𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐔) marked a historic milestone today, June 25, 2026, as the university community gathered at the NORSU Sports and Cultural Complex to celebrate its 𝟐𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

Guided by this year’s theme, “𝘕𝘖𝘙𝘚𝘜: 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦,” the celebration served as a powerful reflection of the institution’s rich history, a showcase of the dynamic talents of its faculty and staff, and a tribute to its outstanding achievements.

The momentous day commenced with a solemn Thanksgiving Mass officiated by University Chaplain Rev. Fr. Clyde Flores, setting a tone of gratitude and reverence for the festivities ahead.

The formal convocation ceremony opened with a grand processional of university administrators, campus deans, and distinguished guests. Dr. Merivic G. Catada, Vice President for Administration and Finance, formally welcomed the attendees, setting the stage for a day of celebration.

The highlight of the morning was the 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗡𝗼𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗷𝗼𝗻 𝗘. 𝗬𝗮𝘀𝗶, 𝗣𝘀𝘆.𝗗., 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗨. Introduced by Dr. Cesar P. Estrope, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services, Dr. Yasi’s address underscored the university’s unwavering commitment to cultivating global competitiveness, driving innovation, and fostering transformative learning environments for all Norsunians.

A major segment of the convocation was dedicated to recognizing the exceptional performance of NORSU’s graduates and colleges. Dr. Cesar P. Estrope spearheaded the presentation of awards to the following exemplars of excellence:

𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒
•𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗮 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗮 – Ranked No. 2 nationwide in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT), Secondary Level
•𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗘. 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗿 – Ranked No. 10 nationwide in the September 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT), Secondary Level

𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐒
•𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 – Ranked No. 1 nationwide for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
•𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Ranked No. 9 nationwide for the Bachelor of Science in Criminology Program
•𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Ranked No. 10 nationwide for the Bachelor of Elementary Education Program
𝗠𝘀. 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗮 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻 was also specially honored for achieving a perfect score of 800/800 (99+ percentile) in the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT).

In addition to these academic achievements, Dr. Edwin F. Romano, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, presented Plaques of Appreciation to NORSU’s valued implementing partners, acknowledging their vital role in the university’s community-building and research endeavors.

Following the formal ceremonies, the entire NORSU family gathered for the Charter Day Get-Together Luncheon, providing faculty and staff with an opportunity to bond, celebrate shared victories, and look forward to an empowered future.

In the afternoon, the celebratory atmosphere shifted from academic prestige to high-energy entertainment during the highly anticipated “Best of the ’80s” Dance Competition. Various campuses faced off in a vibrant display of retro choreography, nostalgic fashion, and electrifying stage performances.

In a spectacular display of talent, the 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗨 𝗠𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿, sweeping all of the competition’s 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀:
•Best in Costume
•Best in Choreography
•Showmanship Award

𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒
•𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 – NORSU Mabinay Campus
•𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿-𝗨𝗽 – NORSU Bais Campus
•𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿-𝗨𝗽 – NORSU Siaton Campus

The 22nd Charter Day concluded successfully as a testament to NORSU’s enduring legacy of excellence, innovation, and service, reaffirming its commitment to empowering globally competitive Norsunians and shaping a brighter future for the communities it serves.