VSU president is UPLB outstanding alumnus; 4 professors receive distinguished alumni award

As reported by the UPLB HORIZON, official community newsletter of UPLB, Dr. Bacusmo "is recognized for his impeccable record as a professor, scientist, extension worker, research and development manager, and science and technology university leader. He was influential in the unprecedented achievements of the Visayas State University's instruction program. He put in place management systems and measures, which resulted to better funding/resource generation, development of better facilities, and strong international linkages for a science and technology university that greatly benefitted smallholder-farmers."

Aside from the Outstanding Alumnus Award, Dr. Bacusmo was also a recipient of the College of Agriculture (CA) Distinguished Alumnus Award for Institutional Organization and Development.

Together with him are three other VSU professors who received the CA Distinguished Alumni Award, namely: Dr. Antonio L. Acedo, Jr. (MS '85, PhD '90) - for Postharvest Horticulture; Dr. Ruben M. Gapasin (MS '79, PhD '85) - for Plant Disease Management; and Dr. Roberta D. Lauzon (MS '85, PhD '92) - for Food Science and Technology.

The awards, in a form of a "Maria Makiling Trophy" for the Outstanding Alumni and the "Oblation Trophy" for the Distinguished Alumni with certificates, were given during the Fellowship and Awards Night on October 9, 2012 at the Edwin B. Copeland Gymnasium, UP Los Baños on the occasion of the 94th UPLB Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming with the theme "UPLB: Handa sa Pagbabagong Panahon at Kapaligiran."