Wesleyan University (Philippines)

:"See Wesleyan University (disambiguation) for links to other Wesleyan Universities.Wesleyan University Philippines (WU- P for short) was founded in 1946. It was first known as Philippine Wesleyan College. The college was named after John Wesley, who was the founder of Methodism. It is located in Mabini Extension,Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

The university offers Pre- Elem, Grade School, High School, College and Graduate School courses.

History

Wesleyan University-Philippines, a non-stock, non-profit, United Methodist-related, non-sectarian, co-educational institution stands for SCHOLARSHIP, SERVICE and CHARACTER. Its ultimate aim is to develop people and communities for a better life by empowering the youth for exemplary leadership to strengthen democratic institutions for nation building. It adheres to the motto: "Building people... Making a difference."

In 1946, several dedicated Methodist brethren led by the late Rev. Carlos Mañacop, Sr., pooled their efforts and resources and planned the establishement of a Christian institution of higher learning in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, which flourished from the ashes of the Second World War.

On July 1, 1946, the group's concerted efforts bore fruit. The institution of higher learning named the Philippine Wesleyan College, started its operation and was incorporated on April 28, 1948. The institution was named after John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

The school started operation in an old and dilapidated sawali and wooden building where the first batch of nineteen (19) faculty members met their classes. The student population composed of 368 students. The first two courses offered were Liberal Arts and Teacher education.

From these humble beginnings, the university has grown in terms of academic programs, community outreach programs, physical plant and other facilities, student population, and campus area. Several undergraduate courses and graduate programs are now offered. To enable the university to have an adequate campus, Bishop Ralph Cushman donated cash to purchase three (3) heactares of land. Other land were purchase and a two-hectare land was also donated by the Garcia family. In 1982, the university prepared a ten-year development plan (1982-1992) which included the plan to transfer the entire university to the Cushman Campus. One year ahead of schedule, however, all the academic units of the university were accommodated in the Cushman Campus. This was made possible upon the completion of the Academic Building and the EZE Building, both constructued using funds donated by a Protestant organization in Germany.

Nine (9) Admnistrators have taken turns in steering the growth of Wesleyan. The first President of the College was Dr. Dionisio D. Alejandro (1946-1947), the first Filipino Bishop of the Methodist Church in the Philippines;

Rev. Carlos Mañacop, Sr. (1947-1952), the founder, then District Superintendent of the Nueva Ecija Methodist Church;

Dr. Roxy Lefforge (1952-1954), the Executive Dean of the Philippine Christian College in Manila;

Dr. Asuncion Perez (1954-1967), the first Filipino woman cabinet member of the Philippine Government as Social Welfare Administrator;

Dr. Fidel P. Galang (1967-1970);

Dr. Gloria D. Lacson (1970-1993), former Dean of the Mary Johnston College of Nursing of the then Philippine Christian College and a retired Colonel of the Nursing Corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines;

Dr. Emmanuel G. Cleto, former Judge and Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, took over the reins of the University in the latter part of 1993. Dr. Cleto acted as Officer-In-Charge from December 4, 1993 until March 20, 1994 and was appointed Acting President by the Board of Trustees in 1994,

Dr. Zenaida Lumba (2001-2004), former President, Harris Memorial College; and Atty. Guillermo T. Maglaya who was Officer-In-Charge in 2004 and was formally installed as President in 2005, former NBI and NAIA Administrator.

Under the administration of Rev. Mañacop, Dr. Perez, and Dr. Lacson that Wesleyan posted unprecedented growth. During the time of Rev. Mañacop, the enrollment grew fast with the addition of new courses. A U-shaped concrete four-storey building was constructed during the time of Dr. Perez at Del Pilar Street. An Elementary school building, dormitory, and a concrete two-storey building housing the Technology department was also built in the Cushman Campus. Some new courses were offered and the Graduate School was reopened.

