Divine Word College of Laoag

Divine Word College of Laoag
Motto	Deo et Patriae (For God and Country)
Established	1946
Type	Private, Catholic College
Religious affiliation	DWEA, CEAP
President	Fr. Reynaldo B. Jimenez, SVD
Admin. staff	185
Undergraduates	Approx.
Postgraduates	Approx.
Location	Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Campus	1
Hymn	PRIDE of the North
Colors	blue and gold
Nickname	PRIDE of the North
Website	http://www.dwcl.edu.ph

The Divine Word College of Laoag, earlier known as Saint William's College, is a Catholic institution of higher learning run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It was founded by Rev. Fr. Alphonse Mildner, SVD in 1946.

History

Founding

In February 1945, Rev. Fr. Alphonse M. Mildner, SVD upon the advice of the Father Provincial, Rev. Fr. Kondring, SVD, proceeded to Laoag, Ilocos Norte to see the possibility of establishing a Catholic school. This was the response to the persistent invitation of Rev. Msgr. Ignacio Cordero, the parish priest at that time.

From the time the school formally opened in July 1946, the administration composed of Fr. Alphonse Mildner, SVD Director, Fr. John D. Vogelgesang, SVD, Procurator and Mr. Federico D. Sales, Registrar, was beset with seemingly insurmountable problems such as the need of teachers, books, supplies and equipment. Dr. Felino Palafox is noted to have been the first teacher to sign up and then later became the first physician. To meet the problems of classrooms and offices, the administration requested to owners of buildings near the parish for this temporary purpose.

Three months after the formal opening of classes, the first issue of the school’s official organ, the Guide was published with Leandro Batara as the First editor-in-chief. Today, it is called Williamite. One year later, the maiden issue of the school’s annual Logos came off the press. Both publications spoke loudly and still do of the lofty ideals fostered by the institution.

Mildner Hall

In 1947, Fr. John Simon, SVD came to Laoag to direct the construction of a combined high school and auditorium building which is now called the Mildner Hall in honor of the Founder.

The SVD day (September 8) of 1948 highlighted with the grand inauguration and blessing of the imposing three-storey building with an auditorium known as Mildner Hall. The college hymn “Pride of the North” was sung for the first time. It was composed by Mr. Jose L. Pedro, an instructor of the school. It was also in the same year that the school seal was made, incorporating the motto “Deo et Patriae”.

Growth

The college first offered the following courses, namely, Commerce, Education, Liberal Arts, Junior Normal, Secretarial and High School. To add to these courses, the college started to offer Preparatory Law in 1946. Government recognition was obtained in 1951 for the following programs: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and Bachelor of Science in Commerce. Two years after, government recognition was also given to 1-year Collegiate Secretarial Course. In 1963, the Diploma in Secretarial Science was granted government recognition.

On September 21, 1968, the SVD Superior General, Very Rev. Fr. John Musinsky came to study the school’s situation and consequently announced the approval of the construction of a new building on a sprawling eight hectares of land. It was under the supervision of Fr. Bernard Donahey, SVD that the said building was erected.

Name change

The SVD did not only expand and improve on the school’s physical structure, but also on the other areas like the library. Donation of reference and research materials by the SVD friends abroad helped in the improvement of the library. It was in October 1964 when the school changed its name from St. William’s College to Divine Word College of Laoag in order to achieve uniformity in identity with other SVD-run schools. It was on that same year that the school established a guidance office.

It was during the incumbency of Fr. Ambrosio Manaligod, SVD that the DWCL Graduate School of Business Administration opened and began functioning as the first in Northern Ilocos. Government recognition for the Master in Business Administration program was obtained in 1977.

Accreditation

July 18, 1988, is a date to reckon in the history of DWCL. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, upon the certification of the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines, awarded the deregulated status - Level II- to the Divine Word College of Laoag for its Liberal Arts, Education, and Commerce.

