PIU Quarterly Newsletter

Dear Friend,

What were you like after high school? Were you shy? Outgoing? Ready to conquer the world? Or not? Are you the same way now...what made the difference? For Ceci Pedro, May 2012 graduate, Pacific Islands University (PIU) has made the difference.

I asked Ceci what kind of change PIU has made in her life over the past three years. She said immediately, “I’m more open to others.”  As a new student at PIU, Ceci was so shy that she didn’t want to speak in class at all, and with other people very rarely. Now she readily agrees to an interview as I try to share a part of her story so you can see the difference that PIU makes in the lives of its students.

So what happens at PIU to make such a drastic difference in a student’s life?  For Ceci, it wasn’t one single event. Living in the dorms with so many different people was one major factor. PIU’s diverse campus lends itself to a richness of culture that can be challenging but also eye-opening and fulfilling. Teacher requirements, such as speaking in class and oral projects made a big difference in Ceci’s transformation. And her favorite campus events, PIU Days and the Spiritual Emphasis retreats, were highlights of her experience here. These highly popular annual events focus on spiritual growth, teamwork and fun. As Ceci’s transformation occurred she was identified as a leader and was invited to participate in PIU’s Voices of Micronesia team that spent 9 weeks on the west coast of the mainland 2 years ago. Today, Ceci is a campus leader as a Resident Assistant in the women’s dorm and mentor to a specific cohort of girls. After graduation, Ceci would like to become an officer in the military.

Did you know that you play a part in the transformation of our students as well? With every dollar you donate, every prayer you offer, every time you say our name, you are offering your support to what Pacific Islands University does in the lives of its students and in the entire community of the Pacific. How many other invitations do you have that give you the opportunity to affect an entire region? Your partnership with PIU allows you to impact the lives of people in the entire region of Micronesia.

We are in the middle of our Spring Fundraising drive, January to June 15th.  Our goal is $100,000 and we have achieved one third of that already. Your contribution will help us reach our goal, but more importantly, it will be contribute to the total life transformation of students like Ceci. Donations can be made on line here.

Blessings,

Lisa Collins, Acting Director of Advancement, Director of Libraries