DR. ROBERT Underwood, the talented and insightful president of the University of Guam, delivered a stirring reminder of the fundamental importance of education in his remarks to the tuxedoed and gowned attendees at the Saturday night formal gala marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of UOG.

“Education is the fundamental business of the University of Guam,” he told the nearly 600 who filled the Hyatt ballroom to overflowing. “Come to think of it, Education is the fundamental business of any society. How we pass on our legacy to the next generation, how we guide the young reflects our best intentions, and how we trust them in turn to wake up to their own potential and their own aspirations tells us as much about who we are, as who we think they might become.”

Underwood called the university the “central nervous system” for intellectual and creative growth in our region. More than 14,000 graduates have gone out from UOG in the last 60 years. “Without the University of Guam,” he said, “there are no nurses, environmental specialists, accountants, entrepreneurs, Micronesian historians, and there are no new teachers.”

Teachers, he said, are the foundation of all the other professions. “Without teachers, there are no doctors; without teachers, there are no builders.” The university, he said, is “central, essential to our prosperity and success as an island people in this century.”

We agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Underwood. Guam is fortunate to have not only a fine university, but a companion community college right next door that has also made great strides forward in its educational mission. And, coincidentally, today is the first day on the job for the new superintendent of education, Jon Fernandez, taking over administration of our public schools.

The filing deadline tomorrow for political candidates is also a reminder of the importance of education. Without exception, they will all emphasize it in their campaign slogans, signs and personal appearances.

We must all dream and imagine and invest, Dr. Underwood stated, ”so that the opportunities that were given to us can be passed along to future islanders, to Tritons and potential Tritons and Tritons yet to be born.”

“Who we will be as a people is made possible by the kinds of investment that we make in our educational institutions today.”

He concluded in Chamorro: “Kahulo’, taotao edukasion; kahulo’, taotao Guam; kahulo’, taotao isla. Fanga'hulo’ todo. Biba UOG!"