23/06/2025
๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐ฐ๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฌ
In a momentous celebration of academic excellence and perseverance, Northwestern University held its 93rd Commencement Exercises for the Academic Year 2024โ2025 on June 20 at the Aquino Multi-Purpose Center. A total of 978 graduates were honored in recognition of their hard work, dedication, and success.
The ceremony was divided into two segments. Cluster A, held in the morning, celebrated 481 graduates from the Graduate School, College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Teacher Education (CTE), College of Business Education (COBE), and College of Maritime Education (COME).
In the afternoon, Cluster B honored 497 graduates from the College of Allied Health and Sciences (CAHS), College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (CIHTM), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), and College of Law (COL).
Dr. Charliemane A. Bullalayao, Vice President for Academic Affairs, opened both programs with his welcome remarks, highlighting the institutionโs continued pursuit of academic excellence through program accreditation, student achievement, and faculty distinction.
โLet your degree be more than a piece of paper. Let it be a symbol of everything youโve endured and everything you have yet to become,โ he told the graduates. โCarry with you your pride, but more importantly, carry with you the core values of our dear Northwestern University, the CHAMPS,โ Dr. Bullalayao concluded.
The hooding ceremony followed, led by Dr. Maricon Guillermo, the Dean of the Vedasco J. Samonte School of Graduate Studies, for 18 masterโs graduates and 14 Juris Doctor graduates. This moment represents not only the culmination of years of hard work and dedication but also the bearing of new responsibilities and privileges in their chosen professions.
University Registrar Prof. Cynthia Medrano presented the outstanding Latin honor awardees. Medals were formally conferred by the University President and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The highlight of the ceremony was the commencement address delivered by Mr. June Arvin C. Gudoy, MSPR | MPP, Vice President for Corporate Affairs at the Development Academy of the Philippines. In what many called one of the most compelling speeches of the day, Mr. Gudoy shared five powerful life lessons. He emphasized that a diploma does not define oneโs future and that it is okay to feel unsure, as rejections can often be blessings in disguise. He encouraged graduates to see failure as a redirection rather than a defeat and to use it as a tool for growth. He underscored the importance of listening over speaking, describing it as a key to empathy, learning, and self-development. He reminded them that success is relative and should be defined by oneโs own values, focusing on small victories and love rather than societal expectations. Finally, he called on the graduates to be worthy of their advantages by using their achievements to uplift others and make room for those who follow, as true success is grounded in compassion, integrity, and justice.
Mr. Gudoyโs words stood as a powerful reminder that success is not measured by titles or wealth, but by integrity, compassion, and the courage to forge oneโs path.
Atty. Ferdinand S. Nicolas, University President, then formally conferred degrees through the ceremonial turning of tassels.
Delivering a heartfelt message of gratitude was Cyrus Jallen Vergara Arrietta, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Magna Cum Laude. โThe real laudes are not just the ones standing on this stage, but also those who stood beside usโcheering, lifting, and loving us every step of the way,โ Arrietta said.
The ceremony continued with the graduation and tribute song, followed by the diploma distribution led by the respective college deans.
For the Pledge of Loyalty, Adrian Viloria (Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education) led the morning batch, while Krizzia Mae Grace Caday Paz (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) represented the afternoon graduates.
Prof. Shiela Navasca, representing the NWU Alumni Association University Chapter, inducted the graduates into the NWU Alumni Association.
In a pre-recorded message, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prof. Shirley C. Agrupis addressed the graduates. โYou are a leader,โ she said. โLet the future be guided by integrity, fueled by compassion, and driven by goals. Class of 2025, shine not only for yourselves, but shine for the Philippines.โ
The ceremony also recognized the recipient of the CHED UniFAST Academic Excellence Award. Presenting the award were Dr. Angelica Q. Dolores, Supervising Education Program Specialist at CHED Regional Office I, and Ms. Alexis Moira Q. Dolores, UniFAST Technical Staff. The award was given to Donald Christopher B. Buted, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Magna Cum Laude.
As tassels are turned and anthems are sung, the June 20 commencement rites stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Northwestern community: united in diversity, grounded in purpose, and ready to soar.
โ๏ธ: ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ง๐ ๐. ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐จ
๐จ : ๐๐ฎ๐๐ค๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
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