Alumni Update December 4 – 10, 2023
(L-R) Asst. Prof. Maria Elcon Kleine Koerkamp of the College of Performing and Visual Arts; Dr. Beulah Rose R. Torres, Office of Instruction director; Dr. Warlito S. Caturay, Jr., Office of Information and Publications director; Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Betty. Cernol-McCann, University president; Rev. Jonathan R. Pia, SU Church senior pastor; and Ruben N. Bokingo, Alumni and External Affairs director.
Silliman University (SU) commemorated the 198th birth anniversary of Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, SU’s founder, through a floral offering; a prayer by Rev. Jonathan R. Pia, SU Church senior pastor; and a song titled “If My Verses Had Wings,” sang by Asst. Prof. Maria Elcon Kleine Koerkamp, last December 4, 2023 at his bust located at the Silliman Hall grounds.
Dr. Horace B. Silliman died on May 4, 1910 at 84, leaving an astounding legacy of selfless contributions to Cohoes, New York, as well as capital funding and scholarships for Hamilton College, Union College, and Mount Hermon Academy, building the Silliman Lodge in New Jersey (a home for girls, affiliated with the Christadora settlement house in New York City), and establishing SU in Dumaguete City, Philippines.
The University commemorates both his birth and death anniversary as part of its yearly tradition.
We share with you the prayer offered by Rev. Jonathan R. Pia, in commemoration of Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman’s 198th birthday:
“Gracious God, we gather today with Administration, faculty and staff, fellow alumni to remember Dr. Horace B. Silliman and his generosity that helped establish this university. As we remember him may his generosity be reflected in our lives as we share ourselves with others. In a time when we are blessed with many material goods, teach us to share what we have and to care for the needy. We look forward to the day when our thinking and caring are so in tune with yours that we automatically begin to assess each situation as an opportunity to do your will. Let the words that we speak and the life we live be a reflection of You who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let the love that is present in this fellowship today be a beacon to light our lives and those whom we help. And may our love for you ascend like the early morning sun moving ever higher into the sky for we know that your love for us is steadfast. We pray for this university as it continues to mold and nurture the lives of the young not only to excel in academics but also in their relationship with others and with our God. We pray for wisdom in all that we do, and the decisions that we make. Remind us always why this university was established. May we be the bearers of peace, the peace that you alone can give? For those who need justice, may we be instruments of your justice and your love? All these we pray in the name of the Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Amen.”
Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann and Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope offer flowers at the
bust of Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, and are assisted by Dr. Beula R. Torres and Carlos Romarate, Office of Information and Publications staff.
Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann and Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope offer flowers at the
bust of Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman
