Last March 29, St. Paul University Iloilo celebrated its Graduation with the 66th Baccalaureate Mass in the morning and 66th Commencement Exercises in the afternoon at Fr. Louis Chauvet Multi-Purpose Hall. The entire day was an awaited moment for graduates of 16 programs.
The baccalaureate mass was graced by Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo who was the main celebrant with Rev. Fr. Julius Jacobres as concelebrant. The Commencement Exercises in the afternoon started at 3:30 the entrance of colors. Moreover, the event was graced by the presence of the Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education, Isabela L. Mahler, Ed.D., DPA, CESO III, who gave an inspiring message to the graduates. Part of the event was the awarding of academic and special awards. For this year, 12 graduates were awarded cum laude with four from BS Physical Therapy, three from BS Nursing, and one from BS Tourism Management, BS Biology, AB Mass Communication, BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Bachelor of Elementary Education major in SPED. The university best thesis was also awarded to the experimental research by Dianne Robert D. Aranda, a BSN graduate with whose thesis is entitled, “Prevalence of Community Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Pre-school Children Attending Daycare Centers in the District of Lapaz, Iloilo City.” Four other graduates were awarded best thesis in their own college.
There were 28 other special awards; namely, Community Extension Services, Christian Formation, Campus Leadership, Cultural and Arts (Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Elocution, Theater), Sports, Service, Journalism, Paulinian Mass Communicator, Paulinian Nurse, Paulinian Physical Therapist, Outstanding Education Student, Outstanding Student Teacher, International Practicum for Student Teaching, University Recognition for Electronic Election Program, Tourism Student of the Year, Bartender of the Year, Excellence in Cake Decorating, HRM Practicumer of the Year, Tourism Practicumer of the Year, Outstanding Accountancy Student, Second Generation, Loyalty, Senator Manny Villar Excellence Award, and Rotary. Ms. Sydney Florence Iragana was also recognized and awarded for being the 8th Placer in the December Nursing Board Examination.
Other highlights of the commencement exercises were the address of gratitude by BSPT cum laude graduate, Angiela Marie G. Aurelio, the pledge of loyalty led by BSN graduate, Stephanie Marie D. Hortinela, and the induction to the SPU Iloilo Alumni Association by the SPUIAA President, Dr. Chris Sorongon.
The 16 programs that produced a total of 190 graduates are the following: Master of Science in Nursing major in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Bachelor of Arts in English and Theater Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in management, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in marketing management, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Ladderized Hotel and Restaurant Management, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor in Elementary Education major in Pre-School Education, Bachelor in Elementary Education major in Special Education, and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management. The three program with highest number of graduates are BS Nursing, BS Physical Therapy and BS Tourism Management.
