DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 June) – Friday’s graduation at the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) is a celebration of record-breaking feats: Class 2019 does not only have the first Summa Cum Laude graduate, it also has the most the most number of honor graduates in the university’s 24-year history.
Prof. John Bengan, University Registrar, told MindaNews on Thursday that Class 2019 has 96 honor graduates, half of that from the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). Class 2018 had 68 honor graduates while Class 2017 had 41.
University of the Philippines Mindanao in Davao City. Photo from UP Mindanao’s FB page
Pete Maverick Nicole Estudillo, a Food Technology Major and the first Summa Cum Laude in UPMin, is joined by 16 Magna Cum Laude and 79 Cum Laude in leading the 352 candidates for graduation during the 22nd Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 21.
The 96 honor graduates represent 27.27% of 352 graduates this year.
The College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) has 48 honor graduates: Estudillo, the Summa Cum Laude; 13 Magna Cum Laude and 34 Cum Laude. Last year, the CSM had 20 – one Magna Cum Laude and 19 Cum Laude.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) has 36 honor graduates: two Magna Cum Laude and 34 Cum Laude. Last year, it had 40 honor graduates: four Magna Cum Laude and 36 Cum Laude.
The School of Management (SOM) has 12 honor graduates: one Magna Cum Laude and 11 Cum Laude. Last year, it had eight: one Magna Cum Laude and seven Cum Laude.
Pete Maverick Nicole Estudillo, UP Mindanao’s first Summa Cum Laude graduate. Photo courtesy of UP Mindanao
“Many from the Class of 2019 are among the last undergraduates from the old education system, before we had K-12,” Bengan said.
“In the coming academic year, we anticipate only a handful of undergraduate students who will finish the degrees, such as those who have a few courses left or thesis manuscripts to complete. Because of the two-year K-12 transition, we won’t have senior students next semester, except BS Architecture, which is a five-year course,” he added.
UP Mindanao was created by Republic Act 7889, signed by then President Fidel Ramos on February 20, 1995. (MindaNews)
