building P
Financial and Administrative Services – Building N
Office of Student Activities and Leadership – Building J
Counseling Programs and Services – Building I
Career Center – Building I
Library Services – Building O
Curriculum Resource Center – Building A
Information and Learning Technology – Building N
Admissions, Records and Financial Aid – Building N
Upward Bound Program – Building I
Student Support Services – Building J
Educational Talent Search – Building S
Community Development Institute – Building P
Cooperative Research and Extension Education Services (CREES) – Building F
School of Education – Building T
Languages & Humanities – Building X
Social Sciences & Fine Arts – Building K
Sciences, Mathematics & Technology – Building K
Business – Building V
Nursing – Building C
Health and Physical Education – NMC Gymnasium

10:00 a.m. – Proclamation by the Honorable Timothy P. Villagomez, CNMI Lt. Governor (at the Student Center, Building J)

II. CHARTER DAY FESTIVITY – Northern Marianas College Southfield

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Tribute to NMC Korean Students
i. Opening Remarks – Acting President, Jeanette T. Villagomez
ii. Korean Choir
iii. Judy Soo, Singer

4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Teachers vs. Students Challenge
4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – CPI Refaluwasch Warriors
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Larry & Kaliko
5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – Ms. Kayla Dee Atalig, 2007 Miss Teen Marianas
5:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Symbiote Band/Scavenger Hunt
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – First Circle Band
7:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. – Corn Beef Band/Fastest Texter Competition
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – First Circle Band
8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Project Impact – Hip hop Dance Group Performers

8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Promotional Announcements/Slide Show
9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Stroken Band

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NMC Helps Division of Parks and Recreation
In the immediate wake of the tragic drownings at Forbidden Island on March 23rd, the Division of Parks and Recreation has begun the process of developing warning signs in multiple languages for posting in the area. In need of translations, representatives of the Division came to NMC for help. English instructor Bruce Johnson was available to assist in this process. Johnson asked two of his students and one of his colleagues to complete the translations in their native languages: student Kyong Won Lee assisted with the Korean translation, student Gao Feifei the Chinese, and Japanese instructor Hiroko Yasukata the Japanese. The translations were done and picked up by the Division within hours of their request.


NMC Gears Up for Open House
NMC Departments are ready for the upcoming open house that will be held here on campus at each respective department site on April 13, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All departments will promote their areas through brochures, handouts, presentations and other creative means in attracting potential students and in communicating the availability of programs and services to the general public.

Ms. Chrislaine Pangelinan is the Chair responsible for coordinating this event and she will be more than happy to assist your individual departments with inquiries or other assistance your department may need. You can reach her directly at ext. 1280 or through e-mail to chrislainep@nmcnet.edu.


CREES to Host Coffee Connection and Encourages Your Visit to their Open House
The Director and Staff of NMC-CREES would like to invite you to their Coffee Connection on:
April 13, 2007 beginning at 8:30am until 10:00am at the CREES Conference Room in Bldg. F. Please stop in and treat yourself to fresh baked goods, cold/hot drinks and other goodies.

In line with the Coffee Connection, CREES will also hold their Annual Open House in between Bldgs K, N, and G. The open house will highlight the available programs that CREES has to offer to the community. Here are some activities that you can avail to:

-Free "Healthy Cooking" demonstration in the FCS kitchen beginning at 9:00am. (Please respond to this email if you would be participating)
-Food Sampling at the Nutrition Booth
-Hand made trinkets sale (CREES-Sewing Class Students)
-Shrimp sale $8.00 lbs (ready to eat sizes, please visit the Aquaculture booth) And many more!

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Joanne Ogo at ext. 1726.


Associated Students of NMC Seeks Volunteers for Teachers vs. Students Challenge
This coming Friday is our 26th annual Charter Day Celebration and we will be having a variety of entertainers and performers. As a new trend we are also having a Teachers vs. Students Challenge. ASNMC is soliciting for volunteers to represent the staff, faculty and instructors’ side of the Teachers vs. Students Challenge and also any work-study students to represent the students’ side of the challenge.

Most of you may be wondering what you will be getting yourselves into when signing up for this challenge so here it is...There will be an obstacle course to start off the challenge and this course consists of 5 participants from each team to go through a short course that will include a three-legged race, sack hop, and others. The second event will be an egg run (Egg on spoon, running from one point to another without dropping the egg). And the last event will be a water pass. This will perhaps be the untidiest of the three events. This is basically having 12 participants from each team line up and pass water from the front of the line to the back of the line to fill up a bucket at the end of the line. These are fun-filled and exciting games and we hope you get a chance to sign up for at least one event.

