McPhetres’ contract was not renewed last December by NMC President Carmen Fernandez, triggering a public outcry that eventually led to her firing on Monday.
McPhetres is currently a self-employed consultant and writer.
One of his most recent publications is about local politics, which was one of the chapters in the book “Pacific Ways: Government and Politics in the Pacific Islands” published in New Zealand.
“I am very honored to be chosen by the graduating students,” McPhetres said.
“I hope to deliver a speech to entice, encourage and influence the graduating students to never lose their love for learning and to keep looking for that next adventure.”
NMC interim President Lorraine Cabrera thanked McPhetres for “accepting our invitation to address the graduating class.”
Associated Students of NMC president Miles Rodriguez said the graduating class selected McPhetres because of his impressive accomplishments, his contributions to the community, and his role in helping to advance the education of many NMC students.
Rodrigues, who is also a leader for the graduating class, described McPhetres as a “good teacher and many students have learned much from his classes.”
“We also selected him because we know that he will be a great source of inspiration for the graduating class at the graduation ceremony,” she added.
“Other notable individuals were nominated to provide the keynote speech, but Mr. McPhetres was on the top of the list,” she said.
Rodriquez said many students appreciate McPhetres’ ability to share his experiences and in-depth knowledge regarding the CNMI.
McPhetres taught various courses at NMC including Marianas History, American History, American Government and Current Issues in the Marianas.
He also chaired the Department of Social Sciences and Fine Arts from 2004 to 2008.
A former board member for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, he served as its president in 1996.
He held various positions in the Trust Territory for the Pacific Islands government as a program developer, a coordinator for international organizations and as director for the Trust Territory archives.
McPhetres often contributes well-received articles that have been published in a variety of academic journals and magazines.
He has written about issues regarding Pacific society, politics, and history. Some of these can be found in “Social Change in the Pacific,” a sociology textbook of the University of Hawaii, the “Dictionary of Oceania,” “Glimpses of
Micronesia” and the University of South Pacific’s “Politics in Micronesia.”
McPhetres also speaks French, Spanish, minor Chuukese, German, Italian, Somali, Chamorro and Russian.
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