Palau Community College held its 56th Commencement Exercises at the college cafeteria. A total of eighty-six (86) students received their degrees from Palau Community College and seventeen (17) graduate completed their studies under the PCC Adult High School Program.
Dr. Thomas Krise President of the University of Guam was this year’s commencement speaker. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and a former President of the Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.
The officiators of the commencement exercises include Reklai Raphael Bao Ngirmang, Chairman of PCC Board of Trustees Billy G. Kuartei, Minister of Education Sinton Soalablai, Governor of Ngchesar State Florencio Adelbai, Senator Stevenson J. Kuartei, MD, Vice Chair PCC Board of Trustees Romana Wong, Delegate Yutaka Gibbons Jr., Pastor John Zimmer, PCC Student Trustee Kirah I. Rebelkuul, PCC President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei, and Dean of Academic Affairs, Robert Ramarui.
The Valedictorian for the Palau Community College Class of 2019 was Ms. Francine K. Ngemaes. Ms. Ngemaes received an Associate of Science degree in Community and Public Health Program. This year’s Outstanding Citizenship Award recipient was Mr. Bradley R. Augustine a graduate of the ED-Elementary Education Program. Ms. Ngemaes and Mr. Augustine are also distinguished member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society-Beta Omicron Zeta Chapter (BOZ). The PTK-BOZ has sixteen (16) graduates who received the Outstanding Student Award in recognition of their academic achievements in their respective programs. This is an international honor society for two year colleges. In order to be a member, a student must be enrolled in regionally accredited institution offering associate degree program, must have completed at least 12 credit hours of coursework leading to an associate degree program, must have receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college presently enrolled, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and up to continue membership in the society.