ILLUMINATED PATH: MSUN BSN pioneering batch honored with caps, badges, and candles
History was made at Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN) as 68 pioneering students of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) donned their caps, received their badges, and lit their candles during the College of Environment and Life Sciences – Department of Nursing’s 1st Capping and Badging Investiture and Candle Lighting Ceremony held on September 10, 2025.
The solemn rite marked the students’ formal entry into the nursing profession, highlighting their commitment to the core values of compassion, service, integrity, and excellence.
“You will be witnessing a momentous event of the students as they will start their exciting journey as student nurses. The cap, the badge, and candle you will be receiving today are not merely symbols – they are emblems of your commitment to walk the path, lead by compassion, and guided by excellence,” emphasized College of Health Sciences (CHS) at MSU-Marawi Dean Dr. Athena Jalaliyah B. Derico-Lawi, RN, MN, MAN, DSCN, who served as inspirational speaker.
She further went on with the essence of the cap, badge, and candle: “The cap rests not only on your head, but upon your values. It reminds you that knowledge must be worn with humility. The badge you will receive is not just an ornament – it is a promise to uphold integrity, to serve with dignity, and to protect life with undeviated resolve. The candle you will light today – it is the light to hope. It is the plane that will guide you to long nights, through difficult choices, and through moments when your strength is being tested.”
Also gracing the ceremony as keynote speaker was Dr. Nur-Hannipha B. Derico, RN, RM, MAN, former CHS Dean of MSU-Marawi, who echoed the significance of the event’s theme: “Illuminating the Path: A Journey of Compassion and Excellence”, noting that it perfectly captures the essence of nursing.
In her congratulatory message, MSUN Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa commended the pioneering BSN students: “Congratulations to all of you – our first batch of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. May your future be bright and may you always remember that you are capable of making a difference in the lives of many,” stressed Dr. Roa.
The BSN program at MSUN, made possible through a partnership with the Province of Misamis Oriental, continues to open doors for aspiring nurses while responding to the pressing need for healthcare professionals in the region and beyond.
