Abi Rivera (left), her husband Dr. John Rivera, and their daughter stand with Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Norman Analista and his family during the 63rd Anniversary Founders Day Gala on June 27. 

Members of the university community alongside friends, family and sponsors celebrated 63 years since the founding of the University of Guam last Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Guam.

Director of Development and Alumni Affairs Norman Analista said nearly 400 people attended the annual Founders Day Gala whose theme, Unlocking Possibilities, yielded a night of food, fun, and entertainment for all.

“The evening was an opportunity to show just how much support our community has for the University,” Analista said. “For me, it really speaks volumes about how much the community is willing to rally behind the University and its goals.”

Performances from School of Business and Public Administration Assistant Professor Dr. John Rivera and his wife Abi, the Guam Territorial Band, student Daryl Garcia, and others kept a lively environment, Analista said, while many participated in the raffle drawings and grand prize contest.

By the end of the night, $40,000 was raised for the UOG Endowment Foundation’s capital campaign to be put toward the building of a 21st Century campus, Analista said, which includes the revamping of the Student Services Center, building of a School of Engineering annex, and the creation of the Triton Engagement Center.

The 2015 Truman Scholarship recipient from UOG, Rebecca Casimbon, was also honored during the Gala for her academic efforts. Casimbon will graduate from UOG in the fall with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management and a minor in Public Administration. View Video.

The University thanks all the sponsors for their support and attendance at the Gala, especially Platinum Sponsors United Airlines, the Pacific Daily News, Agbayani Construction Corporation, and Pacific Waste Systems.