If you are interested, please let ASNMC know via email or call them at ext. 1253. They hope to hear from you and on a side note this competition is scheduled from 4:30pm to 4:45pm. ASNMC thanks you for your time and hopes to see you all at Charter Day!


NMC Staff Receives 2007 Advocates of the Year Awards
The CNMI Developmental Disabilities Council handed out awards in several categories that recognized individuals and entities as 2007 Advocates of the Year. An award ceremony was held at the Minachom Adao on March 31, 2007, to celebrate the end of the month-long 2007 March Disabilities Awareness Month activities and to recognize individuals and businesses that contributed with the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in the CNMI.

Northern Marianas College is proud to share that two NMC employees and one NMC student were recognized by the Developmental Disabilities Council and received the “2007 Advocate of the Year” awards.

Susan Satur, Director of Counseling and Coordinator for Disability Support Services co-shared the “2007 Educator Advocate of the Year” award with Michael Aguon, a part-time NMC student on Tinian. Susan was recognized for her dedication and efforts in assisting and advocating for NMC students with disabilities (Tee Abraham accepted the award on behalf of Susan Satur who was not present at the event).

Mike, also a full-time Special Education teacher aide at the Tinian High School was recognized for his efforts to assist students receiving special education receive the equipment and services they require to access school programs and activities. Mike continues to work with special education students and their families about disability and disability rights.

Tee Abraham, Director for Rehabilitation and Human Services program, received the “2007 Community Advocate for the Year” award. Tee was recognized by the Council for her advocacy work and collaboration with other disability and disability-related groups to improve programs and services to people with disabilities. Tee continues to provide training and share information to bring awareness about disability, disability rights, and community resources for people with disabilities and their families in the CNMI.

(In this photo, Michael Aguon and Tee Abraham smile proudly as they display their awards. Congratulations to Mike, Sue and Tee!)

Nominations for the 2007 advocate awards were solicited by the Developmental Disabilities Council from various individuals and groups that assist or provide services to people with disabilities.


NMC Tinian Instructional Site Coordinates Fun Easter Egg Hunt for Students
Prior to Spring Break, NMC’s Tinian Instructional Site kicked off the celebration of Easter by sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt that made NMC students run after colorful eggs filled with delightful treats.

The hunt took place behind Building B, in the grassy quad at 10:00 am on March 29, 2007. Students quote, “You are never too young to participate in an Easter Egg Hunt.” It was an enjoyable and egg-citing day for the students, thanks to the generous staff of NMC on Tinian!


NMC Rota Takes Hale and Hearty Steps to Jump Start College Month!
NMC Rota is pleased to inform the college community that the Health Walk they lead on Saturday, March 31st was a great success. The walk started at Sunset Villa and ended at the Round House next to the San Francisco De Borja Church. The event was sponsored by the NMC Rota Instructional Site, Red Cross and the Diabetes Association of Rota.

The local community showed their support by coming out to participate in the event. After the walk, participants were able to get their blood pressure, glucose level and BMI checked by a registered nurse. The staff of NMC Tinian are very thankful and extend their sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in this event! Regent Elaine Hocog Orilla was also present to show her support.

(In the photo, Mr. Adrian Atalig -Rota Instructional Site’s Program Coordinator/Administrator (center) with Mayor Joseph S. Inos (left) and Mr. Ricardo Taisacan, Resident Director, Dept. of Labor)



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NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE
27th Commencement Exercises
May 19, 2007 (Saturday)
Marianas High School Gymnasium (MHS)
Susupe, Saipan
4:00 P.M.

MASTER OF CEREMONY (MC)
Herbert Del Rosario

Assistant MC
David Attao
Chrislaine Pangelinan

COMMENCEMENT THEME
"Knowledge: The Key to Unlock Your Potential"

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Senator Jude Hofschneider

GRADUATION REHEARSAL
May 17, 2007 (Thursday)
Marianas High School Gymnasium
3:30 P.M.

BACCALAUREATE MASS PRACTICE
May 17, 2007
6:00 p.m.
Kristo Rai Church, Garapan

BACCALAUREATE MASS
May 18, 2007
6:00 p.m.
Kristo Rai Church, Garapan

Additional Information, Contact:
Doris Aldan-Atalig @ x1524/28/39 or dorisa@nmcnet.edu
Susan Satur@ 1341 or susans@nmcnet.edu
Rose Jones @ x1252/1253 or rosej@nmcnet.edu
Bernie Sablan @ x1300/1301 or bernies@nmcnet.edu
(Caps-n-Gowns, Rings, Invitations)



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For all inquiries about our college blog, please send an email to beckys@nmcnet.edu or contact the President’s Office at 234-5498, extensions 1000-1002.