"OUTSTANDING ORIENTAL NEGRENSE 2007"

FIELD OF EDUCATION

AWARDS CONFERMENT: RESPONSE

Sidlakang Negros, Dumaguete City

December 30, 2007, 4:00 P.M.

I. Greetings

II. I accept this very distinguished award with humility, gratitude and responsibility –

1. HUMILITY – because success in educational management is not solely done by me, but in unity, solidarity and teamwork with all the stakeholders of the State university.

2. GRATITUDE – because God has given me the rarest opportunity to serve Him and the community through education and training that will guide and lead young people to better quality of life. I give my heartfelt gratitude to people who believe in us – people who are true Christians – objective, fair and just – in looking into the 5 of us!

3. RESPONSIBILITY – because leadership is service. Leadership is servanthood. Leadership is change. I care for the educational system so I dared to challenge the status quo.

Many could not believe that Negros Oriental Trade School (NOTS), Guihulngan Vocational School (GVS), Genaro Goñi Memorial College (GGMC), Siaton Community College (SCC), Negros Oriental National Agricultural School (NONAS), East Visayas School of Arts and Trades (EVSAT), Central Visayas Polytechnic College (CVPC) could become what it is today – a State University – one of the biggest state universities in the Visayas and Mindanao in terms of collegiate student population.

The Presidency of a State University demands a lot of hardwork, perseverance, prayer, talent and sacrifice. (You face unproved charges, unfair criticism, and fabrications. You encounter a few academic Pharisees, “self-proclaimed historians”, faceless “concerned citizens”, anonymous letters, threats, and the like).

But, I know that when God is with you – you will never fail! At the end of the day, performance is the defining criterion of leadership. God is my greatest leader and teacher!.

Receiving this award as “OUTSTANDING ORIENTAL NEGRENSE FOR EDUCATION” is a public thanksgiving! This is a shining moment, a defining event for Negros Oriental State University – the pride, the hope, the future of young men and women, mostly disadvantaged – the lost, the last, and least – from the Visayas and Mindanao.

III. I OFFER this award to the LORD ALMIGHTY for being my strength andprotector in my vision, leadership and management;

I OFFER this award to NEGROS ORIENTAL STATE UNIVERSITY for being its instrument to lead together with the Board of Regents (BOR), administrators, alumni, parents, students, teachers and the entire academic community with honesty and accountability, commitment and dedication to duty, meaning and purpose – to help the poor families earn professionalism, dignity and integrity.

I OFFER this gift to my FAMILY (to Joy and children, grandchildren), RELATIVES, and FRIENDS for being there always, for their support and prayers, for my happy and simple life.

I OFFER this gift to the POOR PEOPLE of Negros Oriental, MEMBERS of all professions and vocations, particularly to all school administrators, and teachers in all educational levels for working quietly, patiently and religiously, to shape and form productive citizens and leaders of our communities. Let us always remember this: “A teacher is the light that brightens the corner wherever he or she is found.”

IV. WITH ALL CANDOR AND SINCERITY, I BELIEVE THAT THE NEGROS ORIENTAL STATE UNIVERSITY IS THE GREATEST SERMON ON THE ALTAR OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION PREACHED IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY, AND HEARD IN THE OTHER EDUCATIONAL PULPITS OF THE WORLD!

Thank you very much – beloved Negros Oriental, our people and our leaders, Selection Committees for these awards, people behind Buglasan 2007.

May God continue to shower His blessings upon all of us.

V. Kanatong Tanan, Daghan Kaayong Salamat. Ang Dios nga Makagagahum – sa kanunay magabantay kanato, sa atong panginabuhi, sa atong mga minahal sa banay – ginikanan, kapikas, anak, kaliwat, – silingan. Maayong Pasko ug Mauswagong Bag-ong Tuig!!

HENRY A. SOJOR, Ph.D.

Outstanding Oriental Negrense Awardee 2007