This event will bring together two respected scholars, Robert A. Underwood, former Member of the U.S. Congress and UOG President Emeritus, and special guest Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga, President of the University Abat Oliba CEU of Barcelona, Spain and expert in the CHamoru language. The conversation will explore the ongoing impact of historical events and how our contemporary perspectives shape our understanding of the past.

In 1998, Guam and Spain commemorated the centennial of the U.S. Navy's takeover of Guam at the end of the Spanish-American War and the subsequent change of sovereignty over the remaining Spanish territories in Micronesia. This pivotal moment in history continues to resonate today, influencing both present-day narratives and collective memory.

The roundtable, moderated by Dr. Carlos Madrid, Director of Research at MARC, and introduced by Dr. Monique C. Storie, Dean of University Libraries, promises to be an engaging and insightful discussion. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with two prominent figures who played key roles in the 1998 commemoration, as they reflect on how history, memory, and politics intersect in the context of Micronesia.

The public is invited to participate in a meaningful dialogue that delves into the complexities of historical memory and its influence on contemporary society.

About the Speakers

Dr. Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga, Rector of Universitat Abat Oliba CEU in Barcelona, Spain, and President of the Spanish Association for Pacific Studies (AEEP). Dr. Rodríguez-Ponga, holding a PhD in Linguistics, has conducted extensive research on CHamoru and other languages and cultures in the Pacific since his first visit to Guam and the CNMI in 1985.

Dr, Robert A. Underwood, former Member of the U.S. Congress, President Emeritus of the University of Guam, and a member of the Kumision i Fino’ CHamoru. Underwood is a distinguished scholar with numerous publications on education, regional political issues, indigenous concerns, and cultural change in Guam.

About the Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center
The Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center at the University of Guam is dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of the unique cultural heritage and history of the Micronesian region. MARC is committed to fostering scholarly research and community engagement through its various programs and events.