University constituents trooped to the Main Library grounds on the afternoon of Nov. 25 to witness the formal turn over ceremony between incoming Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz and outgoing Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco as well as the much-awaited oath taking of the former. Chancellor Cruz was elected as the eighth chancellor of UPLB on Sept. 29 by the UP Board of Regents.

The crowd that had gathered to take part in the spectacle exuded an air of collective anticipation and excitement. It had been raining continuously for days in the campus prior to the big day. But on the day of the event, the weather turned out to be fine - seemingly a good omen for the University as it enters a new era under the new chancellor.

Among the University officials who graced the turnover and oath taking of the first chancellor to hail from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources were UP President Alfredo Pascual and Dr. Maragtas Sofronio Amante, UP vice president for administration, as well as incoming and outgoing UPLB vice chancellors, college deans, and other University officials.

Dr. Myrna Carandang, the program's master of ceremonies, noted that this is only the second time in UPLB history that a formal turn over ceremony was conducted in the campus. Dr. Juan Pulhin, a professor at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, gave the invocation to formally start the program.

President Pacual, in his opening remarks, congratulated Chancellor Cruz on his selection as UPLB's highest official. "It is good to know that UPLB is in good hands," President Pascual said as he cited Chancellor Cruz's qualifications and impressive credentials. "With Chancellor Cruz's leadership comes the promise that UPLB will strive harder to become a genuine national university, a premiere research university, and a true public service university," he added.

Chancellor Velasco came on stage amidst thunderous applause to give his farewell speech and message of thanks to the University constituents. He thanked his colleagues and staff who were with him during his six years of administration. Chancellor Velasco said that the successful turn over between the two administrations is a testament to the democratic process that has been demonstrated in UPLB. It is also a means of upholding the tradition and culture in UPLB.

The former chancellor said that many of his accomplishments were made possible because of the help of his staff and constituents. He said that he learned a lot from them not only about leadership and management but about life in general. He also thanked the constituents for giving him the privilege to serve as chancellor of UPLB.

"There is a sense of fulfillment as I turn over the mace to Chancellor Cruz. I know that he will stand up to the challenge and will not fail his constituents. "Tiwala ako na sa pamumuno ni Chancellor Cruz ay mas lalong titibay ang UPLB."

The turnover of the UPLB mace signified the formal assumption of Chancellor Cruz as the new chancellor of UPLB. He then took his oath of office before President Pascual and the UPLB constituents and in the presence of his wife, mother, and three children.

In his acceptance speech Chancellor Cruz formally addressed his constituents. "With profound gratitude in the trust and confidence as well as all the support you have given me, I humbly accept the position and all the duties and responsibilities that come with being UPLB chancellor," he said.

Chancellor Cruz said that from his first 25 days in the office, he had seen firsthand the day to day challenges of leading and managing the University. He said that he takes great assurance in the richness of talents in the campus and community and in everyone's generous support including President Pascual, former Chancellor Velasco and all the chancellors who paved the way for him.

"Sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga nagawa, naging madali para sa amin ang pumasok at i-assume ang panguguna sa unibersidad. Malaking tulong ito sa amin at sa ating lahat. Di tayo nagkaroon ng malaking problema sa transition," Chancellor Cruz said.

In closing, he reiterated his commitment in serving the University to the best of his knowledge and abilities. Chancellor Cruz assured everyone that he will stay focused on the task at hand "despite the extreme limitations of resources that chronically plague UPLB and the daunting barriers." He admitted, however, that he cannot do it alone and enjoined all the constituents to take part in his administration.

"Together, let us chart the destiny of our University by carrying out strategic actions that will optimize our human and material resources and let us all strive together as one happy family for the realization of our vision. Let us have a hand in determining our fate by doing what we can what we can best contribute to UPLB's growth and development," he said.

As parting words, Chancellor Cruz evoked the theme of his administration. The essence of UPLB as a national university, he said, is "being and will be defined by our individual and collective commitment to be of service to our country in whatever position and capacity as well as our willingness to work together as one university, pursuing one goal, towards one destiny."

After the turn over ceremony and oath taking, President Pascual and Chancellor Cruz led University officials in the planting of dwarf Banaba tree saplings along the Promenade walk at Silangan road. (MJC de Roma)