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American Samoa Government - PR001-11142025
Posted: November 14, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Delivers Keynote Address at Wayland Baptist University Fall Commencement
MALAEIMI, American Samoa - In a ceremony marked by reverence, pride, and the promise of a new generation, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. served as guest speaker at the Fall Commencement Ceremony of Wayland Baptist University, held in celebration of the graduating class of 2025.
The event opened with the invocation led by Minister Papalii Alofa, whose words set a tone of reflection and gratitude. The graduating class themselves offered a moving selection of hymns, lending a personal and heartfelt spirit to the occasion.
Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. delivered special remarks on behalf of the Governor and the American Samoa Government that resonated deeply with graduates, families, and faculty. In his address, he expressed profound appreciation to the university for cultivating a space where students from American Samoa and beyond could pursue their academic aspirations and prepare to lead with integrity and purpose.
“Our graduates are not only scholars,” he stated, “they are the architects of tomorrow’s government, the stewards of our territory’s future.” He extended heartfelt thanks to the families and parents who, through unwavering support, encouraged their children to chase bold dreams, dreams that will shape the destiny of our islands.
He also acknowledged the leadership of Wayland Baptist University, commending their commitment to excellence and their role in equipping students with the tools to serve, innovate, and uplift their communities. “The work you do,” he affirmed, “ is foundational to the strength and betterment of American Samoa.”
Saunoa Fa’apitoa le Kovana Lutena i le Fa’au’uga a le Iunivesitē a Wayland Baptist
MALAEIMI, Amerika Samoa - O lagona o le fiafia na va’aia i le ‘au fa’au’u i le taeao o le aso Lulu, Novema 12, 2025. O lea sauniga sa fa’ataunu’uina i le Malumalu o le Ekalesia Manumalo Papatiso i le itula e 9:00 i le taeao i le afio’aga o Nu’uuli, Malaeimi. E tolu fa (34) le aofa’i o fanau sa fa’au’u ai, ma na ‘auai atu ai fo’i le Kovana Lutena, Afioga ia Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. e fai ma sui o le Kovana ma le Faigāmālō. O le tamaita’i ia Natalie Maea -Leo na fa’afeiloa’ia le mamalu o matua, ‘āiga, ma uō na mafai ona auai atu i ai. Na tatala aloa’ia e le susuga i le Fa’afeagaiga ia Papālii Lauli’i Alofa le porokalama i se tatalo amata, ma na ia ofoina ai ni ‘upu fa’amalosi’au i le vasega fa’au’u ina ia latou ola tautua i so’o se vaega e tautua ai.
Na saunoa fa’apitoa le Afioga le Kovana Lutena Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr, ma ia fa’amanatu ai i le ‘au fa’au’u le tāua o le lumana’i mo fanau o le atunu’u. Sa momoli fo’i lana fa’afetai ma ana fa’amanuiaga mo le au fa’au’u’. Na fa’afeilo’ai e Dr. Reupena Lesā le lauga na a’ami a le aufa’au’u.
O le Susuga ia Dr. Lumana’i Snow na saunoa i ni mafaufauga tāua sa ia lu’iina ai le ‘au fa’au’u. Muamua, ia “Fa’agalo le tuana’i, ae alo i luma le taumafai. Fa’agalo tīgā ma faigatā na savali mai ai ‘a ‘o feagai ma a’oa’oga i aso e ono (6) i vaiaso ta’itasi.” Lona lua, “Ia manatua le alofa o mātua, ma ‘āiga, auā afai e ia te outou le alofa, tou te tautua le Mālō ma tautua nu’u ma aiga.” Na ia fa’ailoa fo’i, o le Iunivesitē o Wayland sa fa’avaeina mai i le masina o Aperila 2018, ma na fa’ai’u ai lana saunoaga e ala lea i le momoli atu o fa’amanuiaga mo le ‘au fa’au’u. O le tama’ita’i ia Felolini Mine Donna Iris Levu, na fai ma sui o le ‘au fa’au’u. O lana Manulauti e fa’apea, “O FAIVA E TAPUA’IA, E A’E MANUIA”. Sa momoli lana fa’afetai i le Peresitene o le Iunivesitē fa’apea le laulauāfono, sa ia fa’afetaia foi le tapua’iga a mātua ma ‘āiga aemaise le agalelei o le Atua ua a’e manuia ai lo latou tauiviga. Na fa’amanuiaina le mamalu o le ‘au fa’au’u e tolu fa (34) i fa’ailoga maualuluga fa’apitoa, e a’afia ai le Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, Education, Business Administration, Legal Studies, ma le Public Administration. O nisi na fa’au’uina lo latou Bachelor of Applied Science, fa’apea ma le Associates of Applied Science.
Na mafai ona fa’atasi atu i ai le Peresitene o le Wayland University ia Dr. Donna Hedgepath, sui Peresitene ia Dr. David Bishop, ma le sui Fa’atonu ia Henrique Regina. Na fa’ai’uina le sauniga i le talosaga na molia e le Susuga i le Fa’afeagaiga ia Papālii Lauli’i Alofa. Sa molimauina le agaga o le fiafia ma le fa’agae’etia i ‘āiga aemaise le ‘au fa’au’u ina ua tini lau o lo latou fa’amoemoe, ma ta’ape ai le fuāmanusina i le manuia.
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