by Kyle Pontillo
The Class of 2025 has officially been conferred their degrees as Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) celebrated its 55th Commencement Ceremony for the Second Semester of Academic Year 2024-2025 on Friday, June 27, at the MSU-IIT Gymnasium.
A total of 2,163 graduates were honored during the ceremony. Among them were 22 Extracurricular Awardees, 1 University Student Leadership Awardee, and 25 Sustainable Futures Research Awardees. The graduating class also boasted 1,551 Latin honorees, comprising 62 Summa Cum Laudes, 761 Magna Cum Laudes, and 728 Cum Laudes.
Of the total graduates, 452 came from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), making it the college with the highest number of graduates this year. This group includes several institute awardees, such as Jayvee Bondoc for Debate, Chenie Marie Cellan for Instrument (Female), Nestor Ceasar Grageda III for Vocal (Male), and Jakelou Kate Zalsos for Vocal (Female).
Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan kicked off this momentous event with a welcome speech addressed to all attendees, along with the introduction of the highly anticipated guest of honor, award-winning journalist Kara Patria David-Cancio.
David stepped up to the microphone to share life lessons she had learned from interacting with people, reflecting that graduations should not be seen as pagtatapos but rather as pagsisimula, as she inspired optimism in the graduates about to embark on life after school.
“Never give up on people. Never give up on your dreams. Kung nais mong humaba ang iyong buhay, matuto kang magbigay,” Kara David urged the graduates in a simple yet heartfelt speech, concluding her address by greeting them: “Maligayang Pagsisimula!”
Representing the graduating class, this year’s Institute Valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude, Fahadh P. Abas from the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM), also took the spotlight with a message.
“This may sound boastful to all of you listening, but I’ve always known I’d end up here on this very podium,” Abas expressed with pride, crediting the hard work put into his achievement not only by himself but also by those around him, especially his late sister, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am telling my sister’s story, rather than mine, because my success was built on others’ sacrifices.”
Abas continued his speech with an assertion that dreaming is political, advocating for the proper compensation of workers, before concluding with words of gratitude.
“Dreaming, the act of envisioning yourself in a place of success and happiness, is highly political.”
Following his speech was the graduation song led by Music Awardees for Vocal, Zalsos and Grageda. The graduates then took their oath under the leadership of Alumni Regent Engr. Samuel B. Sabenecio, before the ceremony concluded with MSU-IIT’s Himno ng Pamantasan and the recessional.
Post a Comment
Any comments and feedbacks? Share us your thoughts!