3 summa cum laudes lead 1,104 graduates of SU Batch 2026
Silliman University (SU) honored 1,104 graduates during its 113th Commencement Exercises held March 29, 2026 at the Silliman University Gymnasium, with three summa cum laude awardees leading the graduating class.
Topping Batch 2026 were Nick James C. Baco, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics; Ryan Rikaz C. Ibrahim, Bachelor of Mass Communication; and Ma. Paulene T. Perigua, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
The commencement speaker was SU President Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, whose term officially concludes on May 31, 2026. In her address, she invited graduates to reflect on graduation not merely as an ending, but as a beginning—“the next chapter of your Silliman story.”
Dr. McCann emphasized that while commencement marks the completion of academic requirements, its deeper significance lies in what graduates have become and what they have learned to value. She underscored that education is not only about knowledge acquisition, but about developing purpose, meaning, and a commitment to serve others.
Drawing from Silliman’s history, she reminded graduates of the vision of founders David and Laura Hibbard, who believed in an education grounded in Christian faith and dedicated to forming the whole person—mind, heart, and spirit. This vision, she noted, continues to be expressed through the University’s four pillars: faith, instruction, research, and extension.
Dr. McCann also challenged the graduates to respond to the demands of a rapidly changing world shaped by digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and global challenges. Beyond professional success, she urged them to consider the kind of world their work would help create, emphasizing responsibility, compassion, and ethical leadership.
Quoting Micah 6:8, she called on the Class of 2026 “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly,” reminding them that the true measure of their education will be seen in how their lives contribute to the flourishing of others.
“As you leave this campus today, carry the story forward,” she said, encouraging graduates to bring with them the values and legacy of Silliman University in whatever paths they pursue. (Read the complete Commencement Address of Dr. McCann here.)
The ceremony marked not only a milestone for the graduates, but also a significant moment for the University as it prepares to close a chapter under Dr. McCann’s leadership, even as a new generation of Sillimanians begins their own.
