The university’s Honor Hall was the home to the traditional celebration of the Sacred Heart Day, where the Fides et Labor award was granted to a group of eight scholars honored by their extensive trajectory at the university. In addition, the Centenary Medal was awarded to 20 emeritus professors and four former rectors.
Prior to this ceremony there was a mass at the Central Headquarters Chapel, presided by the Great Chancellor and Bishop of Valparaíso, Monsignor Jorge Patricio Vega Velasco SVD, and the Vice Great Chancellor, friar Cristián Eichin Molina OFM.
In his sermon, Monsignor Vega reminded us that the birth of the PUCV is closely connected to the emergence of the Valparaíso Dioceses 100 years ago. He also mentioned that it was precisely in the chapel where the first university ceremony was held, an occasion in which our university was dedicated to its Patron Saint, the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
"It was a profoundly spiritual action: before any class, before any rectoral decree, even before having a faculty or student body, the university placed itself under the sign of the Heart of Christ. It was not a bureaucratic act. Not an academic ceremony. And that says a lot of its vocation: it was birthed from the heart. From faith. From the conviction that knowledge – when authentic – stems from an encounter with the Lord that calls, illuminates and sends. Since then, this chapel has stayed as the symbolic and real center of the university. We could say, without a doubt, that the heart of the PUCV is at the heart of this chapel”, he added.
Next, guests attended the Honor Hall, where eight professors received the Fides et Labor award for a life of “faith and work” at the university. Attendants were given an issue of the last encyclical by His Holiness Pope Francis, “Dilexit Nos”, a text that is set within the living continuity of the Teachings of the Church.
The recognition was awarded to Luis Ahumada (Psychology), Julio Canales (Industrial Engineering), Eduardo Cartagena (Business and Economy), Matilde Castillo (Industrial Engineering), Luis Espinoza (Physical Education), Juan Carlos Magunacelaya (Biology), Guillermo Martínez (Ocean Sciences) and Luis Peña (Physical Education).
THE FOUNDATIONS OF A UNIVERSITY OF EXCELLENCE
Regarding these recognitions, rector Nelson Vásquez highlighted the fact that universities, as well as nations, elevate themselves when they cultivate rituals and traditions that add continuity and meaning to its historical project. These symbolic acts, he said, do not emerge spontaneously, but requiere will, conviction and a community that will acknowledge them as their own.
“It is very important to celebrate and recognize those professors that have been building our university during decades, also former rectors and emeritus professors and those who end their time with us, receiving the Fides et Labor distinction. There is a trajectory behind them, a commitment to research, undergraduate and graduate education, management and community relations. We are the largest university in the Valparaíso region and one of the five top universities in the country, and this is only explained by the effort and dedication that a relevant group of academics has offered”.
On behalf of the awarded scholars, Guillermo Martínez, from the Ocean Sciences school, thanked the university for this important recognition to their academic trajectory and highlighted the contribution of those that have helped build and consolidate the prestige of the PUCV.
“It’s exciting to close a chapter in our academic lives, which has multiple dimensions. Beyond the academic rigor of the classroom, there is also a human factor that is very important, with our students, colleagues and faculty support staff. We work in a collaborative way to achieve the great mission of the university, the education of people”, he added.
CENTENARY MEDAL
This year, the PUCV is going through an especially meaningful period as it celebrates 100 years since the first Stone was set in our beloved Central Headquarters. This foundational milestone not only marks the physical beginning of our existence, but also added Institutional presence, identity and image.
As a way of recognizing the work of generations of scholars, the Centenary Medal was awarded to 20 emeritus professors. The medal was received by Enrique Aimone, Patricio Arana, Raúl Buono-Core, David Carrillo, María Teresa García, Kamel Harire, Andrés Illanes, Ismael Kashara, Santiago Lorenzo, Sergio Marshall, Ítalo Merello, Jorge Negrete, Sergio Palma, Pedro Pierry, Carlos Salinas, Romolo Trebbi, Raimundo Villarroel, Juan Versalovic, Carlos Werner and Richard Zorn.
Professor María Teresa García, who worked for more than 40 years in the School of Commerce, thanked the University for this gesture. “It is an honor and a great satisfaction to feel that we have meant something after so many years of dedication. We have received great affection from the university through its faculty and students, former professors and former rectors. It was a beautiful morning”. Former rectors Raúl Allard, Juan Enrique Froemel, Bernardo Donoso and Alfonso Muga also received this recognition award.
The activity concluded with the performance of the PUCV Chamber Orchestra, who played an extract of Pomp and Circumstance, by english composer Edward Elgar.
By Juan Paulo Roldán
Strategtic Communication Department
