Business Seniors Present Industry Analysis and Forecast
Fall 2008 graduating seniors in the School of Business and Public Administration Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Program will present their analysis and forecast of various industries on Guam on December 11, 2008 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Jesus and Eugenia Leon Guerrero SBPA Building. For more info contact: Dr. Annette T. Santos; Phone: 671-735-2514; Email: annette.santos@gmail.com 

November 20, 2008

CASE, Carnegie Name Top U.S. Professors of the Year Dr. Inoue Named Guam Professor of Year

Washington, D.C.—Four college and university educators who actively involve their undergraduate students in hands-on research are the national winners of the 2008 U.S. Professors of the Year Awards. Administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the awards recognize professors for their influence on teaching and their commitment to undergraduate students. In addition to the four national winners, state-level Professors of the Year are being recognized in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

Dr. Yukiko Inoue, a Professor of Education in the School of Education at the University of Guam, has been selected as the 2008 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Guam Professor of the Year. All of the 2008 U.S. Professors of the Year were honored today at a luncheon and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Professors of the Year program, created in 1981, is the only national initiative specifically designed to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.

John Lippincott, president of CASE, said this year’s national and state winners are outstanding teachers whose passion for teaching and commitment to student learning represent the best in undergraduate education.

This year’s U.S. Professors of the Year award winners were selected from a pool of nearly 300 nominees. Judges select national and state winners based on four criteria: impact on and involvement with undergraduate students; scholarly approach to teaching and learning; contributions to undergraduate education in the institution, community and profession; and support from colleagues and current and former undergraduate students.

Two other University of Guam Professors, Kyle Smith, a Psychology Professor, and Vivian Dames, a Social Work Professor, have received the Professor of the Year Award in recent years.

For more information visit: www.professorsoftheyear.org

 

November 21, 2008

MARC Launches Three Publications

The Micronesian Area Research Center at the University of Guam will launch three recent publications on Nov. 21, 2008 at 2pm. The event will take place in the MARC Library. The publications include:

 

The Chamorro Legends on the Island of Guam

Chamorro Legends on the Island of Guam is one of the few records of Chamorro oral tradition, and is therefore an invaluable source for cultural memory as well as the study of how Chamorro identity changed throughout colonializing experiences. The tales recounted here emerged from centuries of cultural submergence, and clearly bear the marks of cultural domination.  Marvis Van Peenen has done a great service for Chamorro culture and identity. She has preserved some remnants of the subaltern Chamorro oral tradition.  This latest edition presents the full context of her dissertation in both Spanish (the original format) and English.

 

ISBN: 978-0-9800331-2-0                          Price:  $16.00

Available for sale at: Bestseller Books, Faith Bookstore and MARC UOG

 

Lepers in the Mariana Islands During the Spanish Administration 1668-1898

The presence of a “kind of leprosie” was recognized among the people of the Mariana Islands long before the Spanish completed their subjugation, toward the end of the 1600’s.  Two hundred years of Spanish occupation followed, during which several knowledgeable and sensitive governors attempted to mitigate the devastating effects of this and other diseases – then believed to be leprosy – among the populace.

 

ISBN: 978-0-9800331-1-3                          Price:  $12.00

Available for sale at:  Bestseller Books, Faith Bookstore and MARC UOG.

 

Baseball in Palau: A Passion for the Game

The structure of this book is chronological.  It begins with Motoji Kono’s gathering together of young Palauan men who formed the All Palau team of all-stars.  This was a momentous event and led to baseball becoming deeply in rooted in Palauan culture. 

 

ISBN: 978-982-98020-1-9                          Price:  $28.00

Available for sale at: Bestseller Books, Faith Bookstore and MARC UOG.

 

For more information on these books contact LaVonne at (671) 735-2151; Fax: (671) 734-7403 or email: lavonneg@uguam.uog.edu

 

November 19, 2008
UOG FINANCE AND ECONOMICS PROFESSOR DEVELOPS VIRTUAL U.S. BANK FOR BIZ/ED

Dr. James Taylor, an associate professor of economics and finance at the University of Guam, helped to create a Virtual U.S. Bank for Biz/ed a comprehensive website originally developed to support business education in the United Kingdom.

“The site’s central focus has been to provide educational material for the U.K., but the extent, quality, and free access to the material encouraged me, along with professors from other countries, to use the site to support our teaching efforts,” said Taylor.

Taylor originally researched the Biz/ed website seeking an alternative to expensive textbooks to support his University of Guam course on Money and Banking. He found that while there are many similarities between U.S. and U.K. banking, there are too many differences to expect U.S. students to immediately understand.

“Biz/ed had noticed that more and more people from outside the U.K. were using their site and recognized that by offering a separate Virtual U.S. Bank they could increase the site’s appeal to American students,” said Taylor. “So when I wrote to them about using their site to develop my own web pages, they asked if I would be willing to develop a Virtual U.S. Bank at Biz/ed.”

It took about a year to make all the modifications with regards to political structures, banking structures, terms, definitions, and spelling differences between the U.K. and the U.S and their banking systems. Professor Taylor and the University of Guam are given credit on the Biz/ed site, which brings international recognition to both Taylor and UOG.

“This underscores Dr. Taylor’s commitment to improving the quality of education for business students at the University of Guam,” said UOG President Robert A. Underwood. “Furthermore, he is recognized internationally for providing information to business students across America, and anyone else around the globe who is studying U.S. banking.”

Biz’/ed, which was launched in the U.K. in 1996, has developed an extensive body of business education materials in economics, finance, accounting, and tourism. Visit the Virtual U.S. Bank at Biz/ed at www.bized.co.uk/virtual/home.htm.

November 13, 2008

Math Contest Winners for the month of October

The Mathematics Department at the UOG received many submissions and excellent solutions from both high school and college students for the October math problem solving contest. The problems were downloaded 719 times, but there can only be two winners: Anran Li, a St. John’s School student, and Shin Kim, a University of Guam student. Hangin'High, the indoor Climbing Gym in Tamuning, donated one day of free admission for each of the October winners. Visit www.uog.eduto see the solutions to the October problems.

 

Oct. winner: Anran Li.

The November math problems have been posted at www.uog.eduHigh school and college students may participate for a cumulative award in two categories: (a) contestants who already took calculus class, and (b) contestants who have not taken calculus class. Submissions from anyone who is interested in math challenges are also welcome. The contest will continue throughout February, and the overall winners will be announced in March 2009, during the UOG Math Day.  

 

Submit your solutions to Math Contest c/o Division of Math Sciences, WB #4, University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU 96923, or via email to math_activities@uguam.uog.edu. Please include Math Contest in the subject line. Include your name, address, school, grade and whether or not you have taken calculus. For more information email the above address. Submission deadline:  November 30, 2008.

 

November 6, 2008

UOG Island Theatre Presents:THE CURATE SHAKESPEARE AS YOU LIKE IT. 

UOG's Island Theatre announces their upcoming production of THE CURATE SHAKESPEARE AS YOU LIKE IT.  "Being the record of one company's attempt to perform the play by William Shakespeare," Don Nigro's quirky adaptation of Shakespeare's rustic comedy will delight audiences of all ages and provide a unique opportunity to become familiar with one of the greatest plays in the English language.

 

THE CURATE SHAKESPEARE will open Thursday night, November 13th and play through Saturday night November 15th.  The following week's performances will run from Wednesday, November 19th through November 22nd at the UOG Fine Arts Theatre.  All performances begin at 08:00pm.  Tickets can be purchased at the door one half hour before curtain for $7.50 ($5.00 for students).  UOG STUDENTS FREE!

 

Fore information contact Prof. Jim Seymour at 735-2718.

 

November 5, 2008

UOG RFK Library Exhibit: Roll Call of Honor
The University of Guam Library is currently featuring an exhibit for Veteran’s Day titled “Roll Call of Honor”. The twenty-nine prints displayed are official copies of banners provided by the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam (GIAA) as a tribute to the Micronesian soldiers and civilians who have given their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Enduring Freedom. The pictorial memorial is a testament to the bravery, courage and heroism of the sons of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam and the Republic of Palau. The display will be on exhibit from November 1- December 12^th.

