Saint Michael College of Caraga - School's History

School's History

In 1948, Nasipit wa still a part of the Parish of Buenavista whose Parish Priest was late Fr. martin Westeinde, a Dutch MSC. As the town progresses, population also increased and business gained momentum with the start of the logging industry of Nasipit, Lumber Company(NALCO). Fr Martin and his co-adjuter Fr. Atanacio de Castro saw the need of putting-up a secondary school. Fr. De Castro was made a incharge of the school.

It started its operation on July 1, 1948 with fr. Francisco Van Dyke as the first Director. He was succeeded by Fr. Enrique Van Ma-anen, Fr. Vicente Portillo, Fr. Mateo van Santvoord, and Fr. Anthony Krol in the order of succession. Fr. Krol was the last Dutch Priest who served as the School Director.

The school site is beside the rectory with an area of 1, 630 sq. m. Fr. Gerard Cruijen, one of the subsequent Directors converted the nipa- wooden structure into two-storey building with 16 classrooms.

When the Filipinization Law was implemented in 1975 a layman, Mr Gregorio Orais, became the first layman School Director until he retired in 1977. He was followed by Mr. Antonio L. Suarez, the first layman Director/Principal of the school. Faro Gatchalian followed until 1985, then Mrs. Necita Lim took the helm of Directorship until 1991 while acting also as the Principal of St. James High School of Buenavista, an adjacent town of Nasipit. In 1991, Fr. Achilles Ayaton became the School Director until 1993. In 1994, Msgr. Cesar L. Gatela took over the School's Directorship until 1999 when he succumbed to a cardiac arrest. In his term, he bought 19 computers integrating the Computer technology subject in all levels of the High School Department.

The Teatro, Sayaw, at Awit Production(TESAW Production), Center of the Michaelinian Performing Arts was established on June 01, 1997 with Dr. Dennis P. Mausisa as the Founder and Artistic Director.

In 1999, Msgr. Juan de Dios Pueblos, the Bishop of Butuan appointed Msgr. Bienvinido A. Betaizar, PC as the School Director who was later promoted as School President until at present.

June 2000, Msgr. Betaizar opened the Grade School department with Mrs. Minda R. Cocon as the first Principal offering Grades I-IV and the College Department with Technical Courses offering with Mr. Antonio L. Suarez as the College Administrator until his death on February 2002.

June 2001, Baccalaureate Programs were opened which include Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management and Bachelor of Arts in English Language. The Planning and Development Center was established with Dr. Dennis P. Mausisa as the Head of Office.

February 16, 2002, the name Saint Michael's Institute was replaced with Saint Michael College of Caraga as suggested by Mrs. Vanica P. del Rosario during the 1st SMI General Assembly. The name was duly approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In 2002, Dr. Dennis P. Mausisa unveiled the SMCC's Vision 2020 with the flagship program "Magbayanihan Tayo". SMCC's Vision 2020 is a lon range master plan of SMCC for seven key areas: Personnel, Instruction and Curriculum, Physical Plant and Facilities, Library, Student Services, Community Extension Service, and Research and Accreditation. This year also, within three years of operation the College Department was named as one of the Top Three Performing Schools in the Caraga for the Kabalikat Award 2002 of TESDA. Additional courses were opened like 2-Year Computer-Based Accounting Technology, 2 Year Tourism Technology and 2 Year Computer-Technician. Speech subject was introduced in all departments complete with the state of the art speech facilities.

2003, the Accounting Department was established.

June 10, 2005, a four storey concrete building was inaugurated. The Elementary Department was transferred from the Montinola Building to the main campus where the new building is situated. The new building housed the different offices, Preschool, High School, Mini Hotel, AVR and Faculty Rooms. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science was opened. Mini School bus was acquired.

2006, SMCC Angel Festival was introduced by Dr. Mausisa to the Michaelinian community.

2007, SMCC launches the SMCC Website www.smccnasipit.edu.ph.

2008, College Department awarded by TESDA Region XIII as MODEL TVET Provider School in Agusan del Norte-Butuan City. The SMCC school logo was changed.

2009, Bureau of Immigration granted the school the accreditation permit to accept Foreign Students from Preschool to College. Commission on Higher Education granted the permit to operate Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

2010, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and One Year Seafarer were opened.

2012, additional programs were opened the Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, additional majors in Secondary Education in Math and Science, and the Housekeeping NCII. TESDA bundled programs were opened the Two year Hotel and Restaurant Management with qualifications in Food and Beverage Services NC II and Housekeeping NCII, Two year Information Technology with qualifications in Computer Hardware Servicing NCII and Computer Programming NC IV and Two year Computer Electronics Servicing NC II. New School's Vision and Mission Statement(DBES) as agreed by the DBES Board.

At present, SMCC is getting Bigger, Better, Stronger, and Holier.