“I personally believe that the college is on its way to a whole new beginning, a new adventure, if we can harness the passion and energy that was just demonstrated so thoroughly by so many of you here today. That is the greatest inspiration I’ve had in many, many years,” said McPhetres, the keynote speaker of NMC’s 30th commencement exercise on Saturday at the Marianas High School gymnasium where 168 college students received their degrees and diplomas.
In his speech, McPhetres disclosed how he was confronted by then-NMC President Dr. Carmen Fernandez about his research project which he described as “one of the great inspirational aspects of the teaching I’ve been doing here.”
Fernandez’s decision to fire McPhetres in December triggered a public outcry that resulted in her suspension and eventual termination.
NMC has re-hired McPhetres who will resume teaching history and current issues.
His students conduct surveys or research projects about pressing or controversial CNMI issues.
He said that when his students were conducting research on the zoning law at the Garapan tourist district, they noticed that they were being followed by cars. Sometimes, he added, stones were thrown at the students.
His students also looked into prostitution on Saipan and produced a DVD about their findings.
“They had the audacity to label it ‘McPhetres Productions,’ ” the instructor said in jest.
“Keep in mind that a good many of these students are with the Army Reserve, and all of them are over 18 and the issue is a very critical one to the CNMI. Going the extra mile in programs like this makes it a true inspiration. I am so very proud of all of them,” McPhetres said.
He narrated his life as a Peace Corps volunteer and his assignments to the Ivory Coast, Somalia and Chuuk, as well as his travels to other parts of the world where he learned Spanish, French and other languages.
McPhetres said he would not be at the commencement exercise “without the overwhelming showing of support from so many of you and from your predecessors who have already graduated and their parents, some of whom are also my ex-students.”
