Just before the sun set on August 30, 2000, at the University Church, CPU honored Dr. Harland Francis Stuart and Mrs. M. Guendolen Reed Stuart in a special program posthumously honoring them.

Among those who came to give their reflectoins were Mr. Sonny Proximo, Mrs. Esperanza M. Catedral, Mr. Anatalio Viray, Mrs. Dorothy C. Stuart Bloom, a daughter.

The resounding voices of the Bahandi Singers who gave musical presentations complemented the nostalgic event.

The posthumous presidential citation was presented by President Juanito M. Acanto. The president cited the Stuarts for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Central Philippine University.

"Dr. Stuart became president of the newly recognized Central Philippine College in 1922. His service as administrator covered the years of the junior college period and the opening of the school as a four-year collegiate institution in 1938. Among his colleagues, both American and Filipino, Dr. Stuart was well known for his administrative ability, his visison and clear and calculated judgment. The Filipino faculty appreciated his fairness and dependability. The academic climate which he created promoted high morale and stirred efforts toward achievement of high standards of work. He guided the college through its first period of growth, striving for a balance between the original emphasis of the school on vocational education and sound academic foundation upon which to build the senior college."

Dr. Harland Francis Stuart was born on October 3, 1889 at Holyoke, Massachusettes, U.S.A. He graduated at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, with a degree of B.S.M.E. in 1912. He graduated from Harvard University with the degree of Master of Education in 1923 and Doctor of Education in 1933. He got married on June 2, 1916. He arrived at Jaro, Iloilo City on October of 1919. He was Dean of Technology, Billings Polytechnic Institute, Billings, Montana from September 1939 to June 1942 and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island on September 1942 to 1959. He died on July 1974.

"Mrs. Stuart was an untiring partner of her husband. In addition to caring for their four children, providing a good home for her busy husband, and providing hospitality for campus visitors, she gave freely of her musical talents, teaching ability, and leadership to the life and program of the school, and to the campus church. He served as registrar, supervisor of student teachers in the elementary school and choir director. Her many articles in the Pearl of the Orient made vivid records of the life at Jaro Industrial School and later Central Philippine College."

Mrs. M. Guendolen Reed Stuart was born on October 5, 1892 at Hudson, Massachusetts, U.S.A. She went to Smith College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in1915. She obtained her Master of Arts from the same college. She held various positions at the University of Rhode Island from 1942 to June 1959. She died on February 1982.

A fitting response was given by their son Engr. David Stuart while Mrs. Hazel Stuart, his wife, gave a melodious special musical number meanwhile, In a plaque of appreciation, the Board of Trustees recognized the services of David and Hazel Stuart rendered to the university.

Dr. Glenn A.M. Catedral, President of the CPU Alumni Association, Inc., Dr. Juanito M. Acanto, CPU President, and Mr. Virgilio J. Valdez, President and Gen. Manager of Cable Star formally inked the Memorandum of Agreement officially authorizing the opening and designation of Channel 25 in the Cable Star company as the CPU Alumni Channel on November 9, 2000 at a Special Luncheon meeting of the Alumni Association board

After the signing, Prof. Ricardo Patricio announced the proposed Alumni Preview Board and the officers of the project. He further added he is arranging with CableStar to do away with the P365.00 advance deposit for the faculty & staff who would like to connect with CableStar and for CPU to facilitate the collection of bills through salary deduction. There will also be no installation fee.

Also present during the signing of the MOA were members of the board Dr. Renato Alba, Atty. Joshua Alim, Dir. Lily Ann Baldago, Atty. Rodolfo Cabado, Ms. Neonita Gobuyan, Atty. Alejandro Somo, Vice-Gov. Demy Sonza, Mr. Tommy Que and Mr. Lee Chuan; Mr. Jason Pagunsan, Alumni Liaison Officer; Mr. Antonio Silloriquez, Vice-President for Operations, CableStar; Mrs. Anita Illenberger, Chairperson, English Department; Mrs. Victory Dionio of the University Library; and Mr. Ed Sonza of the Educational Media Center.