Education
UOG celebrates graduates at Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 Commencement
By
University of Guam May 26, 2025
Jonas D. Macapinlac, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
University of Guam May 26, 2025
The University of Guam Board of Regents meets with President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. before the Fañomnåkan (Spring) Commencement Ceremony on May 25 at the UOG Calvo Field House. From left to right:Regent Edward Ulloa, Vice Chairperson Agapito “Pete” Diaz, Chairperson Lesley-Anne Leon Guerrero, President Whipps, UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez, Student Regent Julie Laxamana, Treasurer Mike Naholowaa, and Regent Christopher Duenas. (University of Guam)
The University of Guam conferred degrees to 375 graduates during the Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the UOG Calvo Field House comprising 320 bachelor’s and 55 master’s degree recipients. This matches Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2019 as the largest graduating class in the University’s history for a single semester.
Combined with Fanuchånan (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’s 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 Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 graduating class reflects the UOG’s focus on academic programs that align with Guam’s priority workforce sectors:
Professionals in Healthcare: The healthcare pipeline continues to grow, with 31 nursing graduates, 16 social work graduates, and 13 earning health science degrees, spanning public health, pre-physical therapy, and exercise science concentrations.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math: Future medical doctors, scientists, engineers, and tech professionals are entering the workforce or seeking higher degrees, including 30 in Civil Engineering, 31 in Biology, and 16 in science and math programs.
Education: There were 64 graduates in education including 39 earning bachelor’s degrees and 25 earning master’s degrees, highlighting UOG’s role in developing qualified educators to serve in Guam’s schools.
Business and Public Administration: 131 new graduates are ready to serve and contribute to the private and public sectors, including 60 graduates earning business administration and accounting degrees, 26 earning degrees in criminal justice, 11 in public administration, and 17 earning master’s degrees in business or public 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.
Business Administration major Thelma Grace Rogers celebrates as she walks towards the stage to receive her diploma during the University of Guam Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25. (University of Guam)
Nursing graduates gather for a photo before the University of Guam Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25. (University of Guam)
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’s Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25. (University of Guam)
Among the graduates at the University of Guam’s Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Calvo Field House on May 25, were 16 newly commissioned U.S. Army officers from UOG’s Army ROTC program. Since 1982, the program has commissioned 609 UOG graduates as officers in the U.S. Army. (University of Guam)
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.
“In this rapidly changing world, you may find yourselves navigating a complex web of political, civil, and economic challenges,” she said. “It is in this atmosphere of uncertainty that education emerges as our most prized asset.”
Co-Valedictorian Nicole Jean Pineda, a Biology: Biomedical track major, delivered the class address, sharing her transformation from burnout to purpose as she engaged in community service, research, and student leadership.
Co-Valedictorian Nicole Jean Pineda delivers the class address, reflecting on the power of education to inspire growth, service, and connection. (University of Guam)
“It was through these experiences and encounters that I grasped the bridging role that education serves to our community,” she said. “It opens doors to service and connection, and it was a reminder that the decisions I make today and goals I set…will impact a future patient, a future student, a future friend.”
Pineda shares the valedictorian honor with her friend and colleague in the Biology: Biomedical track, Joselle Garcia.
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 Fañomnåkan (Spring) 2025. From left to right: Jayna Garcia; Dr. Rachael Leon Guerrero, Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences; and Nicole Pineda. (University of Guam)
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.
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. (University of Guam)
“Graduates, your education has prepared you to be agents of change, champions for what is good and right,” President Whipps said. “…Use your education to uplift your people, strengthen your nations, and build a more just and sustainable Pacific.”
He also underscored the significance of regional partnerships in higher education. Earlier this month, 20 Palauan teachers earned their bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education with specialization in Special Education through a partnership between UOG and Palau Community College.
The Fañomnåkan 2025 Commencement ceremony was livestreamed and is available for replay on the University of Guam’s Facebook page. Photos from the event will be posted on UOG’s Flickr page at: www.flickr.com/photos/uogtritons/albums.