Madagascar fast facts

• It is the world's fourth largest island, located 400 km (248 miles) off the southeast coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean.
• It has a population of more than 18 million (2006 census).
• It was formerly an independent kingdom that became a French colony in 1896 and regained its independence in 1960.
• The capital city is Antananarivo (where we will be staying).
• Official languages are Malagasy, French and English.
• 59 percent of Malagasy are Christian, 5 percent are Muslim and the others have various indigenous beliefs.
• 50 percent of Malagasy live on less than $1 (U.S.) a day.
• The monetary unit is the Aviary ($1 U.S. dollar = 1,819.31 Aviary).
• Main exports are coffee, cloves, vanilla, fish, shellfish, Chromium and Mica.
• Major trading partners are France, Germany, the U.S. and Japan.
• President of the Republic of Madagascar is Dr. Marc Ravalomanana, who was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. The government is headed by a prime minister who is appointed by the president. Ravolomanana received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from ACU in May 2008.
• 80 percent of the plant and animal species (such as the lemur shown here) in Madagascar are endemic – they live no other place on the planet.

The ACU delegation to Madagascar

ACU employees and trustees traveling to Madagascar for the commencement ceremony include Dr. Royce and Pam Money (president and first lady); Dr. John Tyson (vice president for development); Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen (ACU provost), Dr. Gary McCaleb (vice president); Jack Rich (senior vice president and chief investment officer); Ron Hadfield (assistant vice president for university communication); Joyce Voss (Nonprofit Management Center); and trustees Virginia Chambers, Barbie Johnston, Tommy Lyons, Joe Powell and Dr. Jerry Strader. Also in the group is videographer/producer Ryan Britt from Phillips Productions Inc. of Dallas and former ACU executive assistant Vicki Anderson. (Pictured here are Madagascar president Dr. Marc Ravalomanana and ACU president Dr. Royce Money)

Our 24 Malagasy scholars

Nearly all of the students are back in Madagascar and will meet us in Antananarivo. Here are the 24, with the degree(s) they earned from ACU, and their major in parentheses:

Bachelor of Business Administration
• Manampiaina Andrianelinjaka from Antanarivo, Madagascar (Accounting and Finance)
• Tojo Hery Patrick Andrianony from Antananarivo, Madagascar (Marketing)
• Moustafa Laza Assany from Antsiranana I, Madagascar (Accounting and Finance)
• Maoly Nasinto Raobadia from Moramanga, Madagascar (Accounting and Finance)
• Rotsy M. Rasamimanana from Antananarivo, Madagascar (Management)

Bachelor of Arts
• Corine Goulam from Mananjary, Madagascar (Communication)
• Jenny Sylviane Nitamane Vaviniriko from Toliara, Madagascar (Political Science)
• Lydie Rakotoarivelo from Antsirabe, Madagascar (Communication)
• Herintsoa Davinet Rakotonarivo from Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar (Political Science)
• Carolle Ranaivoarivelo from Antananarivo, Madagascar (Communication)
• Adellin Packistani Randriantarika from Fenerive-Est, Madagascar (Political Science)
• Volatiana Patricia Ratsirimpady from Tamatave, Madagascar (Mathematics)

Bachelor of Science
• Tiana Andriamanana from Majunga, Madagascar (Biology)
• Eddy Chartier Borera from Bealanana, Madagascar (Computer Science)
• Aldo Serge Michael Raeliarijaona from Mahajanga, Madagascar (Engineering Physics)
• Mihajarimanitra Randrianandraina from Ampefiloha, Antananarivo, Madagascar (Environmental Science)
• Ando Randrianarisoa from Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar (Composite Interdisciplinary
• Solofoarisina Arisoa Randrianasolo from Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (Computer Science)
• Fenohasina Gita Randrianjafy from Ambositra, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (Environmental Science)
• Joelly Rojo Rasamoelina from Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (Sociology)
• John Anthony Rasolofonirina from Toamasina, Madagascar (Computer Science)
• Miora L. Ravalomanana from Antananarivo, Madagascar (Environmental Science)
• Laza Johany Razafimanjato from Antananarivo, Madagascar (Interior Design)*
• Lysianne Adolha Vonialitahina from Morondova, Madagascar (Environmental Science)

* Laza (shown above with ACU Board of Trustees chairman C.E. Cornutt) also earned an Associate of Arts degree in pre-architecture