The Official Logo of the UNO-Recoletos

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UNO - Recoletos Historical Highlights

 

Dr. Francisco Kilayko composed the official hymn of UNO-R Alumni entitled, Blue and Gold March. 

Mrs. Amparo L. Bo-ot, the head of the Spanish Department of the College of Arts and Sciences, translated the Hymn to St. Augustine from Spanish to English. 

Fr. Pedro Lerga, OAR put music to the Alma Mater Hymn of the University which was composed by Shirley Garbanzos.

1941

In June, Dr. Antonio Lizares and Dr. Francisco Kilayko founded the Occidental Negros Institute (ONI) in Talisay, Negros Occidental. By December, ONI was forced to close. The invading Japanese had arrived.

1946

ONI reopened in the former Doctor’s Hospital building in Smith (now Locsin) Street in Bacolod City.

Elementary and high school education are resumed and three tertiary degree programs are opened: Liberal Arts, Commerce and Law.

1950

ONI moved to its permanent home in Lupit Subdivision, Lizares Avenue, Bacolod.

Government recognition granted to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Bachelor of Science in Education.

1955

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Bachelor of Laws, and Master of Arts in Education.

1956

The Institute opened its first engineering curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

1957

On May 15 the Institute became the University of Negros Occidental (UNO) as granted by the Department of Education under Acting Secretary Martin V. Aguilar, Jr.

1961

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and the first degree holders graduate from the College of Engineering.

1962

On the 25^th of May the University passed into the hands of the Augustinian Recollect Fathers and became the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos.

Rev. Fr. Federico Terradillos, ORSA became acting rector.

Rev. Fr. Federico Terradillos, ORSA

1964

Rev. Fr. Salvador Lerga, ORSA was elected Rector to serve until 1967.

The construction of the three-sto administration building begun.

1965

A 2-Year Associate in Criminology was opened under the College of Arts and Sciences with an initial of 78 freshmen students.

1966

Four-year curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology was opened.

1967

Rev. Fr. Antonio Martinez, ORSA was elected to replace Fr. Salvador Lerga, ORSA.

1968

On completion, the new administration building was inaugurated.

Government Recognition was granted to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology.

1969

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.

The College of Criminology was created during SY 1969-70. The underground of the newly constructed four-storey College of Commerce building was converted as an indoor target range.

1970

Rev. Fr. Jose Ma. Juango, OAR elected 4^th president of the University.

On April 10, the University conferred to Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich, D.D. the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy for Humanitarian Service, thus making UNO-R as the first institution to grant Bishop Fortich such degree.

1971

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

1973

Rev. Fr. Felix Ortega, OAR elected president.

With the help of Fund Aid to Private Education (FAPE), the University ventured into a Pilot Agri-business Project involving the Director of the Research Institute, the School of Agriculture and the College of Engineering.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

UNO-R Facade in early 70s

1974

Recognition granted to Master in Business Administration under the Graduate School.

Management of the TV station DYAF, channel 10 was transferred from VERTA to UNO-R

1975

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Farm Management of the School of Agriculture

1976

Rev. Fr. Melquiades Modequillo, OAR, elected as first Filipino president of the University.

A 2-Year Police Science and Technology Course was offered.

1977

Recognition granted to Certificate in Home Technology under the Teacher’s College.

1978

The College of Criminology offered a 2-Year Questioned Documents and Investigation of Bank Fraud Course.

1979

New construction included the Gymnasium, Track and Field, and Engineering Building.

1981

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

1982

Rev. Fr. Mauro Ambubuyog, OAR became the second Filipino president of the University.

The University of Negros Occidental Faculty and Employees Labor Association (UNOFELA) was established.

The signing of the first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the University and the UNOFELA; thereafter a new CBA every five years.

1983

The office of the University Community Extension Program (UCEP) was setup as the last leg of the University tripod, academics, research and community extension.

First Computing Laboratory of the University was opened in the College of Engineering under the de facto management of Computing Services. Computing Services pioneered the Special Training Program (STP) in computer literacy.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Management and Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in General Science and Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication,

1985

Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio Rodrigalvarez, OAR elected president.

Under Mrs. Marcela D. Yap as principal, PAASCU granted the Grade School Department an accredited status for three years, thus making the Grade School as the first accredited department in the university.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Agri-business of the School of Agriculture.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology of the College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management of the College of Engineering, and Doctor of Education of the Graduate School.

1986

Institute of Computer Science and Technology according to Executive Order #4, Series SY1986-1987

Recognition granted to Associate in Commerce of the College of Commerce.

1988

Recognition granted to Doctor Philosophy of the Graduate School.

Andres Soriano III was conferred a degree of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).

PAASCU re-accredited the Grade School Department for five years.

1990

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Computer Science of the College of Commerce.

On February 19, 1990, Claudio de Luzuriaga was conferred a degree of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).

1991

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Accountancy of the College of Commerce.

1992

On August 16, the First Solidarity Day was celebrated with the theme: "Towards Building Community I." It was attended by REED students, ROTC and Grade School Faculty. The Solidarity Day in UNO-R is the brainchild of the former Recollect priest, Fr. Ferdinand "Soysoy" Hernando. He was then a Recollect deacon assigned in Bacolod. With the 10th World Youth Day in Manila in view, he perceived the call to build a solid University community imbued with the Recollect spirit.

UCEP became the University Community Development Office.

UNO-R adopted Purok Katilingban of Brgy. 39 as beneficiary of community extension program.

