Benguet State University - History

History

This 90-year old school is nestled in the heart of La Trinidad, Benguet the strawberry capital of the Philippines.
Its history dates back to the time when the Baguio-La Trinidad road was only a rough horse trail in 1916. That was the year when the La Trinidad Experiment Station of the Bureau of Agriculture was turned over to the Bureau of Education. By this turn of events, the La Trinidad Farm School was opened with 30 pupils in Grade V.
This development trail blazed the school's metamorphosis, as it expanded its services and heightened its prominence in the area. According to earlier reports, the Farm School was planned ultimately to develop into a large normal school, where the best Igorot pupils will be given special training for the service as teachers among their own people with emphasis on agricultural education.
The school was renamed La Trinidad National Agricultural School (LTNAS). Four months later, it was nationalized and named the Mountain National Agricultural School (MNAS). It was soon converted into the Mountain National College (MNAC); Mountain Agricultural College ( MAC ); and eventually, the Mountain State Agricultural College (MSAC) in 1969 through RA 5923.
On January 12, 1986, the College was converted to a state university by virtue of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 2010 signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Initiatives for this development started in the 70's when former Assemblyman Andres A. Cosalan filed a bill for the elevation of the Mountain State Agricultural College to a University.
Later in 1984, the incumbent Congressman, Samuel M. Dangwa refiled the bill with some amendments until PD 2010 was signed. Another local leader responsible for the attainment of university status was former Benguet Governor Ben Palispis.
From 1916 until the late forties, the school was headed by Donato Cariño, James A. Wright, J.R. Zollanger, Clayton Abbot, Glen Grisham, Russel Taylor, Clayton C. Douglas, and Luis J. Dangilan.
Succeeding heads were Constancio T. Medrana, Julian Mamaril, Amado C. Tolentino, Bruno M. Santos, Pedro Ventura, Antonio G. Dumlao, Lawana T. Batcagan, Fortunato A. Battad, Lucio B. Victor, Cipriano C. Consolacion and the incumbent President Rogelio D. Colting.