|
||||
|
Smiles. Hugs. Chats. A usual scene during Silliman University’s Founders Day, which never fails to evoke warm memories of campus life and the feeling of pride to be a Sillimanian. Founders Day at Silliman is the time when alumni from different parts of the globe are reunited on the campus by the sea that remains home to them. This is the best time for students to get a glimpse of true Silliman spirit – the natural bond that draws one Sillimanian to another. Silliman celebrates its 108th Founders Day, with the theme “Living Justice, Mercy and Humility with God.” This year’s celebration is a reaffirmation of the institutional commitment of the University to develop with in its students not just competence and character but more importantly faith. The University was founded on August 28, 1901 as an industrial school for boys by Presbyterian missionaries headed by Dr. Sutherland Hibbard and wife, Laura. It was established on a US$10,000 donation from Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman of Cohoes, New York. Silliman won full government recognition as a university in 1938. Developments on campus were interrupted by two significant events in Philippine history: World War II and martial law. But Silliman braved these historic events and left dents on the pages of Philippine history. At the height of the war, Silliman faculty members and students evacuated to four localities in Negros Oriental, and continued rendering professional services whenever there was an opportunity. This led to the establishment of the “Jungle University” in the mountain of Malabo – the first community school in the Philippines. In 1972, when martial law was declared, Silliman was one of the first two universities closed. It was also one of the last universities allowed to resume operations after the closure. Despite the threat to life and democracy, martial law did not, however, stop students from gathering and keeping their patriotism aflame. At the basement of the Silliman Church, in a room named the Catacombs, the “secret” campus rendezvous of students continued. The rich contribution of Silliman to Philippine history has earned it the distinction of National Landmark from the National Historical Institute. Now, the University is home to over 8,000 Filipino and foreign students, belonging to 16 academic units: College of Agriculture, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Administration, College of Computer Studies, College of Education, College of Engineering and Design, College of Law, College of Mass Communication, College of Nursing, College of Performing Arts, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences, Divinity School, Medical School, School of Public Affairs and Governance, School of Basic Education. Silliman is one of select higher education institutions in the country granted autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education. The same government agency has also designated Silliman as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education and Teacher Education and a Center of Development in Biology, Information Technology Education and Accountancy. These distinctions, on top of competitive ratings its program offerings received from accrediting agencies. On
its 108th Founders Day, Silliman is grateful to its alumni and friends
who continue to support its initiatives to further develop its programs
and services. It recognizes that the members of both Silliman and
the larger community are as important as the high quality Christian
education that it offers and believes every Filipino deserves. A businessman, a professor of political science, a diplomat and a military chaplain are the recipients of the 2009 Outstanding Sillimanian Awards (OSA) to be given on August 28 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. They are: Mr. Eduardo A. Bangayan (BBA 1973) for entrepreneurship, Dr. Kenneth E. Bauzon (AB 1970) for political science, Dr. Mac Arthur F. Corsino (BSE 1996, MA Ed 1972) for foreign service and Rev. Dr. Francisco D. Somera Jr. (MDiv. 1967) for military chaplaincy. (click here to view their profiles) This year, the OSA celebrates, as its motif, the environment. Throughout its rich history that spans over a century, Silliman University has always been at the forefront of environmental consciousness, especially in the field of research and active advocacy. From the Guimaras oil spill a few years back, to the disputed oil exploration at Tañon Strait, and even with the emergent, contemporary threat of global warming, the University has not shied away from assuming its role as an environmental steward, guided by the ideals of Via, Veritas, Vita and the Christian tradition of stewardship – thus placing Silliman squarely on the world eco-map. It comes as no surprise that there exists a rich tradition rooted in environmental awareness as evidenced not only in its pioneering programs, but also in its personalities as well—all birthed from within the portals of this university. This year we celebrate
the Silliman spirit from which has sprung a tradition of stewardship
and of excellence, not just in the field of environmental advocacy,
but across other areas of equal importance Since 1962, under the leadership of former Silliman President Dr. Cicero D. Calderon, the university has accorded due recognition to various alumni who have made outstanding achievements and contributions in their fields of specialization. The
OSA, over the years, has honored Sillimanians who have enriched
the world with their talents, expertise and service to humanity—all
exhibiting admirable character, competence, and faith in God. For their generosity and support to Silliman University, five individuals and a foundation will be inducted into the Order of Horace B. Silliman in a special ceremony on August 25 at the historic Silliman Hall. The inductees are friends of the University who have supported infrastructure developments on campus, the enhancement of research and library resources, and the widening of the University's scholarship base. They are: Dr. Romeo A. Ariniego, Mr. Fred Dael and corporate associates, Mr. William Barry Thompson, Mrs. Olivia Villaflores Yanson, Col. Roman T. Yap (posthumous), and the Angelo King Foundation, Inc. The Order of Horace B. Silliman is a prestigious recognition conferred upon individuals, families and organizations whose gifts and donations with a value of at least P1 million continue to help realize the University’s mission of providing better opportunities to its students and the members of both Silliman and the larger community of Dumaguete toward building competence, character and faith. [
Back to top ] [
Home ] Silliman University pays tribute to 13 faculty and staff members who have passed away but whose lives contributed to the development of the University by inscribing their names on the Heritage Builders Wall. A portion of the wall containing the bricks on where their names will appear will be unveiled on August 25. The wall lines the border of the Silliman campus along Hibbard Avenue, from the end of east end of the University House towards the Rizal Boulevard. Tribute is given to: Henry W. Langheim (16 years), Eleanor A. Langheim (16 years), Guillermo V. Magdamo (33 years), Lorenzo B. Bernardez (35 years), Gnoveva E. Bernardez (34 years), Mariano Muñoz (20 years), Herman Gregorio (32 years), Felicisimo Decenteceo (37 years), Ludy Perez (35 years), Victorio Alaban (45 years), Georgonio Siega (36 years) and Leoncio Duran (42 years). This year's awardees have exemplified competence, character and faith in their service to the University, and have manifested the best inspiration and example of what is to be a true Sillimanian. [
Back to top ] [
Home ] World Bank Country Director Mr. Bert Hofman is the lecturer for the 2nd Annual Eminent Persons Lecture on August 26 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. Mr. Hofman will discuss “Prospects of Recovery from the Global Financial Crisis in the Next 2 Years”, and will tackle the role of good governance in bringing about steady growth and development for the Philippines. A distinguished personality in the field of economics, Mr. Hofman has accumulated over 16 years of experience in the World Bank, 13 of which in the Asian region. Prior to his assignment in the Philippines, he was detailed in China for three years where he headed a team that provided economic policy advice to the government. He will have an an audience composed of alumni, students and representatives from government, private sector, academe, civil society and media. The
Annual Eminent Persons Lecture was launched during the Founders
Day last year with former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos as
its first lecturer. | ||||
| Siilliman
University, Dumaguete City, 6200 Philippines
|  | |||