During the term of Dr. Lacson when many great improvement took place. The concrete three-storey EZE building, now housing the College of Education was completed. Likewise, the four-story concrete Academic Building was finished which now houses the Colleges of Commerce and Arts and Sciences. The four-storey concrete Libray and REsearch Building was also made available for occupancy. Then, a three-storey concrete Administration Building was finished and named after Gloria D. Lacson. The imposing three-storey concrete High School was made operational.

Through the efforts of Dr. Cleto, more buildings were constructed. One of these is the D.D. Alejandro Hall, a four-storey concrete building constructed in front of the high school at the entrance to the campus. This building now houses the Department of Computer Studies. Another building is the five-storey concrete dormitory constructed at the southern part of the campus and the third is a three-storey concrete building erected north of the high school building. This building now houses the Pre-school and Elementary School Departments.

With Dr. Lumba at the helm, WU-P continued to grow and to serve the community through its mission of scholarship, service and character. Infrastructure development continued to grow with the construction of a three-storey building which presently accommodates the Food Gallery, the College of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (CHRIM), the CHRIM Mini Hotel, the Center for Review and Lifelong Learning. The renovation of the University Gate was completed and the John Wesley Park, which nestles the monumental stature of John Wesley was created.

Presently, with Atty. Maglaya, the 9th President, the WU-P Cardiovascular Diagnostic Center and Medical Center was established. There are also plans of constructing a new and bigger gymnasium with a swimming pool, and other physical facilities.

Because of the steady growth and high academic standards, competent and dedicated faculty, personnel, improved facilities, expanded academic programsl broadened base of clientele and enriched community and social services, Philippine Wesleyan College was awarded a University status and became the Wesleyan University-Philippines on April 24, 1978.

Since thern, the College has grown in terms of courses or programs opened. Courses such as Nursing, Social Work, Nutrition, Agriculture, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Graduate Courses in Business Administration and a Doctoral Program were added to its degree offerings. The Computer Science, BS in Criminology, and BS in Hotel Institution and Restaurant Management courses have been recently recognized by the Commission on Higher Education.

The University has also gained recognition as "one of the better schools outside Metro Manila" (Bureau of Higher Education). It operates five programs enjoying Level II Accreditation Status certified by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) for the Association of Christian Schools and Colleges Accrediting Agency, Inc. (ACSC-AAI). These programs are the pre-school, elementary, high school, Accountancy and the Graduate School. The Colleges of Art and Sciences, Education, and Business Administration are now enjoying Level III Accreditation status.

In 1990-1991, Wesleyan University-Philippines was identified by the Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) as the regional center for Teacher Education. The College of Education serves also as a Teacher-Training Institution (TTI) for the training of secondary Science and Mathematics teachers.

In 1991-1992, WU-P was nominated by the DECS Regional Office III as one of the excellent schools in Region III. Likewise, the Philippine Historical Association named WU-P a Regional Nucleus School. The university also serves as the seat of the Non-Government Organizations (NGO) forum in Nueva Ecija, and the center for Drug Prevention Education in the province. The College of Technology is a Center of Development for Region III, a recognition granted by the Commission on Higher Education III (CHED III).

The Commission on Higher Education granted this university a DEREGULATED STATUS in 2004. In the most recent evaluation conducted in the year 2005 by the Commission on Higher Education, the WU-P Graduate School was rated VERY GOOD, besting all other schools in Region III including the state universities and colleges.

Student Leaders

Three Wesleyan students became Ayala Young Leaders while one alumnus by the name of Jerome M. Dayao was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for 2006 in the field of Medicine.

Clubs

There are at least more than 27 active tertiary-level minor organizations in the university, each acting under the supervision of the Office of Student Affairs. Tertiary-level clubs chartered as student arms are the Red Cross Youth (Red Cross Intl.), College-Y (YMCA), JPIA, SaveMe, Every Nation Youth, JFINEX and the International Youth Fellowship (IYF). Meanwhile root organizations have also been established by the students. The university also has a Chorale group and a stage-performing club, the Telon.

Fraternities are not recognized by the WU-P administration, but there are a few underground brotherhoods which are extant.

External links

* [http://www.wesleyan.edu.ph/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx Wesleyan University-Philippines homepage]