Keynoted by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, the maiden commencement exercise was witnessed by members of the community and CNMI officials.
Emmanuel College, which opened its door last year for its 11-month vocational nursing course, was lauded by the governor for its commitment to provide a quality vocational nursing program in the CNMI.
“Today’s graduation ceremony represents the translation of a vision into a concrete reality,” he said. “It was not that long ago when I took part in the grand opening ceremony for Emmanuel College at the Pacific Towers facility. Today, we see the successful result of that grand opening: the first graduates from this vocational nursing school program.”
Fitial said the 20 graduates have done a terrific job completing the program.
“You are now on your way to a satisfying career serving others. You are now ready to live up to the theme of this program: ‘Nursing: Caring, Compassion, Commitment.’ Your skills are in very high demand, both here and abroad, and especially in the United States,” he said.
After successfully completing the vocational nursing program, the graduates can now get $18 to $24 per hour, or $26,000 to $46,000 a year.
Fitial at the same time expressed his gratitude to the college’s board chairwoman, Sedy Demesa, “who executed a plan and overcame many obstacles to see today’s result.”
“It is because of her vision, discipline and strength, the CNMI now has Emmanuel College, a private vocational nursing school training local residents in a respected and much needed profession. She established a college the CNMI can appreciate —a college that creates meaningful employment, advances health care, and serves society,” he said.
Fitial also recognized the efforts of the institution’s board members which include Eli Arago and Ramon Dizon.
The governor said the graduation “is a perfect illustration of the promise and potential for an education industry in the CNMI — the college shows that the islands can have a viable education industry.”
With the collapse of the garment industry, Fitial said the CNMI has found education as its new industry to supplement the tourism market.
He noted the establishment of the Ladera International School of Saipan and the Loyola Medical and Business School.
“We just need to convince federal policymakers to allow us to bring in foreign students, teachers, and investors to put everything together, and my administration is committed to doing just that to support this promising industry,” he added.
Emmanuel College president Mark Mendiola said they are now in the process of communicating with national nursing accreditation agencies.
“We’re excited now that we’re seeking national accreditation and we’re in the process of doing that. We know it’s a long process but Emmanuel College is committed in completing it…hopefully we can expand and grow from there,” he told Variety.
Of the 20 new graduates, four are from Tinian.
For their second batch, Mendiola said they already have 14 students, five of whom are from Tinian.
He lauded the commitment to education of Tinian Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas.
“It is the intention of the Tinian municipality to have all these nursing graduates [from the program] to work at the island’s health center,” Mendiola said.
He added that Emmanuel College’s vocational nursing program intends to “assist and supplement the good work” of Northern Marianas College’s nursing program.
The college expressed its appreciation to the administration and the Department of Public Health for their assistance and support.
Majority of the graduates told Variety that they intend to stay and serve the local community.
The more than two-hour ceremony was highlighted by the pin and lamp lighting rites ,a video presentation and the passing of the key of responsibilities from Carmel Joan Cabrera, president of the pioneer group, to her successor Vicente Sablan Jr.
