With the theme, “Resilient KSU Graduates: Rising Strong, Overcoming Boundaries, Transforming the Future”, a total of ninety-six (96) graduates from the different programs including the graduate studies marched in success during the university’s 30th Commencement Exercises held at the university gymnasium on September 8, 2023.

Prior to the commencement ceremony, a baccalaureate mass was officiated by Pastor Froilan Abuan from the Tabuk Fundamental Baptist Church. During his homily, Pastor Abuan drew inspiration from the biblical verse Jeremiah 29:11, emphasizing that life is a journey filled with both great accomplishments and setbacks. He encouraged the graduates, aligning his message with this year’s theme, saying, “People will never rise unless they fail,” and concluded with a thought-provoking statement: “Don’t try to hold God’s hand; let God hold your hand.”

Chairman Prospero E. De Vera III of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) delivered an inspiring message, sharing anecdotes from his educational journey. He highlighted the importance of determination and persistence in achieving academic success and expressed his joy in witnessing the latest batch of young Filipinos who have benefited from the Free Higher Education Law (R.A. 10931), which has made higher education more accessible and affordable for many.

Through the Universal Access to Quality Education Law, more than 2 million young Filipinos across over 200 public universities and colleges have had their tuition fees covered. Chairman De Vera urged the graduates to not only celebrate their success with their families and friends but also to remember their fellow batchmates who faced obstacles in completing their education.

In his concluding remarks, De Vera encouraged the graduates to dream big, give back to their country, inspire future generations, and work towards a better world for all.

The Honorable Mark Aldrich R. Diasen, Guest of Honor and Speaker, emphasized the importance of failure and loss in the journey to success. He underlined that proper training and talent are key factors that lead to success and urged the graduates to act. “To attain something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.”, he added.

The University President, Dr.Eduardo T. Bagtang expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the occasion, making it a memorable and significant event in the lives of the graduates and the entire KSU family.