02/03/19

Hey PIU Students, this is the latest edition of the . . . President to Students (Pr to Ss) News. Students, You have been doing a really good job with Clean & Green. I'm glad to say, that tomorrow we have lunch for all Clean & Green participants.  Come and see what's in the pot. Since tomorrow is SuperBowl, Mama Cel is giving you an option play. You can work and eat, or eat and work. Huh? You can do C&G at the usual time & then enjoy lunch, or you can come to lunch and then do C&G from 1:30 - 3:30 (or 1:00 - 3:00 if you want.). Just sign in accordingly. I hope you got the good news about Dave Owen. It has been more than two years since Dr. Owen has been on Guam. He was the President before me. I came because he was sick. There is a lot of joy in typing "were," past tense. The picture below says it well. Rejoice with Dave and Joyce. They are a big reason that PIU is the great place that it is. BTW: Joyce, a graduate of PIU, former instructor, maintenance worker, and "First Lady" will be our 2019 Graduation speaker.   There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that you students don't know about. Almost all our students go into Finanicial Aid Director, Delight Suda's, office and come out with money. Maybe you think that any place that calls itself a school, can simply gather together a bunch of young people who call themselves students, and like magic the US government will give them money. No. No. No! We are only able to participate in United States of America Department of Education programs, like Pell Grants, by being an accredited school. We are accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. As their logo says, that requires us to meet "a higher standard."  Every ten years we have a major checkup to see if are meeting that standard. We have been in that cycle of being checked on, for several months now. One way or another it will continue for the rest of this calendar year. Let me quote from an email I just sent to faculty and staff. All three VPs [Dot, Alex, & Nino]  have worked really hard on this project. Our two Program Chairs [otaka & Paul] have provided a great deal of input. . . . I believe . . . we'll get [our report] sent to TRACS tomorrow, Monday on Guam. I try not to overuse superlatives, but I think this accomplishment merits them. I told Nino that this is "remarkable." . . ." (Email from HM, 2/3/19) The report is about 100 pages. When the Visiting Team comes, March 25, we will have assembled about 2,000 pages of documentation to back up the report. I'll let you know more about it as soon as I get some dates for when we can do it, but we'll be undertaking a project to improve the looks of the Study Center. You students will like it, because it will keep balls from rolling under the building. You'll also have the opportunity to learn some carpentry skills. Be watching for more information. The PIU family has had to deal with some really hard things in the last few Month or so. I have been really proud of the way you students have stepped up. Let's continue to work to make this a great semester. Speaking of something to watch for: The Marriage Preparation Gathering (MPG) will be tomorrow, Monday, at 6:00, in classroom 0. It is for all engaged and newly married couples.       Fill in the blanks, left. Send your entry in an email tohmerrell@piu.edu. The winner will get a free Wendy's meal. By His Grace,     The Prez.