Loyalty in public service is more than simply clocking in and out. It is about striving to be consistently good, day after day, year after year.
In Davao del Norte State College, Dr. Leo Jr. D. Rayon is one of the most consistent employees in delivering excellent work, outputs, and insights. Known as a steady presence, he sometimes acts as a bridge between generations of faculty. He respects wisdom and experience while acknowledging the potential and fire of the up-and-coming.
He can also be firm yet fair. Perhaps more importantly, he has shown that service means answering where one is needed, while knowing when to step back for growth.
Choosing What Matters Most
Looking back on his journey, Sir Leo, in an interview, recalled his early years as an instructor at DNSC. He transferred from Davao de Oro State College (then Compostela Valley State College). This move was guided not only by professional aspirations but also by personal reasons.
βActually, the major reason why I applied to DNSC was because I wanted to be near my mother during that time. She had a critical illness which required attention,β he shared. Beyond proximity, he was also drawn to the visionary leadership of former DNSC and DDOSC President, Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan, who had mentored him. Trust in leadership, paired with belief in the collegeβs reputation, became the compass that shaped his career path.
Steady in Transitions
Dr. Rayon officially joined DNSC on June 1, 2017, as Instructor I. On his very first day, he was designated as College and Board Secretary, a role he held for nearly two years. His adaptability became a strength as he served under four different presidents: Dr. Bayogan, Dr. Edito B. Sumile (OIC), Dr. Raul C. Alvarez Jr. (OIC), and Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa.
βBeing close to them allowed me to understand what leadership is,β he reflects. βI learned that leadership is a calling, and a difficult endeavor.β
Knowing What to Bring to the Table
Though leadership roles shaped his experience, Dr. Rayon never lost sight of his academic pursuits. Determined to complete his doctorate degree, he stepped back from heavy administrative work to focus on his dissertation, a decision that opened doors to even greater opportunities.
He later became a Fulbright Scholar, serving as a Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Gonzaga University in the United States. The international exposure not only broadened his perspective but also deepened his contributions when he returned.
From Instructor I to Associate Professor V, his steady climb reflected both persistence and passion. One of his legacies was leading the development of DNSCβs Administrative Manual of Operations during his tenure as Director for Administrative Services, at a time when the college was preparing for its push toward universityhood.
Research and the Road Ahead
Today, Dr. Rayon serves as Center Director for Social Development and Human Security Studies and Program Chairperson of the Ph.D. in English Language Studies and Teaching. These roles allow him to integrate research, instruction, and community engagement, the pillars of higher education closest to his heart.
Balancing teaching and research has never been easy, but he sees challenges as opportunities. His advice to new faculty, βCapitalize on the support the administration offers. There are many opportunities for advanced education, even scholarships abroad. Take them.β
For Dr. Rayon, receiving the Loyalty Award is both professional recognition and a personal triumph. βIn my family, I am the only one employed in government. I had no connections, no backer. It took prayers, hardship, and dedication to be here,β he reflects.
What sets these awardees apart is not the years they have served or the tasks they have completed, but the heart and stamina they bring to their work. Their stories remind us that loyalty is measured not by time alone, but by the steady choice to show up and give their best, no matter the season. (end, CNL)
