Today in history: Silliman University is founded in the Philippines, it is the first American private school in the country

 

In 1901, Silliman University was established in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines, making history as the first American private school in the country. It was founded by Presbyterian missionaries, led by Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard, with financial support from an American philanthropist, Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, whose generous donation of $10,000 made the institution possible. 

Originally known as Silliman Institute, the school began as an elementary institution for boys with just 15 students, but it quickly grew into a center of learning that promoted Christian values, liberal education, and American-style academic training. Its foundation marked a shift in Philippine education at the time, introducing Western pedagogical methods, English as the medium of instruction, and a holistic approach that combined intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth.

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Over the years, Silliman University expanded from a small institute to one of the most respected universities in the Philippines. It became a pioneer in co-educational learning, opening its doors to women as early as 1912, and gradually developed into a comprehensive university offering programs in liberal arts, sciences, engineering, law, medicine, and more.

The institution has retained its Christian heritage while fostering academic excellence and social responsibility, producing graduates who played important roles in Philippine society and beyond. Today, Silliman University is recognized as one of the country’s leading private universities, with a strong reputation for quality education, a scenic seaside campus, and a lasting legacy as a trailblazer in the modernization of Philippine education.

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