1993

UNO-R acquired two hectares of land in Brgy. Handumanan on which the creation of a holistic community was proposed.

Construction of model homes for the poor began.

On April 3, 1993, Milagros A. Villasor was conferred a degree of Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa).

PAASCU re-accredited the Grade School Department for five years.

1994

Rev. Fr. Constantino Real, OAR elected the president.

College of Arts and Sciences accredited to Level II by the Philippine Accreditation of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) for three years.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Social Work of the College of Arts and Sciences.

On April 3, Easter Sunday, housing project in Handumanan inaugurated with President Juan Ali Aranguren of Gobierno de Navarro, Spain as principal guest.

President Juan Alli Aranguren of Gobierno de Navarra, Spain was conferred a degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa).

1995

New CBA signed by the University and UNOFELA

1996

50^th anniversary of the University celebrated with the theme “UNO-R, a Golden Heritage.”

On September 10, the prestigious new library now known as the Fray Luis de Leon was inaugurated.

1997

Rev. Fr. Hermenegildo Ceneza, OAR elected president.

1998

On June 1, the new Oratory of St. Nicholas of Tolentino was dedicated.

1999

College of Information and Technology created.

PAASCU re-accredited the Grade School Department for five years.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Information Management of the College of Information Technology.

College of Commerce becomes College of Business Administration and Accountancy

Opening of the curriculum of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management under the College of Business Administration and Accountancy

2000

Rev. Fr. Bernard Amparado, OAR was elected president.

UNO-R College of Information Technology named Center of Development for Excellence (CODE) in IT Education in Region VI.

College of Arts and Sciences reaccredited 2^nd level by PAASCU

New CBA between the University and the Union was signed

2001       

UNO-R granted deregulated status by the Commission on Higher Education.

Inauguration of the new St, Ezekiel Moreno Hall.

2002

Opening of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a six-month Caregiver Program under the new College of Nursing.

Construction of a mini-gym and an indoor basketball court.

The University became over-all champion of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) literary-musical contest.

Cornerstone laying of the Proposed New Auditorium.

2003

Rev. Fr. Demetrio Peñascoza, OAR elected president.

Recognition granted to Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management

UNO-R recaptures literary-musical trophy of NOPSSCEA.

The new UNO-R facade

2004

UNO-R won literary-musical trophy of NOPSSCEA for the third consecutive year.

The launching of the new University Park and its inauguration and blessing on December 1.

On October, four colleges sought voluntary accreditation: Engineering, Information Technology, Business and Accountancy and Education. The College of Arts and Science with Medical Technology sought re-accreditation from PAASCU.

Recognition granted to the UNO-R College of Nursing by CHED Iloilo through TP No. 006 s. 2004

2005

PAASCU re-accredited the Grade School Department for five years.

On January, PAASCU granted the College of Arts and Sciences with Medical Technology Department Level II of a period of five years.

PAASCU granted Level I status to the College of Business and Accountancy, College of Engineering, College of Education and College of Information Technology.

In June, major reorganization of the University Administration took place.

Jose Ma. Kilayko, Attorney-at-Law became the first lay member of the University Board of Trustees.

The University was made National Youth Commission Information Center for Negros Occidental.

2006

UNO-Recoletos celebrates the 60^th anniversary of its foundation as an academic institution in the Province of Negros Occidental with the theme: “Advancing the Recoletos Education in the Community: A Transcending Challenge of the 21^st Century.

The Colleges of Education, Business and Accountancy, Engineering were accredited by PAASCU.

The College of Information Technology is the first IT College to be accredited in the Philippines by PAASCU.

The Medical Technology Department of the College of Arts and Sciences ranks third in the national best performing MedTech school in the country.

Eduardo M. Cojuangco, JR. was conferred the degree of Doctor Humanities (Honoris Causa) on November 13, 1006.

2007

In November of this year, Rev. Fr. Sixto Bitangjol, OAR assumes Presidency of the University in acting capacity.

Fr. Mauricio Ferrero Hall was inaugurated for the HRM.

2008

UNO-R Board of Trustees confirmed the appointment of Fr. Sixto Bitangjol as President of the University.

UNO-R was named by CHED as IQuaME Category A (t) Institution.

UNO-R alumnus was elevated to the Order of Bishops in the person of Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, D.D.

The College of Criminology was renamed to College of Criminal Justice Education.

2009

Rev. Fr. Dionisio Cachero, OAR was elected University President.

Administration looks into intensifying development of programs and facilitates of the university.

CHEDS grants UNO-R AUTONOMOUS STATUS.

2010

In February, PAASCU survey team visits UNO-Recoletos with the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, Information Technology, Engineering, and Departments of Business Education and Medical Technology sought accreditation with PAASCU.

In May, PAASCU accredits the Colleges Education, Information Technology, Engineering, and the Department of Business Education while reaccredited status for five years was granted to the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Medical Technology.

Under Mrs. Sunya Phi E. Sumalde, PAASCU re-accredited the Grade School Department for five years.

2011

The College of Criminal Justice Education applies for accreditation with PAASCU and is scheduled for a formal visit.

The High School Department was given go signal for formal survey for accreditation.

On June 24, the University launches UNO-R @ 50 in celebration of its 50^th Year as a Recollect Institution (1962-2012) with the theme, UNO-R@50: The Journey continues as Cradle of Excellence.

On August 15-16, PAASCU survey team visits UNO-R for the formal survey for accreditation of the College of Criminal Justice Education.

Source: Carlos Eduardo Legaspi, Jr. The University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos Milestones! A Recollection through the Years (2005).