Rolando E. Caser Jr.

BSA-1A

All About Saint Mary’s University

Saint Mary’s University of Bayombong, is a Catholic and missionary institution of learning, that
draws its vision and orientation from pertinent provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constituion, the
educational goals expressed in the “Education Act of 1982” and allied laws, the philosophy of the
Department of Education as embodied in the Manual of Regulations for Private Schools in Basic
Education (MORPSBE) of 2010, as amended in 2011, the Child Protection Policy of the Department of
Education as contained in D.O. No. 40, Series 2012, the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities
Ex Corde Ecclesiae (“Born from the Heart of the Church”), and the vision-mission and directives on the
educational apostolate of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM).
Saint Mary’s University traces its roots back to the dream and initiative of the late Msgr. Constant
Jurgens, CICM, then Parish Priest of Bayombong and one of the earliest CICM missionaries to arrive in
the Philippines. He wanted to establish a school to give the children of his parishioners the benefit of a
Christian education. He purchased a lot and some materials for this purpose but then, he was recalled to
Europe, thus, it was Rev. Fr. Achilles de Gryse, CICM, his successor, who saw his dream through. Thus,
St. Mary’s Elementary School was inaugurated in June 1928. In 1934, with Fr. Godfrey Lambrecht, the
High School was opened and in 1947, the College Department, offering A.A., B.S.E., A. B. and Jr.
Normal course (ETC). Gradually, the course offerings expanded with Bachelor of Science in Commerce,
(1951), Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, (1955) and the Graduate School, (1962). Through the
years, many more Departments, Colleges/Schools were opened with more degrees and title course
offerings.

The College’s physical expansion program started with the purchase and development of the
campus by the Magat River in 1968. The College was transferred to its new site in 1969. First to rise on
the new site was the academic building named Godfrey Lambrecht Hall in memory of the late Rev.
Godfrey Lambrecht. This was followed by the construction of the Science Building or Gomburza Hall in
1971 and the Multi-purpose Marian Hall or D Building in 1972.
Over the years, imposing edifices were put up, such as the Gym-Auditorium (1981), Chapel- Library
Building (1983), new Elementary Central Building (1985), High School Science Building (1986),
Elementary Central Annex (1990), new High School Building (1992), University Building constructed in
commemoration of the College’s elevation to University Status (1995), College of Law Building (1996),
Hantson Hall (1998), Institute of Science and Mathematics Building (1999), St. Joseph’s Inn (2001),
Sacred Heart Center (2002), High School Building (Phase I) 2003, and Balay na Alumni (2003).