Wesleyan University Philippines
Wesleyan University-Philippines is a private, Protestant, non-sectarian, and non-profit higher education institution run by the United Methodist Church in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. It was founded in 1946 as the Philippine Wesleyan College and named after John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.
The university offers preschool, grade school, high school undergraduate, and graduate programs. In 2009. the university was granted autonomy status by the Commission on Higher Education.
History
The university was conceived by a group of Filipino and American Methodists led by the late Rev. Carlos Mañacop Sr. as part of the realization of their ecclesiastic mission. It was founded on July 1, 1946, and was named Philippine Wesleyan College. It was incorporated on April 28, 1948. The institution was named in memory of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. It started operating in "sawali" and wooden structure erected on an 800-square meter lot at the corner of Quimzon and Mabini Streets in Cabanatuan, with its first set of 19 faculty and staff and batch of 368 students enrolled in Liberal Arts, Education, Elementary and High School programs. The university was granted government recognition on June 26, 1947, and incorporated on April 28, 1948.The institution attained its University Status on April 24, 1978, and has since carried the name Wesleyan University-Philippines. Since its elevation to university status, it has grown in terms of academic programs, student enrolment, physical plant and facilities, faculty and staff, research and extension and other support services. It has also expanded its operations. Today, it operates in two campuses, Cabanatuan or the Cushman Campus, and Maria Aurora.
Eleven administrators took turns in steering the growth of Wesleyan University-Philippines. Each contributed in bringing the university to its present glorious status, an esteemed educational landmark in the region. The first president of the institution was Dr. Dionisio D. Alejandro, the first Filipino Bishop of the United Methodist Church of the Philippines. He was succeeded by Rev. Carlos Mañacop Sr. ; followed by Dr. Roxy Lefforge ; then Dr. Asuncion A. Perez, the first female cabinet member who served as a Social Welfare Administrator under four Philippine presidents. She was followed by Dr. Fidel F. Galang
In 1970, Dr. Gloria D. Lacson, a former dean of the Mary Johnston College of Nursing was elected as the 6th College president. She served for twenty-four years and was eventually the first university president in 1978 when the institution was granted its university status. During her term, nine new programs were offered and the Information and Development Desk was created which later became the Research and Development Office. It was also under her leadership that the university had enormous improvements in terms of facilities as seen in the construction of several buildings which now house the different academic programs of the university.
Dr. Emmanuel G. Cleto, a former Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, was appointed president from 1995 to 2000. Two new programs were added in the degree offerings of the university. The four-storey Alejandrino Hall which houses the College of Computer Studies and the three-storey Elementary Building were constructed during his term.
Dr. Zenaida P. Lumba, former president of Harris Memorial College, was elected as the eighth president and it was during her stewardship that the university attained deregulated status. The Millennium Building was constructed during her term. It now houses the College of Hotel and Tourism Management, Graduate School and Law School. The John Wesley Park which is now the distinct landmark of the university was also constructed.
In 2005, Atty. Guillermo T. Maglaya was elected as the 9th president of the university. During his term, the WUP Cardiovascular Diagnostic Center and Hospital became operational and was dubbed as the Heart Center of the North. It was under his leadership and his vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Anselmo D. Lupdag, that the university was granted a five-year Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education.
In 2009, Prof. Manuel G. Palomo was elected as the tenth president. He was known for restoration of the Supreme Student Council and implementation of improved salary scheme for faculty and staff. Make-over of the campus physical facilities, refurbishing of buildings, provision of Wi-Fi internet connection and air-conditioned classrooms were accomplished during his tenure. Also, more programs in health sciences were offered thus renaming the College of Nursing as the College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences.