November 5, 2008
UOG Alumni, Eugene Diaz, Receives Excellence in Aquisition Award

UOG Faculty Leaders Contribute to the Palulap Award
University of Guam Faculty Leaders have contributed over $2,500 to the 2009 Palulap Award. Established by the UOG Faculty Senate in January 2008, the Palulap Award honors individuals or organizations in the community who have made extraordinary contributions to the protection and promotion of the fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional integrity at UOG. The inaugural award in January 2008 went to Marie Nelson and Donna Muña Quinata, former members of the UOG Board of Regents. The 2009 Palulap Award will be bestowed in January 2009 to a recipient selected by the UOG Faculty Senate.

UOG Alumni Receives UH Manoa's Norman Meller Research Award
James Perez Viernes, a University of Guam alumnus, recently received the Norman Meller Research Award for best master’s research paper focused on the Pacific Islands at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His thesis, Fanhasso i Taotao Sumay: Displacement, Dispossession, and Survival in Guam, garnered him the prestigious award. Dr. Anne Hattori was Viernes’ mentor professor when he was a student at the University of Guam. Hattori, recognized internationally for her research, still provides professional mentorship as a member of Viernes’ thesis committee.  After completing his undergraduate degree in English with an emphasis in Literature at UOG in December 2003, James received a graduate fellowship form the East-West Center at UH Manoa to pursue a master’s degree in Pacific Islands Studies.  He completed his MA in Pacific Islands Studies at UH Manoa in August 2008, and is currently enrolled in a PhD program in History with a major focus on Pacific Islands History at UH Manoa under a second graduate degree fellowship from the East-West Center.

Viernes grew up in the mainland, and decided to attend the University of Guam to explore his cultural roots. “The development of my scholarly activity began with the decision to attend UOG,” said Viernes. "A disconnect between what is written and understood of Guam's history and culture and what I actually experienced through living on the island led me to explore Pacific history, and I intend to bring what I have learned in graduate school back home to share with the community."

College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences Dean Named President of Asian Association of Agricultural Colleges
The 17th Biennial Conference of Asian Association of Agricultural Colleges and Universities (AAACU) was held last week in Manila, Philippines where Dr. Lee S. Yudin, Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Guam, was elected as its President, 2008-2010.  This prestigious organization is composed of agricultural colleges and universities from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Guam.  The University of Guam is the only US institution affiliated with this organization.  Serving with Yudin on the organization’s Board of Directors include 1st Vice President, Dr. Eun Park, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Korea; 2nd Vice President, Dr. Samakkee Boonyanat, Vice President Research, Kasetsart University, Thailand; and two members at large, Dr. Shigeaki Hattori, Dean, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan; and Dr. Israel Bau-Jen Jiang, Associate Dean of International Studies, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.  The University of Guam will host the 18th Biennial Conference in October 2010. “It is quite an honor to be elected the President of AAACU,” said Yudin.  “This position helps to raise the international profile of the University of Guam throughout Asia and brings further recognition to the College of Natural and Applied Sciences research projects.” Above, officers are sworn in by Dr. Fernando Bernardo, Past Executive Director AAACU. Pictured from left to right:Lee Yudin, President (University of Guam) - Guam; Eun Park, 1st VP (Seoul National University) - Korea; Samakkee Boonyawat, 2nd VP (Kasetsart University) - Thailand; Israel Bau-Jen, Member (National Chung Hsing University) - Taiwan;
Shigeaki Hattori, Member (Nagoya University) - Japan; Domingo Angeles, Executive Director AAACU, - Philippines.

UOG Introduction to Agriculture students engaged in Arbor Day planting in the village of Dededo on October 16,2008. In a Guam Power Authority headed community greening effort, students planted 49 Da'ok trees along Marine Drive along with partners from the Dededo Mayor's Office and Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry and Soil Resources. From left, top row: Jewell Dagupan, Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares, GPA lineman Paul Flores, Kanye Waguk, Genalyn Gomba, Cathrine Bungabong, Alexandra Kerr, Stasia Borja, Roong Johnson, Erica Blas, Albert Pascua and Nestle Eay. Kneeling: Instructor Roland Quitugua and Isabel Orozco. Not Shown: Nikki Sharma, Jeremy Camacho, Francisco Palacios, Paciano Gumataotao and GPA Assistant Manager of Transmission and Distribution Simon Camacho.

“The project is unique in that land-grant institutions throughout the Pacific and the Caribbean are linked together to expand and enhance food science and agriculture courses,” said Yudin. “These online courses are shared among the institutions for the benefit of their students, and ultimately the benefit of island communities as more and better crops are raised and become available to the individual island marketplaces.”

The project, Phase IV Developing Resident Instruction in Food and Agriculture Related Sciences at Land Grant Institutions in the Pacific and Caribbean, links the University of Guam to seven sub-grantees: the University of Puerto Rico, University of Virgin Islands, American Samoa Community College, College of the Marshall Islands, College of Micronesia/FSM, Northern Marianas College, and Palau Community College.  

The College of Natural and Applied Sciences manages the entire grant, and Guam’s portion of these funds totals $186,426.  UOG funds will support one fulltime and one part-time faculty members to administer the program; develop and teach at least two on-line distant education classes; train five high school students during a five-week internship program; one graduate teaching assistantship; fund travel for one agriculture or food science major to participate in the University of Puerto Rico’s 2009 Summer internship program.   

 “Island communities face similar challenges with regard to weather, soil, typhoons, land availability, and resources,” added Yudin. “This funding allows each institution to build upon the successes of the others, and in this way we all benefit from the lessons learned and can pass information on to students in all of the institutions involved in the project.”

 For more information contact Dr. Lee Yudin at (671) 735-2202 or lyudin@uguam.uog.edu.

This donation brings TakeCare’s total contributions to the University of Guam’s Nursing Program to $1.5 million over a seven year period. “Since 2001, TakeCare has contributed more than $1.5M to the Nursing Program in support of student scholarships, classroom equipment, clinical supplies for the nursing labs, NCLEX reviews for students and graduates, computer equipment, faculty development, and continuing education of nurses,” said Dr. Maria Salomon, Director of Nursing at UOG. “Without a doubt, their contributions served to strengthen our program and have assisted us tremendously in producing nurses for Guam and the region.”

“TakeCare’s support of the nursing program at UOG has enabled the program to obtain necessary equipment and supplies, scholarships, and faculty development that otherwise the University would be unable to fund,” said University President Robert A. Underwood. “The Nursing Program is recognized by all facets of the community as an outstanding program. TakeCare’s generous support over the years has significantly contributed to program’s success.”

Thirty-seven students completed their nursing degrees during the University’s spring 2008 commencement ceremonies. To meet community demand, the University needs to produce approximately 60 nurses per year. With the military build up that number will increase to 80 nurses per year.

“The School of Nursing and Health Sciences and its staff continue to do a great job in preparing their students for a career in healthcare. Because of this, TakeCare maintains its unwavering commitment to the university and its students and will continue to do so for generations to come,” said Gus Sablan, TakeCare Senior Vice President Business Development and Marketing.

TakeCare is also funding University faculty member Margaret Hattori-Uchima’s doctoral studies. “I could not accomplish this goal without financial assistance from TakeCare,” says Hattori-Uchima.

The nursing program at the University of Guam is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.

The Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network at UOG
Accredited by the Association for Small Business Development Centers
The Association for Small Business Development Centers voted in September 2008 to fully accredit the Pacific Islands Small Business Center Network (SBDC) without conditions and as such is nationally recognized as a high quality economic development organization. Accreditation qualifies the Pacific Islands SBDC Network to apply for Small Business Administration funds administered by the Office of Small Business Development

“Accreditation without conditions comes as welcome news,” said Jeszenka. “Only a small percentage of centers throughout the nation receive accreditation without conditions during their reviews. This is the second four-year cycle in which the Pacific Islands SBDC Network achieved this goal.” The Pacific Islands SBDC Network has been continuously accredited since 2000.

The Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network is an essential resource for individuals looking to launch small businesses,” said Dean of the School of Business and Pubic Administration Anita Borja-Enriquez. “The School of Business recently partnered with the center to offer a Certificate in Entrepreneurship taught by UOG faculty and SBDC counselors. The program begins October 18.”

“The partnership between the SBDC and the University prepares our people to participate fully in the coming military build up,” said UOG President Robert A. Underwood. “In partnership with the SBDC, the University can prepare individuals to seek out small business opportunities.”

The Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network (PISBDCN) is one of 63 networks across the United States and its Territories. The 63 networks have over a 1,000 SBDC Service Centers across the nation that offers small businesses free confidential counseling and low cost training. The center has been housed at the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration since 1995. From 1999 through 2002 five additional centers were opened, creating the first international SBDC Network. Centers are located in Guam, Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, & Kosrae), Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshalls.

In FY2007, the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network counseled 696 individuals who have an existing business or plan to start a business, offered 191 business training sessions around the region attended by 2,525 individuals, and coordinated 90 loans in the total dollar amount of $1,844,298.00, with the owners contributing an additional $1,679,602.00 in equity injection. Sixty of the loans went to start new businesses with the remaining supporting the expansion of existing businesses. The work of the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network assisted in creating 216 new jobs around the region and helped retain 116 jobs.

Pacific Islands SBDC’s next scheduled review will be in the year 2012. For more information contact Georgette Reyes, Associate Network Director, SBDC, Tel. (671) 735-2591 Email: georgette@pacificsbdc.com

University Music Fall Concert -  October 17 and 18

Sans Lederhosen Bavarian band

University Singers

Table for Five

University Jazz Band

Place:    UOG Fine Arts Theater

Time:    October 17 and 18, Friday and Saturday, 8:00pm

Cost:    $5.00 General Admission    $3.00 Students and Seniors

 

 

Student Government Association

SGA inducted its officers for the 2008-2009 Academic Year in September.

Pictured from left to right, seated: Senators Lisa Meeks, Phoebe Tadeo, Angelica Mantanona, Faedene Aldan, Aubry Hocog and Darlene Mae Vigil. Standing from left to right: Senator Charles Santos, Treasurer Jason Aradanas, Vice-President Remylynn Burlaza, President Benjamin FA Leon Guerrero II, Secretary Leilani Sablan and Senators Paciano Gumataotao and Joaquin Diego.

(Not Pictured are Senators Kyle Mesa and Albert Perez Jr.)

·        To enhance the capabilities of families to assist their children with developmental disabilities to achieve their maximum potential;

·        To support the increasing ability of children with disabilities to exercise greater choice and self-determination and to engage in leadership activities in their communities

·        To ensure the protection of children with disabilities’ legal and human rights. 

 A minimum of 20 families will be served in year one and a minimum of 40 families will be served from years two through five. 

“The Governor’s Office, Rear Admiral William D. French, UOG Professor Mary Fegurgur, Evelyn Claros, member of the Guam Positive Parents Together, the Autism Community Together organization, and the Guam CEDDERS staff all contributed to the success of this grant application,” said CEDDERS Director Dr. Heidi San Nicolas. “We look forward to launching the program in the coming months.”

 For more information about the Navigator’s Compass: Guam’s Family Support 360 for Military Families project, contact CEDDERS at (67) 735-2481.

When:  Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Time: 2:00PM

Location: RFK Library, AV Room 1

This new program is ideal for people interested in starting a new business or expanding a current one. This 8-week certificate program is designed to introduce participants to doing business in the economy of the 21^st Century; the most recent developments in entrepreneurial education; and an introduction to characteristics of a successful business.

“This course will prepare participants to become entrepreneurs,” said Anita Borja-Enriquez, Dean of UOG’s School of Business and Public Administration. “Participants will learn about business planning, growth, cash flow management, and how to develop a comprehensive business plan. They will also learn about free small business resources available on Guam and on-line.

Sessions will be taught by Guam Small Business Development Center counselors and UOG business faculty. The program begins October 18, 2008 and runs on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm through December 13, 2008. To register contact UOG’s Professional and International Programs office at 735-2600/1, or email Charlene Tenorio at chartee@uguam.uog.edu. To download the registration form visit: http://www.uog.edu/../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../../admin/assetmanager/images/pip/pdllc_reg.pdf

October 17, 2008 – “The Right to Communicate” – Augmentative & Alternative Approach

Communication is the essence of life.  However, for many individuals with disabilities spoken language is not an effective means of communication.  As a consequence, many people believe that if you cannot communicate you have little to say.  This presentation will introduce the communication bill of rights and the technologies that can provide an effective communication augment to spoken language.

October 24, 2008 – “Ending the Silence” – Abuse & Neglect (Protection & Advocacy)

People with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victims of crime.  This presentation will discuss the scope of the problem and what is needed to “end the silence” of victims

with disabilities.

October 31, 2008 -  Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

People with disabilities have not been part of the planning process needed to prepare for and respond to man-made or natural disasters.   This presentation will focus on what is needed to ensure the safety of ALL, including those with disabilities,  in times of emergency.

November 7, 2008 – Assistive Technology & Transition From School to Adult Life

“The announcement that a PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) is being established on Guam is good news for Guam’s small businesses,” Congresswoman Bordallo said today. “The PTAC will leverage the capabilities of the Small Business Development Center at UOG and will arm Guam’s businesses with the tools to be successful bidders on federal contracts.  University of Guam President Dr. Robert Underwood has emphasized the need for greater professional development for the military build-up in areas such as contract specialists.  The PTAC at the University of Guam is an opportunity to help achieve this goal and to develop Guam’s professional workforce and our business community.”

Congresswoman Bordallo sponsored language in H.R. 5658, the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, which directed the Department of Defense to support the establishment of a PTAC on Guam to encourage the utilization of local small businesses during the buildup.  The Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program was established by Congress in 1986.  The program was developed to provide Department of Defense assistance to state and local governments and other nonprofit organizations by sharing the cost of establishing new PTAC programs.

The Association of Childhood Education International inducted its officers for the 2008-2009 academic year. On hand for the presentation were, seated from left: Dr. Matilda Rivera, advisor; Dr. Marilyn Jackson, advisor; Speaker Judi Won Pat; and Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, Dean, School of Business and Public Administration; Standing from left: Alicia Quintanilla, president; Ewalani Escruplo, vice president; Beauty Letewasiyal, secretary; Kimberlie Castro, treasurer; Vaughn Bias, public relations officer; and Nakita Braganza, public relations officer.

University of Guam 4-H and Educational Talent Search Donation

September 11, 2008
Universityof Guam Receives Suicide Prevention Grant

Pictured at left are Camarin Meno, I Pinangon Program Assistant, Eunice Joy Perez, I Pinangon Associate Director, Iain Twaddle, UOG faculty member and I Pinangon Director, and Mary Spencer, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

 The University of Guam’s I Pinangon Campus Suicide Prevention Program received a grant for $100K per year for three years from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services.

“Many congratulations are due to Iain Twaddle and his team,” said Dean Mary Spencer, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “I Pinangon has changed the campus and community context for understanding practical approaches to preventing suicide, and it has forged strong alliances with the other mental health and community organizations that share that objective. This new grant will make the campus initiatives stronger and enable the program to extend into the community.”

