Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

For other schools with similar names, see Xavier University (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Xavier School.
Xavier University
Ateneo de Cagayan
Pamantasang Xavier – Ateneo de Cagayan

The Jesuit University in Northern Mindanao, Philippines
Latin: Universitas Xaverius Athenaea Cagayanus
Former names
 Ateneo de Cagayan (1933–1958)
Motto Veritas Liberabit Vos
Motto in English
 "The Truth Shall Set You Free" (John 8:32)
Established June 7, 1933
Type Private, Research University
Affiliation Catholic Church (Jesuit)
Chairman Engr. Elpidio M. Paras
President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, S.J., PhD
Principal Fr. Joaquin Jose Mari C. Sumpaico III, S.J.(High School)
Emmanuel G. Gomez (Grade School)
Undergraduates 10, 467 (AY 2012–13, 1st semester)
Postgraduates 526 (AY 2012–13, 1st semester)
Location Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental,  Philippines
Campus 8-ha. main campus - Corrales Ave., Divisoria (Undergraduate/Graduate schools and Professional schools)
13-ha. Pueblo de Oro campus (Grade School Annex and High School)
Macasandig campus (Grade School)
50-ha. Manresa campus (College of Agriculture and Center for Integrated Technologies)
Maria Reyna – Xavier University Hospital
Hymn "Xavier, Alma Mater"
Colors Blue and White         
Nickname Xavier Crusaders
Mascot University-wide- Crusader Knight
Highschool- Squires
Gradeschool- Pages
Affiliations PAASCU, CEAP
Website www.xu.edu.ph

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan is a private, Catholic university run by the Society of Jesus in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines.

It was founded on June 7, 1933 as the Ateneo de Cagayan by an American Jesuit missionary, Fr. James T. G. Hayes, S.J., who later became the first Bishop and Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. In 1958, Ateneo de Cagayan became a university and was renamed to its present name, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, in honor of the Jesuit missionary, St. Francis Xavier.

History

Beginnings

Xavier University was founded in June 7, 1933 as Ateneo de Cagayan, with only 17 First-year high school students.

It was founded by Fr. James T. G. Hayes, S.J., who became the first Bishop and Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro. It was firstly located at Burgos Street, where the former St. Augustine Parochial School was also located.

Cagayan de Oro, then Cagayan de Misamis, with a population of around 50,000, had the finest port in Mindanao and was a fast-growing town. Gradually, the school grew with the community and opened college courses in June 1938, and Grades 5 to 7 in June 1940 to accommodate requests from parents all over Mindanao and Visayas.

World War II

It was then moved to its present location in Corrales Avenue. It eventually grew into a college and offered courses in Liberal Arts, Education and Commerce. The school closed down on December 9, 1941, with only 614 students. It subsequently became the headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army in Mindanao on May 2, 1942.

On September 9, 1944, planes from the United States Air Force swooped in and bombed most of Cagayan de Misamis into piles of rubble, even for the school itself. Fr. Edward J. Haggerty, S.J., then Rector and Military Vicar to the U.S. Armed Forces from Borneo to Okinawa, wrote these words in his diary:

“ In 15 minutes, the American liberator bombers destroyed our labor of 15 years... ”

Fr. Haggerty was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star medal on February 21, 1947 for his services as a volunteer chaplain of the Visayas-Mindanao Force during the war years. He also became an adviser to Fertig's Guerrilla Government. Fr. Haggerty and his successor, Fr. Andrew F. Cervini, S.J., worked to reconstruct the school, and in 1946, regular classes recommenced. This was only interrupted again after the eruption of Mt. Hibok-Hibok on August 30, 1947, when the campus housed refugees from Camiguin, and even sponsored a boxing bout in its gym to raise funds for the victims.

University Status

In a bid for university status, Fr. Francisco Z. Araneta, S.J., then rector, had vowed to St. Francis Xavier that if ever Ateneo de Cagayan is conferred as a university before its Commencement Exercises on March 22, 1958, he will rename the university after the saint.

On that fateful day, an hour before the Commencement Exercises, then-Secretary of Education Manuel Lim, had sent a telegram stating that Ateneo de Cagayan has now been granted university status.

On August 27, 1958, Ateneo de Cagayan was inaugurated as a university and had officially become "Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan". It became the first university in Mindanao, and the first Jesuit institution, among those existing in the Philippines, even first before its sister school Ateneo de Manila to be given university status. After the inauguration, a banquet was held in honor of then-President Carlos P. Garcia, who was conferred, the very same day, the honorary degree Doctor of Laws, the first honorary degree given by the university.[1]

