We thought we would send this as a letter to the editor to share it with the community who has supported you so strongly.
As a small boy, I would listen in to the stories you told the dinner guests. Stories of Cargo Cults, Ecuadorian escapes, boats hitting reefs in Chuuk, hippos in Africa, meetings at the pentagon, and “elephantitis” in the Trust Territory. We just could not believe how much you’ve experienced and the places you’ve been. Washington, D.C. to the Ivory Coast. Micronesia to Madrid. It was like you’ve been everywhere. We were lucky as your kids to be able to accompany you on some of these trips and it seemed like you knew everyone everywhere we went. Even when you didn’t know them, you became fast friends by the end of the conversation.
To us, you were Dad…but to everyone one else, you were Mr. McPhetres, the man with the answers. As I got older, I began to understand why. You have the first hand experience of an explorer. You have the knowledge of a historian and the talent to compose that knowledge as an author. You have experience with so many cultures and after travelling the world, you chose to call Saipan home.
I usually hear two things here when I meet a student that transferred here from NMC. First: Your name is Sam McPhetres? I had a professor with that name! And Second: He was my favorite instructor because he (insert your own reason here…). Joann and I have heard many reasons over the years and thought that we would share a few with you here that we received recently from former students and colleagues:
Arnold Atalig: “Your dad was and still is a great instructor. NMC just lost an icon.”
Melina Rasa: “I had your dad as an instructor and he was awesome, he taught us to think outside the box.”
Duane Sablan: “Sam’s way of teaching was to challenge the student to participate in their community, to know the opinion of the community, to actively participate in the life of their community…many of his students are now leaders of our community… Thank you Sam!”
Juanita Piola Camacho: “He’s the BEST instructor I’ve had while going to NMC. Jo, your dad is one of the smartest people I know.”
Daisy Villagomez-Bier: “I did not have him as an instructor but I truly learned so much from him as a colleague. In all my years there, I saw how much he instilled in the students, the importance of critical thinking, taking on challenges and being part of a solution in improving our community. Thank you Sam!”
Carol Chargualaf: “I never had him as an instructor but I always heard such wonderful things about him. Even I know the value of his knowledge and appreciate that he was able to spend so many years sharing that knowledge with his students.”
And finally, a note from a special former student:
I am writing this letter not as your daughter, but as a former student, to show my deepest gratitude for everything you have done. When I was in my final year of classes, I had to take your class in order to graduate.
I didn’t know how that was going to work with me being your daughter. Well, that didn’t stop you from treating me like one of the other students. You had me working just as hard as everyone else. As you know, I didn’t really pay attention to what was going on in the community before your course. I was so amazed with everything that I learned was going on around me.
You had taught your students that you make changes without knowing what is going on around you. I remember after I graduated, students that I didn’t even know would come up to me and ask me to talk to you about signing them into your class when your class was full. It’s rare when you have an instructor that all students love and admire. The college is losing such a rare asset.
Thank you for that great experience and thank you for caring about your students!
— Josephine McPhetres
I have enjoyed the phone calls over the years when you told me about the projects that your students have chosen. How, through your voice, I could imagine your eyes lighting up when you told me about how an individual or group of students have taken the initiative and went above and beyond what was required. You love teaching and your students love you.
You have made such a difference in many people’s lives as an educator and a role model. You not only taught historical facts, but educated people in a way that helped them to think analytically for themselves. You are the first hand source for all things Micronesian both locally and internationally. You are beloved by your students and respected by the community.
To the community: On behalf of my sister and myself, we thank you so much for your support of our father during this unexpected and still unexplained event.
To our dad: On behalf of your students, we thank you for being one of the best teachers out there. We would know. We are your first two students. We love you.
SAMUEL MANGLONA
MCPHETRES
JOSEPHINE MANGLONA
MCPHETRES
San Vicente, Saipan
