VOL. XXIX
NO. 1
SPECIAL ISSUE
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AUGUST 25, 2022
ANG MAMATAY NANG DAHIL SAYO. Newborn Stallions sing the National Anthem during the Opening and General Orientation Program in the university covered court, August 25, 2022. Photo by Lujean Guieb
MMSU CONDUCTS WEEK-LONG ON CAMPUS CELEBRATION RYAND ANGELO UGALDE & EDMAR DELOS
fter two years of hiatus, the Mariano Marcos State University A conducts Freshies Orientation Week
BACK TO NORMAL: MMSU HOLDS F2F FRESHMAN OPENING AND ORIENTATION PROGRAM DANA MERYLL GAPAS
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total of 4,451 freshmen students from the different colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University attended the face-to-face opening and orientation program after two years of online learning at the MMSU covered court, Batac City, on Thursday, August 25, 2022. Rationale and welcome remarks were warmly delivered by Dr. Jan Rich A. Guira, Director of the Office for Student Affairs and Services. “Here in this pres-
tigious university, we promise to give you the best that we can give.” Guira reiterated. He also encouraged the freshies to continue to achieve with the university. On the other hand, Patricia Louise Agrida, a firstyear student of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, expressed her excitement towards face-to-
face classes and her academic journey in MMSU. “I feel so happy and ready to start my college life, especially now that we get to experience a normal learning set-up.” Agrida shared. MMSU looks forward to a fruitful and successful academic year with the new stallions.
from August 25 until August 31, 2022. Attended by more than 4400 first-year students, Opening Program and General Orientation were conducted on the first day ranging topics from university quality policy statement, presentation of vision, mission, as well as university officials, academic policies and student affairs activities. MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco also gave their messages and well-wishes. Students will also attend College and Department Orientation tomorrow and Online Information Services via MMSU Virtual Learning Environment (MVLE), August 2729. Mental Wellness Day will also take place on August 30. Meanwhile, the University Student Council (USC) will hold three events during the first-ever Org Day on August 31. These events include Freshies Walk, Battle of the Bands, and Students Gallop. As the university opens its doors from in-person classes, the University ensures all students, parent, and guardians that all health and safety protocols are being observed at all times. The start of Opening Program and General Orientation program was originally scheduled on August 24 but was rescheduled today due to Tropical Storm “Florita”.
AGRUPIS TO FRESHMEN: ‘KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND WARM IN HEART’ IAN PAUL VILLANUEVA
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WORDS OF WELCOME. President Agrupis shares encouring message to the newly enrolled MMSU students during the Opening Program of SY 2022-2021. August 25, 2022. Photo by Lujean Guieb
o keep an open mind and a warm heart is university President Dr. Shirley Agrupis’ challenge for the nearly 4500 first-year students, transferees, and shiftees who attended the Opening and Orientation Program at the MMSU Covered Court on Thursday, August 25. More than two years after the halting of in-person classes and the shift to virtual learning, the administration’s plan to bring back face-to-face classes in all levels and programs is now in full swing.
“I feel your eagerness to start the first-ever face-to- face classes after two years,” Agrupis told the crowd of firstyears. The president’s speech did not go without a mention of the university’s seven-point agenda, ACHIEVE. “Across these 7 letters are roadmaps that are dedicated to guide you to become a virtuous human capital.” A little less than 15000 enrolled students were expected to show up today for the first day of classes. Among which, according to Agrupis, 4451 are first-year students. Apart from her words of encouragement, the president also reminded the students to still follow minimum health protocols, even as the province of Ilocos
Norte is still classified under COVID-19 Alert Level 1. The president ended her speech by encouraging the students to strengthen their resolve amid the challenges of today’s world. “I know that you came from different levels, different family environments, different situations but I assure you that it’s not about the situations that you are in... I hope that these 4451 students that we are welcoming today will be the same number of graduates after 4 years.” In the past academic years, the orientation and opening programs were conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.