WEST Visayas State University (WVSU) awarded Latin honors to 1,130 graduating students during its University Recognition Program on June 9, 2025 at the main campus in La Paz District, Iloilo City.
These honor students represent 74.58 percent of the university's graduating Class of 2025, according to Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, WVSU Vice President for Academic Affairs.
"These are future thinkers, innovators, and leaders," Dequilla said in her message to the graduates. "They have shown intellectual rigor, tenacity, and unrelenting spirit grounded in the core competencies of a true Taga-West."
Fifty-seven students received Summa Cum Laude, the highest academic honor. Another 677 students earned Magna Cum Laude, while 396 were recognized as Cum Laude recipients.
The number of Latin honor graduates in 2025 increased from 992 in the previous academic year. In 2024, 49 students were conferred Summa Cum Laude, 648 received Magna Cum Laude, and 295 were awarded Cum Laude.
WVSU attributes the significant increase in honor graduates to strengthened academic support systems, the implementation of outcome-based education, and the faculty's commitment to academic excellence. The university continues to produce top-performing graduates in fields such as education, medicine, nursing, and the sciences.
In addition to its undergraduate recognition, WVSU celebrated the second Commencement Exercises of its College of Law on June 6, 2025, at the WVSU Cultural Center. This year's graduating batch, "Batch Kadampig," included 14 Juris Doctor candidates. The event signifies a growing milestone for the relatively young law college as it advances its goal of producing principled and socially engaged legal professionals.
Lawyer Renee Louise Co, Representative-elect of Kabataan Partylist, served as the Commencement Speaker for the law graduation, inspiring the aspiring lawyers. Her presence underscored the college’s vision to equip its graduates not only with legal knowledge but also with the courage to pursue justice and social change.
WVSU’s College of Law, despite being in its early years, is expanding its reputation for legal education by emphasizing integrity, rule of law, and community service.
The university’s main graduation ceremony for all colleges and departments is scheduled for June 13, 2025, at its main campus in La Paz District, Iloilo City. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)