“This grant is a testament to the strong grant writing skills of our faculty,” said UOG Senior Vice President Helen Whippy. “The University of Guam was one of 17 universities to receive the grant award, and one of only six universities to receive the maximum grant award.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services awarded 17 grants to prevent suicide on college campuses. The Campus Suicide Prevention Grants Program is designed to assist colleges and universities in their efforts to prevent suicide attempts and completions. The program also enhances services for students with mental and behavioral health problems, such as depression and substance abuse, which put them at risk for suicide and suicide attempts. Grant recipients include, among others:

University of Guam Campus Suicide Prevention Program

University of California, Berkeley, Cal Asian-Pacific Islander Early

Intervention Program

University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Comprehensive Suicide Prevention and

Mental Health Program

Arizona State University, Tempe, Campus Care Suicide Prevention Program

I Pinangon will host several suicide prevention events this month, including:

Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation Ceremony & Suicide Prevention Forum

The forum will be held Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 6:00 pm in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Lecture Hall. Keynote Speaker: Atty. Gen. Alicia Limtiaco Panel speakers include: Paul Suba, Chief of Police, GPD; Barbara Benavente, PEACE; Deacon Larry Claros, Family & Youth Ministry; Dr. Margaret Artero, UOG; and Prof. Troy McVey, UOG

Suicide Prevention Film Night - 2:37

The film night will be held Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Lecture Hall.

For more information about the grant or the events above, contact Dr. Iain Twaddle at 735-2882 or itwaddle@uguam.uog.edu.

FILIPINO-AMIERCAN PRESIDENTS CLUB OF GUAM
Louella Mae Navarrete, a University of Guam student majoring in Criminal Justice, received a $500 scholarship from the Filipino-American Presidents Club of Guam on September 9, 2008. On hand for the presentation were from left, seated, Lulu Castro, Rita Dominguez and Rose Hidalgo; from left standing: Chet Neri, immediate past chairwoman; Michael Reidy, UOG Financial Aid Office; Ed Galivo, Coring Eduma, Aida Custodio, FAPCG chairwoman; Robert A. Underwood, UOG president; Louella Navarette, recipient; Lynda Tolan, past chairwoman; Annie Lumba, Efren Lumba and Gloria Baguinon.

September 9, 2008
21 Enroll in Fall 2008 Special Education Cohort 
School of Education held its first official Saturday class for the new fall 2008 Special Education Cohort. Twenty-one new Master of Education students enrolled in this accelerated Special Education certificate and Masters program. Participants are all Guam Public School System teachers, with the exception one participant who is a St. John's teacher.

This is the fourth Special Education Cohort in the last 18 months. There are 65 Special Education graduate students in the program, and 17 students are expected to graduate in December 2008; 12 are expected to graduate in May 2008.

September 7, 2008
Praxis II Prep Day

Seven students participated in a Praxis II workshop organized by the School of Education and held September 7 at the Marriott. “We improved on the basic preparation workshop compared to the one we held in July,” said Dr. Richard Fee.

Kimie Okada, Little Miss Liberation, raised $6,850 dollars of which $3,425 will be awarded in scholarships to UOG students. She distributed her earnings to the University of Guam and the Guam Community College on September 2nd. Pictured from left are UOG President Robert A. Underwood, David Okada, UOG Director of Planning and Kimie's father, Flora Baza-Quan, UOG Endowment Foundation, Mary Okada, GCC President and Kimie's mother, Gerry Cruz, GCC Foundation, Mrs. Young, Kimie's grandmother, Lolita Reyes, GCC Foundation, and Mayor of Mangilao, Nito Blas.

UOG ROTC Scholarship Program Named in Honor of  Major Henry San Nicolas Ofeciar

The University of Guam officially commemorated the naming of the Major Henry San Nicolas Ofeciar ROTC Scholarship program during a ceremony held August 29, 2008.  Board of Regents Resolution no. 08-23, Relative to Naming the Major Henry San Nicolas Ofeciar Army ROTC Scholarship Program, was adopted on June 19, 2008 in recognition of Major Ofeciar’s dedication, loyalty, service, and ultimate sacrifice for our nation and our island. Members of Major Ofeciar’s family were present for the August 29th ceremony. Pictured: Board Chairman, Sonny Ada, presents a copy of the Board of Regents resolution to Agnes S.N. Rillera and family members.

Marmie Scholarship Awarded
Bob Yangelou is the first recipient of the Marmie Scholarship. He is working on his thesis in the M.A. in Micronesian Studies Program. He is an outstanding student, having achieved the highest scores in the comprehensive exams last spring. He is from Woleai, an outer island atoll of Yap State of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Bob is a faculty member at the College of Micronesia-Yap Campus. His research interests  address important cultural and socio-economic issues of Yap. His thesis proposal focuses on contemporary land dynamics on Yap Proper, especially involving the negotiations that outer island peoples are having with Yap Proper peoples to use some of the traditional collectively owned land. Pictured from left are Dr. Mary Spencer, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Yangelou, and Monica Winterle of the UOG Endowment Foundation.

Camacho earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology from the University of Guam in 1994 and 1997, respectively. In 2005 he earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“It sounds cliché, but a personal goal of mine was to return to the island to contribute back to our community here. Hopefully, I will be able to inspire students to think critically about the many environmental challenges Guam is currently facing as well as the ones that are looming just over the horizon,” he said. “I study tropical freshwater ecosystems, so Guam is an obvious place to initiate a research program examining the structure of high island streams in Micronesia. The rivers and streams in this region are among the most poorly understood aquatic systems in the world and are also among the most fragile, given the importance of water resources in insular societies.”

This semester Camacho will teach environmental biology and environmental biology laboratory and use his expertise to mentor students. “Guam has had an unfortunate ecological history, including poor waste management, anthropogenically influenced erosion and sedimentation, and a constant influx of invasive species. Reversing this legacy requires educating the community and engaging them in the science behind policy changes,” said Camacho. “While I believe that my instructional activities contribute towards change, I also try to do a fair amount of engagement and outreach in the local community. At the end of the day, motivation for change should be predicated upon the best available scientific evidence.”

Frank is the son of Frank and Mary Camacho, and is married to Florence Burch Camacho.

Yamashita Educator Corps Fall 2008 Graduate recipients

The following individuals received Yamashita Educator Corps Scholarships to attend the University of Guam to pursue their graduate degrees. Pictured from left are John Sanchez, YEC Administrator, and recipients Analita Basto, Annette Payumo, Evangeline Perez, Gladys Uy, Melvin Finona, Felix Santos, Paula Ulloa, Jason Lee Cruz, Anna Wong, Lindsey Dwiggins, Robyn Aguon and David Gofigan.

 

 

 

 

August 22, 2008

Yamashita Educator Corps Fall 2008 undergraduate recipients

The following individuals received Yamashita Educator Corps Scholarships to attend the University of Guam to pursue their undergraduate degrees in education. Pictured from left: John Sanchez, YEC Administrator, Jarryd Figueroa, Billy Navarrete, Barbara Taijeron, Lisa Taitano, Robert Ady, Vincent Bukikosa Jr., Kate Quiambao, Jennifer James, Lorna Heramil, Naomi Uy, Joni Santos, Bianca Alvia, and Mary Leah Pervez.

 The University of Guam’s 2007-2008 Fact Book has been posted online at http://www.uog.edu/dynamicdata/SeniorVicePresidentInstitutionalResearcher.aspx?siteid=1&p=62

The Office of Academic Assessment and Institutional Research recently completed the 2007-2008 University of Guam Fact Book, which contains multi-year data on enrollment trends, financial aid, tuition, credit hour production, retention rates, graduation numbers, and more.

Community First Federal Credit Union Scholarship Presentation
Community First awarded a $1,500 scholarship to University of Guam accounting major Jennifer Mendiola on August 15th. Pictured from left are Michael Reidy, UOG financial aid office, UOG President Robert A. Underwood, Mendiola, Gerard Cruz, President/Chief Executive Officer Communtiy First Federal Credit Union, and David P. Leddy, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Community First.

August 15, 2008

Project FO’NA is an exemplary model of agency coordination and collaboration at the local, regional, and national levels, which resulted in the increase in the number of critically needed Speech and Language Pathologists for Guam and the Pacific. The project was 100% federally funded, but local funds supported some students through the Yamashita Educator Corp., and regional support was provided to students by the FSM National Government, Pohnpei State Department of Education, the CNMI Public School System and the Guam Public School System.

