RE 1 - CHRISTIANITY IN A CHANGING SOCIETY

MODULE 1.2: CPU HISTORY

KNOWLEDGE/OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Oriented with the brief history of CPU
2. Memorized the Mission, Vision and Motto of the university.
3. Internalized the Core Values of the institution.

I. Brief History of CPU.

A. In 1901, Rev. Charles Briggs sought to impress on Dr. T. S. Barbour that a school
should be started. Two years later, Dr. Joseph Robbins and Dr. Peter planned that a
boys' school should be started. In 1904, The eleven (11) Baptist Missionaries met in Iloilo
and organized the Philippine Baptist Mission Conference (PBMC). In December 2, 1904, the
PBMC voted to establish two schools: Industrial school for boys and Bible School to train
pastors. That same year, Rev. William O. Valentine was elected principal of the two schools.
On October 1, 1905, The Jaro Industrial School opened under the principalship of Rev.
William O. Valentine.
In 1907, The enrolment increased from 20 to nearly 300 students, all were
working students. In 1915-1916, the first year high school opened with 58 students enrolled
and 50 of them remained. In March 1921, the first High School commencement was held
with 17 Students graduating.
In 1921, Jaro Indrustrial School was changed to Central Philippine School. A year later,
the name of the school was formally changed to Central Philippine College. In June 1923, a
Junior college opened classes enunciated by Pres. Stuart. The Stuart Hall is the oldest
building in CPU. In June 1923, the college was organized into two divisions: Department of
Education and Liberal Arts and Department of Theology.
 In 1942-45, World War II happened. CPU was devastated. Many buildings were
destroyed. Many Teachers and Students went to the mountains for refuge. CPU remained
strong because of the Central Spirit.
On April 1, 1953, Central Philippine College became Central Philippine University. It is
located in a 24-hectare campus, the most beautiful in Iloilo.
In 1966, CPU Corporation voted the Dr. Rex Drilon as the first Filipino president. Two
years later, the entire university property was turned over by Americans to Filipinos. In
1973, all the members of the Board of Trustees and Administrative officials are Filipinos.
In February of 1991, CPU was affected by a fire incident that burned down the Old
Rose Memorial Building. But a few years later, with the help of the alumni, the new Rose
Memorial Auditorium rose from the ashes. With unity, CPU was able to recover.
In June 20, 2008, CPU experienced another trial as it faced typhoon Frank that flooded
the school campus and destroyed millions of properties and took many lives. “Calamities
like fire and flood may cause a great havoc among us, but it is in this trying moment too
that the best of Central Spirit can be manifested.” (Jonan Castillon).
At the present, in 115 years, CPU has grown from an industrial school with only 17
pupils to a widely known university with an enrollment of over 13,000. The 24-hectare
campus, which was originally chosen for its quiet and relative isolation, is now a veritable
community by itself, with more than 40 buildings used for classrooms and support facilities.

B. CPU’s Colleges, Affiliations and Partners.

1. Colleges and Departments:
School of Graduate Studies College of Agriculture
College of Arts and Sciences College of Business and Accountancy
College of Computer Studies College of Education
College of Hospitality Management College of Engineering
College of Nursing College of Medicine
College of Theology College of Law
College of Pharmacy College of Medical Laboratory Science
Senior High School Elementary
Junior High School Kindergarten
2. Affiliations:
a. Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC)
b. International Ministries (IM-ABC)
c. United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA)
d. Asso. of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU)
e. Philippine Accrediting Asso. of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU)
f. Asso. of Theological Schools in Southeast Asia (ATESEA)
3. Parters:
a) Iloilo Mission Hospital (Healing MInistry)
b) University Church (Preaching Ministry)
c) Filamer Christian University (Teaching Ministry)
d) Siliman University (Teaching Ministry)
e) Fortress College (Teaching Ministry)
II. Motto, Mission and Vision
A. Motto: Scientia et Fides. (knowledge and faith)
B. Mission: The mission of Central Philippine University is to carry out a program of
spiritual , intellectual, moral, scientific, technological, and cultural training, and allied
studies under influences which strengthen Christian faith, build up character and promote
scholarship, research and community service.
C. Vision: “A university committed to exemplary Christian education for life. (EXCEL)

III. Core Values

A. Justice. “It is righteousness or lawfulness and fairness. It is observing due process in
administering the deserved punishment or reward. This includes fairness, equality,
morality and peace.
B. Faith. “It is the act of believing the things God has revealed about himself and acting
on those beliefs. This includes commitment, cooperation, trust and confidence.”
C. Stewardship. “It is the proper and responsible management of life, position,
possession, and other resources entrusted by God to man.” This includes service,
accountability, culture and outreach.
D. Character. “It is the aggregate feature and traits that form the individual’s nature of
a person, moral quality, and good report.” This includes honesty, humility, loyalty
and integrity.
E. Excellence. “It is the highly commendable quality or feature of a person’s worth
and/or deeds.” This includes competence, technology, scholarship and research.