On Friday, March 15th, the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) reached another milestone with the grand opening of its new Cafeteria Building, which was preceded by the groundbreaking ceremony for the adjacent Smart Art, Community & Higher Education Building (SACHEB). Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and other dignitaries joined the ASCC leadership, faculty, staff and students to mark this special occasion.

         The event got underway with the SACHEB groundbreaking, which included a welcoming by master of ceremonies Lokeni Lokeni, followed by a blessing prayer from Reverend Mataio Fa’aletonu Mata and special remarks from Governor Mauga. The SACHEB will be built by Willis Construction Corporation, based on a plan by Clifford Planning and Architecture LLC. When completed, the two-story structure will combine classroom and office facilities, and is envisioned as the hub of the College’s many activities involving the community.

              Following the groundbreaking, the proceedings shifted to the new Cafeteria Building for the dedication and ribbon-cutting to celebrate the facility’s opening. Following a hymn performed by the Student Association for Fa’asamoa, Reverend Matai gave the opening prayer and acknowledgment remarks followed from Reverend Elder Fouvale Asiata, the Chairman of the Board of Higher Education, the governing body which oversees ASCC. Director of Public Works Faleosina Voight spoke next to congratulate the College, and her remarks concluded with her presenting a Certificate of Occupancy to ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi Pato.

         “Today marks a very momentous day as we break ground for a new community higher education building and we open the doors to a new building designed with our students in mind,” said the ASCC President to the honored guests and College stakeholders. Dr. Pato explained how, historically, the vision to have a food court housed in a student services building began in 2008 under the leadership of former ASCC President Dr. Seth Galeai and then-Chief Financial Officer Falema’o Pili. With the receipt of funds through the ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and CIP Capital Improvement Projects, ASCC was able to put this vision partially in place when it opened the nearby the Multi-purpose Center (MPC).

         “Now, as we open the doors to the new Cafeteria Building, we have fulfilled the visions of many who have come before us,” continued Dr. Pato. “In 2020 the groundbreaking took place on these very grounds under the previous administration of Governor Lolo and Lt. Governor Lemanu. Four years later, with the support of the current administration of Lemanu and Laapui and the Board of Higher Education, we open the doors of a building that houses a food court with four vendors on the first floor offering a variety of healthy options catered to our student population. On the second floor the Financial Aid Offices and the Admissions Offices will serve all students and will extend the services offered on this end of the campus and right next door at the Division of Student Services housed in the MPC.”

         Following a ribbon-cutting by First Lady Mrs. Ella Mauga and a guided tour of the food court on the ground floor as well as the office facilities upstairs, the invited guests proceeded to the MPC for lunch and entertainment provided by the Student Association for Fa’asamoa. The College staff, meanwhile, enjoyed lunch provided by the new Cafeteria vendors in the spacious patio area on the ground floor.