Honorary Doctorate For Chuuk College Founder

The Most Rev. Amando Samo

The bishop of the Caroline Islands received an honorary doctorate degree from Chaminade University, during commencement ceremonies at Blaisdell Area last month.

The Most Rev. Amando Samo, a 1973 Chaminade University graduate, was instrumental in establishing the Caroline College and Pastoral Institute (CCPI) in Chuuk, which opened in 2010 with Samo’s vision and the support of his diocese, Chuukese parishes in Hawaii, Guam and the mainland, as well as Chaminade.

Chuuk is one of four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Caroline Islands are the ecclesiastical territory of the Roman Catholic Church in Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.

Considered an outreach college of Chaminade University’s Kaimuki campus, CCPI also took pride in its first 14 graduates this winter – three of whom were present in Honolulu to receive their degrees in person.

In addition to the school in Chuuk, Chaminade operates at nine satellite locations on Oahu.