Holy Angel University

Infobox_University
name = Holy Angel University


motto = "Laus Deo Semper" ("Praise God Always")
established = 1933
type = Private, Catholic University
president = Arlyn S. Villanueva
city = Angeles City
province = Pampanga
country = Philippines
campus = Angeles City
fraternities = Phi Beta Rho, Alpha Phi Omega, And Tau Gamma Phi
colors = Maroon, white and Gold
nickname = The Angelians, The Angelites
website = www.hau.edu.ph [http://www.hau.edu.ph/]

Holy Angel University is a private, non-sectarian Catholic university in Angeles City, Philippines, offering primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Holy Angel University is one of the leading schools in the country. The university is a pride of the Philippine government as it exemplifies democracy and promotes good governance.

History

The Early Years

In 1933, a high school was born through the joint efforts of the late Archbishop Pedro P. Santos, then the parish priest of the town of Angeles and later Archbishop of Nueva Caceres, and Don Juan D. Nepomuceno, a prominent businessman of the same town. The school was christened “Holy Angel Academy”. Its primary purpose was to offer a Catholic education on the secondary level which the founders felt was the need of the community at the time. Consequently, the Holy Angel Academy became the first Catholic co-educational high school of the town of Angeles, Pampanga. It was organized as a non-stock, non-profit corporation oriented towards service to the community.

With the able educational leadership of Ricardo V. Flores, an energetic educator from Pagsanjan, Laguna, who became the first principal, permission to open the school was granted. In June 1933, the Holy Angel Academy opened its doors to a modest group of 78 students. The following year, government recognition was granted on the basis of the excellent results of the students in the achievement tests administered by the Commission of Private Education. Owing to this achievement and the missionary zeal of the founders, a steady increase in enrolment was achieved.

Expansion

In 1948, the evening session for high school was opened with the objective of providing educational opportunities to working students. In the same year, having in mind those who cannot afford to study in Manila, the school administration organized and opened the tertiary department, with the College of Commerce, Junior Normal College, and Liberal Arts as the nucleus.

Twelve years later, in 1960, according to persistent public request, the elementary department was opened. In 1961, the one-and two-year Secretarial Courses were offered. To pave the way for further educational expansion, the two-year pre-engineering course was opened in 1962. In the ensuing years, this department was expanded to offer complete courses in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Industrial Management Engineering.

From Academy to College

Considering what had already been attained, in 1962 the school was permitted to become the Holy Angel College with Don Juan D. Nepomuceno as the first President. Under his leadership and the able assistance of his son, Mr. Geromin G. Nepomuceno, the school experienced a revitalized management that led to the adoption of a fiscal policy which opened new possibilities for further growth and expansion. The dream of making the school more responsive to the needs of the community in particular and the nation in general began to assume reality. In 1965, the Graduate School of Education was opened primarily to foster professional growth among teachers in the community. This was followed with the opening of the Vocational/Technical Department that offered courses in Industrial Electricity, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning, Radio Electronics, Automotive Mechanics, and Machine Shop Practice. This department was established in response to the nation’s Manpower Development Program.

From College to University

Realizing the significance of the unprecedented growth of the College, the administration decided to aim for a new dimension, that is, converting the status of the Holy Angel College into a University. This was achieved on December 4, 1981. Engr. Mamerto G. Nepomuceno was installed as the first University President on March 8, 1982. On the same occasion, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz of the Archdiocese of San Fernando proclaimed the Holy Angel University as a Catholic University.

On August 12, 1985, Sister Josefina G. Nepomuceno, OSB of the Congregation of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing was installed as second President of the University. Under this new leaderhip, the professional dimension of the University was pursued with greater vigor and its Catholic character given greater and renewed emphasis. From 1985 to 1994, curricular offerings added were AB majors in Sociology and Religious Studies, and two-year programs in Computer Science and Theater Arts, BSBA major in Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship; BSED major in Values Education, PE, Health and Music and Library Science; BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering, and Associate courses in Computer Secretarial and Medical Secretarial. The recent Graduate School offerings are MA in Education major in College Teaching, English Teaching, Mathematics and Library Science. Awaiting DECS approval are Ph.D. program in Management and a Master’s program in Public Administration. The centers for Research, Measurement and Evaluation, the Institute for Small Scale Industries with the Enterprise Resource Center reflect the University’s thrust towards research and community service.

PAASCU Accreditation

In April 1995, the program in the Colleges of Arts and Science, Business and Accountancy, Education and Engineering attained FAAP second-level (full) accreditation status through the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). Thus, Holy Angel became the first and only university in Region 3 accredited by PAASCU. In the same year, S. Josefina G. Nepomuceno, OSB ended her 10-year term as president. She is succeeded by the Acting President Mrs. Bernadette M. Nepomuceno, whose first year administration saw reforms in administrative structures and operations initiated and new courses offered: B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management, BSSA in Computer Secretarial and Travel Management. and BS in Computer Science.

International Accreditation

The IACBE (International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education) announced in their 2008 annual conference the granting of specialized accreditation of the business degree programs of Holy Angel University.

External links

* [http://wiki.alumni.net/wiki/Asia/Philippines/Pampanga/Angeles_City/Holy_Angel_University_-_Angeles_City/ Find Old Holy Angel University Instructors and Professors]
* [http://www.hau.edu.ph/services/guidance/index.php Find Holy Angel University Guidance Center]