SU pays tribute to Dr. Horace B. Silliman's 200th birth anniversary

Silliman University celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of its founder, Dr. Horace B. Silliman, through a floral offering ceremony on December 3, 2025, in front of Silliman Hall.

Organized by the HBS Bicentennial Birth Anniversary Committee, chaired by Moses Joshua B. Atega, the event honored the life and legacy of Silliman.

Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman (1825–1910) was a distinguished philanthropist whose generosity and civic leadership transformed both his hometown of Cohoes, New York, and a distant community in Dumaguete, Philippines. Guided by the values of faith and service instilled by his parents, he pursued academic excellence at Albany Academy and Union College, earning honors and later receiving LL.D. degrees from Union and Hamilton Colleges. Though he achieved financial success through various business ventures, it was his commitment to public service that defined him—supporting education, healthcare, social welfare, and civic initiatives in Cohoes, including the establishment of the Silliman Memorial Church in honor of his parents.

Dr. Silliman’s global vision extended his influence far beyond the United States. In 1899, he donated $10,000 in gold to establish an industrial school in the Philippines, laying the foundation for Silliman Institute, which opened in 1901 with 15 boys and would grow into Silliman University. Over his lifetime, he contributed a total of $70,000 to support the school, helping shape its blend of vocational training, liberal arts education, and Christian values. Despite personal tragedies, his life remained rooted in service and faith. His legacy endures in the community institutions he strengthened in Cohoes and in the thriving university that bears his name—a testament to a life that lifted and connected communities across continents.