Dr. Akenese Nikolao, who serves as Acting Director of Human Resources at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center, gave the keynote address at the American Samoa Community College’s 69th Commencement Ceremony, which took place on Friday, December 14th, in the Multi-Purpose Center Auditorium. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
Dr. Akenese Nikolao, who serves as Acting Director of Human Resources at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center, gave the keynote address at the American Samoa Community College’s 69th Commencement Ceremony, which took place on Friday, December 14th, in the Multi-Purpose Center Auditorium. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
ASCC Holds 69th Commencement
December 16, 2018
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
The Commencement for the fall 2018 semester at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), the 69th since the College’s inception in 1970, took place on Friday, December 14, in the auditorium of the Multi-Purpose Building. Government leaders, members of the Board of Higher Education, the ASCC administration, faculty and staff, and family members of the graduates joined the festivities as 117 students celebrated the completion of their degrees and certificates.
To make each Commencement Ceremony a memorable one, the ASCC Division of Student Services regularly asks a distinguished member of the community, often an alumni of the College, to provide the keynote address. For this occasion, ASCC proudly welcomed as keynote speaker Malopao Dr. Akenese Epi Nikolao, a 1991 ASCC graduate who has gone on to serve as Acting Director of Human Resources for the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.
Dr. Nikolao is one of six children of the late Malopao Rev. Deacon Ta’afulisia Pula Tuiteleleapaga Iuli Nikolao of Fagatogo/Utulei, Leone and Pago Pago, and Faletua Susitina T. Nikolao of Vaimoso, Malie, Satupa’itea, Salelesi and Saleaula. She is a loving single parent to Nikolao II Chacko Mutini, Taofinu’u Izrael Mutini, Clement Ta’afulisia Nikolao, Tusa John Nikolao, and Penita Nicholas Nikolao, and a member of the Utulei Catholic Parish.