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Welcome FEATInians 2012! The FEATI brand continues.
It’s another academic year for FEATI University, and for everyone else.
A fresh batch of freshmen and transferees both local and international were treated to activities that made them look forward to spending their college years in an academic institution that takes their welfare seriously. “Welcome FEATInians” is now a part of the FEATI brand. At the beginning of every academic year, the University is abuzz transforming the usually quiet halls into one huge venue for non-stop activities and the seemingly endless pitter-patter of foot traffic.
“D Day” was June 14, 2012. At the front gate students were greeted by the officers of the University Student Council, the players of the FEATI U Varsity teams and the Events team staff. Upon registration each student was given a Welcome Kit containing the schedule of activities. As they made their way to the upper floors of the glass and steel structure of FEATI, the students were treated to rousing music from the University Brass Band. Once they reached their designated classrooms on D Day, they would find surprise gifts waiting under their seats. Other surprises awaited students coming to their classes on June 15, even if it was a Saturday.
The “second wave” of activities kicked off with a major bang on the 18th of June. It was time for the new FEATInians to be introduced to those who would play crucial roles in shaping their future; as Engineer, Aviation Technician, Merchant Marine Officer, Marine Engineer, Educator, Information Technologist, Computer Technologist, Architect, Businessman, Journalist, Writer, or Artist. Everyone was instructed to converge at the University Activity Center at 9AM for the now traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit. This was immediately followed by a program hosted by Ms. Saxs Gabrielle P. Santos, Batch 2012 Cum Laude in AB Mass Communication, and who is now an instructor of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE). Taking the podium to present the University Vision, Mission and Core Values was FEATI University President Dr.-Ing. Adolfo Jesus R. Gopez then Saxs introduced the school officials, deans, department heads, and members of faculty.
A lively intermission number, complete with two high stepping majorettes was rendered by the University Brass Band, under the baton of erstwhile Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra member Cornelio Ramos. A video infomercial about various services and the day-to-day activities in FEATI University followed. Closing the program was Dr. Gloria Mateo-Alberto, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer who gave a brief summary of the proceedings, even as she recalled the Chaplain’s message to put God at the center of everything with the help of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit e.g., knowledge, fortitude, understanding, piety, counsel, wisdom, and fear of the Lord. Dr. Alberto added that while the President had briefly presented the University Vision, Mission, and Core Values, the students should expect to continuously learn about them through their classes and various activities. She concluded by saying that if the students internalize these various elements, people will recognize them as FEATInians in much the same manner that people recognize those who are products of other well-known universities in Manila.
The rest of the week provided more surprises for the freshmen and transferees. Corporate sponsors SMART and URC were profuse in their support of the event. Free C2 iced tea bottled drinks and Cream-O chocolate chip cookies were routinely given away, a free-for-all photo booth was ready and waiting, free lunches for winners of a contest called “Sarap Kumain! (what else?). Additionally, for the more substantive elements of the tradition of “Welcome FEATInians Week”, the University, through the Guidance and Counseling Office of the Office of Student Affairs, and the University Student Council, held campus tours, arranged Coat of Arms groupings of students, conducted Quiz Bee competitions, and hosted the Binyagan FEATIno. In the intermission of one Quiz Bee, FEATI alumnus and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Mathemagician Ireneo Bughaoleft the students in awe of his skill.
Now that everyone is settled and deep into schoolwork, the FEATI community is confident that the new students as well as those returning now feel that FEATI is their home away from home. (AMD)
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