The 4th summa cum laude, onstage

Shifting the sablay from the right to the left shoulder, the transition from candidate to graduate

Officials of the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao awarded diplomas to 303 graduates in its 26th Commencement Exercises on 19 July 2024 at the UPMin Atrium. The Class of 2024 comes from 11 undergraduate programs, one associate program, two diploma programs, and three graduate programs.

Ms. Kyndra Lei Yunting, summa cum laude

Ms. Kyndra Lei B. Yunting of the BA English (Creative writing) program leads the UP Mindanao Class of 2024 as class valedictorian. She earned a cumulative weighted average grade (CWAG) of 1.1170, within the range of 1.000–1.2000, based on the highest possible grade of 1.00. She is UP Mindanao's fourth summa cum laude and the first from the BA English (Creative writing) program.

She also received the Best Thesis in Fiction award for her collection, God and Other Villains, and the CHED-Unifast Academic Excellence Award, given to a graduating student who demonstrates exemplary leadership, meets the highest standard of academic excellence, has impressive co-curricular and community involvement, and has demonstrated other noteworthy skills throughout her academic tenure.

In her valedictory speech, Yunting acknowledges the necessity of discussing disturbing societal realities on such a significant day as graduation. She said, "What now? We were all raised on the idea that the youth are the future. And now here we are, in the future, and no one seems to be listening to us. What now? We were entrusted with the hope of changing the world, but whenever we try, the world resists change."

"So for the rest of our lives, every time we get up in the morning, we have to remind ourselves of the people that got us here and what we owe to them. And every day, we have to do our part in ensuring that we leave this world better than we found," she urges her fellow graduates.

"If nothing else motivates you, at least, at the very least, allow some spite to motivate you. If absolutely nothing else gets you going, let it be the desire to prove them all wrong... So have some spite in your heart. Spite, better known by her other name—hope. After all, what is spite if not the impassioned hope that things can and should be better?"

The speakers at the 26th Commencement Exercises send off the Class of 2024 with the highest hopes to serve the people, especially Mindanao.

Dr. Maria Cynthia Rose Banzon-Bautista

The commencement speaker, Dr. Maria Cynthia Rose Banzon-Bautista, reminds the graduates of their purpose: "Your purpose in life is always bigger than yourself, and it involves serving others. For UP's Iskolar ng Bayan, a deep sense of mission, the call to serve our people, the resolve to give your all in any circumstance, and the perseverance to strive for excellence despite extreme challenges is reflected in UP's maxim of 'excellence and honor' not for oneself but always in the service of others."

Banzon-Bautista was the former Vice President for Academic Affairs of the UP System and is currently a member of the Advisory Council for the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao

UP Mindanao chancellor Prof. Lyre Anni E. Murao expressed her joy, "From only 6 students last year, this year we have pinned 45 Ugnayan ng Pahinungód volunteers—one of the largest cohorts in the entire UP System. This is a testament to UP Mindanao's commitment to transformative education, upholding honor and excellence in the service of the nation." The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód is UP's volunteer service program for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

In his congratulatory message printed in the souvenir program, UP President Angelo Jimenez echoed the theme of service: "Your journey ahead is not just about personal success, but about lifelong service. Serve the people, especially our people here in Mindanao. As Iskolar ng Bayan, graduates of the national university, this is our calling and our commitment."

Chancellor Murao led the awarding of diplomas, with assistance from Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Annabelle U. Novero and University Registrar Karen Joyce G. Cayamanda. The members of the Board of Regents who witnessed the awarding were Regent Gladys S.J. Tiongco, Faculty Regent Carl Marc L. Ramota, and Student Regent Sofia Jan DG. Trinidad, Staff Regent Marie Theresa G.S Alambra, and Alumni Regent Robert Lester F. Aranton. Executive Vice President Jose Fernando T. Alcantara led the visiting UP officials composed of VP for Administration Augustus C. Resurreccion, VP for Planning and Finance Iryn Y. Balmores, VP for Public Affairs Rolando B. Tolentino, UP Cebu Chancellor Leo B. Malagar, UP Baguio Chancellor Joel M. Addawe, and Prof. Jean A. Saludadez representing UP Open University Chancellor Melinda DP. Bandalaria. 

The Class of 2024 has 69 magna cum laude with CWAGs ranging from 1.021–1.45. BA Communication and Media Arts leads with 15 magna cum laude, followed by BS Food Technology with 11. BS Architecture, BS Biology, and BS Computer Science have seven. BS Anthropology and BA English (Creative writing) have six, while BS Applied Mathematics and BS Agribusiness Economics have five.

They are followed by 116 cum laude graduates with CWAGs ranging from 1.4501–1.75.

BS Architecture program leads with 25 cum laude, followed by BS Biology with 24; BS Food Technology with 21; BS Agribusiness Economics with 11; BS Anthropology with10; BS Computer Science with 9; BA Communication and Media Arts with 8; BA English (Creative writing) with seven; and BS Applied Mathematics with one.

The processional began at 6:45 a.m., led by Student Affairs Director Ma. Stella Salazar, followed by the summa cum laude. The college secretaries led their respective graduates. The UPMin faculty members, academic department chairpersons, and unit heads followed. The former chancellor, Dr. Sylvia B. Concepcion, Professor Emeritus Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., and vice chancellors Leo Estaña and Annabelle Novero completed the delegation of UPMin officials. The UPMin mace was carried by University Registrar Prof. Karen Joyce G. Cayamanda, followed by Chancellor Murao. The UP System officials and the commencement speaker completed the processional.

Singing the "UP Naming Mahal"