SM Foundation Marks Breakthrough Year with Topnotcher Graduates

For the first time, SM Foundation’s college scholarship program marks a breakthrough in the field of engineering as four of its graduates topped the national licensure exams, namely: Mark Anthony Teodoro (Ranked 3rd, Electrical Engineering), Mark Anthony Tiquio (Ranked 3rd, Civil Engineering), John Angelo Cruz (Ranked 7th, Civil Engineering), and Jenes Borais (Ranked 8th, Civil Engineering).  In the past years, SM Foundation has also produced topnotchers in the fields of accounting and education.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="730"] SM Foundation Marks Breakthrough Year with Topnotcher Graduates[/caption]

(from left: Mark Anthony Teodoro, Mark Anthony Tiquio, John Angelo Cruz and Jenes Borais)

John Angelo Cruz, 21, a graduate at Far Eastern University has survived on a two-day allowance of five pesos, feeding mainly on lugaw (local name for porridge) in his early years in school prior to securing a scholarship grant from SM Foundation. Mark Anthony Teodoro, 22, who finished Electrical Engineering at FEU is the son of a jeepney driver who makes barely enough to support a family of five. Both their lives changed dramatically after being awarded scholarship grants by SM in order to finish college, capping an improbable journey that looked nearly impossible only years ago. Now as topnotchers, they have transformed themselves into highly coveted graduates facing very bright futures ahead of them.

On May 27, 2015, they will join the roster of 264 SM scholar graduates, moreover, as topnotchers, who will be presented to SM founder and their benefactor, Henry Sy, Sr. in an annual graduation ceremony at the SMX Manila in Pasay City.

Of the total graduates for school year 2014-2015, 62 of them graduated with Latin honors–two are summa cum laude, 21 are magna cum laude, 29 are cum laude and 10 finished with academic distinctions.

Mariano D. Martinez, Chairman of 8990 Holdings, Inc., one of the country’s leading property developers, will be the keynote speaker.

Over the years, the recognition rites and testimonial dinner has been SM Foundation’s way to honor the hard work, dedication, and achievements of its scholar-graduates from all over the country. For scholars coming from Baguio, Visayas, and Mindanao, SM Foundation will shoulder their transportation expenses and overnight accommodations.

Since there are no strings attached to the scholarship program, SM companies will compete with other companies in hiring fresh graduates. As such, a job fair will be held on the morning of the 27th exclusively for SM scholar-graduates, giving SM companies an opportunity to recruit the Foundation’s scholars.

SM Foundation established the SM College Scholarship Program in 1993 inspired by Sy’s vision to send one child from a financially challenged families to college. SM Foundation has produced more than 2,160 graduates and supports 1,500 scholars in its 84 partner schools nationwide