The Saint Paul University Surigao, also referred to as SPUS or SPU Surigao, is a private, Catholic basic and higher education institution run by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC) in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.
It has two campuses: the main campus in the heart of Surigao City houses the college academic units, graduate school and offices and the satellite campus at Brgy. Luna which houses the high school and grade school.
SPUS is the first university in the Caraga region and is identified as the center for development in teacher education and the regional center for Gender and Development, it being the seat of CARAGA Women's resources center established in 1906.
It is one of the seven campuses comprising the St. Paul University System.
It is one of the 40 schools owned, managed, and operated by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC) in the Philippines.
History
St. Paul University Surigao traces its roots to the year 1906 when the last group of Spanish Benedictine Missionaries, who had worked zealously as founders of the Cartilla or Doctrina School (which soon evolved into Escuela Catolica de San Nicolas), with the Religious of the Virgin Mary as administrators, vacated Surigao. Soon after their departure, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Dutch Fathers, succeeded them, created the parish of Surigao, and made Escuela Catolica de San Nicolas a parochial school which they renamed San Nicolas School.
MILESTONES 1915 The Bureau of Commerce issued Articles and Certificates of Incorporation to legitimize the school's existence. Rev. Adriano Muskins, MSC, parish priest and school head, expanded the primary school for the poor children of the parish who aimlessly roamed the streets. The school continued to grow, taking much time and attention from the parochial duties for the Dutch Fathers, who sought the assistance of others.
1926 Three Sisters from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres arrived in Surigao in response to the invitation of Fr. Muskins to administer San Nicolas School. The pioneers were Sister Louise Marguerite Prevoust, Superior; Sr. Consolacion Cruz, Principal; and Sr. Valentine, who would take charge of the boarders. They were welcomed by the parish priest at the time, Rev. Juan Vrakking, MSC, who was to become the first bishop of Surigao in 1940.
1936 The Little Flower Dormitory", a three-story reinforced concrete building completed in 1936, became the nucleus of the growing institution. It housed both the dormitory and the school. Sr. Adela Catalina Llorente, then, Superior, helped speed up the construction with donations solicited from her American friends.
1938 In June, the High School Department opened with Sr. Stella de Jesus Villanueva, SPC, as principal. Rev. Luis Boeren, MSC, took over as Director. The high school courses offered were Secondary Academic and Secondary Normal, to provide the mission with thoroughly trained Christian teachers. Initially, more than twenty female students enrolled. Two years later, male students were accepted. Rec. Jose Croonen, MSC, was parish priest at the time.
1941 The Pacific War that broke out wrought destruction in Surigao. The Surigao Cathedral, the rectory, the school, and the dormitory were destroyed in the heavy bombing. All classes had to be suspended. There was much fear and panic among the people, but the Sisters of St. Paul remained as bulwarks of inner courage and strength. Forced to flee to the mountains, they continued their catechetic work, hiking from one barrio to another and providing a source of comfort and an example of courage. The Sisters were also of great help to the guerrilla forces, filling their medical needs and transmitting important messages, though death was a constant threat.
1945 The liberation of the Philippines was a source of great rejoicing. When the school resumed operation in 1945, classes had to be held in Quonset huts and rehabilitated portions of the Little Flower Dormitory. Rev. Gerardo Tangelder, MSC, was Director of the school.
1948 The Junior Normal School opened and a year later, it was followed by courses in Commerce, Education, and Liberal Arts. This was facilitated by Rev. Carlos Van Den Ouwelant, MSC; Sr. Mary Nathaniel Rocero, SPC; Sr. Marie du Rosaiere Vogel, SPC; Sr. Virginie de Marie de Manuel, SPC; and Sr. Maria Fidela Nerida, SPC. It was also on this year that the first college building was constructed to accommodate the collegiate classes.
1949 San Nicolas School changed its name to San Nicolas College.
1951 The school became the venue of dramatic talents when Rev. Anthony Jansen, MSC, succeeded Fr. Tangelder. Rev. Carlos Van Den Ouwelant, MSC, then school chaplain, who later became the second Bishop of Surigao, and Rev. Nicasio Jansen, MSC, directed the school in the absence of Fr. Anthony. Sr. Adela was succeeded as Superior by Sr. Teresita of St. Paul Soledad.
SNC offered Secondary Home Economics (BSHE) and Junior Normal Home Economics (ETC-HE).
1953 Courses in Secondary Trade and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEEd) were offered and recognition was given to the BSE, BSHE and Liberal Arts Programs.
1960 The BSEEd Program received recognition, the same year, which saw the start of a new two-storey building for the Grade School.
1961 When Rev. Herman Van Der Sman, MSC, became Director, more buildings were erected to accommodate the increasing student population, and a stronger faculty built up with the aid of scholarships and grants. The science laboratories were equipped with sophisticated apparatuses and equipment. The Instructional Media Center and the gymnasium were furnished with additional instruction aids.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Natividad Abella-Felicio organized the SNC Dance Troupe with the assistance of Mr. Concordio Leva. Sr. Jude of the Holy Spirit Paat, SPC, formed the SNC Troubadours.