Students graduating are: Melanie T. Arciaga, Stephanie Bamba, Amalia Badua, Leann Z. Bull, Henoleen S. Camacho, Joysleen Daniel, Merleen Daniel, Daniel Domaoal, Rowena A. Dimla, Nicole L.P. Duenas, Rosario M. Hocog, Francis Glenn Lujan, Robin Malicsi, Janice F. S. Sablan, Erica A. D. Santos, Julianne P. Serrano, Richard M. Tumanda, and Paul Zerzan. The practicum in Project FO’NA was a unique aspect to the training. It included experiences both locally and in the mainland U.S. and in the case of one student in New Zealand.

            September 25-27, October 1-4

 What happens when an unexpected guest arrives and he’s a complete, well, shall we say, he’s THE NERD!

The Curate Shakepeare As You Like It by Don Nigro

            November 13-15 & 19-22

 "Being the record of one company's attempt to perform the play by William Shakespeare"

Roosters by Milcha Sanchez-Scott

          February 26-28 &March 4-7

 A Balinese playwright's explosively theatrical look at one Hispanic family

Hotel Suite by Neil Simon

            April 23-25, 29, 30 & May 1-2

 From the master of the Broadway comedy, a new adaptation of his "Suite" plays.

Citi Foundation Helps Increase Guam's College Enrollment Through Scholarships

The Citi Foundation granted $15,000 to the University of Guam’s (UOG) TRIO Program to support its goal of improving educational opportunities for public high school seniors.   Fifteen selected students will each receive a $1,000 college tuition scholarship to attend the University of Guam or the Guam Community College. A scholarship presentation for six of the recipients was held on August 12 at the University of Guam.

“I applaud the Citi Foundation for funding the aspirations and educational goals of our students. The partnership between the University of Guam TRIO Programs and Citi means that more students have access to an affordable college education. This investment by the Citi Foundation will continue to pay dividends far into the future as our community reaps the benefits of an educated workforce,” said UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood.

UOG TRIO Programs Director, Yoichi Rengiil added, “College graduation rates for our TRIO Program participants have traditionally been low. The Citi Foundation scholarship program will assist us in improving this rate.  Citi is truly a member of our community and should be commended for its outstanding contribution.”

Madhu Seshadri, Corporate Country Officer/Country Business Manager, Citi Guam expressed his thoughts about providing financial assistance to Guam’s aspiring students. He said,  “Citi is delighted to make this contribution to help reduce one of the barriers to higher education, the lack of financial resources. We extend our congratulations to the scholarship awardees. We hope that they will continue to keep the focus on attaining a college degree and be an integral part of Guam’s promising future.”  Seshadri added, “We appreciate the UOG TRIO Program’s team for their vision and passion to prepare our youth for a successful transition into college.”    

Through the Citi Foundation grant, fifteen public high school seniors are enrolling in college for Fall 2008. Two are enrolling at Guam Community College and thirteen at the University of Guam. The University of Guam is a United States land-grant institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior Commission. It is the only four-year, U.S. accredited postsecondary institution within the Western Pacific region.  Since 1989, UOG has hosted two TRIO Programs: Upward Bound (UB) and Educational Talent Search (ETS). The mission of UOG’s TRIO Programs is to motivate and assist disadvantaged students achieve their educational goals. The UOG TRIO Program serves on average 380 students annually. 

 

On hand for the presentation were from left Madhu Seshadri, Citi Guam Corporate Country Officer/Country Business Manager, Liza Pama, scholarship recipient, Rowena Andrade, UOG TRIO Programs, Elizabeth Quenga,  UOG President Robert Underwood, and Yoichi Rengiil, UOG TRIO Programs Director; second row from left: Rick Lizama, scholarship recipient, Natasha Serious, scholarship recipient, Lovey Mongami, UOG Trio Progams, Donovan Losongco, scholarship recipient,  and Francis Olivares, scholarship recipient; third row from left David O’Brien, UOG, Vivian Duke Web, Citi Guam, Helen Whippy, UOG, and Jeff Barcinas, UOG.

 

Past WPTRC projects funded by T-STAR include research on managing invasive species in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the U. S., biological control of plant pests such as mealybug in hibiscus and bud rot in betel nut palms, adding value to tropical botanicals such as noni juice, ecosystem approach to restoring and conserving soil quality in the Pacific Islands, and evaluating hot pepper genotypes. Dr. Greg Wiecko, associate director of WPTRC, is pleased about the award, as T-STAR funding has not been available in recent years. “T-STAR funding has just been reinstated and the future looks promising as an increase in financial support for the Pacific region is planned. Historically, every scientist at the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center has benefited from this funding source,” states Dr. Wiecko.

For more information on research activities of the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center contact Greg Wiecko at 735-2004.

4-H Volunteers Participate in Training in North Carolina

University of Guam Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program participants Raina Taitingfong and Donovan Borja traveled to North Carolina to participate in the 2008 Operation Purple/5 Stone Teen Leadership Camp July 31 through August 9, 2008. They were selected to attend because they are active participants in UOG’s 4-H Program. Operation Purple is designed to help the children of active duty military parents to cope with long term overseas deployments. Skills learned through the program will greatly improve participants’ leadership skills and self-esteem. 5 Stones Leadership Camp activities are specifically designed around the core leadership principles of teamwork, communication, self-awareness/reliance, decision-making, flexibility, and service and responsibility.  Pictured from left to right are Victor Artero, CES Associate Director; Devi Barcinas, F4-HFN Extension Associate; Mrs. Margarita Borja/Parent, Donovan Borja, 4-H Volunteer; Raina Taitingfong, 4-H Volunteer; Mr. William Taitingfong; and  Theodore Iyechad; F4-HFN Program Leader.

 

Governor Felix Camacho swore in three members to the University of Guam Board of Regents on Monday, August 4, 2008. Dr. W. Chris Perez, who is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board, initially filled the unexpired term of Mr. Ronald Leach, a term that was approximately 17 months long. He was reappointed by the Governor on May 13, 2008 to serve a full six-year term, and was confirmed by the Legislature on July 9, 2008.  Eliza Anderson was elected as Student Regent and began her term on Monday, May 5, 2008.  Andrew Laguana was appointed as Acting Regent on July 10, 2008 and is awaiting legislative confirmation.  Pictured from left are Regent Cathy Sgro, Regent Sandy Yow, Regent Cynthia Henson, UOG Senior Vice President Helen Whippy, Regent Andrew Laguana, Regent Eliza Anderson, Regent W. Chris Perez, Governor Felix Camacho, and Chairman of the Board of Regents Sonny Ada.

GEDCA Administrator, Anthony Blaz says, “This is a critical time for Guam, which is the primary reason GEDCA sought out the expertise of the UOG Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives (PCEI) to assess our current incentive program. The collaboration between UOG and GEDCA will help to ensure that we steer the unprecedented expansion of our island towards sustainable growth.”

The paper is automatically accepted for publication in the highly regarded peer-reviewed Journal of International Business Research.
 
“Our faculty are engaged in research that expands their knowledge base and enables cutting edge information to be shared with our students,” said Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, Executive Director of the School of Business and Public Administration. “Dr. Ruane’s research has an impact on our community and the business sector, which helps us understand and prepare for changes in the marketplace.”  

For more information, contact Dr. Maria Claret Ruane at 735-2575 or ruanemcm@yahoo.com

Dr. Ross Miller, UOG entomologist with the Western Pacific Tropical Research Center, will oversee UOG's project-related research activities. The research funded by this grant, which was written by Haldre Rogers, a former Guam DAWR employee currently pursuing a doctorate in ecology at UW, will examine the ecological effects of the loss of native birds on plant and insect communities on Guam.

Due to the unfortunate circumstance of losing much of its native bird population to the brown tree snake, Guam is an ideal laboratory to increase the scientific understanding of how birds contribute to the health of plant communities through seed dispersal and insect control. The brown tree snake has not invaded the neighboring islands of Rota, Tinian or Saipan and their bird populations are still relatively intact. This grant will allow field experiments to be conducted on all four islands and comparisons made between the forests on Guam and forests on the islands where birds continue to thrive. These studies will inform conservation and management efforts on Guam and permit generalization of the results to ecosystems experiencing bird loss.

