This year’s APID (Asian Pacific Islander and Desi) graduation kicked off with lion dancers performing traditional dances on May 17 at the Liberal Arts Campus.
The lion dance is a traditional Asian art form, and drummers played alongside the dancers throughout the performance.
The dancers interacted heavily with the crowd, often incorporating the audience into their performances.
Once the lion dancers wrapped up, the president of the Board of Trustees, Uduak-Joe Ntuk was welcomed onto the stage to share a few words with the graduates.
“I just want to say thank you for your persistence and the belief in yourself. You took the time, and you were selfless and invested yourself into this degree,” Ntuk said.
Ntuk, along with the following speakers, received a token of gratitude in the form of a bamboo plant.
Uduak-Joe Ntuk receives a bamboo plant after speaking at the APID graduation celebration as a token of gratitude. This celebration took place on May 17, 2025. (Regina B G Melchor)
A bamboo plant was chosen as it is known to be one of the strongest growing plants, and when woven together, they become stronger and sturdier.
Superintendent-President Mike Munoz was then invited onto the stage to speak.
“We’re committed to uplifting our students and validating their experiences in culture. That being said, I want to thank them (faculty) for supporting events like this,” Munoz said.
Munoz then shifted focus to the cultural impact of the event, specifically the lion dance.
“That lion dance, I will tell you, that was life, right? Did you feel the energy, the love of our ancestors? Everyone coming into this space, it was especially meaningful,” Munoz said.
Toward the end of the ceremony, the names and majors of graduating students were called.
When her name was called, student Jenelle Macapaz cheerfully responded as she was the first graduate to be called to the stage.
“I am just so excited, I am so happy!” Macapaz said.