In 2012, Hon. Pacifico B. Aniag was elected as the 11th president. He was known for achieving financial stability of the university. Also, five new programs were offered including the Bachelor of Laws. During his term, the university was granted another three years as Autonomous University by the Commission on Higher Education and Institutional Accreditation by Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines from September 2014 to April 2018. Two four-storey buildings that replaced the old agricultural building were constructed during his presidency. His graceful exit from office is historic as he was the first president to retire from his post which paved the way for smooth transition of leadership.
On January 24, 2019, Hon. Benjamin D. Turgano, a retired judge and a man of Methodist faith was elected as the 12th president of the university. His election into the University Presidency is historic as he was the first president who was chosen through a search and screening committee. As a man of law and of God, Hon. Turgano assured the Wesleyan community that under his leadership, no judgment will be rendered unless all sides have been heard. Issues and concerns of different units will be heard through dialogs and collegial discussions. He also emphasized that transparency, efficiency, accountability and continuous improvements will be the standards that will govern the academic and administrative operations and procedures in the university during his presidency.
Mascot, moniker, and colors
The image of Circuit Rider was chosen as the university mascot to signify the clergymen of the Methodist Church who travel around specific geographic territories to minister to settlers and organize congregations. Wesleyan University-Philippines athletic teams are known as The Riders and wear school colors, Green and Yellow.List of presidents
Achievements
Since its founding in 1946, the Wesleyan community continuously strive to realize its vision, mission and goals and its trifocal philosophies of scholarship, service, and character. Consequently, it has achieved the following:- It is the only Methodist University in the Philippines
- It was the first private University in Nueva Ecija
- The only Autonomous Private University in Nueva Ecija
- Its Graduate School was the first accredited graduate school in the region
- It is the only university in Nueva Ecija that has a genuine campus radio station
- It was rated 'Excellent' in the management assessment conducted by the Institutional Development Program of FAPE in 1987
- It was chosen as one among the Top 21 Universities in the whole country through the 1995 assessment done by the Commission on Higher Education.
- It was one of the 17 Higher Education Institutions in the entire country that was granted an Institutional Accreditation status by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines Board in 2015.
Campus
The university has three campuses in Central Luzon: the Cushman Campus, Aurora Extension Campus, and Tarlac Campus.Cushman Campus is a seven-hectare plus area located at Cabanatuan which was donated by Methodist Bishop Ralph Cushman. The campus was established as the university's center of operation after transferring from the dilapidated Del Pilar Street campus; more than 30 buildings were constructed since the establishment of Cushman Campus.
Methodist missionaries working in Aurora province during the late 1980s established a school in Aurora which they named Wesleyan College. This school was later acquired by the Wesleyan University and developed into WU-P's first campus outside Nueva Ecija.
Organization and administration
The following officials work under the Office of the University President:- Head Executive Assistant
- University Legal Counsel
- University Chaplain
- Quality Assurance Office Director
- Internal Auditor
- Public Information Office Director
- Information and Communications Technology Office Director
- Alumni Affairs Office Director
- Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences;
- Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy;
- Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education;
- Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Technology;
- Dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management;
- Dean of the College of Education;
- Dean of the College of Nursing;
- Dean of the College of Allied Medical Sciences;
- Dean of the Graduate School;
- Dean of the Wesley Divinity School;
- Dean of the John Wesley School of Law and Governance;
- Dean of the College of Medicine
- Elementary Principal;
- High School Principal;
- Chief Librarian;
- University Registrar;
- University Physician;
- Research, Development, and Productivity Office Director;
- Guidance and Placement Office Director;
- Extension Programs Director;
- Student Affairs Office Director;
- Office of Internationalization and Linkages Director;
- Office of Instruction Director; and
- Cultural Affairs and Sports Development Office Head
The following personnel aid the Vice President for Planning and Development:
- Human Resource Development Office Director;
- Asset Management Office Director;
- University Security Office Chief;
- Maintenance and Engineering Office Head;
- Procurement Office Head;
- Business Center Head;
- Motorpool Head;
- Gender and Development Office Director; and
- General Services Office Head
- University Treasurer
- University Accountant