The UOG role will include the growing and monitoring of local plants for field studies as well as the identification of insects. Researchers will utilize an optical sensor and digital signal analysis system invented by UOG entomologist Dr. Aubrey Moore for insect identification. The research activities for this three-year grant will begin in September 2008 and will culminate in the creation and delivery of a joint terrestrial ecology class in the third year. "This is a great opportunity for UOG students and researchers to study the impact of the brown tree snake on insular environments, and to collaborate with University of Washington scientists who are at the forefront of their fields," says Dr. Ross Miller.

Category #8A, Agricultural-Plant (Commercial)certification is required for those purchasing, handling or supervising the use of RUPs for commercial application on agricultural properties, such as government property and other agricultural crop lands.
This workshop will prepare individuals for the certification exam.

Private License:  Persons using or supervising those using restricted-use-pesticides for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him or his employer.

Commercial License: Category 8a (Commercial Agricultural Plant Pest Control): Persons purchasing, using, or supervising the use of RUPs in the production of agricultural crops, as well as non-crop agricultural lands. 

You can only apply restricted-use-pesticides (RUPs) to areas that your license specifies.  For example, if you are certified in Category 4 (Turf & Ornamentals) you CANNOT apply RUPs on public easements or in homes.

“Our objective is to understand their movement patterns and relate this to existing Marine Preserve boundaries. How far do they move in a day? Do fish living in Piti Marine Preserve travel into areas outside the preserve such as Asan?” said Dr McIIwain.” “We’ll also be tracking numerous individual fish around spawning time to see if and where they form large aggregations to reproduce. Protection of these spawning sites is a high priority.”

Two types of tags will be used in the project: (1) standard t-bar or Floy tags, each of which will have the following details imprinted on them; ID No., UOG Marine Lab, Phone No. 735 2188. These tags will be visible on the outside of the fish, (2) 18 mm acoustic tags, which will be inserted into the body cavity of 30 individual fish, enabling the scientists to track them in real-time with a hand-held hydrophone.  

Dr McIIwain is working in collaboration with another scientist, Dr Kevin Rhodes, from the prestigious World Fish Center, who is on island for an initial three week period to do the acoustic tagging. This project also forms the basis of a thesis project for Alyssa Marshell, a UOG Marine Lab graduate student.

Guam’s fishermen can play an important part in the project by turning in tags they find in their catch to the UOG Marine Lab. “We need the co-operation of the fishermen to tell us exactly where and when they caught the tagged fish. We note the release point of all tagged fish, so this information is important as it can give us some insight into how far the fish travel in a given time period,” said Dr McIIwain. “We want the public to be aware of the tagged fish, as we need the tags returned in the event any of our fish are caught by fishermen.” Dr McIIwain adds, “There is no penalty for catching the fish and we encourage everyone to come forward.” Once our results have been collated we will be able to provide worthwhile information back to the community about the behaviour of two important food fish on Guam.

 For more information contact Dr. Jennifer McIIwain at (671) 735-2199 or visit www.guammarinelab.com.

 

Special Education Students Study for Praxis II

University of Guam Special Education students spent a day preparing for the national Praxis II: Special Education examination as part of Guam Public School System’s new certification requirements.  Students participating in the preparation day include from left, front row: Carolyn Figg, Phyllis Leon Guerrero, Christine Hernandez; from left second row: Paula Ulloa, Norma Santos, Bobby Quinata Gerianne Eclavea, Lenith Atenith, Rita-Rose Hualde, Sumch Kintaro, Norine Guzman, Janice Almoguera; from left back row: Dr. Richard W. Fee, Associate Professor of Special Education, William Sullivan, Vicky Perez, Rita Reyes, Allyson Iseke, Christine Rosario, Cathy Cardenas, Laura Taisipic, Maui Poe, Sam Bejerana

FSM President and UOG Alumni Receives Alumni T-Shirt from UOG President
University of Guam President Robert A. Underwood presented a UOG Alumni t-shirt to Federated States of Micronesia President and UOG Alumni Emanuel Mori on July 9, 2008. Mori is the seventh President of the Federated States of Micronesia. President Mori was born December 25 1948, on Fefan island, in Chuuk State. He graduated from the Xavier High School in Chuuk and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from the University of Guam.

UOG Junior Awarded Prestigious Business Scholarship
The Guam Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of Nathan T. Taimanglo as the Guam Chamber of Commerce Dave J. Santos Scholarship Recipient for the 2008-2009 academic year at the University of Guam (UOG).  The scholarship is available to undergraduate juniors and seniors enrolled in the University of Guam’s School of Business and Public Administration.
 
Nathan is a junior majoring in Marketing and Human Resource Management.  He expects to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Guam in the fall of 2009.  Nathan’s cost of tuition, fees and books for the fall and spring semesters will be covered under the scholarship.  He will also serve an internship at the Chamber from August through May.
 
“We are excited to have Nathan working with us and fully engaged in the Chamber operation,” said Reina A. Leddy, President, Guam Chamber of Commerce. “We hope that his internship will not only give him practical experience in applying the knowledge he has gained in the classroom, but to help him create a network of key business executives who may become future employers or business associates.” Leddy added.
 
This scholarship is sponsored and funded by the members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the achievements of the late Dave J. Santos, an entrepreneur, past Chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the 1993 Small Business Person of the Year.
 
“This is a generous amount of money we are investing in Nathan’s education because we know that education is an important asset for success,” stated David John, Board Director and Scholarship Committee Chairman, Guam Chamber of Commerce.  “The University of Guam has turned out a number of excellent community leaders, and we anticipate Nathan to be one of them.”

Information regarding the Guam Chamber of Commerce Dave J. Santos Scholarship may be obtained by contacting the Guam Chamber of Commerce at 472-6311/8001 or by visiting www.guamchamber.com.gu.
 
Direct contributions to the Guam Chamber of Commerce Dave J. Santos Scholarship may be made payable to: Guam Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 283
Hagåtña, GU 96932

Salas Palomo Co-Edits Book on Hispanisation of Languages
Rosa Salas Palomo presented a copy of “Hispanisation - The Impact of Spanish on the Lexicon and Grammar of the Indigenous Languages of Austronesia and the Americas" to University of Guam President Robert A. Underwood and UOG Library director Christine Scott-Smith. The book, which Salas Palomo co-edited along with Thomas Stolz from the Universityof Bremen in Germany and Dik Bakker fromthe Netherlands, focuses on the Hispanisation of languages.

Hundreds of languages world-wide have experienced direct or indirect Hispanisation during the heyday of the Spanish colonial empire. The number of languages which continue to borrow from Spanish on a daily basis is considerable especially in Latin America. This book gives the reader a better idea of the range of contact constellations in which Spanish functions as the donor language. Moreover, the contributions to this collection of articles demonstrate that it is possible to compare the contact-induced processes in the Hispanised languages of Austronesia and the Americas.

The book also contains an article by Salas Palomo and Thomas Stolzentitled "Pro or Contra Hispanisms: Attitudes of Native Language Speakers of Modern CHamoru”.

The book is published by Mouton de Gruyter and is available through http://www.degruyter.com/cont/fb/sp/detailEn.cfm?isbn=978-3-11-019793-8

Residence Hall Student Participate in Liberation Day Parade

A four-week field school ends today with student presentations on their archeological field school experiences scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in the Micronesian Area Research Center’s conference room at the UOG campus.

A total of six students were involved in the field school including three students from the University of Hawaii. Students and professors worked at the Ritidian Wildlife Refuge, conducted oral history interviews to gather information on Chamorro culture history in the area, and inventoried items previously uncovered, among other activities. “The focus was on preserving and returning,” said Dr. John Peterson, Director of MARC and field school organizer.

