Close to 2,000 students, comprising the graduating class of 2012, marched on stage to receive their diploma at the 73rd University Commencement Exercises on March 23 and 24 at the XU Gym. This year’s class also produced a summa cum laude, Mazuin Quiachon, from the AB International Studies program, 9 magna cum laude, and 20 cum laude graduates.

The Baccalaureate Mass and Academic Convocation were held on the morning of March 23, while the conferring of degrees and awarding of academic honors happened the following day in two ceremonies: the morning ceremony for graduates of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Integrated Technologies, Engineering and Education; and the afternoon ceremony for the graduates of Computer Studies, Nursing, Business and Management, Law, Medicine, and other Graduate Programs.

Ryan Louie Madrid, cum laude graduate of BS Development Communication, delivered the valedictory address. He invited his fellow graduates to defy the day-to-day sameness of things and brave the frontiers.

The commencement speaker and honoris causa recipient was Dr Milwida Guevara, former finance undersecretary and current CEO of Synergeia Foundation Inc, an organization working toward educational reforms in the country.

Other awardees were Archbishop Antonio Ledesma SJ DD, archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, honored with the Fr William F Masterson SJ Award, and the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere) with the Archbishop Santiago TG Hayes SJ Award.

Before giving his benediction to the graduates, Fr Roberto Yap SJ, University President, had two things to say to the class of 2012: “Go forth and live the Xavier Way,” and “Come home once in a while to your alma mater.”

“Be grateful, be curious, be compassionate,” he said as the graduates are now more beckoned to respond to the needs of the city, the country and the world. “Be sensitive to the brokenness and anguish of your community, of the poor.” He added, “Be sensitive to love at every turn.”