In his commencement address, Dr. Penaso pointed out the 4Es to the graduates and urged them to remember the four keywords as they start their new chapter.

Excellence

Dr. Penaso believed that CMU provides excellent, prestigious education and has prepared graduates to excel in their chosen professions. “As graduates of this university, you have been given the tools to think critically, communicate effectively, problem solve creatively, and collaborate with others,” he added.

He further emphasized that those skills and competencies are essential for navigating a constantly changing and evolving world. “But these skills and competencies also enable us to go beyond our national borders and work with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives,” Dr. Penaso asserted.

Engage

Also, Dr. Penaso related the book “Educating for Global Competence: Preparing our Students to Engage the World” to the graduates and believed that CMU had prepared its graduates to engage the world in terms of understanding global issues for them to participate in and act on issues of global significance.

“We must be committed to engage by building bridges instead of walls between people, communities, and nations,” he said.

Empower

Thirdly, he inspired the graduates to learn continually and empower themselves with knowledge, skills, and competencies. “Use the knowledge and skills you have acquired at CMU to make a positive impact both at home and abroad,” he expressed.

Explore

Lastly, Dr. Penaso encouraged the graduates not to stop learning, saying, “So, as you leave the portals of our Alma Mater and begin your journey beyond national borders, I encourage you to continue your education.”

Moreover, he motivated the graduates to explore new frontiers and experience things like never before continually. “So, keep learning about the world around you, seek out new perspectives, and engage with people from different backgrounds and cultures,” says Dr. Penaso.

Furthermore, the graduates were also motivated by Dr. Penaso to express gratitude to their parents and their teachers as they leave the portals of their alma mater and to be grateful for themselves.

CMU confirmed 3,033 graduates with their respective degrees at the 69th commencement exercises, comprising 2,850 from undergraduate and 183 from graduate programs. _{[Mary Jane D. Bravo]}

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)