One of the highlights of this year’s Unified Foundation was the awarding of outstanding alumni for their performances in their respective careers which reflected excellent learning and training from CMU.

According to Dr. Judith Intong, Vice President for Academic Affairs, the alumni sector is important in the university’s growth.

“Alumni create the university’s reputation, which relies in large part on how successful graduates are in the real world,” she said.

Central Mindanao University Alumni Association Incorporated (CMUAAI) has been giving awards each year to recognize the accomplishments of the alumni. For this year, the awardees were chosen from the graduates of 1967 and 1992.

Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, an alumnus of the Bachelor of Science in Education major in Mathematics, and the Class 1992 summa cum laude, was awarded as Distinguished Alumnus, along with four others. He is currently the president of Caraga State University in Butuan City.

Dr. Penaso thanked his past professors who inspired him. Among those he mentioned were Prof. Alejandra Abellado, Prof Emilyn Llido, Prof. Lita Bolivia, Prof. Lourdes Bago, and Dr. Lorna Navaja.

“If not for dear Alma Mater we can never be like this today. CMU has shaped us with enduring knowledge values and life skills that made us succeed and shine as true ambassadors of good will of CMU,” he added.

He said, “Kung may forever, I will forever be grateful to CMU, my Alma Mater.”

Another awardee, Dr. Edito B. Sumile, an alumnus of the College of Agriculture class 1992 expressed his gratitude to CMUAAI for giving him the award.

“I would like to share this award to all the people who helped me of what I have become now. Especially to my mentors, the faculty of College of Agriculture and specifically to Entomology Department,” he said. “I’d like to share this to my mentors Prof. Nora Nillama, Dr. Frederick Corey, Dr. Perla Bugayong, Prof. Catli, and Prof. Myrna Galendez.”

Another Outstanding Jubilarian awardee under the education category is Dr. Teresita H. Borres, an alumna of Bachelor of Science in Education major in English, Class 1991, said: “As an alumni of CMU, one must live up to the standard of the Alma Mater.” She is now the director of the CMU Press.

“We can never be what we are now without CMU. We owe that one so much, all of these achievements that we have reaped today are all because of our beloved CMU. Let us keep CMU spirit burning,” she added.

The following is the complete list of the 2017 alumni awardees:

Distinguished Alumni Awardees
Dr. Anthony M. Penaso
Class 1992, President of Caraga State University

Dr. Edito B. Sumile Jr.
Class 1992, President of Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology

Dr. Rolando Acordiba Jr.
President of Tagoloan Community College

Cong. Wilfredo S. Caminero
Class 1979, Congressman 2^nd District of Cebu

Outstanding Jubilarian
Research and Development:
Dr. Rico A. Marin
Class 1992, Dean of College of Forestry and Environmental Science, CMU

Education:
Dr. Socorro H. Laraga
Class 1990, Chair, Department of Biology, CMU

Dr. Teresita H. Borres
Class 1991, Director, CMU Press

Entrepreneurship:
Engr. Arnel P. Guibingan
Class 1992, owner, proprietor of APG Engineering in Cebu.

Extension and Community Development:
Engr. Noel G. Gonzaga
Class 1992, Project Quantity Surveyor, AECOM Middle East Limited-Abu Dhabi,UAE.

Extension and Community Development:
Mr. Pedrito C. Amomonpon
Fresno California, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Director at Golden Valley grape juice and wine.

According to Dr. Maria Luz Soriano, head of the Awards Committee, they will be adding an Open Category for the Alumni Awards.

“Even though they did not graduate from 1967-1992, [they] are qualified as long as they are nominated,” she said.

This is to recognize those graduates from class 1993 onwards who will be nominated as long as they qualify the basic criterion. (IADalipe-Neri)