Newly-elected CoS EBs take oath; ready to start term for upcoming AY
By: Stephanie Vargas & Gerard Mirande
The recently-elected Executive Board (EB) members representing different local organization units within the UST College of Science are ready to start their terms for the forthcoming academic year following their oath-taking ceremony held this Friday, May 31, at the Science Online Learning Environment (SOLE) of the Main Building.
The ceremony was led and joined by the College of Science Regent, Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD, Assistant Dean Ma. Claudette A. Agnes, PhD, and acting College Secretary, Ms. Niña Kathryn G. Alfeche, MSc.
Dean Papa opened the event with his message to the incoming EB members, emphasizing that the hardships and challenges they will face often serve as tests of their commitment and true intentions to their officerships.
“Hindi lahat ng pagkakataon ang pagiging leader ay masaya. Hindi lahat ng pagkakataon ikaw ay sikat sa tamang dahilan. Pero kailangan niyong tandaan na may mga bagay na higit na mahalaga kaysa sa kasikatan. Kasi mas maraming pagkakataon na ang inyong pagiging leader ay test ng inyong character,” he said.
Dean Papa concluded his remarks by reminding the student-leaders who they should be working for at the end of the day.
“As you go forward and take your oaths of office, I hope that you consider that this is a promise that you are making not only to us, the administration of the College of Science, not only to your advisers, but most importantly to God,” Dean Papa added.
College of Science Regent Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. gave his blessing to the incoming College of Science EB officers, likewise telling the student-leaders how they will grow amid the challenges they may encounter in their respective organizations.
“May time na kailangan [mong] bumangon agad ‘pag nadapa ka. Pero okay lang magkamali. Pero, kailangan madaling matuto sa pagkakamaling iyon. If we can only shield you on the challenges to come, sana ginawa na namin. Kaya lang, yung challenges na ‘yun will form you as a person,” Fr. Coronel added.
Outgoing and incoming CSSC Presidents Julliane Jesh Villena and Kevin Karl Escosar also gave their respective messages to the newest batch of leaders.
Escosar enjoined the incoming EBs to take the challenges as avenues of service for the college’s student body.
“I’m very delighted to see that you are all here because it just goes to show that you are ready to take on the challenge, and we’re all here envisioning a much brighter and bolder College of Science. […] as we have taken our oaths, let’s not take this just as a challenge but also as an opportunity to serve our constituents,” he said.
Villena extended her gratitude for the support of the college’s administration throughout their term and offered some reminders to the incoming Executive Boards.
“My […] wish is for a fruitful and memorable term for you all. I know it’s easier said than done, but one great takeaway I have this year is to have [the] courage to step up and to show up — save space for grace not only in the student body, to your co-student leaders, but also to yourself. Kasi apart from being a leader, tao ka rin, kapatid, anak, at estudyante,” she added.
A short video from various outgoing organization officers sharing their experiences of hardships, challenges, and opportunities during their terms, especially after the Enhanced Virtual Mode for classes during the pandemic, was also shown to the new EBs.
The oath-taking was immediately followed by the student awards ceremony, with the UST Psychology Society bagging the most number of awards, such as the Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award for their active involvement in community development and the St. Dominic De Guzman Outstanding Teamwork Award.
The following students also claimed awards conferred by the Office of the Secretary-General:
- St. Albertus Magnus Outstanding Research Work Award — Celine Paragas
- Quezon Leadership Award — Leslie Angeli Aseron, Julianna Jesh Villena, and Nicole Louise Golez
The following students and student organizations bagged awards conferred by the College of Science units:
- Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award — UST College of Science Student Council, UST Microbiology Society, Thomasian Mental Health Responders
- St. Dominic De Guzman Outstanding Teamwork Award — UST College of Science Student Council, UST Mathematical Society, UST Microbiology Society
- Quezon Leadership Award — Reymart John I. Paragoyo and Allycel Korrinne De Leon
