Anchored on the theme “MSU General Santos: Fostering Excellence, Serving the Nation,” the College of Medicine of Mindanao State University–General Santos formally celebrated the Commencement Exercises of Batch Ladiyawan on January 12, 2025, at the College of Medicine Auditorium.
Families, university administration, faculty members, and friends gathered to honor this significant academic milestone. The ceremony featured inspiring messages from university leaders and the conferment of academic honors to 17 graduates who exemplified exceptional excellence and resilience throughout their medical journey.
In his message, MSU–GenSan Chancellor Atty. Shidik T. Abantas emphasized that the role of a physician extends far beyond clinical practice. He urged the graduates to serve with depth, compassion, and strong social awareness, stating, “Your education has prepared you not only to diagnose and treat illnesses, but to understand health within its broader social, cultural, and economic context. In choosing to serve, whether in urban hospitals, rural health units, or specialized fields you contribute to the realization of MSU’s mission as a national peace university.”
Serving as Guest Speaker, former Chancellor JD Usman D. Aragasi, MPA, encouraged the graduates to embrace life’s uncertainties while remaining committed to their dreams. Highlighting perseverance as the key to success, he cited the famous words,
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”
He explained that true success in life, whether as a physician, leader, entrepreneur, or community servant, comes from learning from failures, maintaining patience, and being persistent in transforming dreams into achievements, “Being a graduate of Doctor of Medicine, or any academic degree, is not the final destination in your calling. The University has provided you with the indispensable training, guidance, and roadmap, which serve as the foundation for your future leadership and service in the community. You are now part of a pool of potential leaders, ready to shape the future of your communities and the nation.”
As Batch Ladiyawan embarks on this new chapter, the MSU–GenSan community stands proud that these graduates will carry forward the University’s enduring legacy of excellence and service wherever their calling may lead them.
