Story By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
Rev. Fr. Joel A. Alve, OAR, president of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), former director-principal of CST-R and a member of CST-R Batch 1988, was the commencement speaker. Fr. Alve was the forerunner of CST-R’s application to become a Higher Education Institution (HEI) by applying for two college programs.
During his speech, he highlighted the mission of the Thomasians as they graduate from college and move on to the real world.
“Your profession is not just about enforcing laws. It is about protecting human dignity.” Fr. Alve reminded the graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Criminology program.
To the graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, he inspired them by saying that “Your mission is not merely to create profit. It is to create opportunities, generate employment, solve problems and contribute to the development of communities.”
Fr. Alve clinched his short talk by admonishing the Thomasians to “build a life of integrity in a world where shortcuts are often rewarded and dishonesty can appear attractive.” He sent off the Thomasians with well wishes and blessings for their future career and life.
CST-R’s religious administrators were present during the historic event. Rev. Fr. Cristopher C. Maspara, OAR, President and Vice-President for Academics and Research, conferred the degrees and titles to the graduates. Rev. Fr. Joel A. Dequilla, OAR, Vice-President for Finance and Administration, and Rev. Fr. Monday Benjamine Edobor, OAR, Vice-President for Identity, Formation and Mission also led the awarding of certificates and diplomas.
