History University of San Agustin

the original urdaneta hall, built in 1939 , named after andrés de urdaneta, 1 of first catholic missionaries came philippines, oldest spanish structure in san agustin.

the spanish augustinians first christian missionaries of religious order enter philippines , begin conversion catholicism. later after revolution, spanish augustinian friars removed 194 parishes , left philippines in 1899, turning on churches , mission stations secular clergy. order retained few parishes, including main foundations in cebu, manila, , iloilo, american friars taking on them.

on july 15, 1904, filipino , american augustinian priests, accompanied few friars spain belonging province of holy name of jesus of philippines assistance american confreres augustinian u.s. province of st. thomas of villanova, founded university of san agustin. began preparatory school boys during american colonial period. on december 12, 1912, granted government recognition various course offerings. later on 5 february 1917, formally incorporated under name colegio de san agustín de iloilo. in 1928, 1 of country s oldest campus publications, augustinian mirror, established, producing of country s well-known writers. 1930s saw rapid growth opening of 3 colleges in quick succession: college of liberal arts in 1935, college of commerce in 1936 , college of law in 1937. in 1940, college began admitting female students.

during second world war (1941–45), college temporarily shuttered philippines fought guerrilla war against japanese. war led destruction of buildings, except urdaneta hall, @ present houses university theatre , college of pharmacy , medical technology. entire college in ruins, friars advocated closing school altogether while others pushed immediate rehabilitation. american augustinians came on loan after war order run university of san agustin couple of years while young friars spain of philippine province studying master’s degrees , learning english in united states or australia.

it reopened in 1945, followed decade of expansion ushered in both college of pharmacy , college of technology (1945), normal (teacher s) college (1947), graduate school (1950), , college of dentistry (1953). school granted university status on 1 march 1953, year before 50th anniversary, making first university in western visayas.

the following year, rev. angel dulanto, osa arrived spain after completing studies @ villanova university, american sister school of san agustin. impresario, introduced yearly velada, characterized weeklong festivity of artistic, religious, , cultural events. zarzuela, staged both professors , students, centerpiece of university week 14–20 february.

in 1965, rev. nicanor lana, osa became rector of university. term marked vast improvements in school s infrastructure. same year started term rector, inaugurated dysa, official radio station of university, expand reach of university through mass media. university of san agustín press, known today libro agustino, came year later. in months leading centenary of san agustín in 2004, began publishing book titles augustinian authors, eye @ producing total of 100 different volumes on several years.

poor enrollment forced administrators phase out college of dentistry in 1967. flowering of cultural , artistic activities on campus led founding of famous kawilihan-usa dance troupe, usa troubadours, , conservatory of music. rev. santiago ezcurra, osa, spanish musician studied music in rome, formally installed first dean. in 1969 usa clinical laboratory opened, followed few years later introduction of college of nursing in 1974. in 2010, university announced establishment of new extension campus in mati, davao oriental, philippines.

1984 present

the university maintains level iii accreditation status granted paascu , 1 of 2 schools in region having autonomous status granted ched. university s campus, situated in heart of city on general luna street, has modern gymnasium, auditorium, various conferences , seminar rooms, science, computer , speech laboratories, museum, bookstore, library, instructional media center, , tennis , badminton courts.

in 1984 all-filipino augustinian province of santo niño of cebu formed, separating mother province of holy name of jesus of philippines based in madrid, , ownership of university handed on latest circumscription of augustinian order. succession of rectors appointed, including bernardino ricafrente, eusebio berdon, mamerto alfeche, , rodolfo arreza. during arreza s term, pursued linkages various universities abroad , focused on research development.

san agustín promotes literature in region through fray luis de léon creative writing institute, sponsor of annual national writers workshop of same name. workshop awards number of writing fellowships writers in english, hiligaynon, , other philippine languages. official student publication, augustinian mirror, has won various journalism awards , has produced of philippines highly respected literary minds, notably augustinian poet gilbert luis r. centina iii, osa.

recent developments in university include establishment of various research , communication centers, namely:

the institute augustinian studies
villanova institute social science research , cultural studies
mendel institute natural science , technology research
institute social development issues , initiatives

over years, school enrollment has increased, resulting in decision move high school department new campus in suburbs of sambag, jaro in june 1995.