The History of Silliman University

HISTORY

To most Americans in the late 1800s, Dumaguete was a name their tongue was still to master. It
was unfamiliar to them. Even the Philippines, which at that time was still recovering from the
onslaught of the Spanish-American War, was not on the immediate list for a Presbyterian
mission. It took the vision and commitment of a man to turn this around.

The late Dr. Arthur Carson, third Silliman president, wrote in his book how a man’s strong
resolve to help shape Philippine education paved the way for the establishment of Silliman
University. This man was Dr. Horace B. Silliman, a retired businessman of the town of Cohoes
in New York State.

In 1899, Dr. Silliman appeared at the office of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions with
the conviction that the Filipino people would need a new kind of education. He contributed the
initial sum of $10,000 toward the founding of an industrial school. Legend has it that the Board
Secretary was surprised and explained that the Board had only begun to consider a mission in the
Philippine islands. At that time, news was fresh on the naval victory of Admiral Dewey over the
Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. The Board Secretary thought it would be too early for a school.

But the visitor persisted. Something had caught his imagination about these islands, and the
people whom he had never seen and whom he would never meet.

Dr. Silliman had long been an active supporter of schools and colleges. Among such institutions
was Hampton Institute of Virginia. His proposal to the Presbyterian Board was for an industrial
school in the Philippines on the Hampton model.

The mission in the Philippines started with Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and wife, Laura, who
were commissioned to head it. Three areas were considered: Cebu, Zamboanga and Iloilo. While
in Cebu, someone suggested for him to make a side trip to Dumaguete. Sailing from Cebu on a
Saturday night, he came out early on deck the next morning and saw “the unsurpassed drama of a
Dumaguete morning from the sea.”

It was told that the friendly attitude of the people and the caliber of the local officials attracted
him to Dumaguete, a “place of health and beauty.”

On August 28, 1901, Silliman Institute was established. As Dr. Hibbard described the modest
beginning of Silliman half a century later, “There were fifteen boys that first morning. The
equipment consisted of four desks about ten feet long, two tables and two chairs, a few
McGuffey’s Readers, a few geographies, arithmetic and ninth-grade grammars. I was President;
Mrs. Hibbard was the faculty.” Enrollment in the university grew gradually to include students
from Asian countries. The year 1912 marked the admission into the university of the first female
student, Pura Blanco. Silliman was granted university status in 1938.

Developments on campus were interrupted by two significant events in Philippine history: World
War II and martial law. Silliman braved these historic events and left dents on the pages of
Philippine history. At the height of the war, Silliman faculty members and students evacuated to
four localities in Negros Oriental, and continued rendering professional services whenever there
was an opportunity. This led to the establishment of the ‘jungle university’ in the mountain of
Malabo -- the first community school in the Philippines.

In 1972, when martial law was declared, Silliman was one of the first two universities closed. It
was also one of the last universities allowed to resume operations after the closure. Martial Law,
despite its threat to life and democracy, did not stop students from gathering and keeping their
patriotism aflame. At the basement of the Silliman University Church, in a room named the
Catacombs, the ‘secret’ campus rendezvous of students continued.

The rich contribution of Silliman to Philippine history and landscape earned it the distinction of
being declared National Landmark by the National Historical Institute on June 19, 2002.

Growth of Silliman in the early period was greatly attributable to the support of the local
community. Local families shared in the vision of Dr. Silliman and believed in the educational
pursuits of Dr. and Mrs. Hibbard, and accordingly offered their properties through sale and
donation to expand the campus. Later developments were characterized by more infrastructure
development and initiation of student activities, ranging from journalism, public speaking,
performing arts, to athletics.

Silliman continues to be nurtured under administrations headed by presidents of character and

tested credentials. The incumbent President, its thirteenth, is Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann, the first
woman to become president of Silliman University. She is a registered Psychologist and a
certified specialist is social Psychology. Dr. McCann brings to the university her expertise in
Asian higher education. Dr. McCann started as an assistant professor in 1981, rose from the
ranks and eventually became Vice President for Academic Affairs from1990-1992 and from
1999-2002. She succeeded Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, the twelfth president, who was an expert in
environmental policy and governance.

Three American, and eight Filipino, have previously served as elected Silliman presidents: Dr.
David Hibbard (1901-1930), Dr. Roy Brown (1932-1936), Dr. Arthur Carson (1939-1953); Dr.
Leopoldo Ruiz (1953-1961); Dr. Cicero Calderon (1962-1971); Dr. Quintin Doromal (1973-
1982); Justice Venancio Aldecoa (1983-1986); Dr. Pedro Flores (1987-1989); Dr. Angel Alcala
(1991-1992); Dr. Mervyn Misajon (1994-1996); and Dr. Agustin Pulido (1996-2006)

Source:
Silliman University Manual (revising only that about the current Silliman President)