Marco Installed as 9th President of CHS Manila
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality; the last is to say ‘thank you’. In between, the leader is a servant.
Quoting these lines from businessman and author Max DuPree, Dr. Jesusa M. Marco described the task she sought to perform as she was installed the ninth president of the College of the Holy Spirit-Manila. The solemn investiture was held on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, on September 14, 2016 at the school’s Paraclete Auditorium. A research fellow and former director of the Social Development Research Center, Dr. Marco also advanced through “a seemingly never-ending tour of duty” in various administrative posts at DLSU, having previously served as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Director of the Human Resources Development and Management Office, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research.
In her inaugural speech, Dr. Marco shared her reflections on the CHSM motto, Veritas in Caritate: “The Truth who is Christ died out of love.” Particularly in the institution of the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit and the CHSM community, she noted that “The journey in the search for the truth in our lives, through the varied roles we play, is often speckled with challenges that sometimes result in a ‘crisis of truth’ and inevitably brings forth ‘a crisis of love’.” She also saw the investiture as a celebration of the “unwavering spirit” of the school’s alumnae, with whom she and other lay members of the community now work toward managing a school “set afire by this Spirit of Communion.” She reminded those present that “As a Catholic educational institution, the truth in mission lies at the core of its three fundamental functions: teaching, research and community engagement.”
Among those she thanked in her remarks were the SSpS sisters for forming her through 13 years of basic education, and DLSU and the Christian Brothers for the formation she received as educator, administrator and researcher. She made special mention of Br. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC, through whose mentorship she was able to hone the administrative skills she now brings to the school that shaped her in her primary years.
The oath taking was administered by CHED Commissioner Dr. Ruperto Sangalang. Guests who attended the investiture rites included former Department of Education Secretary and University President Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, former DLSU President Br. Narciso “Jun” Erguiza, FSC, DLSU Chancellor Dr. Gerardo Janairo, Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Carmelita Quebengco, Vice President for Lasallian Mission Br. Michael Broughton, FSC, and members of the faculty of the DLSU College of Liberal Arts.
