President of Palau addresses Grand Valley graduates

In his address to the 2002 graduating class of Grand Valley State University, the president of an archipelago in the North Pacific Ocean drew on his own experiences and told the graduates not to be afraid of their futures.

Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., the president of the republic of Palau, told the audience that he owes much of his success to his alma mater. Remengesau earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Grand Valley in 1979. During the December 7 commencement ceremony, he received an honorary doctorate of public service.

Remengesau enrolled at Grand Valley through an exchange program between Micronesia and the university. During his speech, he reflected on his years at the Allendale Campus, and how cold it was when he arrived in December 1975.

'I remember how incredibly cold it was,' he said. 'The temperature in Palau ranges from 83 to 90 degrees every day.

'I saw advertisements and pictures of little white flakes, and they looked harmless.'

Remengesau laughed and said he thought he had made the biggest mistake of his life. Despite the drastic change in temperature, Remengesau said he immersed himself in the culture of Grand Valley and adapted to his new home rather well. He advised new graduates to do the same ¿ face their futures head on.

'My decision to run for office was largely because of Grand Valley,' he said. 'I own much of my success to that moment in time when I did not turn around and get back on the plane.'