Saint Louis University (SLU) held the 15th Gawad San Luis for Students Awards on 8 May 2024 at the Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen โ Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) Theater, SLU Main Campus. The annual awards ceremony, organized by the Office of Student Affairs and Services, recognizes the excellence and commitment of the different student organizations and publications of SLU in upholding the Universityโs mission and vision and carrying out their oathed duty to the Lousian community.ย
Setting the tone and stage, the CCA performing groups opened the event with the solemnity of the prayer, โAma Namin,โ and the Philippine National Anthem by the SLU Glee Club. This was followed by a performance of โKinang Pilipinasโ by the SLU Dance Troupe.
SLU President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, then welcomed the Lousian community to the dayโs ceremony. โMy dear students, may you always foster your creativity, competence, social involvement, and Christian spirit within and more so beyond the nook and cranny of Saint Louis University,โ he said.
In addressing the students, Fr. Sales remarked, โLet us look at and into the bigger picture, the people who need us, the advocacies that entail our service. Together, let us ensure that our excellence, our wisdom builds purposeful greatness.โ
Immediately after, the awarding ceremony for the Individual Category went on with the following awards: Gawad San Luis for Competence, Gawad San Luis for Creativity, and Gawad San Luis for Social Involvement, and Gawad San Luis for Christian Spirit.
The awards were presented by the Board of Judges; Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM; Vice President for Administration, Atty. Shellah Yzanne P. Merced; Vice President for Academics, Dr. Feline P. Espique; University Registrar, Andrew Macalma; the Principal of the Basic Education School, Mr. Alejandro P. Pablico; Associate Dean of School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS), April M. Gumnad; Dean of the School of Advanced Studies (SAS), Dr. Faridah Kristi C. Wetherick; Dean of the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), Eng. Jeffrey Des B. Binwag; Dean of the School of Law (SOL), Atty. Jerico G. Gay-ya; Dean of the School of Medicine (SOM), Dr. John Anthony A. Domantay; Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS), Ann P. Opina; and the Dean of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), Dr. Mary Pauline E. Namoca.
Gawad San Luis Jose Burgos Award for Christian Spirit
This is awarded to the student organization that fostered quality Christian formation programs in pursuit of a deepened spiritual and missionary formation.
The different finalists and awardees are as follows:
- Winner: SLU Political Science Academic Society (POSAS)
- Finalists:
- Psyche Society
- SLU Political Science Academic Society (POSAS)
- SLU Stellaris
- Society for Integrated Commercians for Academic Progress (SICAP)
- Young Entrepreneurs Society
Gawad San Luis Fernando Amorsolo Award for Creativity
The award is given to the student organization that became a vital instrument in the promotion of the culture of research and the cultivation of critical and creative thinking.
The different finalists and awardee are as follows:
- Winner: SEA Honor Society
- Finalists:
- Psyche Society
- SEA Honor Society
- SLU Political Science Academic Society (POSAS)
- SLU Stellaris
- Young Entrepreneursโ Society
After which, the awarding continued with the second set of Individual Awards for Creativity, followed by the Gawad San Luis Ramon Magsaysay Award and Jose Rizal Award for Competence.
Gawad San Luis Ramon Magsaysay Award for Social Involvement
This award is given to the student organization that, by noteworthy outreach initiatives and substantial involvement in extension programs, became actively involved in the University’s extracurricular (outside the Louisian community) services.
The different finalists along with the winner are:
- Winner: Young Entrepreneursโ Society
- Finalists:
- Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA)
- Psyche Society
- SLU Stellaris
- Society for Integrated Commercians for Academic Progress (SICAP)
- Young Entrepreneursโ Society
Gawad San Luis Jose Rizal Award for Competence
This is awarded to the student organization that encouraged and supported its members in acquiring the information, abilities, and attitudes required to carry out their organizational mission and careers.
Below are the different finalists and winner:
- Winner: Young Entrepreneursโ Society
- Finalists:
- Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA)
- SEA Honor Society
- Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Saint Louis University – Student Chapter
- Society for Integrated Commercians for Academic Progress (SICAP)
- Young Entrepreneursโ Society
Presidential Award for Best Extra-Curricular Organization, Co-Curricular Organization, and Excellence in Leadership
Finally, concluding the Gawad San Luis Awards 2024 were the special major awards. The different student organization and publications that were awarded the three different special awards are as follows:
The Presidential Award for Best Extra-Curricular Organization
Winner: SEA Honor Society
The Presidential Award for Best Co-Curricular Organization
Winner: Young Entrepreneursโ Society
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Leadership
Winner: Lea Nexei L. Emiliano (Psyche Society)
The 15th Gawad San Luis Awards is a testament to the tireless dedication and tremendous contributions of students, organizations, and advisers alike. As a result of their tireless efforts and commitment to excellence, they have not only enriched their communities but also inspired others to strive for excellence, adhering to the Louisian call to โMissio et Excellentia.โ (Article by Antonio Lim, Jr., UIO Intern | Photos by Khrys Arellano and EJ Doรฑa)
