Laruan takes over as BSU prexy

The term of Dr. Felipe S. Comila as Benguet State University president ended last Nov. 25, 2024. Dr. Kenneth A. Laruan took over the presidency the following day after a simple turnover ceremony at the BSU Centennial Park.
Dr. Laruan actually took his oath of office as the 8th BSU president last Nov 18 at the Commission on Higher Education head office, right after the final Board interview of the 7 qualified applicants. His oath was administered by CHED Commissioner Marites Canapi, the chairperson of BSU Board of Regents.
The turnover ceremony involved the handing over of three symbols of power from the outgoing to the incoming presidents: the Maze, the Symbolic Key, and the University Charter.
The new president visualizes BSU as “A premier university in research, technology, and environmental conservation in Northern Luzon by 2032”. To achieve that, he set relevant goals and came up with strategies which is summarized in the acronym, UPBSU (Upgrading qualifications and competences of faculty members and non-teaching personnel; Pursuing changes in our existing policies, guidelines and administrative structure; Boosting the mindset of faculty members and non-teaching personnel of being internationally competitive; Searching for new and better connections and partnerships, and Undertaking risks and disruptive changes
The selection for the new BSU president started 8 months earlier when the Selection Committee for President was constituted in March, 2024. The SCP was chaired by Atty Ryan Estevez, the OIC-Executive Director, UniFast Secretariat. Other members included RD Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr. Reg Director, CHED CAR; Pres Tirso A. Ronquillo, Pres. of PASUC and Batangas State University; Dr. Constantino T. Sudaypan, Dean BSU-CA as faculty representative; John Rey Novelero Macasieb, student representative; and Atty Susan Gapla-ew Umayat, private sector representative.
The Search announcement was published in multiple channels and multiple dates including in the Philippine Star, BSU website, BSU FB, OUBS FB, and Civil Service Commission-all in the month of May.
Twelve applicants submitted their applications; 7 from within BSU and 5 others from outside the university. The SCP made the pre-evaluation of the applicants’ papers submitted on June 10-12 while the final evaluation was done July 2. After the thorough screening process, the SCP shortlisted 7 applicants. Five others were disqualified for non-compliance with the prescribed requirements.
The 7 qualified candidates were the following: Dr. Stanley Fongafong Anongos Jr., Dr. Freddie Bencio Caday, Dr. Eva Marie Codamon Dugyon, Dr. Jesson Yagyagen Del-Amen, Dr. Jimmy Balud Fong, Dr. Kenneth A. Laruan, and Dr. Mark Preston Sumcad Lopez.
A public presentation and open forum followed on Oct. 21 to allow the 7 qualified applicants to present their respective proposed vision, mission, plans and programs for the university. Held at BSU Gymnasium, it was attended by about 1,230 faculty, students, and the community at-large. This was followed by individual interviews of the applicants, lasting for one hour each, at another venue outside of the university.
The result of the deliberations, assessments, and ratings using the criteria prescribed in CHED Memorandum Order No. 7 series of 2022, was submitted by Atty Estevez to the Board of Regents on Nov 18, 2024 during its 213th.Special meeting at the CHED Central Office.
All 7 qualified applicants were subjected to a final interview by the BOR followed by voting of the members through secret balloting.
By majority vote, Dr. K.A. Laruan was appointed by the BOR as the 8th BSU President thru BOR Resolution No. 84, Series of 2024 effective Nov. 26, 2024 to Nov 25, 2028.
Dr. Laruan is an Ibaloi who was born in Baguio City 50 years ago. He is a registered Forester and is a Career Service Professional eligible. He currently holds an academic rank of Professor VI. He started his career in BSU right after his graduation in 1995 as a science research assistant and shortly thereafter became an instructor. He rose through the ranks. In the academic sector, he held various administrative positions including Department chairman, College Secretary, College dean (2x), special assistant to the VP for research and extension, and also to the VP for academic affairs. He himself also became Vice Pres. for Academic Affairs. He is a national accreditor of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines.
He was also heavily involved in various researches and extension activities, mainly related to forestry and apiculture as study leader, project leader, coordinator, evaluator, consultant or administrator. Just before becoming BSU president, he was the director of the Cordillera Regional Apiculture Center
His publications include 11 papers published in reputable international and local journals.
During the turnover, President Laruan acknowledged the great contributions of all the previous university presidents, including that of Dr. Comila. He is encouraging everyone to come to his office to discuss necessary things.
He recognizes that he has his own limitations or shortcomings, thus, he enjoined the cooperation of everyone. He said: “We can do it together, we can make BSU greater in the next four years”**Dan P. Padua