Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata was presented with an award from her alma mater, the University of Guam, naming her among their Distinguished Alumni. The President of the University, the honorable Dr. Robert Underwood, presented the award in person Thursday evening on the occasion of his speech at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

“I’m humbled and grateful,” said Aumua Amata. “This brings back many warm memories of my time at the University of Guam. Thank you, Dr. Underwood, and all the graduates over the years, for all you’ve done to build the University’s excellent reputation throughout the Pacific and beyond. And thank you, most of all, to the people of American Samoa, whom I have the honor to represent.”

It was Congresswoman Amata’s distinct pleasure to introduce Dr. Underwood for his speech to the combined audiences of the Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies, and the Asian Studies Program, at Georgetown University’s Intercultural Center. Dr. Underwood was speaking as part of Georgetown University’s Governor Peter Tali Coleman lecture series.

BACKGROUND

The University of Guam announced the 2017 UOG Distinguished Alumni Awards, following a search for nominees by the UOG Office of Development & Alumni Affairs and the UOG Alumni Association this year. The board of judges included the respective Deans and one faculty member from each of the schools and colleges, an alumni association representative, a notable member of the island community, and a representative of UOG’s Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. Judges’ recommendations were then forwarded to President Robert Underwood for a final decision.

The award recognizes the following criteria:

• Professional accomplishment in their field: has the nominee attained a high level of distinction and achievement through scholarship, research, teaching, creative contributions to the arts (comprising Humanities, Performing and Fine Arts, Social Sciences and Business) or sciences (comprising Science, Engineering and Health Sciences) and/or service to society?
• Candidate exhibits a high degree of character and integrity.
• Civic and University involvement, awareness and concern.
• Nominee's achievements have local, national and/or international significance.