Angelie Kyle Babon 
Samar State University – College of Arts and Sciences conducted BS Information Technology 8th Pinning and Candle Lighting Ceremony for a total of 198 BSIT Batch 2023 official student candidates, November 11 at Maceda Gymnasium.
The ceremony started with a Thanksgiving Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Mark Jude Austero, an SSU alumnus. Processional March came after, then finally, the Pinning and Candle Lighting ceremony proper.
“We already had the pinning for both the BS Statistics and the BS Psychology and so this is a special activity for the BSIT especially that there’s a huge number coming from this group, congratulations to that,” College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Patosa said in her opening message.
Dr. Patosa presented the 198 qualifiers for the discipleship and preparation for their On-the-Job Training who had “satisfactorily complied all the requirements as prescribed by the curriculum and in accordance with the provisions, rules, and regulations of the university”.
The presentation of candidates was sooner followed with the acceptance proclamation of Student Internship Program Director Dr. Gil Amoyan as he “acknowledged all the rights, privileges, and obligations as prescribed in the respective curriculum and existing policies and guidelines of the University and the Commission on Higher Education”.
Finally, BSIT Program Chair Engr. Dennis Durango pinned the students, assisted by BSIT instructors Mark Angelo Bathan, Feix Carlos Uy, Ma. Elena Tizon, Arjay Grefaldeo. While the lighting of candles was led by BSIT Co-Program Chair Erickson Niego.
In a separate speech, University President Dr. Marilyn Cardoso expressed her congratulations not just to the students but also to the CAS management and support staff as she emphasized that the ceremony indicates that they have succeeded in educating the students.
Moreover, Dr. Cardoso dared the student candidates to “decide and commit to the dream that scares them”.
“This event is so symbolic, it defines milestones in your life as you are now ready for your internship program. The [pinning] that will be done on you in a while signifies that you are now getting to practice what you have learned from your university and to learn on your own for the things that you need to learn,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ardaisley Ann Abina and Josie Lagbo, led their batch in reciting the OJT pledge and prayer respectively.
CAS Associate Dean, Dr. Maryjes Calades delivered her closing remarks acclaiming the key officials, program coordinators, board of directors, CAS faculty and staff members that were also present in the event and who “helped to come up with a successful one”.
Angelie Kyle Babon | News Writer
Ryedell Talaogon | Photojournalist
