Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P) is a private, sectarian, and non-profit higher
education institution run by the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Cabanatuan, Nueva
Ecija, Philippines. It was founded in 1946 as the Philippine Wesleyan College. It is
named after John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. The university offers
preschool, grade school, high school undergraduate, and graduate programs.[1] It also
initiated the Support for the Handicapped and their Rehabilitation through Education
(SHARE) Program, the first school in Central Luzon to integrate hearing-impaired
students into mainstream classes.[2]
The university was granted autonomy status by the Commission on Higher
Education effective March 11, 2009 – present[3]
History
[edit]
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 (1946–1947), the first Filipino Bishop of the United Methodist
Church of the Philippines. He was succeeded by Rev. Carlos Mañacop Sr. (1947–
1952); followed by Dr. Roxy Lefforge (1952–1954); then Dr. Asuncion A. Perez (1954–
1967), the first female cabinet member who served as a Social Welfare Administrator
under four Philippine presidents. She was followed by Dr. Fidel F. Galang (1967–1970)
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 (2001–2005) 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 (2009–2014) 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 (2006–2019) by the Commission on Higher
Education and Institutional Accreditation by Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the
Philippines (FAAP) 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.
