UOG Celebrates Graduates at Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement

UOG Celebrates Graduates at Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement

UOG Celebrates Graduates at Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement


5/25/2025
Commencement VIPs
The 91快播 Board of Regents meets with President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. before the Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) Commencement Ceremony on May 25 at the UOG Calvo Field House. From left to right: Regent Edward Ulloa, Vice Chairperson Agapito 鈥淧ete鈥 Diaz, Chairperson Lesley-Anne Leon Guerrero, President Whipps, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, Student Regent Julie Laxamana, Treasurer Mike Naholowaa, and Regent Christopher Duenas.
Commencement speaker
His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, delivers the keynote address, encouraging graduates to lead with vision and integrity across the Pacific region.
Co-Valedictorian
Co-Valedictorian Nicole Jean Pineda delivers the class address, reflecting on the power of education to inspire growth, service, and connection.
Co-Valedictorians with CNAS Dean
Co-Valedictorians Nicole Jean Pineda and Joselle Jayna Calma Garcia both Biology: Biomedical majors were recognized for their academic excellence and leadership as part of the Class of Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025. From left to right: Joselle Garcia; Dr. Rachael Leon Guerrero, Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences; and Nicole Pineda.
Business Administration Graduate
Business Administration major Thelma Grace Rogers celebrates as she walks towards the stage to receive her diploma during the 91快播 Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25.
Nursing Graduates
Nursing graduates gather for a photo before the 91快播 Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25.
Master of Public Administration Graduate
Master of Public Administration graduate Evander De Guzman greets UOG Board of Regents Chairperson Lesley-Anne Leon Guerrero as he walks across the stage at the University of Guam鈥檚 Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25.
ROTC U.S. Army officers
Among the graduates at the 91快播鈥檚 Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25, were 16 newly commissioned U.S. Army officers from UOG鈥檚 Army ROTC program. Since 1982, the program has commissioned 609 UOG graduates as officers in the U.S. Army.

 

The 91快播 conferred degrees to 375 graduates during the Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the UOG Calvo Field House comprising 320 bachelor's and 55 master's degree recipients. This matches Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2019 as the largest graduating class in the University鈥檚 history for a single semester.

Combined with Fanuch氓nan (Fall) 2024, UOG conferred 594 total degrees in academic year 2024-2025 underscoring UOG's commitment to cultivating a robust professional workforce tailored to the region鈥檚 evolving needs. UOG graduates are poised to contribute significantly across sectors critical to the development of the island and region, including healthcare, science and engineering, education, and business and public service.

Meeting Workforce Needs with Career-Ready Graduates

The Fa帽omn氓kan (Spring) 2025 graduating class reflects the UOG鈥檚 focus on academic programs that align with Guam鈥檚 priority workforce sectors:

  • Professionals in Healthcare: The healthcare pipeline continues to grow, with 31 graduates, 16 , and 13 earning degrees, spanning public health, pre-physical therapy, and exercise science .

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math: Future medical doctors, scientists, engineers, and tech professionals are entering the workforce or seeking higher degrees, including 30 in , 31 in , and 16 in science and programs.

  • Education: There were 64 graduates in including 39 earning bachelor鈥檚 degrees and 25 earning master鈥檚 degrees, highlighting UOG鈥檚 role in developing qualified educators to serve in Guam鈥檚 schools.

  • Business and Public Administration: 131 new graduates are ready to serve and contribute to the private and public sectors, including 60 graduates earning and degrees, 26 earning degrees in , 11 in , and 17 earning master鈥檚 degrees in or administration.

  • Officers Ready to Serve: Among the graduates were 16 newly commissioned U.S. Army officers from the UOG Army ROTC program. Since 1982, the program has commissioned 609 UOG graduates as officers in the U.S. Army.

Reflections on Resilience and Purpose

In her address to the graduates, Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez, UOG President, affirmed the vital role of education in an uncertain world.

鈥淚n this rapidly changing world, you may find yourselves navigating a complex web of political, civil, and economic challenges,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t is in this atmosphere of uncertainty that education emerges as our most prized asset.鈥

Co-Valedictorian Nicole Jean Pineda, a major, delivered the class address, sharing her transformation from burnout to purpose as she engaged in community service, research, and student leadership.

鈥淚t was through these experiences and encounters that I grasped the bridging role that education serves to our community,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t opens doors to service and connection, and it was a reminder that the decisions I make today and goals I set鈥ill impact a future patient, a future student, a future friend.鈥

Pineda shares the valedictorian honor with her friend and colleague in the Biology: Biomedical track, Joselle Garcia.

Regional Inspiration

The keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, who reflected on his journey of service and leadership and encouraged graduates to lead with courage and a deep commitment to their communities.

鈥淕raduates, your education has prepared you to be agents of change, champions for what is good and right,鈥 President Whipps said. 鈥溾se your education to uplift your people, strengthen your nations, and build a more just and sustainable Pacific.鈥

He also underscored the significance of regional partnerships in higher education. Earlier this month, 20 Palauan teachers earned their bachelor鈥檚 degrees in with specialization in Special Education through a partnership between UOG and Palau Community College.  

The Fa帽omn氓kan 2025 Commencement ceremony was livestreamed and is available for replay on the . Photos from the event will be posted on UOG鈥檚 Flickr page at: .