Thank you, Fr. Jett!

This is not the farewell we wanted for Fr. Jett. We wanted to give him a rousing sendoff filled with music, laughter, toasts, delicious food (including carts of Fr. Jett’s favorite sorbetes), and selfie sessions with students and employees. But the coronavirus derailed our plans, disrupting our lives upside down. In a way, Fr. Jett’s tenure as the 30th University president was also a disruption, a meaningful disruption that jolted, redefined, and reaffirmed the educational mission that we call the Ateneo de Manila University.

Much has changed since September 8, 2011—the day Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ took his oath of office amidst a theatre packed with university administrators, faculty, staff, students, and even dignitaries. In his inaugural address, Fr. Jett outlined a bold vision for the University: “the power to become who we are, the power to build this nation, and the power for creation.”  Identity, nation, and creation.  During his 9-year tenure, his commitment to these 3 strategic concerns was evident in the initiatives and projects he steered.

In 2012, the Ateneo de Manila community started its celebration of Ignatian Festival. Intended to deepen one’s values and sense of spirituality as Ateneans, the yearly tradition has spawned projects like OMI’s ISEW (for employees) and Ignatian Youth Camps (for students).

Under his leadership, we saw the rise of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS), the University’s conduit for its environment and development activities. With programs on campus sustainability, inclusive mobility, and climate change and disaster risk, AIS has been making a dent in our fight against environmental challenges.

Fr. Jett also championed the creation of the Ateneo Center for Health Evidence, Action and Leadership (A-HEALS), Ateneo Leadership Institute (ALI), and the Ateneo Science and Art of Teaching and Learning (SALT) Institute. A consortium of the 4 Ateneo Professional Schools and the 4 Loyola Schools, A-HEALS aims to focus on strengthening the health system and local government through action research. ALI, on the other hand, is meant to guide organizations and leaders to subscribe to a “Leaders for others” framework—the kind of leadership that is reflective, adaptive, and promotes the common good. Committed to teaching training, education research, and education technology, SALT partners with schools, departments, and centers to bring the University’s efforts in education reform at the forefront.

And then, there’s Areté. With a name that means ‘excellence’ and ‘virtue’ in Greek, Areté is a structure and an experience like no other. Since its launch in 2017, Areté has been pushing the boundaries of artistic creativity and innovation into new territories.

Despite the challenges in the rapidly changing world of education, Fr. Jett shared his vision and conviction that Ateneo could and would succeed.

 

 

The academic calendar shift, enactment of the new core curriculum, the revival of Alternative Classes (TALAB), the opening of Ateneo Senior High School (co-ed) and kindergarten (thereby complying with the government’s K-12 reform), the offering of dual degree programs with Queen Mary University of London and the launch of the Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo— everything transpired under Fr. Jett’s leadership.

 

Fr. Jett also made significant strides toward creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, would feel empowered to be their full, authentic selves. The Loyola Schools Gender Hub, which began operations in 2019, is poised to continue working in addressing the gaps and providing solutions to gender equality in the University. 

 

But there were also perilous times and in these moments of great challenges, Fr. Jett’s unwavering determination, compassion, and wisdom shined through. In Fr. Jett, Ateneo found a leader who inspires others, doing so with grace, vivacity, and human warmth.  

 

The Ateneo de Manila community is grateful to our University President for helping us carry on Ateneo’s life-changing educational mission. For nearly a decade, we’ve been blessed by the strength and commitment that he shared with students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators. We have had the good fortune to work with Fr. Jett as he guided us with a vision and energy to propel the University to greater heights.

 

For all that you have accomplished for Ateneo, we thank you, Fr. Jett. Thank you for accepting this mission. You are truly a son of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who encouraged us to have a purified heart and mind to do everything for His greater glory.