Governance

Presidents and Rectors of
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
Most Rev. James T. G. Hayes, S.J., D.D., 1933
Fr. Joseph L. Lucas, S.J., 1933 – 1934
Fr. Vincent L. Kenally, S.J., 1934 – 1935
Fr. George J. Kitchgessner, S.J., 1935 – 1937
Fr. Edward F. Haggerty, S.J., 1937 – 1949
Fr. Andrew F. Cervini, S.J., 1949 – 1956
Fr. Francisco Z. Araneta, S.J., 1958 – 1959
Fr. James J. McMahon, S.J., 1959 – 1964
Fr. Cornelius J. Quirkes, S.J., 1964 – 1967
Fr. Luis F. Torralba, S.J., 1967 – 1973
Fr. Federico O. Escaler, S.J., 1973 – 1976
Fr. Ernesto O. Javier, S.J., 1976 – 1990
Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J., PhD, 1990 – 1993
Fr. Antonio S. Samson, S.J., 1993 – 2005
Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J., PhD, 2005 – 2011
Fr. Roberto C. Yap, S.J., PhD, 2011 – present

The University operates as a non-stock education institution governed by its own Board of Trustees with Mr. Elpidio M. Paras, President and CEO of Parasat Cable, Inc., as Chair, and Fr. Roberto C. Yap, S.J., PhD as University President since June 2011. Fr. Yap succeeded Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J., PhD after the transition period at the Ateneo de Manila University.[2]

One of the five Jesuit colleges and universities in the Philippines, Xavier University works in consortium with Ateneo de Davao University and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Academics

Professional Units

Graduate School

The Graduate School houses the university's post-baccalaureate programs, ranging from master's degrees to doctorates. Its council is the Graduate School Student Council (GSSC).

College of Law

The College of Law offers a Bachelor of Laws program. Its student council is the Association of Law Students (ALS). Its team is called Legis and its mascot is the goddess Dike (Lady Justice).

On November 11, 2011, the college was named an "Outstanding Law School" by the Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, during the second anniversary of the board held at the Manila Pavilion, for being one of the ten best performing law schools in the Philippines from 2001 to 2011. Likewise, a plaque was presented to its dean, Atty. Raul R. Villanueva, as outstanding law dean.[3]

Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine

Envisioned by Fr Ernesto O Javier SJ as a top producer of medical practitioners, the School of Medicine has been granted Level 1 Accredited Status. The School was recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center of Development in Medical Education after its graduates consistently scored 100% in licensure examinations for a number of years since it started in 1983. It was likewise recognized by the Professional Regulations Commission and the Board of Medicine for having ranked second in the national Physician Licensure Examination in a span of 11 consecutive exams.

Having gained national recognition, the School of Medicine has been chosen by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development as one of the satellite medical institutions for its project on the development of research capabilities. In collaboration with the XU Community Health Care Center, the School was also the pilot site of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network Program in 2008, the first in the entire Mindanao area.

The School of Medicine envisions graduates who are committed to addressing the needs of society, particularly in Northern Mindanao. It continues to banner the provision of health care services that are acceptable, accessible, available, and affordable to our people.

Undergraduate Units

College of Agriculture

The College of Agriculture was founded in 1954. Its student council is the Agriculture or Aggies Student Council (ASC). They are known by the monikers Aggies and Bullriders, and its mascot is the Bull.

On February 27, 2009, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in its Memorandum Order No. 3, declared Xavier as a Center of Development (COD) in Agriculture for a period of three years. This title is the first to be given to a private institution.[4] In November 2009, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in its Memorandum Order no. 32 series of 2009, announced Xavier as a National Center of Excellence, specifically a Provincial Institute for Agriculture (PIA) under the National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System. As PIA, Xavier will be among the priority partners of CHED in implementing development projects in agriculture. Xavier also qualifies for a half a million grant to fund scholarships, continuing agriculture education programs, instructional materials development and upgrading of facilities including research laboratories, among other priority projects supported by CHED.[5] In April 2010, the College of Agriculture was awarded Level II re-accreditation for a period of five years by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.[6] Recently, the college was awarded Level III accreditation by PAASCU, one year after its Level II re-accreditation.[7]

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers most of the university's teaching core subjects of all colleges (e.g. Filipino, English). Its student council is the United Arts and Sciences Student Council (UNITASS). Its mascot is the Tiger.[8]

College of Computer Studies

The College of Computer Studies, founded in 2011, is the most recent college in the university. Its council is the Computer Studies Student Council (CSSC). Its mascot is the Wizard.

The College of Computer Studies had previously been recognized and included in the first batch of Centers of Development for Excellence in Information Technology Education (CODE-IT) by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and its flagship BS in Computer Science is one of the first programs outside Metro Manila to be Level II-accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).[9]

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering student council is the Association of the College of Engineering Students (ACES). Its mascot is the Warrior symbolized by Lapu-Lapu.

