"KSU's 30th Commencement Exercises: A Two-Part Celebration of Academic Achievement"

The Kalinga State University 2023 Commencement Exercises was held at the Kalinga Sports Center on June 20, 2023.

To ensure the inclusion of all visitors and relatives of the graduates, the 30th Commencement Exercises at KSU were organized into two separate schedules. The morning sessions were scheduled to the colleges of Law, College of Agriculture, College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Education, College of Forestry, College of Public Administration and Indigenous Governance, College of Tourism and Hotel Management, as well as the College of Agroforestry and Environmental Sciences. In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to the College of Criminal Justice Education, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Engineering and Information Technology, and College of Health and Natural Sciences.

The Guest of Honor and Speaker for the morning session was no other than the Governor, Hon. James S. Edduba who emphasized the paramount importance of hard work and selfless sacrifices made by the parents. “We thank the Lord for this very significant day for the graduates and devoted parents who are here today to witness the fruits of their hard work and sacrifices”. Edduba said during his speech.

Edduba reiterated his full support to the university especially on the proposed offering of Medicine where he mentioned the upgrading of the Kalinga Provincial Hospital to cater the medical students on their clinical exposures and internships.

Meanwhile, Dr. Daniel C. Peckley was the Guest of Honor and Speaker for the afternoon session where he gave emphasis on the Japanese term, "IKIGAI", which means "Purpose of Life". This IKIGAI consists of four questions on how you spend your life, these are: What the world needs? What do you love? What are you good at? What can you be paid for? In these questions he simplifies an example, "Why do we need to rise strong and to overcome boundaries? "We need to make a better home, not only for ourselves, but also for our children and families. Actively pursue your IKIGAI. Our world changes, pursuing your IKIGAI also means you should not stop learning." He added.

This year’s recently concluded Commencement Exercises totaled 931 graduates and shone a spotlight on academic excellence, with a remarkable display of 19 Latin Honors. Among these distinguished honors, 17 were awarded to exceptional graduates from the College of Education, while 1 was bestowed upon a graduate from the College of Health and Natural Sciences and 1 from the College of Entrepreneurship, Tourism, and Hospitality Management The Latin Honors comprised of 2 Summa Cum Laude, 15 Magna Cum Laude, and 2 Cum Laude recipients. Their academic achievements serve as an attestation to their dedication and commitment throughout their educational journey.

The theme, “Resilient KSU Graduates: Rising strong, Overcoming Boundaries, Transforming the Future”, was expertly crafted by the brilliant insights of Dr. Jessie Grace Sannadan, the Director of the Center for Heritage and Edu Tourism.