With honor and prestige, the graduates from the University of Guam School of Business and Public Administration’s (SBPA) Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and Professional Masters in Business Administration (PMBA) programs received their graduation hoods on Dec. 17 at the Lotte Hotel Guam.

“I’m so thankful I was able to complete the PMBA program,” said Lorenzo Eduvala, customer engagement officer at Bank of Guam and recent graduate of the program. “The first couple of months weren’t easy. However I had an amazing cohort, and our professors were supportive along the way.”

Eduvala was one of 14 candidates for the PMBA program that were honored that night. Seventeen candidates for the MPA program also received their hoods that night in front of a room full of family and friends.

SBPA Dean Dr. Annette Taijeron Santos said Commencement season is her favorite time of the academic year, especially when such hard working and tenacious students graduate from the School.

“Our graduates leave not only with a degree in hand but with a commitment to be active contributors to our community,” she said.  “I look forward to seeing even greater things they will accomplish.”

Eduvala said with the skills and knowledge learned through his time in the program, he sees a holistic benefit for himself as he continues his career in business on Guam. 

“Not only did I make wonderful friends during the program, it also gave me the opportunity to network with splendid individuals who will definitely accomplish great things along their careers in business,” he said. “Aside from my cohort, I was also fortune to work with a distinguished faculty that I know will be supportive even after the program.  Everything I learned and acquired in school, I intend to apply fully as I embark on a new adventure – paving the way into the Guam business community.”

See photos from the School of Business and Public Administration Fall 2015 Hooding Ceremony on the UOG Flickr site.