ASCC Speaker Emphasises “Holistic” Approach to Education

Graduation Speaker Emphasises “Holistic” Approach to Education

ASCC Press Release
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer

The 54th commencement ceremony at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) which takes place tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the College Gymnasium, marks one of the rare occasions when a “man of the cloth” will provide the keynote speech. Former Principal of Kananafou High School and current Parish Minister of the Fagatogo Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa (CCCAS) Rev. Iasepi D. Ulu will serve as the ceremony’s special guest speaker, a man whose spiritual, cultural and intellectual experiences give him a wide ranging perspective sure to be of interest to both students and the general public.

In a recent interview, Rev. Ulu discussed his “holistic” approach to modern education. “I believe as Christians we have a moral and spiritual responsibility to assist in the upbringing of our children. We should be actively engaged in the development of the 'holistic' child, addressing the academic, spiritual, and physical aspects. We should not be confined to the four walls of a traditional church mindset. The mission of the church needs to be out where the children are at, meeting them at their level and addressing issues at their level of understanding. When we baptize a child during infancy, we make an oath to protect and watch over that child, meaning that regardless of whose child it is, we have an obligation, as Christians, to bring that child up in a safe environment.

“During my time at Kanana Fou High School, I worked with a lot of students who were expelled from other schools, and had behavioral and disciplinary problems”, continued the Reverend. “I soon realized, that all these children needed was attention and a lot of 'T.L.C.'....not in small doses....but a concentrated effort daily, acknowledging them, trusting them, using them for activities and believing in them, so that they would soon learn to believe in themselves. That's not just from 7am - 2pm, it’s before, during, and after school and on the weekends. What I found was that all of these students were very talented and just needed guidance and direction to help them discover that talent. The big picture involved placing these students back into the community and see how they can benefit their family, village, church and country. We need to work together, especially with the current economic uncertainty, natural disasters, unemployment, rise in oil prices and the cost of living. It is our responsibility as a community to equip our young people with the necessary tools and "skill sets" to exist and thrive in today's society.”

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Rev. Ulu earned his Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University in Wellington in 1992 before continuing his studies the following year at Knox Theological College as a Seminary Student for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand. In 1997, he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in Pastoral Studies, Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he also earned a Diploma in Post Graduate (DipGrad) Studies in Systematic Studies and a Diploma in Ministry (DipMin).

Rev. Ulu relocated from New Zealand to American Samoa in 1998, when he married Leone Ripley, daughter of Rev. Ned and Alice Ripley. In August of the same year, he was employed by the CCCAS as one of the founding teachers at Kanana Fou High School, while in October he was ordained by the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand as a Minister of Religion and served as an overseas missionary in American Samoa. Rev. Ulu was appointed Principal of Kanana Fou High School in 2001, a position he held until last year when he accepted a call from the Fagatogo CCCAS to serve as their Parish Minister.

“The College has enjoyed a wide cross section of guest speakers at our commencements,” said Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i. “These speakers have included government dignitaries from Washington, leaders in the local business community, decorated soldiers in the US military, and even the former Mayor of Honolulu. What they all have in common is their roots here in American Samoa, and having gone on to accomplish great things either here at home or overseas. We look forward to Rev. Ulu’s keynote speech, and I’m sure he will offer our students, their families and friends, and all of us here at the College a perspective of great interest.”

Governor Togiola Tulafono is joined by Rev. Iasepi D. Ulu (right) at the recent ground breaking ceremony for the Convention Center renovation project.

ENDS

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