The college has since continued to reap further recognition. Among the more important ones are the school’s being chosen as a Learning Center for the University of the Philippines’ Open University and a participating institution to the Commission on Higher Educations’ Expanded Tertiary Education and Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

Today, with more than half a century of educational experience, activity and service behind it, the Divine Word College of Laoag continues to meet the challenge of providing quality Christian education and turning over to society graduates who have become assets to their respective professions and communities.

Through the years, it can be truly said that the SVD community, the academic and administrative personnel, the students and their parents have been partners of Divine Word College of Laoag.

Current administration and cabinet members

• President – Rev. Fr. Reynaldo B. Jiminez, SVD
• Vice President for Administration – Rev. Fr. Antonio Calautit, SVD
• Vice Presidemt for Finance – Rev. Fr. Romeo Fajardo, SVD
• Vice President for Religious Affairs – Rev. Fr. Nicandro Vergara, SVD
• Vice President for Academic Affairs – Prof. Romana L. Bitancor
• Director for Human Resource and Development (HRD) – Prof. Reynaldo M. Lazo
• Director for Research and Accreditation Center – Prof. Nimfa C. Catbagan

Board of Trustees

• Chaiman : Rev. Fr. Jerome A. Adriatico, SVD
• Vice-Chairman : Rev. Reynaldo B. Jimenez, SVD
• Trustee/Secretary : Rev. Fr. Dominador O. Ramos, SVD
• Trustee/Treasurer : Rev. Fr. Ambrose L. Ponce, SVD
• Trustee : Bro. Alfredo B. Corton, SVD

Department heads

• Registrar – Prof. Janette Ragonjan Lazaro
• Research & Accreditation Center – Prof. Nimfa Cobardo Catbagan
• Human Resource Department – Reynaldo M. Lazo
• Student Affairs Office – Prof. Michael Madamba
• Learning Resource Center – Nonita Arzadon Billaco
• Information and Communications Technology – Wilfredo Bienes Lorenzo Jr.
• Community Extension & Development Center – Prof. Jennifer Custorio Lacuata

Schools

• Graduate School – Prof. Sylvia Lalaine Grace L. Foronda,
• School of Engineering and Architecture – Prof. Allan Almo Dela Rosa
• School of Nursing – Prof. Imelda R. Carlos
• School of Business and Accountancy – Prof. Frelyn Badua Ranay
• School of Arts and Sciences – Prof. Libertine Ruadap Macaspac
• School of Education – Dr. Glorietta Bolo Sabas
• School of Information Technology – Prof. John Paul Marcos Calamaan
• School of Basic Education – Prof. Asuncion P. Bumanglag

Past and present presidents

• 1946–1950 Rev. Fr. Alphones M. Mildner, SVD
• 1950–1952, 1954–1955 Rev. Fr. John Vogelgesang, SVD
• 1952–1954 Rev. Fr. Juan Salzman, SVD
• 1955–1958 Rev. Fr. Alphonse Lessage, SVD
• 1958–1961 Rev. Fr. Raymund Kunkel, SVD
• 1961–1967 Rev. Fr. Stephan Szmutko, SVD
• 1967–1970 Rev. Fr. Bernard Donaghey, SVD
• 1972–1975 Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Manaligod, SVD
• 1975–1977 Rev. Fr. Gregorio Buenavista, SVD
• 1982–1983 Rev. Frt. Gregorio Pizarro, SVD
• 1983–1987 Rev. Fr. Isabelo San Luis, SVD
• July 1985 – January 1986 Rev. Fr. Luis Lapus, SVD
• 1987–1993 Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ponce, SVD
• 1993–1994 Rev. Fr. Raul Manaligod, SVD
• 1970–1972, 1994–1999 Rev. Fr. Michael O. Padua, SVD
• 1999–2002 Rev. Fr. Antonio E. Alagao, SVD
• 2002–2005 Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Jimenez, SVD
• 2005–2008 Rev. Fr. Rodel G. Arellano, SVD
• 2008 – present Rev. Fr. Reynaldo Jimenez, SVD

References

• Divine Word College of Laoag
• Faculty and Student Manuals
• DWCL College Catalog
• The Ilocos Review 2007 Volume 31
• Annual Reports

External links

• Official website