Summary
Highlights
Silliman University began with Dr. Horace Brinsmaid Silliman, a philanthropist who, in 1899, requested the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions to open an industrial school for boys in the Philippines. He provided an initial fund of $10,000 for this vision. The dedicated educators, Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and his wife Laura, were commissioned to establish and operate the school. They chose Dumaguete as the location for the school due to its idyllic setting and supportive community.
Now over 117 years old, Silliman University is led by its 13th president, Dr. Betty Cernal McCann, the first woman president. It holds autonomous status and is recognized as a center of excellence in nursing, IT, and teacher education, and a center of development for biology, medical technology, and marine sciences. It has the highest institutional accreditation from ACSCU-ACI. The university offers quality Christian education from early childhood to postgraduate levels, with 10,000 students and highly sought-after graduates.
Silliman University is a leader in community service in the Visayas region, pioneering projects in healthcare, agriculture, IT, Christian ministry, law and justice, disaster response, and environmental protection. Its graduates have established reputations globally, excelling in various fields across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Notable alumni include Senator Lorenzo G. Teves, DepEd Secretary Leonor Montolis Briones, and National Artists Edith and Edilberto Tiempo.
Silliman University provides whole-person education through its 'Five Cs': Classroom, Church, Cultural Center, Courts, and Community. The classroom involves 19 colleges, institutes, and schools offering 140 programs with high accreditation and a faculty of highly qualified professionals. The church is central, fostering faith and service with spiritual inclusivity. The courts emphasize athletic activities, developing students' physical potential. The cultural center promotes arts development, with programs in music, dance, theater, and literary arts, notably hosting the longest-running literary workshop in Asia.
The community aspect focuses on social inclusivity and involvement, challenging students to apply theories through service-learning in community-based projects. This approach helps students develop critical thinking, civic responsibility, leadership, and values of service and compassion. Silliman aims to provide education for total human development, promoting knowledge convergence, diversity, inclusivity, and a strong sense of responsibility towards community, country, and planet.