A living institution makes an impact on everything it touches.  This includes the minds, dreams and characters of its students, as the institution transfers knowledge and innovations to the world beyond its campus, and on the communities with which it engages, locally and around the globe. As the institution inspires its students, sometimes they repay it in full measure.  This is evident in your work and efforts as an alumni. 

I am reminded of the story entitled, “A Pound of Butter”.  It highlights a farmer who sold a pound of butter to the baker. One day the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting a pound and he found that he was not. This angered him and he took the farmer to court. The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure. The farmer replied, “Your Honor, I am primitive. I don't have a proper measure, but I do have a scale." The judge asked, "Then how do you weigh the butter?" The farmer replied "Your Honor, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker.  I gave him the same weight in pounds that he gave me.”

What is the moral of the story? We get back in life what we give to others.

It is quite obvious that Mount Alvernia, stemming a little over ninety (90) years of service to the society, has not robbed you of your deserved weight in a pound of butter, during your tenure, and in so doing, has propelled you to return the favor, through your involvement and contributions to the development of the institution year after year. 

It is my privilege to hold the title of Principal of such a prestigious institution, as well as to have the opportunity to work with stakeholders in the form of this alumni. I must use the opportunity to extend my warmest gratitude to Mrs Chin-Jones (President), who has welcomed me and actively communicated with me during my first six months.  I am very proud to have been injected into such a rich tradition, and I look forward to a continuous, vibrant and longstanding relationship with the alumni.

The past six month has been an exciting experience for me, and I would like to extend my thanks to the entire staff (academic, administrative and support) who has been very welcoming, tolerant, co-operative and supportive in all areas…..they have made my transition very soothing.

As I approach my first “back-to-school” in September, I anticipate the support of all stakeholders as we work “To the stars and beyond”

AD ASTRA PER ASPERA