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Holy Mass solemnizes investiture of Dr. Morales as 6th CSC President

A fusion of traditional academic ceremony and Holy Mass solemnized the investiture of Dr. Minerva I. Morales as the sixth President of the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) on December 9, VESTING OF AUTHORITY- Dr. Minerva I. Morales takes her Oath of Office as the sixth President of CSC. Administering the oath is CHED Region V Director Freddie T. Bernal representing CHED Commissioner and CSC Board of Trustees Chairperson William B. Medrano. Bishop Manolo Delos Santos (lower photo) officiates the Holy Mass within the Investiture Ceremonies. (GSR)2011 at the CSC Gymnasium.

In her investiture address, Dr. Morales paid tribute to the past administrators of CSC, laid her administration’s plans and programs and reiterated her administration’s strong anchorage on transparency and accountability.

She assured that under her administration, the quality of instruction in other disciplines will be further elevated through support to faculty members and personnel to pursue relevant graduate studies. She also guaranteed for the progressive review and updating of curriculum and the offering of new industry-driven and cutting-edge programs both in the baccalaureate and advanced degrees, and compliance to the recommendations of Accrediting Agency of State Colleges and Universities (AACCUP) and Institutional Quality Assurance Monitoring and Evaluation (IQuAME)

The new CSC President likewise underscored the need for the establishment of Continuing Professional Education Center, intensification of industry-academe linkage; LET'S TRAVEL LIGHT, the new CSC President urged the CSC Community and admonished them to 'leave their excess luggage behind' in the journey to service. These symbolic lanterns, released by the CSC employees, highlighted the Investiture Dinner and Ball. The lighted lanterns magnificently soared to the horizon and dazzled the CSC's jubilant nightscape. (GSR)and partnership with Student Body Organizations to assist financially challenged students through “Student-Meal for Education Program” and similar programs.

Dr. Morales said her administration would also work for the implementation of programs on renewable energy (harnessing solar and wind power), agriculture and fisheries, pharmaceuticals and health concerns, environment, climate change and disaster risk mitigation, gender and development, policy research and sustainable development. She also mentioned the availing of public land grant as Colleges’ laboratory, research and training center to showcase sustainable technologies with global interest such as reforestation, integrated farming system, Sloping Agricultural Land Technology, soil amelioration, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.

Dr. Morales also said that the programs which will be given priority and included in the 2012-2014 Annual Investment Plan will include, among others, the construction of Infirmary and Wellness Building; Research and Development Building and Covered Pathwalk connecting the different departments of the Colleges.

Emphasizing the need for moral leadership, she said: “more than other institutions, the Catanduanes State Colleges, being an institution of higher education is faced with the responsibility of forming and nourishing the building blocks of the ethical foundations of our society. She also challenged to ‘walk the talk’ of good governance and not to be merely ‘trumpeted and lip served’.

The investiture rite started with the welcome greetings by the CSC VP for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Prof. Ma. Theresa E. Sarmiento and the salutations by CSC Federated College Student Council President Glenda C. Rima, CSC Federated Faculty Association President Danilo O. Murillo, CSC Board of Trustees Private Sector Representative Danilo I. Silva and Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento. It was immediately followed by the entrance of liturgical entourage, introductory rite of the mass, readings, gospel proclamation and the homily delivered by Fr. Paul Isorena, Assistant Parish Priest of the Diocese of Virac. Bishop Manolo delos Santos was the main concelebrant.

The event moved on with the presentation of the President by CSC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Susan T. Santelices, the Reading of the Diploma of Appointment by Governor Joseph C. Cua, CSC Board of Trustees Member, representing Senator J. Angara, the Vesting of Academic Gown and Hood and the Academic Medallion by CSC Board of Trustees Private Sector Representative Francis Gianan and Alumni Sector Representative Raffy Zuniega.

CHED Region V Director Freddie T. Bernal, representing CHED Commissioner William B. Medrano, presented the mace and administered the oath of office to Dr. Morales.

Commissioner Medrano, in his message read by Director Bernal, advised the CSC President to persevere, be proactive, people-oriented and prayerful. “Being elected as the President of CSC, you have already shown the world how incredible you are. Go forth and show to the world what woman power is made of,” Commissioner Medrano said.

He also challenged the CSC to adhere to the culture of organizational excellence, continuously create new concepts and knowledge that will lead to innovation, build up its human resource, facilities and governance capabilities to attain international standards and constantly establish linkages and network to generate resources and benchmark its curriculum and programs from global standards.

The final parts of the Holy Mass, consisting of the Prayer of the Faithful, Offertory, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Closing Prayer and Blessing, immediately followed the message of Commissioner Medrano. (GSRubio/PR and Information Services)