College Getting Ready for 56th Commencement Exercises
PALIKIR, Pohnpei (December 19, 2012) – Students from the national and Pohnpei campuses met at the FSM-China Friendship Sports Center today to rehearse as they prepare to celebrate the 56th Commencement Exercises tomorrow.
Students were excited as they practiced processing and receiving their awards.
Beginning with the 55th Commencement Exercises, the college adopted the practice of parading flags of all countries whose citizens or nationals are part of the college community.
Besides the flags of the Federated States of Micronesia and the four FSM states of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap, the college will be parading flags from Japan, United Kingdom, Palau, Sri Lanka, Canada, India, Romania, United States of America, China, Germany, Philippines, Fiji, Kiribati, American Samoa, Cameroon, and Lithuania.
As well, the college has incorporated a Micronesian theme into its commencement exercises to emphasize that COM-FSM is a Micronesian institution. The blowing of conch shell was incorporated to herald the beginning of the ceremony, as a commencement exercise is the most important event of the college.
The 56th Commencement Exercises will take place on Thursday, December 20, 2012, at the FSM-China Friendship Sports Center, located at the National Campus in Palikir. The ceremony will start at exactly 9 am.
Order of Ceremonies
Processional
Grand Marshall, Flag Bearers, Graduating Classes of Summer and Fall 2012, Members of the Faculty of Instruction and Support Services Staff, Honored Guests, Vice Presidents, Members of the Board of Regents, COM-FSM President
Invocation
Pastor Epel Ilon, Pacific Mission Fellowship
FSM National Anthem
Welcome Remarks
Ringlen P. Ringlen Vice President for Student Services
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society: Project Graduation
President, PTK Honor Society, Beta Omicron Upsilon Chapter
Introduction of the Commencement Speaker
Salutatorian, Graduating Class of Fall 2012
Commencement Address
Senator Dohsis Halbert, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, 17th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, Commencement Speaker
Conferral of Academic Honors
Joseph M. Daisy, Ed.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
Assisted by
Mariana Ben Dereas Vice President for Instructional Affairs
Presentation of the Candidates for Summer and Fall 2012 Graduation
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, UOG and COM-FSM Bachelor of Arts Partnership Program
By
Representative from the University of Guam
Third Year Certificate of Achievement, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, and Certificate of Achievement
By
Mariana Ben Dereas Vice President for Instructional Affairs
Conferral of Degrees and Certificates of Achievement
Kasio E. Mida, Chairman, COM-FSM Board of Regents
Acceptance of the Graduates
Honorable Rufino Mauricio, Secretary, Department of Education, Federated States of Micronesia
Reading of the Rosters of Summer and Fall 2012 Graduates
Joseph Habuchmai Vice President for Administrative Services
and
Ringlen P. Ringlen Vice President for Student Services
Distribution of Diplomas
Joseph M. Daisy, Ed.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
Assisted by
Kasio E. Mida, Chairman, COM-FSM Board of Regents
Senator Dohsis Halbert, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, 17th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, Commencement Speaker
Mariana Ben Dereas Vice President for Instructional Affairs
James Walter Currie Vice President for Cooperative Research and Extension
Turning of Tassels
Joseph M. Daisy, Ed.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
Benediction
Pastor Epel Ilon, Pacific Mission Fellowship
Recessional
Grand Marshall, Flag Bearers, Honored Guests, Vice Presidents, Members of the Board of Regents, COM-FSM President, Members of the Faculty of Instruction and Support Services Staff, Graduates of Summer and Fall 2012
Master of Ceremonies
Joseph Saimon Director of Development and Community Relations
