[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E652-E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DR. ROBERT UNDERWOOD FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE 
    ISLAND ON HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2018

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Dr. 
Robert A. Underwood for his service to the people of Guam as the 10th 
President of the University of Guam. Robert has served as the longest 
president of the university and retired on May 4, 2018.
  Robert was born in Guam in 1948 and educated in Guam and California. 
He was my predecessor here in Congress, and represented our island in 
this House during the 103rd to 107th Congresses from 1993 to 2003.
  Robert's career has been one of exceptional service to our island and 
people. He became the 10th President of the University of Guam on May 
19, 2008 and has since implemented numerous initiatives over the past 
decade. Upon becoming the l0th President, Robert refined the 
institution's mission to ``Ina, Diskubre, Setbe'', to transform UOG to 
the age of globalization, sustainability, and performance improvements.

[[Page E653]]

  Robert led the University of Guam to receive a record eight years of 
accreditation in 2008, and resulting in another record 8 years of 
accreditation in 2016. During his tenure as president, enrollment at 
the University of Guam increased by 16 percent and graduation rates 
improved by 5.5 percent. Numerous undergraduate and graduate degree 
programs were implemented, as well as financial assistance 
opportunities to attend the University and for off-island travel 
through student exchange programs or short-term activities to expand 
and improve the student experience. Robert led the effort to improve 
financial accountability which resulted in the University being 
designated as a federal low-risk auditee from 2008 through 2011 and 
2015 through 2017.
  He guided an aggressive fundraising effort for the capital 
improvements campaign through the UOG Endowment Foundation which 
currently totals over $3 million. Robert established the Research 
Corporation of the University of Guam (RCUOG) to create an efficient 
and effective environment to support management of its federal grants 
portfolio and today provides support to the 84 different grants and 
contract projects equating to $12.3 million. He ensured engagement with 
the Guam Open Research & Education Exchange (GOREX) initiative to 
expand UOG's technological capabilities and outreach with the Region, 
Asia, Australia, Hawaii, and mainland United States.
  Additionally, Robert established the President Lecture Series as a 
way for leaders to speak with students regarding unique or highly 
visible topics, and where students and the island community can dialog 
and grow from the experience. He reinstituted the Triton Athletics 
Program through the new Athletics Director to increase student 
recruitment. Robert also led UOG Green strategic initiatives and 
conducted nine annual UOG Regional Conferences on Island Sustainability 
to address local, regional, and global matters in areas of responsible 
environmental stewardship, strong economic development, and social 
progress and well-being.
  Robert made many indelible contributions to the University of Guam 
and our community at large. On behalf of the people of Guam, I 
congratulate Dr. Robert A. Underwood on his vast accomplishments and 
service to Guam. I extend my sincere gratitude to Robert's five 
children, two grandchildren and his wife, former Guam Senator Nerissa 
Bretania Underwood for their support of Robert throughout the years. 
Again, I thank Robert for his leadership in moving our island forward, 
and I look forward to many more years of service for the people of 
Guam.

                          ____________________