Adamson University - History

History

George Lucas Adamson, a Greek chemist from Athens, founded the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry on June 20, 1932 to train young men and women in practical industrial chemistry. started as a one-classroom school that evolved into the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry and Engineering on February 19, 1936. Its application for university status was approved by the Secretary of Public Instruction on February 5, 1941 and thereafter it has been known as Adamson University.

Shortly after the opening, George Adamson invited his cousin Alexander Athos Adamson to work in the school. Alexander Adamson joined the administration on July 15, 1932, serving at various times as Vice-President, Treasurer and Registrar. In 1934, Alexander's brother, George Athos Adamson, came to work in the school, becoming Dean of the College of Engineering of the university.

Evdoxia Savaides Adamson, wife of George Lucas Adamson, started working and teaching in the university in 1939, then served as Dean of the College of Education and of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Sofia Adamson, George Athos Adamson's wife, taught in the College of Education after arriving in 1939 and briefly served as Directress of the Junior Normal College.

With the exception of George Athos and Sofia, who left after the Second World War, all the members of the Adamson family remained working in the university until its turnover to the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the Mission in 1964. George Lucas Adamson served as President from the beginning until 1967, for a total of 35 years including a three-year holdover stint.

Before finally settling on its permanent home along Saint Marcelino Street in 1946 after the war, the school had three different locations: Sta. Cruz (1932–1933), San Miguel (1933–1939) and Intramuros (1939–1941). In San Marcelino, the university expanded with the acquisition of the Meralco building in 1968 and the St. Theresa's College-Manila campus in 1977, both adjacent.

The transfer of ownership in 1964 incorporated the university into the Adamson-Ozanam Educational Institutions, Inc. It also led to its transition from a secular to a Catholic institution, with the Vincentians holding top administrative posts and becoming majority members of the Board of Trustees. St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the C.M., was declared university patron saint and the motto "Veritas in Caritate" (Truth in Charity) was adopted.

Although the university was founded as a secular school, when the Vincentian Fathers took over, they introduced religious programs to place it in line with the ideals of Catholic education. A theology department was opened and campus ministry was strengthened, Masses were held daily, religious icons and celebrations were introduced on the University campus.

Leandro I. Montañana, a Spanish Vincentian, was the second President, but the first under the Vincentian (C.M.) administration. He served in that capacity until 1985 when Rolando S. Dela Goza, the first Filipino President, took the office and held it until 1994. Next came Jimmy Belita, university President until 2003 who in turn was succeeded by the current President Gregorio L. Bañaga, Jr..

While remaining best known for its chemistry and engineering programs, the university gradually added architecture, sciences, pharmacy, business, education, liberal arts, law, graduate, basic education, and theology courses. In the 1990s, it registered its highest enrollment figure ever: 21,994 students. Practically-oriented programs were added: information technology (computer) and health care (nursing, caregiver).

Adamson University celebrated its diamond jubilee on February 5–11, 2007 during which occasion it was also declared a Historic Site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.