A Tribute to the Late President Spensin James

President Spensin James passed away on October 2, 2012, and laid to rest on October 4, 2012. He was the fourth president of the College of Micronesia-FSM.

“I do not believe we could have pulled off the move from CCM/MOC and Marshall’s Nursing to COM-FSM if it was not for Spensin—he lead us –a bunch of radicals as we were called—as Staff Senate President—He was the visible Micronesian and stood firm for our own college—the political leadership (except FSM President Haglelgam) were in the main opposed—but he never backed down.” – Professor Richard Womack, Ed.D.

Spensin James was the President of the College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) since January 2005 until March 2011. Prior to that, he also served as Interim President and Acting President of the College from May 2004 to January 2005 and from March to May 2004. Before becoming the President, Mr. James was the Vice President for Instructional Affairs for 11 ½ years and instructor, then chairperson, in the Math/Science Division of the Community College of Micronesia (predecessor of COM-FSM) for 13 years. While at the College he also served as the Director of the Title III Program, Project Director for a Vocational Grant on Seaweed Cultivation, and Coordinator of a SPREP Ecological Project. While in school he also worked as a research assistant at the University of Guam Marine Lab and a part-time chemist at Cenex Oil Refinery in Laurel, Montana. He also taught at PICS High School and was a clerk at the Pohnpei Department of Education in his early career.

“Spensin was a man of God. His love and service was a measuring stick for many of us. From the time we met until the time we parted, I saw no changes in the spirit.” – Kalwin Kephas, Kosrae Campus Dean

He received his master’s degree in biology from the University of Guam in August 1982 and his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, in August of 1974. Before being employed by the College, he was enrolled in the Imi Ho’ola Program (a 12-month post-baccalaureate program designed to provide educational opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds that are deemed capable of succeeding in medical school) at the University Of Hawaii John A. Burns School Of Medicine.

“Achengicheng, Mr. James Spensin, left behind a legacy of service and true dedication to the cause of building lives, communities and island nations to the best of his ability, committing both his young and mature years as a teacher/professor, an advisor, an administrator and a leader. Under his tutelage, through the years, many young Micronesians whose paths crossed CCM/COM/COM-FSM, have gone on to become successful contributing members of our society. The cause of developing the human resources of our young country is one that kept him awake at night, and kept him going day by day till his last breath do him part. He may have transferred to a higher plane, but his legacy of dedicated service for his people lives on.” – Graceful Enlet, COM-FSM Board of Regents Member

Mr. James has served on the following boards: Pacific Postsecondary Education Council, Ohwa Christian High School Board of Trustees, Pohnpei State Board of Education, Pohnpei Head Start, and FSM Micronesian Maritime Authority.

Mr. James was born on March 7, 1949, on Pingelap Island, Pohnpei, and leaves behind his wife and five children.