It was a historic day inside the Sentro Baler last April 6, as Aurora State College of Technology held its 18th Commencement Exercises with the theme, “ASCOT:Two Decades of Service for the Province of Aurora and the Larger Community”. This year’s Commencement Exercises marks the largest graduating class in the College’s history with 1 Magna Cum Laude, 18 Cum Laude and 4 With Honors.
A baccalaureate mass officiated by Rev. Father Reymar “Imay” Glemao Olila started the program.
ASCOT College President, Dr. Eusebio V. Angara conferred 663 degrees, 60 from the
Graduate Program and 603 from the Undergraduate Program.
Rejoicing family members, friends, faculty and staff came to witness the momentous event as the graduates took the traditional walk on the stage to receive their diploma where they were greeted by the College President, the members of the Board of Trustees and Department Directors.
Commencement Speaker, Dr. Sherlyne A. Almonte-Acosta, Assistant Professor, College of Education, UP Diliman, delivered an inspiring and uplifting keynote address highlighting the three concepts that would help graduates in coping with the global competition and development. First is migration, being open to opportunities and being able to pursue and acquire new learning experiences in various aspects. Next is dynamism where she resembled life to a zoo full of different creatures with different traits and beliefs thus teaching us to accept, appreciate and being able to exist amidst the diversity. Last is to have an entrepreneurial mindset. Inspired by Albert Einstein,
Dr. Acosta reiterated that life is like a bicycle that in order to maintain our balance, we have to keep moving. She also encouraged the graduates to pursue more through engaging in technology aided classes and reminded them that skills will definitely lead to something.
Dr. Acosta also mentioned, “Mapalad and ASCOT dahil sa tulong na ibinibigay ng lokal na pamahalaan at suporta mula sa mga nanunungkulan”. She also asked the graduates to be worthy of the scholarship given to them and reminding everyone of their role to give back to the college of what they may offer after their reaching goals and attaining success.
Mr. Paul Alvin D. Facelo, Magna Cum Laude, also expressed his words of thanks and reminiscing his experiences as a college student. He recognized the joy and challenge of being a student especially during quizzes and examinations, “Mas masarap matuto kapag koloratibo”, Facelo stated. He also took the opportunity to thank the faculty members who served as mentors, inspirations and advisers during their stay in the College. He also gave special emphasis to the parents for all their hardships in sending their children to college. And most of all he give back everything to God which he referred to as “Bosing” who makes it possible for him to stand once more in front of the graduating class as Class Valedictorian in order to do one thing he failed to do before and that was to thank his father.
The program concluded with the singing of the Graduation Song “Like an Eagle” and the ASCOT Hymn.(CPanlilio)