Wayland Baptist U graduates 40 from it’s Am Samoa campus

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Wayland Baptist University- American Samoa held its 2023 Fall Commencement Ceremony at the Manumalo Baptist Church in Malaeimi, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 for 40 graduates. WBU is a non-profit college and is known as the oldest institution of higher education in continuous existence on the High Plains of Texas. “Let there be Light.

The 40 graduates received 13 Master degrees, 25 Bachelors degrees and two (2) Associate degrees.

For the 13 Masters’ graduates, perhaps it was an unusually fortuitous day, with their number 13 celebrated with the 13th day of the month being the day they graduated and celebrated with their degrees in various disciplines — Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Master of Arts in Legal Studies, Master of Arts in Management, Master of Arts in Human Services, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Business Administration.

The 25 Bachelor degree graduates received their degrees in Applied Science; and the two Associates degree graduates received theirs in Applied Science.

In his special remarks, Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga told WBU- AS graduates, “You will be the ambassador of education in teaching our children and all of us for that matter.

“You will take what you have learned and teach, coach, and share your knowledge with American Samoa.

“Apostle Paul tells us, ‘For God said, let light shine out of darkness. May this light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.’ -2 Corinthians 4:6.”

Leadership Award recipients were Mrs. Alofia Afalava and Ms. Feliciamere Elisara.

The Commencement Speaker was Dr. Henrique Regina, Executive Director & Dean, Wayland Baptist University- Hawaii & AS.

Dr. Regina began with defining the word achievement. In his message he said, “The process of achieving success always carries hard work, stress, fatigue, frustration, disappointment.

“What I believe is important to highlight today is your commitment, your determination, your resilience, grit, and courage.

“Achievement is the outcome of a process. In life, we must take risks. We must put ourselves in uncomfortable situations so we evolve as humans and as professionals.

“You did exactly that!”

The Commencement ceremony drew a crowd of parents, relatives and friends to celebrate with the graduates their “light”.

Wayland is an accredited school by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's level. It first opened its doors in the territory in 2018, and its first graduation class was for 2020- 2021.