#ShapedbyCSU: How CSU’s first Summa Cum Laude beat the odds to rewrite his own story
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We met with Abzonie at our recently vacated office, which we will be turning into a podcast studio. He sat on the one-seater sofa, his face illuminated by daylight coming through the glass windows.
We asked him about his age, and he chuckled before answering, “I am 33 years young, 33 years old. I’ll be 34 on the 24th (of May).”
42nd Commencement Exercises
Seven years ago, during the 42nd Commencement Exercises of Caraga State University (CSU), education alum, current instructor, and Associate Dean of the College of Education (CEd), Abzonie B. Reño, stood before 1,061 swaying caps and gowns to deliver his valedictory speech. Unbeknownst to all, Abzonie made history as the first student at the university to graduate with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude.
For many graduates, crossing the stage during commencement marks the culmination of years of hard work. However, for Abzonie, it symbolized a long-awaited triumph over poverty and sacrifice. Behind the medals and the applause, and the academic honors he was receiving, there was a story built on years of struggle.
Before entering college, Abzonie set aside his personal dream of earning a degree to help support his family. Fresh out of high school, he left Butuan City for Metro Manila in search of work. He accepted whatever opportunities came his way and, during those seven years when he was unable to pursue college, he worked as a stay-in-house boy, janitor, factory worker, security guard, and bakery employee – jobs that demanded long hours and physical exhaustion. Years later, he came to the painful realization that opportunities could have been greater had he finished college. That realization pushed him to make a life-changing decision.
Academic Journey
Enticed by CSU’s affordable tuition fees and the good things he heard from his Agusan National High School batchmates, many of whom graduated from Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) before it became CSU, Abzonie returned home in 2015 and took the entrance examination. He finished among the top passers and was awarded an academic scholarship. His love for mathematics was the reason he chose to enroll in the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics.
“First of all, I love math. When I was young, I always had this dream of becoming, of working in the field of mathematics, whether it be a teacher or anything that is related to math.” Abzonie shared. His high school mathematics teacher, Ma’am Teresita J. Dapal-Babael, also inspired him to pursue a career in mathematics education.
Despite financial difficulties, Abzonie was fortunate to receive a full merit scholarship from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in his 2nd year. Later, from his 3rd to his 4th year as a student, he received a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It helped that CSU implemented the Free Higher Education law, which increased the stipend for DOST scholars in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) from ₱5,000 to ₱7,000.
Returning to school was not easy. Older than most of his classmates, Abzonie initially felt out of place and pressured to prove himself. But, because he was sociable, Abzonie met many classmates who became his friends, and they helped him navigate his college life. He admitted that his only dream then was simply to earn a college diploma. Graduating with the highest academic distinction was something he never imagined.
Moreover, Abzonie never felt discriminated against because of his age, as CSU was always inclusive of marginalized communities and individuals. His perseverance and dedication helped him succeed, and CSU’s inclusivity made it easier for him and others to finish college.
“As cliché as it sounds, perseverance can really move mountains, I guess. And age doesn’t matter. I always say that CSU does not discriminate. Whatever your age or gender is, CSU is very open to those communities that are marginalized, especially now.” Abzonie said.
Top 7 LET Passers and Professional Journey
2019 must have been Abzonie’s year. Besides receiving the highest academic distinction, Summa Cum Laude, Abzonie ranked #7 in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). The achievement was a big win for the college and CSU as a whole, as he was the first topnotcher in the college. Before graduating, Abzonie had already passed the Civil Service Examination.
In that same year, Abzonie was employed by CSU. Prior to his current position and designation as the Associate Dean of CEd, he began working as a Contract of Service (COS) Technical Assistant at the Office of Curriculum and Instruction Development (OCID) and later became a COS faculty member in the College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences – Mathematics Department until September of 2021.
Abzonie left CSU for a short while to work as a teacher at the Department of Education – Butuan City Division and later returned to CSU when the university was hiring permanent instructors in the College of Education.
Since January of 2023, Abzonie has already witnessed three commencement exercises with education graduates. He reflected on his job as an educator and has never been prouder than when he sees his students learn from his teachings, graduate, and later become top-notch passers of the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT).
“You know, every time I see my students now that I’m an educator, every time I see my students learn from my teaching and from my lessons, I get a sense of pride that I was able to do such things. Yeah, especially when they graduate, especially those students who achieve great things… it gives me a sense of pride that I was able to produce topnotchers.”
Abzonie owed his success and the success of his students to the instructors and professors not just in the College of Education, but also in the other CSU colleges. It mattered that, while still a student, the professors at CSU trained them to be disciplined, making sure they studied when examinations were approaching. Furthermore, CSU takes good care of its students, nurturing them and treating them like family. Abzonie experienced it himself from his former professors, and in his current position as an educator and a teacher, he is also doing it for his students.
“In CSU, for those who are planning to attend or are still undecided about which school to attend, I can say that here, we are family. We will take good care of you. As an alumnus, I experienced this care from my professors and instructors. And as a current educator and a teacher here at CSU, I can also do the same. And I’m not just speaking on behalf of the College of Education. I believe that the entire CSU community, especially our instructors and professors, cares about every student at Caraga State University. And you will never regret enrolling in this prestigious university. You will come out with a better version of yourself when you graduate from Caraga State University.” Abzonie shared some advice for incoming freshmen.
Abzonie is living proof of how CSU takes care of its students and of how, as an institution, CSU is not just an educator but also a responsible steward for its students. He now holds a Master of Science in Mathematics Education degree, having graduated from CSU in 2023. He now hopes to graduate with his Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education, still at CSU, and to grow professionally and personally so he can continue to inspire more people and guide pre-service teachers.
