HE MAY be stepping down in a matter of months, but outgoing University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ’s glory days aren’t over just yet.

Nebres will be honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa, by the University of San Francisco (USF) in the United States during the institution’s commencement ceremonies in May.

In a letter dated December 1, 2010, USF President Rev. Stephen Privett, SJ said that Nebres, as an icon of education in the country, has been “instrumental in reconciling science and religion with [his] work.” The award will be given in recognition of his contributions to the advance of education in the Philippines, which “extends to social change and development.”

Doctor of Humane Letters is a university academic degree given to candidates who are recognized for their efforts in areas beyond science, government, literature or religion.

Nebres will also be delivering the commencement address to the undergraduate students receiving degrees in humanities and the sciences from USF’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Serving society

Nebres considers the award special because, unlike his previous honorary degrees which focus mainly on academic work, it acknowledges his efforts in forming persons-for-others through his acts of service and community involvement.

“It recognizes the shared values [both schools] have as Jesuit universities. We are concerned with academic excellence, but we are even more concerned that that excellence is used for the country and for the poor,” he said.

School of Science and Engineering Dean Fabian Dayrit further explained that Nebres’ main concern has always been solving the poverty problem in the country.

“What has been emphasized throughout the years was linking the advanced skills that you’re learning with how we’ll try to solve the poverty problem… It’s not just that you want to excel in science and technology, but [that you] have to use those [skills] to address these problems,” Dayrit said.

Meanwhile, School of Management Acting Dean Darwin Yu said that Nebres is “very much deserving” of the award because he has been “very vocal and articulate” about the university’s social involvement.

“[Nebres] always looks at science as a way of serving society and not just in the laboratory,” he added.

‘To do more’

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Eduardo Calasanz expressed his “joy and gladness” on Nebres’ recognition, because it will also reflect Ateneo and the efforts the university gives and what it stands for.

Yu likewise said that the award confirms Nebres’ thrust as a long-time university president. “This honorary degree is the latest of many and they affirm his work. We, as a community, are proud of what he has accomplished and that should inspire us to do more.” he said.

Privett said in his letter that Nebres has helped develop the structure of Philippine society. “As the longest-serving president of the university, he has influenced countless lives through the power and strength of education and changed the course of their lives and Philippine society,” he said.

Nebres wishes that through the service he has rendered to the university and to the country, he has inspired students to learn how to be thankful and to respond by helping our fellow Filipinos.

“We have to do more to make a difference,” he said.

Calasanz said that through Nebres, students will be able to bring with them ideals such as “passion for excellence, call to engage the nation, and living out the Christian faith” that Nebres has exemplified in his stay in the university.

“Looking back, I think the sesquicentennial themes which have to do with excellence, service to the nation, and deepening spirituality, these are actually the themes of Fr. Ben’s legacy,” he said.

Nebres has been preparing the transitions and making sure that they are smooth for incoming University President Fr. Jet Villarin, SJ.

After 18 years of looking after Ateneo, Nebres is set to step down from his position by the end of May.