The University of Guam conferred degrees to 253 students today at its Fanuchånan 2019 Commencement Ceremony held at the UOG Calvo Field House. Crossing the stage were 176 undergraduate and 77 graduate students. The number of master’s degrees conferred is 30% higher than last year.
The largest number of graduates came from the School of Business and Public Administration, which conferred 102 undergraduate and graduate degrees. The business school and the School of Education graduated the most master’s students, conferring 33 degrees each.
Biology major Natasha D. Hagans was named the class valedictorian, and Annmarie T. Muña, general manager for AM Insurance and a 1983 UOG alumna majoring in management and business administration, delivered the commencement address.
Valedictorian Natasha D. Hagans, in her address said, “You don’t have to know what you want to do after you graduate. I thought I knew what I wanted to do when I first started college, and now I am ending in a very different direction. … No matter where life takes us after we leave here today, I just wanted to say that I am proud of each and every one of you and have no doubt that you will all go on to do amazing things
Annmarie T. Muña, commencement speaker expressed, “If there’s one thing that I strived to master throughout the years, it’s to build and maintain lasting relationships — because people matter. … Whenever I’m doing anything, I try to make friends along the way and look for any opportunities to network wherever I can.”
She further added, “I learned very early on that no matter what job you’re going to do … you’re going to have to be willing to do the hard work. You need to show up, even if you don’t want to. You’re going to have to stay late. … You have to do all the tasks assigned to you.”
“It feels surreal. When I was a freshman, I didn’t think I would make it this far, and I’m so excited to see what’s in store for me in the future,” said Isabella A. Alvia, Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass media studies
Christian Punzalan, Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing said, “The best part about my UOG experience was growing my network of peers. It’s a great way to meet people from all walks of life and the people who will be prominent figures in the future. It’s a great way to grow your network now so you can improve yourself and your community.”
Annmarie T. Muña delivered the UOG commencement address on Dec. 22 at the Calvo Field House.
Muña graduated from the University of Guam in 1983with top honors, earning her bachelor’s as a double major in management and business administration while working as an insurance clerk for Universe Insurance Underwriters. Following graduation, she transitioned into management and eventually opened her own insurance company, AM Insurance, in 1994 in response to a growing need on island for excess and surplus coverage of large local companies.
Muñais a strong believer in giving back to the community, both financially and through service.
She currently serves on the boards of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, and the Guam Community College Foundation Board of Governors.