Dignitaries and honorees of the Diamond Jubilee of Southwestern University (from left, lowermost row) SWU Pres. Eldigario D. Gonzales, DPA; Dean Emeritus Carmen V.N. San Lorenzo, Dean Maria Elena A. Cabigon, Chairman of the Board Andrew S. Aznar, Director of Alumni Affairs Pierre I. Infante. Third from left on the second row: Dr. Ma. Grace F. Gurdiel of DMCCFI, Outstanding Alumna Awardee. (Photo: DMCCFI)

In the 3-day celebration of their 60th Founding Anniversary, Southwestern University of Cebu awards Dr. Ma. Grace Figueroa-Gurdiel of Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, Inc. as one of its Outstanding Alumni in a grand ceremony held at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City.

Dr. Grace Gurdiel, dean of the College of Nursing of DMC College Foundation, graduated with honors from the prestigious Southwestern University in March 1988 in her Nursing degree. She was among the few alumni who were chosen from a number of highly accomplished candidates to receive the coveted award. Having been one of the pillars of DMC since joining the institution in 1995, Dr. Gurdiel was a Clinical Coordinator for seven years, an Associate Dean for four years, and the Dean of the biggest department of the college for two years now. Under her insightful guidance and supervision, the Nursing department continues to flourish and run smoothly in response to the increasing demands of Nursing education and the Nursing profession.

The huge celebration of Southwestern University was graced with several prominent people of Cebu in the realms of business, science and the academe where Dean Gurdiel was among the honorees. The administration of DMC College is rightfully proud of the dean’s accomplishment and recognizes it as an honor, exemplifying the college’s credo of having the best and most qualified faculty, staff and administrators in its field of providing the best kind of education to students.

Dr. Gurdiel finished her Doctorate in Management under the consortium of Negros Oriental State University and DMCCFI in 2006. She is married to Dr. Roel L. Gurdiel, one of Dipolog’s most distinguished radiologists, and has three children, Tren-tren, Kat-kat and Pao-pao.