The College of Fisheries (CF) in Central Luzon State University (CLSU) has commemorated the remarkable milestones of their graduating students through a send-off ceremony this July 13, 2023 in the Freshwater Aquaculture Center Conference Room.
The College has a total of 19 golden grains – 13 of them to confer with the degree Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and 6 with the degree Master of Science in Aquaculture for today’s 71st Annual Commencement Exercises of CLSU.
The event was graced by a welcome message delivered by the CF Acting Dean, Dr. Lorenz J. Fajardo, who congratulated the graduating students and their proud parents on their well-deserved success. She also challenged the graduating students to do their best and perform well after graduation because they are still wearing the trademark of the College as well as the University.
An audio-visual presentation was prepared for the graduating students to look back on everything that happened for their years of stay in the College. This personal journey to graduation has been long and tough, but surely, they don’t regret a thing.
The inspirational message of the speaker, Ms. Milagros M. Apaga, a Senior Aquaculturist of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - National Freshwater Technology Center (BFAR-NFTC) and a CLSU BSF alumna, has revolved within the theme, “Riding the Waves of Challenges: Embracing Success with Resilience”. She started her talk with a backtrack of her journey during her college years and after graduation. Ms. Apaga shared a number of tips to become successful and achieve goals in life after graduation.
As highlight of this event, a number of awards were given to exemplary graduating students: Academic Excellence Award to Ms. Rhea Marie F. Bactad, Ms. Verjaliala Ann C. Facun, Ms. Shiela Mae G. Hallig and Mr. Jian Dane M. Ovejera to graduate Cum Laude; Leadership Award to Mr. Daniel D. Facun and Ms. Danica May A. Lawagan; and Athletics Award to Mr. Jornell B. Castro and Mr. Jian Dane M. Ovejera. Graduating students who were recipients of the BFAR- Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP) and Department of Science and Technology- Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (DOST-ASTHRDP) were also recognized during the send-off ceremony. Scholarship coordinators, Mr. Nico Wamil (BFAR Region III) and Ms. Jazzmere Lana (BFAR Region V) were present to award the plaque of recognition to the graduating BFAR scholars with Latin honors.
The graduating students were also given a chance to share their meaningful and unforgettable experiences, and to pay tribute to the people that became part of their success. In addition, Ms. Shiela Mae G. Hallig and Mr. Bonifacio T. Ovejera, shared their responses on behalf of the graduating students and parents, respectively.
During the closing remarks, the Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, shared her warm congratulations to the graduating students especially for those who will graduate with Latin honor. “Always bring the name of CLSU wherever you will go”, she emphasized.
Inspiring, touching and teary-eyed video messages from the parents, friends and loved ones of the graduating students were aired in the end of the send-off ceremony. This activity was made possible through the assistance of the Ichthyological Society, the lone college-based organization of the College, BFAR scholars, and the University Gender and Development Office.
