By Michael Visaya

A total of 3,243 Mariano Marcos State University students received their degrees during the 47th Commencement Exercises held on July 11 at the iconic Sunken Garden. The Class of 2025 is the last batch that began college at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The College of Teacher Education (CTE) leads the graduating class with 678 graduates, accounting for 20.91% of the total, followed by the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) with 555, and the College of Engineering (COE) with 456.

Other colleges and academic units include the College of Health Sciences (CHS) with 352 graduates, the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) with 341, the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) with 230, and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) with 229. The Graduate School (GS) produced 152 graduands, followed by CCIS with 139, the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) with 74, the College of Medicine (COM) with 26, and the College of Law (COL) with 11.

In numbers, this year’s batch marked a 4.61% increase from last year, with 126 completing their degrees during the mid-year term, 106 in the first semester, and 3,011 in the second semester of the academic year.
For the first time in MMSU history, the graduating class was led by the co-valedictorians: Kryshna Campañano of the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from CAS and Xamantha Angelique Ruiz of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from CCIS. Both garnered the magna cum laude distinctions, securing the highest general weighted average of 1.2500.

Representing the Class of 2025, Campañano and Ruiz reflected on their first-year experience and expressed gratitude to the university, faculty, and non-teaching staff, as well as their families and friends, for their great support throughout their academic journey.

“This moment is a result of hard work; it is also a fruit of love—the kind that never asked to be seen,” Campañano told her batchmates.

Ruiz, meanwhile, urged her fellow graduates to live with purpose. “Let us become the kind of people who build not just for ourselves but for others,” she said.

First Lady Louise Araneta - Marcos, who served as the commencement speaker, urged the graduates to keep learning as fresh graduates. “Be open to advice. Whatever you do, do it with a heart and let your character speak,” she said.

“Always remember to go back to where you came from, your community. They need dreamers and doers like you,” the First Lady added.

She encouraged the graduates to be brave enough to ask advice from experts and be willing to listen, because growth happens when someone becomes curious, humble, and willing to evolve.

During the commencement ceremony, the First Lady was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Development for her contribution to community development across the country.

Meanwhile, 7th MMSU President and now CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis reminded the graduates of their responsibility to carry forward the aspirations of a nation that invested in their future.

“Your success is the country’s hope. When you uplift others through your knowledge, your skills, and your compassion, you are not just building a career; you are building the Philippines,” the CHED chair told the graduates.

Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos extended her congratulations to the graduates. “As you move forward and build your careers, never forget your roots, no matter how far you go or how successful you become.”

Before the commencement ceremony, a multifaith Baccalaureate Service was held, led by Rev. Florentino Reyes, Jr., Very Rev. Noel Ian Rabago, Pastor Joseph Daniel Eclarin, Pastor Marcial Gabriel, and Rev. Father Jonathan Salud at the Teatro Ilocandia in the morning.

The baccalaureate was followed by a Hooding Ceremony for the Graduate School, College of Law, and the College of Medicine at the Teatro Ilocandia.

During the 2025 Academic Excellence Awards on July 10, 669 were awarded with Latin honors, the biggest number of honorees so far. The university produced 43 magna cum laude and 626 cum laude.