by Jareason Fabre and Crisdeniele Clemente

The MMSU Class of 2024, which began their journey in the midst of a pandemic, has reached the final stage of their academic studies. A total of 3110 students were conferred their degrees during the 46th commencement ceremony held on July 10, at the Sunken Garden. The event was graced by the presence of Senator Imee R. Marcos who addressed the graduates and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Development.

The University Academic Council recommended the candidates for graduation in a meeting held on June 27 at the Teatro Ilocandia, which the Board of Regents subsequently approved.

The figures include 538 honorees, with 37 magna cum laude, 489 cum laude, one with high distinction, and five with distinction.

Godofredo Bumanglag IV, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BACOM) student from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), is this batch's valedictorian, achieving the highest weighted average of 1.2824, qualifying him as magna cum laude.

He is followed by the class salutatorian, Shandie Carbonell (Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science); Sheryll Anne Umali (BA English Language); Ruth Ann Bagaoisan (BACOM); and Juliane Jireh Navarro (BA Sociology).

The College of Teacher Education (CTE) has the highest number of honorees at 222, followed by the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) with 170; CAS with 53; the College of Health Sciences (CHS) with 41; the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) with 20; the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) with 11; the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) with 11; the College of Engineering (COE) with seven; and the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) with three.

CTE also has the largest number of graduates at 643, followed by COE with 500; CBEA with 480; CAFSD with 368; CIT with 315; CHS with 261; CAS with 199; CCIS with 140; the Graduate School with 129; CASAT with 49; the College of Medicine with 19; and the College of Law with seven.

Before the commencement exercises, a Baccalaureate Service and Hooding Ceremony were held in the morning, officiated by Rev. Florentino Reyes, Jr., Dean of the College of Theology at Northwestern University, Pastor Marcial Gabriel of the Christ the Chief Cornerstone Christian Church, and Fr. Jonathan Salud of Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

Provincial Governor of Ilocos Norte, Hon. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, congratulated the graduates, encouraged them to use their knowledge and talents within the province, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting their careers.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis also congratulated the graduates, emphasizing that the university has provided them with a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and values to achieve remarkable success in society.

On July 9, 538 graduates were recognized as academic achievers. These comprised 37 magna cum laude, 489 cum laude, one with high distinction, and five with distinction. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the outstanding quality of education at MMSU and the dedication of its students.