59th Commencement Exercises:
The Largest Number of Graduates to Date

By Rex Perez
AB Journalism-2

28 March 2009—One thousand and seventy nine (1,079) proud students marched and received their hard-earned diplomas at the Ateneo de Naga University Four Pillars for the 59th Commencement Exercises.

The program started with the Procession of Candidates for Graduation, which was immediately followed by the Invocation led by Fr. Ernesto Carretero, S.J., University Chaplain, and the Valedictory Address by Marjorie Joy Alcozar. Shortly after, the Degree of Doctor of Humanities was conferred upon Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., Dean Emeritus, ADMU Law School .

The Presentation of Candidates that followed was facilitated by Dr. Rebecca Torres , University Academic Vice-President. Fr. Joel Tabora , S.J., University President, led the Confirmation of Graduates.
      
The Distribution of Diplomas and Awarding of Honors were officiated by the Deans of the Six (6) Colleges. The Bishop Jorge Barlin Service to the Church Award was conferred upon the Ladies of Charity. The said Conferment was followed by the University President's Address. Mr. Michael Jorge Ignacio, Class 2009 President then presented their Class Project. The event closed with the Induction of the graduates as members of the ADNU General Alumni Association and the singing of the University Hymn and the Regnum Dei.

Class 2009 has an outstanding twenty nine (29) Magna Cum Laude recipients and  One hundred and thirty six (136) Cum Laude recipients. Among the major awardees are Ms.  Shane Bimeda and Ms. Jacelyn Chan (Pillars Bronze Medallion Award for Academic Excellence), Ms. Sharifa Quincose (Pillars Silver Medallion Award for Academic Excellence), Mr. Reynaldo Avellana (Pillars Gold Medallion Award for Academic Excellence), Ms. Dianna Aborde (Very  Reverend Francis Burns, S.J. Gold Medallion), Mr. Christian Malate (Very Reverend Archbishop Pedro Santos Gold Medallion), and Ms. Marjorie Joy Alcozar (St. Ignatius of Loyola Gold Medallion).

Ms. Alcozar, Editor-In-Chief of the student publication Pillars, topped Class 2009 as Valedictorian.