With the theme, “Empowered Minds Forged for Limitless Opportunities,” Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN) held its 36th Commencement Exercises on July 29, 2024, at the Training and Students Activity Center.

Setting the tone, Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa delivered her welcome remarks before she introduced the commencement speaker, acknowledging the culmination of the graduates’ hard work, sleepless nights, and relentless pursuit of knowledge.

“As you stand on the threshold of a new chapter in your lives, remember that the education you have received here at MSU at Naawan is more than just a degree. It is a foundation upon which you will build your future, a toolkit that will help you navigate the complexities of the world, and a beacon that will guide you toward making a positive impact on society,” emphasized Dr. Roa.

Furthermore, this year’s Commencement speaker was Misamis Oriental Governor Hon. Peter “Sr. Pedro” M. Unabia, who shared his humble beginnings as a scholar of Xavier University’s Jesuit priests and highlighted the importance of education. 

“𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘰 𝘰𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘢 𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘰 𝘰𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘪𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘰𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘥, 𝘴𝘢 𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘺𝘢, 𝘰𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘥 (Use the knowledge and skills you have acquired to make a positive impact on your community, our province, and our nation),” stressed Gov. Unabia.

With key stakeholders present, Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno, MSU System President, quoted French chemist Louis Pasteur: “Indeed, fortune favors the prepared,” and added the ancient version: “Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat” (Fortune assists the Bold).

“In your chosen career, wherever your steps lead you, I hope you carry the sense of mission that MSU has infused in you, the yearning for a more decent and better world order, contributing to peace-building and harmony,” said Atty. Mapupuno.

Among the 770 graduates, 43 achieved magna cum laude, 264 cum laude, 4 with high honors, and 54 with honors. Batch Harinawa’s Valedictorian, Aljhun Lloyd A. Barranco, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries from the School of Marine Fisheries and Technology, was also awarded with University Student Leadership Award, Kampilan Leadership Award, DK Villaluz Sr. University Leadership Award, MSUNFSTDI Science Leadership Award, Leadership Service Award as Supreme Student Council President, Debate Award, Excellent Academic Distinction from BFAR-X, and UniFAST Academic Excellence Award.

“Excellence, at its core, is not about surpassing others but about surpassing ourselves. It is about striving to be the best versions of ourselves. When excellence is mistaken for competition, the focus shifts from personal growth to comparison and rivalry,” Barranco emphasized. 

He concluded with, “Para kanino ka bumabangon? And I hope your response will be: Para sa pangarap at Para sa bayan.”

Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prof. J. Prospero E. de Vera III and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go shared congratulatory messages to the graduates through pre-recorded videos.

Moreover, the ceremony also featured a ceremonial turnover of six million pesos in financial assistance from the Project Governance Management Office of Misamis Oriental to MSUN for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The event concluded with the pledge of loyalty to the alma mater by College Leadership Awardee and former SSC President Van Jason D. Arellano, followed by the Alumni Oath presided over by MSU Alumni Regent Hon. Renato D. Boniao.

The MSUN administration, faculty, and staff extend their best wishes for continued success to Batch Harinawa in their future endeavors.