Written by Jeff Alfonso
Image Courtesy of Engr. Laurito
Prof. Evelyn R. Laurito, Ph.D., former chair of the Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department retired from teaching after rendering 44 years of service at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
She was honored by Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., alongside 36 other faculty member retirees, in an online video tribute on Facebook last July 30, 2020.
Starting in 1976, Prof. Laurito had the longest tenure among the roster of retirees.
According to her, loyalty to the university and the love for teaching is what motivated her to stay in her profession.
She also added that one has to strive hard to become a model to fellow teachers and be a passionate learning facilitator to students.
“Grow academically, be an expert in an area that you love by finishing a masters and doctorate degree; do not get tired of learning,” she advised for faculty members who are just starting.
When asked about her stay at UST, she said “I have spent the best years of my life as a student, teacher, and parent at UST; this is my second home and I have known no other.”
It is also in the university where Prof. Laurito met her husband, Prof. Alberto Laurito, former dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and where her four kids finished their school from elementary to college.
Apart from her teaching experiences, she also shared her personal encounter with three popes who visited the university.
“I am happy that this is also where I have seen up close three popes, Pope Paul VI and Pope Benedict, when I volunteered as crowd martial; Pope John Paul II, who held my face and my husbands', and kissed my 4 kids, when our family was chosen by UST to give an offering related with Family Values in 1995.”
During her stay, she was appointed as chair of the ChE department from 1990-2003, was the acting ChE chair from March – July in 2015, and officer-in-charge of the Industry, Government, Academe, Alumni Relations Program (IGAARP) from January - July in 2020.
Prof. Laurito was also the former chair of various committees particularly textbook, library, and Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) Initiative, coach of EdTech Educational, content manager of UST eLEAP, and adviser of the ChE Society (ChES).
“I am giving a lot of e-Learning technology training now, it's one of the things I can pursue further,” she stated as part of her retirement plans.
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