On November 3–4, 2009, 65% or 11 out of 17 examinees, with national passing of 53% out of 912 examinees, have passed the Chemical Engineering government licensure examination. All of the passers are 2009 graduates.[10] On the same month, 75% or 12 out of 16 examinees, with national passing of 46% out of 4878 examinees, have passed the licensure examination for Civil Engineering.[11]

On September 2010, 100% of 7 examinees, with national passing of 65% out of 2387 examinees, have passed the Mechanical Engineering licensure examination. All of the passers are 2010 graduates. One passer, Roselle Victor C. Lague, came in second place.[12] On the same month as well, 73% or 8 out of 11 examinees, with national passing of 34% out of 2686 examinees, have passed the Electrical Engineering licensure examination administered in Cebu City. All of the passers are 2010 graduates.[13]

College of Nursing

The College of Nursing was founded in 1989. Its student council is the Council of Nursing Students (CONUS), and its mascot is the Python.

During the 2008 Nursing Licensure Examination, according to the Commission on the Higher Education (CHED), Xavier is ranked No. 1 among the schools whose students took the board exams.[14]

From 2004 to 2008, the College of Nursing was among the top 20 nursing schools in the Philippines, maintained from 2009 to 2011.[15] The College of Nursing was in second place with 97.82%, next to the University of the Philippines Manila.[16]

In June 2010, 86% of the 14 examinees (100% of first-time examinees (2 who are 2010 graduates) and 71% of 7 repeater examinees), with national passing of 41% out of 91,008 examinees, have passed the licensure examination for nurses.[17]

School of Business and Management

The School of Business and Management (formerly College of Commerce) is a recognized center of excellence in accountancy, business, and management education in Mindanao.[18] Its student council is the School of Business and Management Student Council (SBMSC). Its mascot is the Eagle.

School of Education

The School of Education was founded in 1938, and was reopened in 1947. Its student council is the Teachers' Guild (TG). Its mascot is the Phoenix.

Center for Integrated Technologies

Unlike the other colleges, the Center for Integrated Technologies (formerly Center for Industrial Technology) (CIT) is a technical-vocational school. Its student council is the Center for Integrated Technologies Student Council (CITSC), and its mascot is the Knight.

The CIT was housed at the main campus at Corrales Avenue until 2012. Today, it is currently housed at the Jose Ch. Alvarez Technology Complex in the Manresa campus.[19]

The old CIT building has subsequently been renamed as the Faber Hall in December 2013, in honor of St. Peter Faber, co-founder of the Society of Jesus. It is currently occupied by the College of Nursing and College of Computer Studies.

Basic Education Units

Preparatory and Grade School

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan offers Preparatory and Grade School. Currently, the University has campuses for the preparatory and grade school levels located in Barangay Macasandig, and in Pueblo de Oro.

High School

Aside from Preparatory and Grade School, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan also offers secondary education. Formerly, the High School was located in the main campus at Corrales Avenue, but was relocated to a separate campus in Pueblo de Oro together with the Grade School levels.

Due to renovation works in the Pueblo campus,[20] the High School occupied certain areas of the SBM (Commerce) building and the Faber Hall in the main campus during the 2013-14 academic year. They returned to the newly renovated Pueblo campus the following academic year.

Notable people

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Alumni

Honoris causa

Faculty

Campuses

The university gymnasium in 2008.

Xavier University operates on five campuses:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan". XU Webteam. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  2. ↑ "Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ is incoming Xavier University president". Ateneo de Manila University. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "College of Law honored with Outstanding Law School award". XU Webteam. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  4. ↑ "XUCA receives distinction as Center of Development". College of Agriculture website, February 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  5. ↑ "Xavier University named as 'Provincial Institute for Agriculture'". College of Agriculture website, November 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  6. ↑ "XUCA gets 5-year PAASCU Re-accreditation". College of Agriculture website, May 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
  7. ↑ "Aggies awarded PAASCU Level III accreditation". XU Website, May 25, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. ↑ X.U. College Student Handbook. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. June 2009. p. 105.
  9. ↑ College of Computer Studies, Xavier University Website, November 11, 2012, retrieved 2013-11-29
  10. ↑ New Chemical Engineers (PDF), XU Website, November 12, 2008, retrieved 2011-01-15
  11. ↑ New Civil Engineers (PDF), XU Website, December 1, 2009, retrieved 2011-01-15
  12. ↑ New Mechanical Engineers (PDF), XU Website, October 1, 2010, retrieved 2011-01-15
  13. ↑ New Electrical Engineers (PDF), XU Website, October 1, 2010, retrieved 2011-01-15
  14. ↑ "Top Ten Schools". Nursing Board Exam – June 2009, March 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  15. ↑ http://topnursingschoolsph.blogspot.com/2012/01/performance-of-schools.html
  16. ↑ XU College of Nursing among top nursing schools nationwide (PDF), XU Website, January 4, 2010, retrieved 2011-01-15
  17. ↑ New Nurses (PDF), XU Website, September 2, 2010, retrieved 2011-01-15
  18. ↑ X.U. College Student Handbook. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. June 2009. p. 106.
  19. ↑ "New CIT campus opens in Manresa". XU Website. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  20. ↑ "Work on XUHS Pueblo campus to start soon; new major sports facility also set to rise". CDOdev.com. 2013-02-21.

External links