1966 Two significant events marked this year: the blessing of the new four-storey concrete Administration Building and the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of San Nicolas College's founding.
1968 The Government of Netherlands donated a large amount of money, a gift to the people of Surigao, to be used for the construction of the Science Building, the High School Building, and the Gymnasium.
1972 Sr. Emilie de Marie Manzano, SPC, became the High School Principal. Martial Law banned the SNC Student Council and school paper.
1973 Sr. Aniceta du Sacre-Couer Ochoa, SPC, took over as Principal. On March 13, 1973. Installation of Msgr. Miguel C. Cinches as the third bishop of Surigao. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of San Nicolas College.
1975 SNC was made the Regional Staff Development Center (RSDC) for Region X. That same year, in compliance with the Filipinization Law Sr. Pura du Sacre-Coeur Belmonte, SPC, became the first Filipino President of SNC, assuming the office vacated by Rev. Herman Van Der Sman, MSC.
1976 After its first survey of the Colleges of Liberal Arts, Education, and Commerce, the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, Universities (PAASCU) accepted San Nicolas College as an accredited member.
1977 Mrs. Dulcemina O. Leva became the first lay High School Principal.
1978 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with specialization in Educational Management, English, and Home Economics was offered and received government recognition four years after.
1980 Doctoral and MBA Programs were offered in consortium with Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.
1981 Sr. Maria Josefa Grey, SPC, was installed as second SNC President. She improved the school's physical plant and systematized services.
1983 Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) program was offered.
1984 The Computer Laboratory was installed. Typhoon Nitang brought exceedingly heavy damage to the school, but Sr. Josefa's effort program soon brought rehabilitation.
Doctoral and MBA Programs were granted recognition. The new Elementary School Building was built.
Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) program was opened and Mr. Rodolfo G. Gier became the second lay High School Principal.
PAASCU granted a five-year reaccreditation to Liberal Arts, Education and Commerce Programs.
1985 Organization of San Nicolas College Alumni Association.
1987 Sr. Maria Felicina Gubuan, SPC came in as President. She soon became known for the school's Outreach Program. Equipped with new instruments, a new building housing administration and staff offices was completed.
1988 The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the revised SNC By-Laws.
1989 A course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Computer Science was offered. Additional units were installed in the computer Laboratory and the Typing Laboratory was refurbished. A two-storey building accommodating several offices and a conference room was completed.
1990 SNC Diamond Jubilee year-long celebration started in February. In May, DECS granted a permit to operate an MBA program. Sr. Felicina was re-appointed by the Board of Trustees for a second term of three years.
1991 DECS granted the permit to offer courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA).
Computer classes were offered to the high school students. The Community Extension Service/School Outreach Program was strengthened and institutionalized.
PAASCU granted SNC Level II status.
1992 The SNC Credit Cooperative was converted to a multipurpose cooperative approved by the SPU Surigao FECOCU General Assembly.
The High School Department was adjudged one of the five “Excellent Private Secondary Schools” in Region X.
1993 DECS allowed the opening of courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Computer Secretarial. Empowerment through English Enrichment (SETEE) classes was organized.
1994 Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Program was recognized by the government. Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Management Accounting was approved. The blessing of the Computer Laboratory II in July coincided with the installation of the Local Area Network (LAN), the first in the province of Surigao del Norte.
1995 Computer Secretarial (CS) Program was issued government recognition in May. In June Sr. Marie Renee Javato, SPC was installed as the fourth President of San Nicolas College. PAASCU granted the High School Department Level I Accreditation, and SNC celebrated its eightieth anniversary (1915-1995) as an institution granted legal personality by the government.
1996 PAASCU granted SNC's Liberal Arts, Commerce, and Educational Programs another five-year re-accreditation until 2001. SNC was chosen one of the 22 Centers of Development in Teacher Education throughout the country and a member school of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) CARAGA Networking. The High School Computer Laboratory was set up.
SNC received the Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Award (ROSA) for Education from the Rotary Club of Metro Surigao, the Philippines-Australia Project in Basic Education (PROBE), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) scholarship in Teacher Education. Sr. Marie Renee Javato, SPC, was a recipient of the DECS Salamat Po Award.
1997 The construction of a concrete bridge connecting the Main Building and St. Paul University Surigao Building was started. Computer Technology was granted a permit and Biology was offered as a new major in BSEd.
1998 The internet system, local and international, started operation in SNC. A new Graduate School Program, Master in Public Administration (MPA) was offered in June and Filipino was an additional major in the Master of Arts program.
The CARAGA Women's Resource Center (CWRC), a regional center for Gender and Development, a project of the Philippines-Canada Local Government Support Program (LGSP), San Nicolas College (SNC), Surigao del Norte (SDN), and Surigao City (SC), was housed in San Nicolas College.