Silliman University

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Silliman University is a Christian institution of higher education located in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It was the first Protestant school founded in the Philippines. The university holds the distinction of being one of the 30 private higher education institutions in the Philippines that have been granted autonomy by the Commission on Higher Education.

[edit] History

Silliman University was founded on August 28, 1901, making it the oldest American university in Asia. Originally named Silliman Institute, an elementary school, it was established by Protestant missionaries of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and started through a gift from Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a retired businessman and philanthropist from Cohoes, New York. He was an active layman in the Presbyterian Church. The school was thus named after him.

The school began with 15 male students, four long desks, two tables, and two chairs. The First President of the University, David Sutherland Hibbard of Lyndon, Kansas statute is in front of the CAP Building, Rizal Boulevard, Dumaguete. The first faculty was the Reverend Hibbard and his wife Laura. From 1901 to 1912, it was a boys school. In 1910, Silliman was given the right to confer degrees. In 1912, girls were admitted for the first time. In 1938, Silliman became a university, the first school outside of Manila to be granted university status.

[edit] Campus

Silliman Hall is a landmark of Dumaguete City, and an example of American architecture found in many of the college's buildings.

Silliman University Church

Silliman has a main campus near the center of Dumaguete City, dotted by large acacia trees. The campus has a land area of 610,000 square meters. It originally faces the sea to the east and its gates are flanked by the portals which are now symbols of the university.

[edit] Miscellaneous facts

• The school is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as being a "Center of Excellence" in nursing, teachers' education, and Coastal Resources Management.
• Silliman University is CHED Center of Development in Physics, Biology, Marine Sciences Mechanical Engineering, and Business and Management Education.
• The school is host to the annual Church Workers Convocation, a gathering of hundreds of members of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines— from around the country.
• It is among the top 3 schools in physical therapy with outstanding board exam performance. The PT Department has produced graduates who made it to the Top 10.
• Silliman also consistently leads in accountancy as to the percentage of successful board examinees, and it is among the country’s top 3 centers for development in Business Education.
• The College of Agriculture ranked among the Top 3 schools in the country with highest passing averages at the recent First Professional Agriculture Board Examinations. One of its graduates made it to the Top 10. While the national passing average was 22%, Silliman Class of 2003 had a passing rate of 100%.
• The College of Performing Arts (formerly School of Music and Fine Arts) has produced great names in Philippine Music Education history. Among them are ethnomusicologist Priscilla Magdamo, violinist Gilopez Kabayao and baritone Elmo Makil. Silliman is also a pioneer in Choral Music Education in the country.
• The Silliman Information Technology program received 100% rating from CHED.
• Silliman is also recognized as one of the leading schools in marine biology in Asia with the Marine Laboratory as its home.
• Silliman is among the country’s Top 10 schools included in the annual BPI Science Awards for student achievers.
• Silliman has a continuing exchange student program with three Japanese Universities (International Christian University, Shikoku Gakuin University and Ferris University).

Starting in 2005, The medical school is to open as part of Silliman University.

[edit] Noted alumni and professors

• Carlos P. Garcia
• Angel C. Alcala
• Juanita D. Amatong
• Edilberto K. Tiempo
• Edith L. Tiempo
• Eddie S. Romero

[edit] External links

• Silliman University official website
• Silliman Online Community
• Official Student Publication of Silliman University

Famous Alumni: Efren N. Padilla, Former Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia, Edelmiro Amante