A total of 1,419 students graduated from the University of St. La Salle (USLS) during its 66th graduation rites at the St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on Sunday, June 4.
The graduating class included 265 students from the College of Arts and Sciences, 799 from the College of Business and Accountancy, 106 from the College of Education, 227 from the College of Engineering and Technology, and 22 from the Juris Doctor Program of the College of Law, a USLS press release said.
The event also recognized the remarkable achievements of the 251 academic honorees, consisting of 53 summa cum laudes, 60 magna cum laudes, and 138 cum laudes, while celebrating the loyalty of 53 alma mater awardees.
BS Psychology Summa Cum Laude Michael Luis Besa and College of Law Valedictorian Stephanie Anne Be, as leaders of the Graduating Class of 2023, delivered inspiring messages.
“To the Class of 2023, may we never rest on our laurels and never settle for less, for we are capable of doing the greatest things in life. May we have a heart that is full of empathy in a world where coldness and cruelty thrive, and be the voice of people who cannot speak for themselves and serve as eyes to the last, the lost, and the least,” Besa said.
“This graduation is not merely a conclusion, but rather a commencement – a new chapter in our journey to become lawyers. As we step forward into the legal landscape, let us remember the impact we can make through our work,” Be said.
This year’s commencement speaker was Jan Carlo B. Punongbayan, author of the book False Nostalgia and assistant professor and director for finance at the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines.
“Cherish your values and keep them close to your heart. The Lasallian values of Faith, Zeal for Service, and Communion in Mission are a good starting point, but there are many other values you can latch onto as guideposts for your life,” he said.
“You have to ask yourselves constantly – What do you want to stand for in life? What are your non-negotiables?” Punongbayan said.
Vicar General Msgr. Ronaldo S. Quijano gave the blessing to the graduates, while USLS Alumni Association President Jackie Lou V. Azucena inducted the graduates to the alumni family and led the Pledge of Loyalty.
Prior to the graduation ceremony, the graduates gathered for a Baccalaureate Mass, celebrated by Fr. Rev. Fr. Jerryvel A. Celestial, who encouraged the graduates to live their lives in connection with others, despite the transient nature of existence.*