This marked the second year of field school experiences organized by the University of Guam. For more information contact Dr. John Peterson at 735-2153.

Eighty-two students from Korea’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies are on the University of Guam’s campus this week enhancing their English listening and speaking skills. This is the second group to study at the UOG campus this summer; the first group of 75 students completed their training on July 3^rd. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, ranked among the top five universities in Korea, offers majors in 43 languages and many of their top studentsare recruitedintoKorea's Foreign Service division.

The University of Guam’s Professional and International Programs office organizes the program for Hankuk students . “The main goal of this two-week program is to enhance the quality of a student's oral communication proficiency,” said Rita Edwards, assistant director of UOG’s Professional and International Programs.“This program focuses on giving ample opportunity for the second language learner to apply her or his current English language ability to a variety of level-appropriate speaking and listening exercises.The students participate in group discussions,
role plays, speeches, field surveys and interviews, process demonstrations, and other aurally - and orally-based activities and projects in order to improve both grammatical accuracy and oral fluency.” Program instructors are Fred Rodriquez, Therese Mantanane, Teresita Cruz, Juanita Castaneda, and Father Tony Perez.

On Wednesday, the group will participate in cultural activities at the Garden Villa from 1 to 5pm. “The students enjoy learning about Guam’s culture as they improve their English speaking and listening skills,” said instructor Therese Mantanane. “It is a multi-cultural experience for the Hankuk students and showcases Guam’s culture.” The group completes the course on July 18^th with a closing ceremony. They will attend the UOG’s Summer Theatre Camp’s performance of Charlotte’s Web at 2:00 p.m. on Friday in the UOG Fine Arts Theatre as a fun closing activity to assess their English listening skills.

“Hankuk University officials expressed positive comments about the University of Guam’s program,” said Edwards. “They compared UOG's instruction to two otheruniversities as being superior in quality and confirmed an increase in student enrollment of up to 125 students per cohort for the next program to be offered in December/January.”

For more information contact Rita Edwards or at 735-2604 or Lisa Pocaigue at 735-2600.

July 11, 2008

Baseball in Palau: A Passion for the Game

“Baseball in Palau: Passion for the Game,” was recently published by the Micronesian Area Research Center at the University of Guam.  Edited by Dr. Don Shuster, Professor of Micronesian Studies at UOG, the book tells the story of the history of baseball in Palau since 1925 when Motoji Kono gathered together a group of young Palauans and said, “Let’s play ball!”  That was the birth of baseball in Palau and the “All Palau A” and “All Palau B” teams with recently deceased, Idip, as their player/manager.

The book is organized chronologically, beginning with Japanese times and an essay about Motoji Kono, an interview with Idip Esebei, and a July 1940 photograph of the Beriryo (Peleliu) and Nantaku baseball teams that played a good will series at the Peleliu Kogakko field.  In the photo, we can identify Eusevio Termeteet, Fumio Rengiil, Mabel, Inglong, Tkel, and Ito, all superb players in their time. A listing of all the PML champions from 1947 to 2007 is included in the book.

The main portion of the book consists of season summaries that begin with an interview with Mathias Akitaya about the Angaur Comets.  The great 1955 game between Peleliu and Koror Intermediate School is told.  This is when the school boys beat the veterans 1-0 in the ninth inning on an inside the park homer by Kengichi Madris.  Similarly, Palau’s first overseas trip to Guam in 1962 yielded up two victories 9-7 and 9-2.  Included is a photo of that team with Sadang, Wilhelm, and Dr. Ueki as team leaders.  The 1963 three-game series in Ponape is described in writing for the first time in history.  That series ended with a Palau victory sparked by Dr. Ueki’s inside the park homer when both teams were into magic.  The 1968 and 1969 seasons are nicely documented by Nik Outchcunis, former PCV.  The 1980’s, 1990’s and into 2000 are documented from stories that appeared in Moses Uludong’s Rengel Belau and Tia Belau news-papers and occasional stories in the PDN and Palau Horizon.

The book has a separate section on the Micronesian Games, starting off with “9 vs 9 in 9”—the wonderful piece by Bob Coldeen that documents the first meeting of Palau and Truk for the baseball gold medal in 1969.  In that game, Martin Ngchar faced Susumu Aizawa,  the fire-baller against the junk-baller.  Martin Sokau, Palau’s catcher, picked off a Truk player, Fetek, who got to third base in the fifth inning.  Martin, on third base after a single, stolen base, and infield out, later scored the game’s only run on a deep fly ball hit by Masami Temengil in the seventh inning.  “In this game there were no substitutions, no designated hitters, no pinch runners, and no pinch hitters.  Nine played nine in nine innings.”  The complete box score is found on page 136.  Both pitchers were on their games, Aizawa with 3 strikeouts and Ngchar with 10 strikeouts.  In 1990, Johnson Toribiong managed the second Micronesian Games baseball team and defeated Guam 8-0 with the $1,000 magic.  That team flew to Guam to take the Mobil Games title as well.  The book contains a photo on page 139 of that great team.

The Mobil Games, strictly baseball, were held from 1988 to 2001. Each of Palau’s four titles is documented.  Coldeen and Palacios provided statistics on team titles, batting, pitching, MVP winners, career batting and career pitching. Did you know that Tony Adelbai won the Mobil Games MVP in 1990, Larry Tochi in 1992 and Junior Rikrik in 1993?

The book contains conversations with many of Palau’s expert baseball managers and players: Eusebio Termeteet, Dr. Ueki, Wilhelm Rengiil, Kazuo Asanuma, Hideo Termeteet, Joe Yamaguchi, Joshua Koshiba, Martin Sokau, Takewo Towai, Johnson Toribiong, Eugene Uehara, and Mlib Tmetuchl.  Also there are tributes to three great players who died before their time: Tony Towai, Felix Kyota, and Paulus Kumangai.

The book ends with a fascinating essay entitled, “Baseball and Magic.”  What many people deny, exists.  Pages 218-224 contain photos of the 1969 Palau District Olympic Committee, the 1986 Ngerbeches PML champions, the 1972 Palau High School PML winners with Joshua Koshiba managing, and more.  The book was conceptualized, compiled, written, and edited by Don Shuster of UOG.

For a copy of “Baseball in Palau” send a note requesting a copy of the book and a $40 check or money order to: Director, Micronesian Area Research Center, UOG Station, University of Guam, 96923. 

- END -

Summer Theatre Camp Presents Charlotte's Web

Pacific Daily News and UOG Sign Agreement

University of Guam President Robert Underwood and PDN Publisher Rindraty Celes Limtiaco signed a memorandum of agreement regarding the PDN’s support of Triton’s Call, UOG’s newspaper on July 3, 2008, at the UOG President’s Conference Room.  On hand for the presentation were from left Underwood and Celes-Limtiaco; standing from left: Dr. Beth Somera, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Jae Medina, PDN Advertising Director; Dr. Helen Whippy, UOG Senior Vice President; Erin Pueblo, Communication major and Triton’s Call Staffer; and Dr. Mary Spencer, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

 

The University of Guam will offer a course in entrepreneurship taught by School of Business and Public Administration faculty member Dr. Karri Perez during summer session C, which begins July 7.

 The Introduction to Entrepreneurship course is the first step in a process toward developing an Entrepreneurship Concentration within the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program, as well as a Certificate in Entrepreneurship program designed for small business owners, or individuals interested in starting their own business.

 "We start with business basics," says Perez. "Students will learn about taking a business idea, building a business plan and turning it into a business reality. We will touch on everything they need to know to start up a new business."

Introduction to Entrepreneurship is the perfect course for someone with a great business idea and a lot of energy, but little business experience," said Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, Executive Director of the School of Business and Public Administration. "The School of Business and Public Administration houses the Guam Small Business Development Center, and so students will become familiar with what the SBDC offers, and how to access their services."

 The deadline to register for summer session C is July 7. For more information contact Dr. Karri Perez at 488-2526 or 735-2512.

