Ateneo de Zamboanga University
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Ateneo de Zamboanga University |
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| Motto | Pro Deo et Patria ("In the Service of God and Country") |
| Established | 1912 |
| Type | Private, Jesuit University |
| President | Fr. William H. Kreutz, S.J. |
| Location | Zamboanga City, Philippines |
| Website | www.adzu.edu.ph |
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University is a private university in Western Mindanao. Founded by the Society of Jesus in the early 1900s it is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It initially catered to primary and secondary education for boys. It became a college in 1952, and a university in August 2001. It currently has two campuses. The main campus in La Purisima Street houses the Colleges and Grade School, while the newly constructed campus, outside Zamboanga City proper holds the High School. Several facilities in the new campus will be constructed in the future such as expansion of the Grade School,an auditorium, and newer sports facilities. The Ateneo de Zamboanga also holds the largest library in Zamboanga City. Its official student publication is The Beacon Magazine.
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[edit] History
The Ateneo de Zamboanga began in 1912 as the Escuela Catolica, a parochial school run by Spanish Jesuits at the old site of the Immaculate Conception Church, across the Sunken Garden. Fr. Manuel Sauras, S.J. was the first director. In 1916, the Escuela Catolica changed its name to Ateneo de Zamboanga.
American Jesuits took over from the Spanish Jesuits in 1930, with Fr. Thomas Murray, S.J. as the first American director. Classes were also held in the Knights of Columbus building, now the site of the city theater. The first high school students graduated from the Ateneo in 1932.
In 1938, a library was built on the first floor of the Knights of Columbus Building. A facade, an auditorium, and an annex were also built. John Shinn was appointed headmaster of the Grade School and Fr. Francis Clark, S.J. became the principal and dean of discipline of the High School. The school was closed during World War II. It was occupied and used by the Japanese as a public elementary school until it was shelled and bombed by the American forces on March 8 and 9 in 1945, prior to the liberation of the city.
High School classes resumed in 1947, with a nipa-sawali building on a new site outside the poblacion called Jardin de Chino along Camino Nuevo. Shortly before the outbreak of the World War II, Fr. Eusebio Salvador, S.J. had bought 18 adjoining lots in that section. In 1948, the school was officially recognized as a Jesuit school separate from the parish.
The early post-war years were a period of rapid physical, curricular, and enrollment expansion. The college was established in 1952 and the graduate school in 1976.
During the 1980s, Fr. Ernesto A. Carretero, S.J. started the work for the Ateneo de Zamboanga to attain university status. These efforts were continued by Fr. William H. Kreutz, S.J. when he became the school's president in 1989. On August 20, 2001, the Ateneo de Zamboanga was declared a university by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The university was granted Full Autonomous Status, and is one of only 30 higher education institutions in the country to be granted full deregulation and autonomy, the only one in Western Mindanao. CHED awards full autonomous status to centers of excellence or centers of development with a long tradition of integrity and excellence in education/training, research, and community extension service. The school’s programs have been re-accredited with Level III status by CHED.
The inauguration of the Ateneo de Zamboanga as a university was held on December 8, 2001 during the celebration of the Ateneo Fiesta, the Alumni Homecoming, and the Feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo de Zamboanga.
[edit] Motto and Seal
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University seal reflects the mission of the school.
The school's motto is "Pro Deo et Patria," ("In the service of God and Country") is found at the top of the seal. And on the bottom, is the name of the school.
In a circular field is the school shield. The red and yellow stripes are derived from the coat of arms of the family of Oñaz, the paternal line of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In the center are two wolves and a pot. These are of the medallion of the family of Loyola, the maternal line of St. Ignatius. This stands for the generosity for which the house of Loyola was well known. Across on the upper right portion of the shield symbolizes the Christian character of the Ateneo. A vinta indicates the various cultural communities of the South Western Philippines, where the school is located. On the bottom left are a book and torch, the traditional symbols of education.
Above the shield is a glorious sunburst, inscribed with the monogram of the Society of Jesus, IHS, surmounted by a cross, and below of which are three nails. The "IHS" are the first letters of the name of Jesus in Greek. Emanating from the name of Jesus are the Blue and white rays that signify his gifts and grace for all.
[edit] Athletics
Ateneo also holds a unique sportfest called "Ateneo Fiesta." This week-long event starts on the last week of November. Most competitors are student-athletes also preparing themselves for the PRISAA competition two weeks after. Students from different colleges then join one another and form teams that participate in different sports events included in PRISAA City Elimination. Regional Elimination takes place in January of the following year and followed on by the National PRISAA event a month after.
[edit] Links
[edit] External links
| Jesuit educational institutions in the Philippines |
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| Ateneo de Manila • Ateneo de Zamboanga • Ateneo de Naga • Ateneo de Davao • Xavier / Ateneo de Cagayan |
| Non-tertiary schools: Sacred Heart School • Xavier School • Ateneo de Iloilo - SMCS |
| Defunct institutions: Ateneo de Tuguegarao • Ateneo de San Pablo |
