BukSU Alumna Donates 4-Hectare Land for University Learning Laboratory

An alumna of Bukidnon State University (formerly Bukidnon Normal School) has generously donated a 4-hectare parcel of land in Barangay Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, to her alma mater.

The Deed of Donation was signed between BukSU officials and the donor, Ruth Quemado-Neary, in a ceremony held on October 21, 2024, at the university’s Mini Theater. The event was attended by members of the Quemado-Neary family and Barangay Can-ayan officials.

Ruth Quemado-Neary, originally from Malaybalay City, completed her degree in Elementary Education at Bukidnon Normal School. During her time at the school, she met John Thomas Neary, a United States Peace Corps volunteer who served as a faculty member in 1963. After their marriage, the couple relocated to the United States in 1965.

The donation, according to the Quemado-Neary family, represents the couple’s “enduring bond with the university and community, and in John Neary’s memory, the land will serve as a symbol of their lasting legacy.”

The donated land, located in Sitio Taguican, Barangay Can-ayan, will be developed into a learning laboratory to be known as the BukSU Quemado-Neary Campus. Plans for the campus include a botanical garden, multi-purpose buildings, a medical clinic, greenhouses, and a conference area.

“As we commemorate 100 years of BukSU, the donation of this four-hectare property is a profound gesture that holds significant meaning for our university and for me personally. The land will soon be transformed into a botanical garden, where the values of sustainability and education will come to life,” said BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, whose family also belongs to the Quemado-Neary clan.

She added, “It will stand as a living testament to Uncle John’s and Aunt Ruth’s lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship and their belief in the potential of future generations to carry forward this important work.”

The ceremony also included the symbolic planting of a pine tree to highlight BukSU’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.