The University Students’ Welcome Activity & Gathering (USWAG) lit ablaze the hearts of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) students as the university colleges welcome their freshmen with witty activities and enticing booths, Monday, September 26.
Said welcoming activity and gathering began with the Campus Tour wherein the freshmen were toured around the premises of the university, followed by the entrance of the colleges and their respective organizations with their colors and banners. These colleges and departments did not only bring color but brought electrifying energy as their yells and chats of pride and honor filled the oval in an attempt to bag the title of “Best Chant and Yell,” with the College of Architecture and Applied Discipline succeeded in snatching the said title as they captured the audience as well as the judges with their performance.
Hon. Orlando V. De Paz, SSG President of EVSU Main Campus thanked the students for choosing EVSU to aid them in reaching their dreams. He encouraged students to explore the different organizations set up around the oval and to even join said organizations as these will be helpful in the development of students. He ended the speech by quoting Walt Disney saying that the students to quit talking and start doing as per Walt Disney.
After a recharging performance by the EVSU Performing Arts Company, Dr. Lydia M. Morante, Vice President for Academic Affairs officially welcomed the students after two years of having no face-to-face classes brought about by the pandemic. She said that challenges will still continue to be faced by the university since the virus is still present. However, what the students have now will shed new hearts as they are now in touch with one another. This academic year will also lessen the burden in connectivity. The physical, emotional and mental instability will decrease with the assist of the faculty, the student’s family and friends, now that they are physically around. Dr. Morante encouraged students to have a positive attitude to create a better feeling for learning as they help the students gain knowledge and skills.
The college deans of the university soon took turns in welcoming the students into their respective colleges, hyping up the crowd with their call for yells followed by prideful cheers as they mention the awards and achievements their colleges have gained over the years. Deans across colleges expressed their excitement to produce more competent professionals over the years.
As the night grew cold and students grew weary, the college deans lit the bonfire at the heart of the oval, symbolizing the university’s mission and vision to be united in producing professionally competent and productive individuals. The bonfire also symbolizes the burning desire of students to gain quality education from the institution they chose.
Finally, Dr. Dennis C. De Paz, University President inspired the students as to how EVSU was able to produce topnotchers and professionals despite the pandemic. He urged students to keep the desire for learning with the university at the student’s side. He ended his speech by moving the students to be the best that they can be no matter what the situation is. He continued to say that students should learn new perspectives that would improve the learner’s lives and the lives of others.
Students continued to fill the night with buzz and excitement as they moved along the beat of the music; pounding in their hearts and fueling the vessels within them that, with the help of EVSU, will propel them to success.
Article by Alea Joyce Dublin