-END-

The Bank of Guam sponsors Women in Business program at Guam SBDC

The Bank of Guam announces its second year of sponsorshipof the Bank of Guam Women in Business program at the Guam Small Business Development Center housed at the University of Guam.The Women in Business Program helps women business owners and women who want to start a business with their business planning needs. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Anita Borja-Enriquez, executive director of UOG’s School of Business and Public Administration; Dr. Helen Whippy, UOG senior vice president; Lou Leon Guerrero, Bank of Guam President and Board Chair; Denise Mendiola Hertslet, Business Counselor and Program Coordinator, Bank of Guam Women in Business program, Guam SBDC; Jackie A. Marati, Bank of Guam Senior Vice President/Marketing Administrator;and Betsy Iriarte,acting director, Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center.

 Anne Perez Hattori, a history professor at the University of Guam, was selected as an American Fellow by the American Association of University Women for 2008-2009. Hattori is one of 97 Fellows, selected from a nationwide pool of 1,116 applicants. 

The selected American Fellows are a group of exceptional women whose work promises to enhance such diverse disciplines as biology, philosophy, anthropology, and history. “As an AAUW American Fellow, Dr. Hattori joins the ranks of women who are leaders and role models worldwide,” said Barbara L. O’Connor, President, AAUW Educational Foundation.

Hattori was also selected as a Franklin Research Fellow by the American Philosophical Society. Since 1933 the American Philosophical Society has awarded small grants to scholars in order to support the cost of research leading to publication in all areas of knowledge. The Franklin Research Grants program expects to award more than $300K to 75 scholars this program year. The Franklin program is designed to help meet the costs of travel to libraries and archives for research purposes; the purchase of microfilm, photocopies, or equivalent research materials; the costs associated with fieldwork; or laboratory research expenses.

 “I will use the funding provided through both fellowships to further my research on the little known history of leprosy on Guam,” said Hattori.  The fellowship funds will enable her to conduct research at the US National Archives in Washington, DC, where she will search specifically for information on the fate of Guam’s leprosy patients after they were exiled in 1912 to the Culion Leper Colony in the Philippines.  Hattori is the author of , “Colonial Dis-Ease: US Navy Health Policies and the Chamorros of Guam, 1898–1941,” which examines some of the intersections of race, class, and gender in American colonial policies regarding leprosy, midwifery, hospitals, hookworm, and public health in pre-war Guam.

Anne Perez Hattori earned a Ph.D. in Pacific history in 1999 and an M.A. in Pacific Islands studies in 1995 from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

A team of UOG business students ranked at the top of the list in a four-way tie to win the 2008 Global Business Strategy Game against 1,157 teams from 83 colleges and universities worldwide.

“Jarela Ngiraked, Catherine Torres, Lanie Valencia, and Kenye Waguk are enrolled in our business management capstone course and participated in the Business Strategy Game,” said Dr. Annette Santos, assistant professor of management at in the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Guam. “The results show UOG business students have the ability and knowledge to thrive in the global marketplace.”

“This reflects our strategic commitment towards developing business administration students’ global knowledge and practical application towards strategy development, decision-making, and other key management capabilities,” as part of our degree programs’ learning goals,” said Anita Borja Enriquez, executive director of UOG’s School of Business and Public Administration.

The Business Strategy Game is an online global simulation where teams of students are assigned the task of running an athletic footwear company in head-to-head competition against other student-run companies. Just as in the real-world, companies compete in a global market arena, selling branded and private-label athletic footwear in four geographic regions — Europe-Africa, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Company co-managers must make decisions relating to plant operations, distribution and warehouse operations, work force compensation, online sales at the company’s web site, sales and marketing, and finance. The challenge is to craft and execute a competitive strategy that results in a respected brand image, keeps your company in contention for global market leadership, and produces good financial performance as measured by earnings per share, return on investment, stock price appreciation, and credit rating. For more information on the Global Business Game visit: http://www.bsg-online.com/stats/top20.html?id=459

Fifty high school seniors applied for the scholarship, and 24 recipients were selected out of the applicant pool. Recipients have an average GPA of 3.18 and come from private and public high schools. Eight of the recipients are male and 16 are female. Six of the recipients plan to pursue elementary teaching degrees, while 15 want to become secondary teachers, and three want to pursue degrees in special education. “These scholarships are worth $40,000 over a four year period,” said Sanchez. “The YEC scholarship recipients will pay back in service and teach in the Guam Public School System one year for every year in which they receive a scholarship.”

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Dr. Richard Mankin, an entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Gainesville, Florida, is on Guam for two weeks to help with the coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication project, a cooperative project being run by the Guam Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the University of Guam.  Mankin is recognized as a world class expert on acoustic detection of insect pests.  He has developed hi-tech electronic equipment which can detect insects by the sounds they make.  Mankin is working with UOG entomologist Dr. Aubrey Moore, under a grant funded by the USDA Western Integrated Pest management Center.  They are evaluating acoustic detection technology to see if they can locate the hard to find rhino beetles so that they can be killed.

The objective of the eradication program is to kill all rhino beetles on island.  The first rhino beetle was found on Guam in September 2007.  These large scarab beetles kill palms when they bore onto the growing tip.  Immature beetles, called grubs, feed in decaying coconut logs and stumps. The Guam coconut rhinoceros beetle project is trying to kill all rhino beetles on Guam before they can spread.  Rhino beetles are currently found only along the west coast, from Agana in the south to Tanguisson in the north.  “If we cannot eradicate this pest of palm trees, it is probable that half the coconut palms on Guam will be killed,” said Moore.

Mankin and Moore have spent a week in the field recording the sounds of grubs and adult beetles.  They will be presenting a report on their research in a seminar on Friday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. in room 104 in the Agriculture and Sciences Building at the University of Guam.  This seminar is open to the public.

For further information please contact Dr. Aubrey Moore at 735-2086.

 

May 6

New Equipment at UOG Measures Toxic Substances

Dr. Reddy in his lab with the very specialized Gas Chromatography machine.

An $85,000 grant from USDA to the University of Guam has allowed Western Pacific Tropical Research Center (WPTRC) scientist Dr. G.V.P. Reddy to purchase highly specialized equipment for his laboratory. The new Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) machines are capable of Electron Impact Ionization and Chemical Ionization.

These specialized pieces of equipment provide the means to identify and measure the content of a chemical product, including measuring toxic substances in plants, soil, air or water. Chemists and engineers using these machines can perform high quality trace sample analysis for the energy and environmental industries.

The main area of use for GC is in the separation and analysis of multi-component mixtures, which can be used in many fields of application. One such area is testing soil for potentially deadly bacteria such as Clostridium bacteria, which causes tetanus, a potentially fatal disease for humans. Another important application for GC-MS is in environmental studies where pollution from hydrocarbons and solvents may be suspected. Since aromatic hydrocarbons are considered highly toxic and carcinogenic, it is important to monitor water and soil for contamination to keep these substances out of the human food chain. Both pieces of equipment are very accurate and can measure picomoles of a substance in a 1 ml liquid sample or parts-per-billion concentrations in gaseous samples.

As a chemical ecologist and entomologist, Dr. Reddy has plans to use this equipment in his work on invasive species and pest control. His expertise is in analysis, isolation and identification of natural products from insects and plants and his research focuses on the identification of insect pheromones, understanding the behavior of invasive insect species and developing more environmentally friendly methods of insect pest control. “These machines can be used to identify semiochemicals such as pheromones, kairomones etc. in insects and plants and then these chemicals can be used in pest control programs,” states Dr. Reddy. He hopes that scientists and governmental agencies in the region will be interested in utilizing this newly acquired equipment, which is now available to researchers.

For more information regarding the new Gas Chromatography and GC-Mass Spectrometry machines contact Dr. G.V.P. Reddy at 735-2142 or via email at reddy@uguam.uog.edu. For information on the work of Western Pacific Tropical Research Center scientists log on tohttp://www.wptrc.org/. University of Guam researchers continue to make a difference for the island and the region through their work.