RECOGNIZING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) held a recognition ceremony on July 28 at Abbot Lopez Hall to honor its graduates, celebrating five Latin Honorees and 71 students who earned Academic Distinction.
A total of 76 students from the CAS Class of 2026 secured a place on this year’s honor roll, five of whom were awarded Latin Honors, and the remaining 71 were given Academic Distinctions—an award given to recognize transferees, shifters, and other students ineligible for Latin Honors who graduate with a GPA of at least 1.75, no failing grades, and no dropped subjects.
The newly appointed Dean of CAS, Prof. Moses Aaron Angeles, PhD, opened the afternoon program with welcome remarks. The awarding proper followed, with each department’s chairperson called onstage in turn to confer honors on their respective graduates.
The Department of Political Science proudly honored 39 students with Academic Distinction. It highlighted four others with Latin Honors: Jennie Loraine G. Reyes, the sole summa cum laude; Xylee Janelle O. Gatus and Mitziko Claire V. Yema, magna cum laude; and Sean Carlos Y. Shapoory, cum laude.
The Department of Human Biology honored Jules Aldwin R. Macapagal, who earned magna cum laude honors. Among those recognized were two students who were recognized for Academic Distinction.
Rounding out the ceremony, the Department of Information Technology recognized 13 students with Academic Distinction, followed by the Department of Psychology with six, the Department of Computer Science with four, the Departments of Sports Science and Economics with three each, and the Department of English with one.
Closing the awarding ceremony, Jennie Loraine G. Reyes, summa cum laude honoree and the college’s top student, delivered the address of gratitude, urging her fellow graduates to remain grounded as they journey to pursue their dreams beyond the four walls of the University, saying, “Kaya habang hinahabol natin ang ating mga pangarap, sana huwag nating kalimutan bumalik. Hindi lamang sa San Beda, kundi sa mga taong naniwala sa’tin bago pa natin matutunang maniwala sa ating sarili.”