LOYAL SERVICE. XU Grade School Principal Emmanuel Gomez, who has served the university for more than three decades, speaks on behalf of the retirees at the 23rd Service Awards. Photo by N Bagonoc.
Xavier University gave recognition to the long-standing members of its faculty, formators and staff during the 23rd Service Awards held at the University Church of the Immaculate Conception BVM on Jan 27.
Certificates and tokens of appreciation were handed by University President Rev Fr Roberto "Bobby" Yap SJ to full-time and part-time personnel who have rendered 5, 10 and 20 years of loyal service. Special awards were given to those who have been with the university for 25, 30, 35 and 40 years, and those who are about to retire this year.
Fr Bobby thanked the awardees who “faithfully toil each day and steadfastly do their best.” He also expressed his gratitude to the retirees for the “friendship, kindness and compassion you have shown.”
The University President acknowledged that Xavier has become the best performing school in the city and even the region in board examinations, and a top performing school in the country in Nursing, Education, Law and Medicine because of the work of the Xavier community.
He encouraged everyone not to despair amid difficult and challenging times, and to ask for the grace of gratitude and perseverance. He used the Greek word hupomoné, or patient endurance, to highlight the resiliency of Xavier, which he referred to as “a community of hupomoné.”
“Confronted by challenges, padayon [keep going],”said Fr Bobby. “Be steadfast and courageous in pursuing our vision.”
Speaking on behalf of the retirees was XU Grade School Principal Emmanuel Gomez, who has served the university for more than three decades. He spent many years in the High School teaching chemistry before assuming the role of Grade School principal.
As an educator, Gomez shared some of his fondest times at Xavier. One of which is catching up with the present generation of students, many of whom are children of his previous students.
“Students would ask me, ‘Did you teach my dad?’” he said. To which he would often reply, “Yes,” and then relate to his young pupils what their fathers were like when they were his students. He would end by telling the children to study hard and well like their fathers.