“I AM GLAD to see you sitting here under the covered court as we orient you on the things that pertain to the university. I hope that after four or five years, I will see you again in this place as you receive your baccalaureate degrees.”

MMSU President Miriam E. Pascua  posed this challenge to the 3,049 college freshmen and 45 Grade 7 students in the Batac campus in an orientation program held at the Covered Court, June 24.

There are 4,209 college and high school freshmen enrolled in various colleges and campuses of MMSU as of this date. Of this number, 805 are enrolled in COE; 18, College of Law; 337, CHS; 829, CBEA; 347, CAS; 713, CAFSD; 465, CIT; 395, CTE; 108, CASAT; and 102, CAFSD Dingras. Both high schools in Laoag City and Batac have 45 freshmen enrollees each.

Quoting a scripture in the Bible from the Book of Daniel, chapter 1 verse 4 which says, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans,” the president challenged the students to aim high not only for national but also global competition.

“Sometimes, the reason why we do not improve is that we do not aim high,” she stressed adding that most people want to stay low so that they can easily battle with those they can defeat.

“God didn’t create mediocre people. You are here for a purpose, that is why you must grab this opportunity to study in this prestigious higher education institution in the region. We promise to help you, but you must help yourself, too,” she emphasized.

During the program, mixed emotions were observed on the faces of newcomers, apparently excited for new experiences in their chosen learning environment. For instance, Thricia Ventura, 16, from Laoag City who is enrolled in BS Chemical Engineering, could not contain delight as she greeted her fellow freshmen. When asked how she feels being a new university student, she said, “I am overwhelmed. I chose MMSU for my tertiary education because of its high standard in providing education to the students, and its impressive academic excellence in its degree programs.”

Asked why she knew all of these, she said, “Because I have been part of the MMSU system from the day I started schooling,” she beamed. Ventura is an alumna of the MMSU laboratory schools.

Also, John Miguel Agustin, 12, of Brgy. Ben-agan, Batac City and in Grade 7, showed excitement as he listened to the song rendered by one female student from CAS. “Nalaing nga agkanta, sir (She is a good singer, sir), he said to this writer. Asked why he chose to enroll at MMSU, he said his parents would not trade MMSU to other schools in Northern Luzon

“My parents want me to have quality high school education,” he said as he flashed his sweet smile, probably as sweet as the red lollipop he was licking.