An annual tradition since 2018, the Triton Awards Program recognizes full-time UOG employees who demonstrate exemplary work, make significant contributions, and/or demonstrate outstanding service to their division or to the University.

The awards this year recognize achievements made in 2021.

Triton of the Year

David S. Okada, Interim Chief of Staff for the President and Board Liaison, was named Triton of the Year by the nomination award committee. Okada gives credit to the behind-the-scenes efforts of multiple people and offices that support his mission of doing work for the Office of the President and for the broader goals of the University of Guam.

“I want to thank the team that supports me because this kind of position that I’m in – you can’t do it alone. I’ve got a lot of hardworking staff who work for me and technically with me,” Okada said.

“I appreciate the work that you do as a team. Thank you for making me look good,” said Okada, drawing laughter from the crowd, and accepting the award on behalf of everyone on his team. 

The winners of the other categories are:

Triton Team Award: The University’s Marketing and Communications Office

Faculty of the Year: Dr. Myeong-Ho Yeo, assistant professor, Water and Environmental Research Institute

Student Employee of the Year: Chelsea Marie Gonzales, Administrative Technician at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Triton Cares Awardee: Virgilio Calceta, maintenance worker at Triton Athletics

Innovation Award: Amanda Blas, Associate Director, Global Learning and Engagement

COVID-19 Hero Award: Daniel Carlton Raglmar, an outreach coordinator at GLE

Institutional Prestige Award: UOG Sea Grant

Supervisor of the Year: Carlos R. Taitano, director, Global Learning and Engagement

Recognition for 30 years of service
Five employees received recognition for having reached a 30-year milestone as employees of UOG.
Omaira Brunal-Perry, Associate Professor, MARC
Carmen D. Crisostomo, Library Technician II, Robert F. Kennedy Library
Lavonne C. Guerrero-Meno, Administrative Officer, MARC
Dr. Mari N. Marutani, professor, Western Pacific Tropical Research Center
Dr. Clarissa G. Quan, Associate Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Recognition for 20 years of service
Virgilia Aquino, Accountant II, Comptroller’s Office
Marissa Mae Barcinas, Program Coordinator, EMSS
Dr. Stephen C. Bednarzyk, Professor, CLASS
Eduardo R. Cruz, ESL instructor, GLE
Dr. Lourdes M. Ferrer, Professor, School of Education
Ngedikes Francisco, Program Coordinator IV, EMSS
Dr. Christopher B. Garcia-Santos, Associate Professor, CLASS
Dr. Mohammad Golabi, Professor, WPTRC
Norma G. Guevarra, Program Coordinator 1, EMSS
Dr. Yuka Iwata, Professor, CLASS
JeffreyJon Limtiaco, Grant Specialist, Guam CEDDERS
Laurine Q. Sablan, Administrative Assistant, SBPA/Pacific Island Small Business Development Center Network

Recognition for 10 years of service
Leah Grace N. Abelon, Project Coordinator, Guam CEDDERS
Norman S. Analista, Director, Development, Alumni Affairs and Foundation Relations
Maria Cynthia F. Borja, Records and Registration Technician, EMSS
Coleen Dela Cruz, Grant Budget Specialist I, Guam CEDDERS
Hyun Jong Hahm, Associate Professor, CLASS
Jefrey Libao, Assistant Professor, Robert F. Kennedy Library
Bertha Meno, Maintenance Custodian, Facilities Management and Services
Joann M. Sablan, Administrative Assistant, CNAS
Dr. Michelle M. Santos, Associate Professor, School of Education
Carlos R. Taitano, Director, Global Learning and Engagement
Joseph E. Tuquero, Extension Agent III, CNAS
Remylyn B. Yamanaka, Project Manager, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Dr. Leila Kabigting, Associate Professor, SBPA
Dr. Arun Swamy, professor, CLASS

Recognition of promotion
Anthony A. Agustin, administrative assistant, WERI
Dr. Bastian Bentlage, Associate Professor, Marine Lab
Daniel S. Blas, Maintenance Custodian, Facilities Management and Services
Paul Christopher Cruz, Maintenance Custodian, Facilities Management and Services
Dr. Tressa Perez Diaz, Associate Professor, Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health
Mallary Nicole Chargualaf Duenas, Chemist II, WERI
Eden Suarez Galvez, Program Coordinator III, EMSS
Dr. Christopher Garcia-Santos, Associate Professor, CLASS
Dr. Romina King, Associate Professor, WPTRC
Wai Yi Ma, Associate Professor, RFK Library
Dr. Ujwalkumar Patil, Associate Professor, School of Engineering
Dr. Yvette Paulino, Professor, Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health
Gema C. Payumo, Program Coordinator IV, WERI

Recognition of tenure
Dr. Bastian Bentlage, Associate Professor, Marine Lab
Dr. David J. Combosch, Associate Professor, Marine Lab
Dr. Tressa Perez Diaz, Associate Professor, Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health
Dr. Atsushi Fujimura, Associate Professor, Marine Lab
Dr. Christopher B. Garcia-Santos, Associate Professor, CLASS
Dr. Peter C. Houk, Professor, Marine Lab
Dr. Irena Keckes, Associate Professor, CLASS
Dr. Romina P. King, Associate Professor, WPTRC
Jefrey Leonor Libao, Assistant Professor, RFK Library
Dr. Dean Anthony Olah, Associate Professor, School of Education
Dr. Yvette Paulino, Professor, Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health

Recognition of Emeritus status
Dr. Yukiko Inoue-Smith, Emeritus Professor, School of Education
Dr. Randall D. Johnson, Emeritus Professor, CLASS
Dr. Shahram Khosrowpanah, Emeritus Dean, School of Engineering
Dr. Kim R. Skoog, Emeritus Professor, CLASS
Dr. Lilnabeth Somnera, Emeritus Professor, CLASS
Dr. Kathryn M. Wood, Emeritus Professor, Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health