Saint Columban College


Saint Columban College is a private educational institution run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pagadian in Pagadian City, Philippines. Founded in 1957 as Saint Columban School, Columban is the largest among the Diocesan Schools of Pagadian. Columban offers elementary, secondary, and tertiary education. The Accountancy and Information Technology programs are distinguished as a Center for Excellence and Center for Excellence and Development, respectively.

History

Saint Columban School

Saint Columban College was founded as Saint Columban School in 1957 by Fr. Sean Nolan of the Missionary Society of St. Columban with Sisters Teresita del Niño Jesus Reyes, Isabel of the Angels Narciso, Marie Odille Cayetano, and Anne Bacomo of the Sisters of Saint Paul de Chartres. Under the leadership of Fr. Patrick Campion, S.S.C., Saint Columban School went "full operation" offering only secondary education.
In 1963, Columban started offering undergraduate programs in Liberal Arts, Education, Secretarial, and Commerce. To accommodate the new college students, a new three-story building was built on the main campus.
In 1965, Columban opened the elementary school under Sister Eugenie de Marie, SPC, as principal.

Saint Columbans College

Saint Columbans School grew into a college and in 1967 it was renamed Saint Columban College. By 1970, the college programs were transferred to the present college campus in Cerilles-Sagun Streets.
In 1978, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pagadian took over the administration and control of the College from the Missionary Society of St. Columban through Bishop Jesus B. Tuquib. Tuquib became Chairman of the Board Trustees. Fr. Jose Maria Luengo was subsequently installed as the first Filipino President of the College. The "SCC Hymn" was later composed by Luengo with Bishop Patricio Getigan and Sister Agnes Lawrence Catalan.
On its 25th Anniversary in 1982, Columban inaugurated a new four-storey building in the college campus which today houses the College of Business Education.

Recent History and Present

The College of Computer Studies opened in 2002. Its Information Technology program is now recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center for Excellence and Development.
On November 8, 2006, a fire incident reduced the main building at the high school campus into ashes displacing some classes for a year. Spare rooms and repurposed laboratories at the high school and grade school campuses housed the displaced classes.
In 2008, Columban inaugurated the first phase of the new and bigger main building at the high school campus. The building now houses majority of the classes, the chemistry laboratory, two computer laboratories, the audio-visual room, library, school clinic, and offices of the faculty, school treasurer, registrar, guidance counselor, and school principal.
The college campus received a facade overhaul in 2011 with the construction of the St. Therese Building. The building houses administrative offices, the guidance and counseling center, and the college chapel.

Governance

Columban is governed by the Board of Trustees led by Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of Pagadian, as Chairman. In a concelebrated mass during the "Pasalamat Festival" on January 2017, Fr. Rico P. Sayson, J.C.L. was introduced as School President replacing Fr. Gilbert M. Hingone, S.T.L..

Campuses

Columban has three campuses. The grade school and high school campuses are divided only by the boundary between Balangasan and Sto. Niño districts of the City.