UST ALUMNUS and IBM Philippines President James Velasquez encouraged Thomasian achievers to treat their small achievements as “indicators of greater things to come.”
“Almost 400 years ago, Miguel de Benavides invested some P2,500 to establish what is now the landmark institution of UST. From there, you can see that by starting small, you acknowledge the presence of something bigger, something to learn from,” he said during the UST Student Awards last March 17 at the Medicine Auditorium.
The Student Awards was held to honor outstanding Thomasians for the past school year that have achieved awards and recognitions in and out of the campus. The highest award, the Rector’s Academic Award, was received by Maria Cecilia Santos of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
In her speech, Santos expressed her deepest gratitude to the University that honed her to be a competent, committed, and compassionate individual.
The Rector’s Academic Award is given to graduating students who have garnered the highest weighted average in their respective faculties and colleges. Santos, who graduated summa cum laude last month, had a 1.12 general weighted average, the highest among 14 other Rector’s Academic award winners, and the whole batch of 2010.
“My fellow awardees and I would like to assure our alma mater that the competencies, values, and truths in life that we have acquired through our stay in the University will be channeled into service not only for the Thomasian community, but also for all the people whose lives we shall touch after earning our degrees,” she said.
Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. urged Thomasian award recipients to stand up and initiate change.
“One drop can change the ocean, one lifetime can change the direction of history, and one person can make a difference. I believe in you, our young Thomasian achievers. Make your voices heard,” De la Rosa said.
Other Rector’s Academic award winners were Francis Jiao Shuang Li of the Faculty of Sacred Theology, Ian de Leon (Civil Law), Sharlene Lao (Medicine and Surgery), Joana Martin (Arts and Letters), Maria Kimberly Tan (Engineering), Alvin Ramos (Education), Maribel Gavilan (Science), Regina Tan (Commerce), Clarence Aguila (Architecture), Anna Gan (Nursing), Maria Erika Carmelotes (Music), Kim Medallon (Rehabilitation Sciences), Faye Evangelista (Fine Arts and Design), Lean Magsombol (UST-AMV Accountancy), and Rayzel Gaw (Tourism and Hospitality Management).
Since 2002, there have been no recipients of the Thomas Aquinas Award, which is given to students who receive the Rector’s Academic Award, and two other personal awards.
Thomasian athletes Dylan Ababou of basketball and Marlon Avenido of taekwondo were given the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award, which is conferred on students who have gained recognition from regional, national or international competitions.
Varsitarian photography editor Paul Allyson Quiambao and Varsitarian alumnus Juanito de la Rosa received their second Benavides awards, while photographer Isabela Martinez got her first.
Mr. Velasquez committed a great error regarding the history of our beloved UST. Miguel de Benavides, O.P. invested P1,500 only (aside from his personal library), and not P2,500 as what Mr. Velasquez mentioned in his speech.