THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters (AB) administration has established the Dean’s Circle award to recognize students with the highest grade average in their batch per term.
A total of 91 students across all AB programs were honored as members of the circle during the 1st St. Thomas More Excellence Awards last Thursday, August 10.
In an email interview with The Flame, AB Acting Dean Jacqueline Lopez-Kaw said the award was introduced to provide students with models who embody UST patron St. Thomas Aquinas’ commitment to scholarly excellence.
“[The Dean’s Circle award] was not meant merely to validate the student’s academic aspirations, but a way to propagate the practice of doing one’s best always, achieving quality performance amidst difficult circumstances,” Kaw said.
“As much as possible, we want our students to develop an abiding interest to learn and develop their potential to the fullest. We look at the Dean’s Circle awardees as models of that passion to excel,” she added.
According to the acting dean, students must secure the highest general weighted average in their year level to be in the dean’s circle.
The award is different fom the dean’s list, which consists of students who obtained a general weighted average of at least 1.75 in the preceding term.
“In other words, one can be part of the Dean’s List, but only the best in every year level receives the Dean’s Circle award,” Kaw said.
A total of 1,617 Artlets made it to the dean’s list during the first and second terms of last academic year, based on the list of awardees obtained by The Flame.
Of the 91 students that made it to the dean’s circle, 11 were from the behavioral science program composed of one freshman, seven sophomores and three juniors.
The communication program also had 11 students that made it to the dean’s circle: two freshmen, five sophomores and three juniors.
The sociology program had nine students that made it to the dean’s circle. Of these students, three were freshmen, two were sophomores and four were juniors.
The Asian studies program accounted for eight members of the dean’s circle: four freshmen, three sophomores and one junior.
The creative writing program had eight students in the dean’s circle. Four of them were freshmen, two were sophomores and two were juniors.
The legal management program had seven students who topped their batch: two freshmen, two sophomores and three juniors.
The English language studies program contributed six students to the Dean’s Circle: two freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors.
The philosophy program had six students in the dean’s circle: two freshmen, three sophomores and one junior.
The political science program had six of last academic year’s top-ranking students: two freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors.
Five economics program students made it to the dean’s circle: two freshmen, two sophomores and one junior.
The literature program had five students in the dean’s circle: two freshmen, two sophomores and one junior.
The journalism program had five students who made it to the dean’s circle, which consisted of two freshmen, one sophomore and two juniors.
The history program had four members of the dean’s circle: two freshmen, one sophomore and one junior.
Of the total 1,617 students who made it the dean’s list, 329 were from communication; 223 from behavioral science; 200 from political science; 147 from legal management; 117 from journalism; 116 from creative writing; 100 from the Asian studies program; 82 from philosophy; 79 from economics; 68 from sociology; 61 from English language studies; 51 from history and 44 from literature.
Four Artlet alumni and one AB society were also recognized for their university-level achievements in extracurricular activities: Hannah Erika Yabut of economics; Bianca Ysabel Susi of legal management; sociology graduates Vincent Reuben Valientes and Jayson Dela Cruz and the Artlets Economics Society.
The awarding ceremony was led by AB regent Rev. Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P., Kaw, Asst. Dean Melanie Turingan, faculty secretary John Manuel Kliatchko and the department chairs and coordinators.
During her opening remarks, Kaw revealed that more awards would be conferred next academic year to recognize local and international research, community development and outstanding educators of the faculty. F
