GE 10 A – Reviewer

Silliman History
Theme: “Faith Anchored on God's Omnipotence: 120 Years of Grace and Glory”.
Scripture Text: Psalm 147:5
Motto: "Via, Veritas, Vita" means the Way, the Truth, and the Life

• Dr. David S. Hibbard wrote the book “The First Quarter” about the brief history of Silliman Institute
during the first 25 years of its existence.

• Silliman Institute, an all-boys school started in August 28, 1901 through the donation of $10,000 of Dr.
Horace B. Silliman.
• Cebu, Zamboanga, and Iloilo were the first possible locations.
• It was founded by Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard together with his wife Laura Hibbard.
• The Silliman Hall was built in 1903. Dr. Hibbard was the first president.
• First classes were in a rented house beside the sea with only 15 male students.
• In 1906, the school had its first band under the leadership of Dr. McIntire.
• In 1910, Silliman was awarded gov’t recognition under the laws of the PH and the right to grant a degree.
• In 1912, the first female student was accepted: Miss Pura Blanco.
• In 1918, the Guy Hall funded by Mr. William E. Guy which is a boys-dormitory was established.
• In 1917 and 1918, were the year where the institute’s progress became steady.
• Also in the same year, the Matron of Girl’s dormitory (Oriental Hall), Miss Peter arrived.
• In 1921, the Silliman Bible School was established.
• In 1938, the school was granted university status and change to its current name.
• In 1942, World War 2 occurred and Silliman was forced to shut down.
o Channon Hall, became the headquarters of the Japanese military police where many Filipinos
were killed.
o Dr. Arthur Carson, the 3rd president of Silliman, the remaining members of the faculty continued
the operations of the University in the mountains of Negros Oriental. This led to the formation of
what was then called the "Jungle University" in Malabo, Valencia.
o Professor Roy Bell became a major in the Negros Island guerrilla forces, established a Free
Government, printed the Victory News, and used his radio transmitter to establish contact with the
South West Pacific Area.
• In 1945 April 26, Dumaguete was free from the war.
• In 1952 August 26, Dr. Leopoldo Ruiz, the first Filipino university president was elected.
• In 1972, Martial Law occurred and Silliman was shut down for the second time.
• To continue their study, the students met at the basement of the University Church, the secret campus.
• In 1978, the Robert & Metta Silliman Library was built with only two small bookcases.
• In 1990s, the University shifted its grading system from alphabetical to numerical.
• In 2002, National Historical Institute declared Silliman University as a National Landmark.
• In 2014, Silliman was the only Philippine institution to be named on the list of "50 Most Beautiful
Christian College and University Campuses in the World".
• In 2016, Silliman was included in the list of the top 350 universities in Asia as well as 6th in the whole
Philippines.
• CHED also classified the university as a center of excellence in various fields such as nursing, education,
medical technology, information technology, and biology.
• Today, Silliman University offers 19 colleges and 140 programs and houses 10,000 students with a total
of 306 acacia trees in its 62-hectare campus.

5 Cs of Silliman University
1. Classroom
a. the “second home” of the students.
2. Church
a. Christian Faith is foundation to Silliman education.
3. Cultural Center
a. the Claire Isabel McGille Luce Auditorium became the “cultural center of the south”.
4. Court
5. Community

Cultural Institutions
• Center of Excellence
o Nursing, Education, Information Technology

• Center of Development
o Biology, Marine Science, Medical Technology

➢ Gumamela or Hibiscus rosa-sineses – Silliman’s centennial flower

➢ Big Portals:
o Gate of Knowledge
o Gate of Opportunity
o Gate of Service
o Gate of Discovery
o Gate of Grace

➢ Katipunan Hall (KH): Mission Hospital

o founded in December 1915 and was inaugurated on February 26, 1916.
➢ College of Business Administration (CBA)
o built in 2003: most expensive and modern building in the campus.
➢ Arts and Sciences Building (Luz Ausejo Hall or AH)
o part of the university’s “Massive Development Program” was inaugurated on 1998.
➢ Roble Hall
o Home of the Senior High School
➢ Claire Isabel McGill-Luce Auditorium
o Designed by Augusto Ang Barcelona in 1974, a 761-seater known as Silliman’s Cultural Center
➢ Silliman Gym
o Built using dismantled parts of an airplane hangar from Samar
➢ Chapel of Evangel
o Built in 1957, became the home of the Silliman Bible School
➢ The Angelo King and Allied Medical Sciences Center (AK building)
o 10.4 million edifice was built through the generosity from a businessman and philanthropist
namely Angelo King and was inaugurated in June 19, 1996.
➢ Dr. Romeo Ariniego Art Gallery
o Inaugurated on August 2017
➢ Guy Hall
o built in 1918 as the dormitory for boys
o Donated by William Guy in memory of his wife, Kathryn Guy.
o It houses the Office of Information and Publication Publishing Unit and the office of Internal Audit
➢ Silliman Hall
o Built in 1903 and is the oldest building in the campus.
o metal sheets used for the ceiling were taken from an old theater in New York
o where all types of building can be found.
➢ Silliman University Cafeteria
o Second oldest food establishment in Dumaguete City.
➢ Silliman University Church
o Started construction in 1941 but war halted and it was completed in 1949.
o First service was held on the New Year’s Eve of 1941.
o
VMG
▪ Vision
o A leading Christian institution committed to total human development for the well-being of
society and environment.
▪ Mission
o Infuse into the academic learning the Christian faith anchored on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
o Provide an environment where Christian fellowship and relationship can be nurtured and
promoted.
o Provide opportunities for growth and excellence in every dimension of the University life in
order to strengthen character, competence and faith.
o Instill in all members of the University community an enlightened social consciousness and a
deep sense of justice and compassion.
o Promote unity among peoples and contribute to national development
▪ Goals
o a quality and diverse body of students
o a holistic and responsive educational program with a Christian orientation;
o a quality faculty comparable to Asian standards;
o a quality support staff;
o adequate facilities and administrative systems;
o a supportive and involved alumni; and
o a long-term financial viability.