As a significant highlight, marking its historic 100th Commencement Exercises, the Eastern Visayas State University-Main Campus distributed the original diplomas to the graduates on that day of conferment on June 15, 2022.
A total of 2,021 diplomas, as confirmed by EVSU Registrar Judith Campo, were readily available for distribution during the ceremony. This was made possible through the auspices of Board of Regent Honorable Daniel Ariaso, Sr. with the collaborative efforts of the Registrar’s Office and the EVSU Administration led by President Dennis de Paz himself.
This made EVSU as one of the very few Higher Education Institutions to give a ceremonial certificate holder with the actual diploma in it to each graduate called on stage.
Despite the bittersweet challenges behind the effort of releasing the diploma as envisioned, everything went almost seamless even with the limited preparation time. The graduates need not wait any longer to get said document in the campus. This epitomizes the university’s continual quest to best serve its stakeholders, especially its students.
Behind the black facemasks of the new degree holders were smiles and gestures of gratitude to all the people who helped them achieve this milestone in their lives after conquering the giants of the academic hurdles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Considered a normal reaction, some wistful eyes showed up during the most awaited ceremony, bearing in mind that their life as undergraduate students is finished and they will be missing a lot of usual things in the university. However, they embraced the ending of their academic life with a hopeful view, and daring new challenges to overcome in the near future as they held their diplomas proudly.
It is, indeed, true that their journey had never been easy in such a way that digital challenges, anxiety, pressure, among others, were just a number of reasons for them to give up, yet they chose to roll their sleeves up and raise the banner of vehemence, hence, reaping the success as they obtained their well-deserved reward on stage.
In his inspirational talk, Leyte Governor, Hon. Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, challenged the morning batch of graduates, saying, “This is what our quality education at EVSU has prepared you for, and it’s only right that you honor your alma mater in your best capacity! We have a firm belief in your capacity, but you must also prove it yourself. “
On a similar note, Associate Justice Bautista Gler Corpin, Jr. reminded the graduates of the afternoon session the value of success that cannot be formulated overnight. “The only way to succeed is when you always pay forward whatever you have learned from others; when you believe that you can never be alone in this world, what you earn is meant to be shared with others,” Associate Justice Corpin said.
Meanwhile, in a written message to the Class of 2022, Chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera III upheld the unwavering commitment of the graduates who accepted and surpassed the academic challenges required of them to comply with. “The fact that all of you are here, celebrating a new chapter in each of your lives after toiling through the rigors of college education, is proof of your fortitude and your ability to persevere despite adversity and hardship,” he affirmed.
Finally, conveying the head of the institution’s stirring advice, President Dennis C. de Paz has this to say to the graduates: “Bring with you all the learnings and lessons this noble institution has instilled in you, and use them to harness your innermost capabilities and potentials.” He also optimistically reminded them, who braved the rigors of graduation, to immensely bring with them those critical lessons taught by their teachers and the people who surround them in the midst of finishing their respective degrees.
The administration, faculty, parents, and visitors were proud witnesses of such a momentous event. The multitude witnessed the courage and resilience of the graduates, contributing to the success they celebrate momentarily.
The singing of the graduation song, “The Path of our Dreams”, marked the culmination of the day’s ceremony yet the beginning of a new journey to a world uniquely theirs to explore and conquer.
The realization and success of this first in-person graduation rites after two years with the on-the-day release of original diplomas to all graduates is a manifestation of the strengthened service and commitment of EVSU as it moves forward and beyond.
