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by PAM
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| UST Graduate School Solemn Investiture, 3rd April 2012 |
"It's one thing to be schooled, it's another matter entirely to be educated."- Rev. Fr. Norberto M. Castillo, O. P.
former Rector of the University of Santo Tomas; Dean, Faculty of Philosophy
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I was "in the zone" with my research students in the lab yesterday when a Grad School staff sent a text message, reminding us, faculty, about the Grad School Solemn Investiture this afternoon. It was 'painful' to extricate myself from 'the zone'... but I did it - mostly just physically!
After the ceremony, I was so glad I did make an effort to attend (well, it's my responsibility as a faculty member to attend, actually). Aside from happily listening to the Dean's Year-End Report, communing with the "brainiacs" (more of them this time!) in the University once again was 'sweet'. And yeah, Dr. Lilian J. Sison, the Dean of the Grad School, is truly admirable... in her leadership, vision and steadfast commitment to steer the Grad School to where it is today - a place of progress and exciting dynamism, a haven for 'hardcore' academicians in the University. This, despite the recent attempt of the filthy side of the local political world and the unscrupulous on-line journalists who patronize it to drag the name of our Grad School to the quargmire where some politicians and their minions in the journalism world dive and swim with relish on a daily basis. Dr. Sison resisted the pull of filth with integrity, grace and poise the way a real educated educator should.
Still... perhaps, it's true what other wise people in the School say, that Dr. Sison's success as leader has a lot to do with the people that surround her. She has a good team... a visionary leader that she is, she sets the course of the Grad School, and she is surrounded by an abundance of talented and committed individuals who share her vision and passion for excellence. And they all work together to accomplish the task before them willingly and unselfishly - no matter how formidable and daunting the task might be. Once again, TEAMWORK WORKS!
Congratulations to the Graduates... and congratulations to the Grad School Admin!
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