25th Anniversary Event Schedule
Parade and Opening Ceremony Cultural Show & Sports Competition (Parade begins at 9:00AM at the Spanish Wall. Ceremony and Activities 10:00AM - 4:00PM.)
To kick off the College’s 25th Anniversary and celebrate its founding day, a parade of cultures will begin at the Spanish Wall in Kolonia and proceed towards the PICS Field. Official opening of the Founding Day activities will take place followed by cultural presentations and sports competitions by students. The public is invited to join the college to celebrate its founding and 25 years of student success.
Traditional Canoe & Canoe House Dedication 9:00AM - 11:00AM| National Campus
To encourage its students in cultural education and preservation through innovation, the College recently acquired a hand-carved sailing canoe from Yap. A traditional Yapese canoe house was built by the Yapese Community of Pohnpei and COM-FSM students, to teach students how to gather required natural materials and erect the traditional structure. A short ceremony will be held to dedicate the vessel and its new home by Navigator Hilary Raigetal.
Lecture:"College Education for FSM: Why? 3:30PM - 4:30PM| National Campus MITC
Father Fran Hezel, S.J. will be giving a forum lecture on “College Education for FSM: Why?”. He has lived and served as a priest in several of the Micronesian islands since 1963. He has lectured and written on social change and impact in the region, as well as on the history and western influence of Micronesia. His books are also used at the college and are available at the College Bookstore. Hezel will also be available after the lecture for book signing. Open to the public.
Anniversary Convocation 9:00AM| National Campus' FSM-China Friendship Gymnasium-Practice Court
A 25th Anniversary Convocation will take place to celebrate the primacy of academics at the College. The event will honor and showcase its alumni, faculty, staff, and students. The celebration highlights the academic work that makes student success a reality at COM- FSM. Open to the public.
"Tropical Light" Photo Exhibit
1:00PM - 2:00PM| National Campus MITC
Journalist and Photographer Floyd Takeuchi will showcase his photo exhibit “Tropical Light” which debuted in Japan in May 2017. Accompanying the exhibit will be a lecture by Takeuchi titled “In Search of Custom, A Photographic Journey”. Takeuchi has authored several photo essays including “Majuro: Essays from an Atoll” and “School On The Hill: Micronesia’s Remarkable Xavier High School”. Based in Hawaii,Takeuchi was born and raised in the Marshall Islands, and his work in the Pacific region spans over 40 years. Open to the public.
"Island soldier" - Screening and Q & A
3:30PM - 5:30PM| Pohnpei Cinemas
From former Peace Corps Volunteer and director Nathan Fitch, a documentary based on the story of Kosraean soldiers and their families, as they leave their islands for service in the United States Armed Services. The film follows these soldiers and their families as they face the realities of being soldiers, and the harsh struggles to cope, heal, and survive as “Island Soldiers”. The film has been shown in several Film Festivals in the United States, Canada, and in the Czech Republic. It is the winner of the Audience Award at both the Guam International Film Festival, and the San Diego Asian Film Festival. A Q&A session will take place with Mr. Fitch after the film. This film is not suggested for young viewers. Open to the public.
Gala Dinner
6:00PM| National Campus' FSM-China
Friendship Gymnasium-Practice Court
A fundraising dinner will be held at the National Campus’ China-FSM Friendship Gymnasium-Practice Court. Proceeds from the event will go to the Endowment Fund. Entertainment, food, and drinks will be provided to ticketed guests. Tickets are on sale now at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), formerly Pohnpei Campus, and the National Campus. For more information call (691) 320-2480.
