Rejoicing family members, friends, faculty and staff came to witness the momentous event as five hundred ninety-one graduates of whom six are Cum Laude in the different degree programs of ASCOT received their diplomas and medals during the ASCOT 22nd Commencement Exercises held on April 15, 2016 at Sentro Baler. This year’s Commencement Theme, “ASCOT: Continuing Trends in Enhancing Agricultural and Technological Innovations towards ASEAN Integration”, reflects the College’s determinations to keep up with global standards in terms of updated program offerings, strengthened quality assurance and highly qualified faculty.
Prior to the Commencement Exercises, a Baccalaureate Mass was officiated by Rev. Father Baltazar Ronato.
The Guest of Honor and Commencement Speaker, Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar, CESO IV and the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research-Department of Agriculture addressed the graduates on how they can prepare to work effectively and competitively specially with the integration of ASEAN countries where vast career opportunities await them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Darwin Lopez Magtangob, Class Valedictorian for Batch 2016, in his words of thanks expressed his gratitude to all the people who helped him and served as his inspiration in achieving success. He also reminisced the experiences he had as a student, the joys and challenges associated with quizzes, examinations, reports, and requirements. He gave special acknowledgement to his parents and siblings for the efforts, hard works and sacrifices they endured just to send him to school; to the faculty members, who served as his mentors, for the advices and encouragements; and to his friends for the time, experiences and memories.
Highlights of the ceremony include the confirmation of the Degrees, awarding and distribution of Diploma and Medals, the Pledge of Loyalty to the Alma Mater and the induction of the graduates to the ASCOT Alumni Association.
The program concluded with the singing of the Graduation Song “At the Beginning” and the ASCOT Hymn.