West Visayas State University (WVSU) Main Campus celebrated a milestone of academic excellence as it conferred degrees upon 1,441 baccalaureate graduates during its 2026 Undergraduate Commencement Exercises held June 4 at the WVSU Quezon Hall Grounds.
Of the total graduates, 1,060 earned Latin honors, representing nearly three-fourths of the graduating class. The honorees included 23 summa cum laude graduates, 572 magna cum laude graduates and 465 cum laude graduates, underscoring the university’s continued commitment to academic excellence across disciplines.
Leading in the number of graduates was the College of Education with 417 graduates, followed by the College of Arts and Sciences with 277 and the College of Business and Management with 241. The College of Information and Communications Technology produced 177 graduates, while the College of Physical Education, Sports, Culture, Arts and Recreation had 122. The College of Communication and College of Nursing contributed 118 and 89 graduates, respectively.
Delivering the commencement address was Hon. Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and a member of the WVSU Class of 1987. Addressing the graduates, he emphasized that leadership is defined not by titles or positions but by character, courage and service, reminding the Class of 2026 that integrity remains the foundation of meaningful leadership.
A plaque of appreciation was presented to Mabilog by WVSU President Joselito F. Villaruz, assisted by Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla, vice president for Academic Affairs, and Aarcel Vinz D. Agudo, chairperson of the University Senior Curriculum Council.
The seven undergraduate colleges formally presented their candidates for graduation through their respective deans before Villaruz conferred the degrees. The distribution of diplomas was assisted by University Registrar Mardy A. Ledesma.
In recognition of their academic achievement, qualified awardees were granted the Honor Graduate Eligibility by a representative of the Civil Service Commission Regional Office VI.
The graduates were likewise inducted into the WVSU Federated Alumni Association by its president, Hon. Regent Dr. Bonifacio P. Gaverza, officially welcoming them into the university’s growing community of alumni.
Adding a reflective moment to the ceremony, Louise Angelika P. Pahilanga, summa cum laude graduate of the Bachelor of Library and Information Science program and recipient of the Most Outstanding Graduate in Academics award, delivered the graduates’ prayer on behalf of the Class of 2026.
As the graduates crossed the commencement stage, the numbers reflected more than academic achievement. The new degree holders represented years of perseverance, scholarship and service, joining the ranks of WVSU alumni prepared to contribute to their professions, communities and the nation.
