Baccalaureate at Pacific Islands University

Last night the Baccalaureate service was held at the Guam Onnuri Church for the 2010 Pacific Islands University graduates. This year we have 19 graduates; 11 Bachelors of Arts Degrees and 8 Associates of Arts Degrees. We have graduates from Chuuk, Palau, Yap, Pohnpei and one from the USA. The graduates planned and ran the program and did a great job. Here are some pictures from the baccalaureate ceremony.

Here are most of the graduating men. Front Row: John Aitaro, Judson Marar, Dave Souleng and Doug O'Meara. 2nd Row: Jeffrey Timothy. Hansen Daunny and Mike Ihpa

And here are some of the ladies: Miury Marar, Alicia Pedrus, Chelsea Phillip and Maybellene Marar 

John Aitaro made the opening remarks thanking the staff and faculty, fellow students and churches for their contribution toward their helping them through their education. He also gave a moving tribute to his wife and her sacrifice to help him get his degree. John said that the thing he liked about PIU was that the faculty and staff did not approach him as a number but as a person with a name and with grace, mercy and love.

Miury Marar led the opening prayer. 

The Voices of Micronesia provided a song

Mike Ihpa read the class Bible passage, Deuteronomy 31.1-8

Chelsea Phillip delivered the salutatorian address, a stirring exhortation to take their PIU education and go out to deliver the Gospel message in word and action by reaching out to our communities with the love of Christ. She urged us to "do it now!" 

"Grandpa" Steve Bradley delivered the keynote address based on the class verses in Deuteronomy. Steve also received the "Teacher of the Year" award from the students. 

Pastor Jeff Johnson of the Guam Lutheran Church closed the Baccalaureate service with a benediction.