Truth Veritas: Meriam Colleges

Miriam College is a private, Catholic college in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines. It was established in 1926 as the Malabon Normal School by the Sister of the Maryknoll Congregation.

Miriam College is
a premier Filipino Catholic institution of learning
that forms leaders in service
who combine competence with caring,
are rooted in Filipino culture and Asian tradition,
and yet are citizens of the world.

Miriam College,
by integrating the work of education with the life of faith,
develops persons, particularly girls and young women,
to build the Filipino nation and
to be co-creators of God’s kingdom on earth.

Miriam College is
committed to excellent academic programs
infused with Christian values,
enhanced by modern technology and
enriched by national and international linkages.

Finally, Miriam College
commits itself to
creating and living within our school community
the very changes we seek to realize in society

Miriam College,
in partnership with families and the community,
provides quality and relevant Christian education
that prepares students to become
effective leaders
lifelong learners
and productive citizens.

It offers excellent programs
at the basic, tertiary, post graduate
and adult education levels through
learner-centered,
value-integrating,
research-based and
innovative approaches.

Miriam College is committed to the values of truth, justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

TRUTH: We believe in the power of knowledge and the liberating force of truth. We commit ourselves to the systematic and scientific search for truth and to fairness and openness in its pursuit. We reject all forms of deceit, falseness and dishonesty. We strive for the highest quality of intellectual and academic output at the same time that we recognize and value the wisdom of the heart.

JUSTICE: We believe that all human beings should be equally blessed to be responsible for and to enjoy the fruits of knowledge-generation and social progress. We commit ourselves to a society where power and opportunity are equally shared and where the “naked are clothed and the hungry are fed.” We reject discrimination of any kind against any individual or any group. We believe in gender equality and strive for and support a diverse and interdependent human community in which people’s rights, welfare and empowerment are centrally valued.

PEACE: We believe that we should be peace-builders. We also believe that peace means the absence of violence as well as the presence of values, attitudes, behavior and ways of life based on non-violence and respect for the fundamental rights and freedom of every person. We reject violence of every form and in every social interaction and all institutions. We are committed to work for creative and constructive ways of solving conflict and to foster caring and loving relationships among all human beings and between humans and the rest of creation.

INTEGRITY OF CREATION: We believe that God has called us to be stewards of all creation and that the well-being and happiness of future generations rest upon sustainable and equitable systems and processes of production and consumption. We reject destruction of the environment and waste of natural resources. We commit ourselves to care for the earth and to practice a lifestyle that sustains the health of the planet on which all life depends.

Despite being known as Maryknoll College until 1989, the college has not been administrated by the Maryknoll sisters since 1977. It is composed of a co-educational pre-school and kindergarten; a grade school, high school, and college for women; and a co-educational graduate school.

Its current president is Patricia Licuanan. It is primarily a college that focuses on liberal arts.

History

In 1926 Reverend Michael O’ Doherty requested that the Sisters of the Maryknoll Congregation in New York initiate a teacher-training program for women in the Philippines.

The Malabon Normal School was established inside a remodeled Augustinian Convent. The school transferred sites several times until 1952, when it officially changed its name to the Maryknoll College, and made a permanent site in Quezon City.

After wards, Maryknoll College gradually expanded its programs from training teachers to the formation of women leaders, and in the process developed a liberal arts college.

Since then, the school has continued to grow in student population, programs, services.

After the Second Vatican Council, the Maryknoll congregation began to evaluate its work, not only in the Philippines but worldwide, in the light of their original apostolate as a missionary order.

In 1977, the ownership and management of the school was turned over to lay administrators.

In accordance with the agreement, the name Maryknoll was to be changed for the promotion of the school. In 1989, after a series of consultations, Maryknoll College was re-named Miriam College.

Miriam College has since expanded its course offerings and set up three major centers for curriculum development, research and community outreach—the Environmental Studies Institute, the Center for Peace Education and the Women and Gender Institute.

The story of Miriam College dates back to 1926 when the Archbishop of Manila, requested the Sisters of the Maryknoll Congregation in New York to initiate a teacher-training program for women in the Philippines. In an old remodeled Augustinian Convent in Malabon, Rizal, the Malabon Normal School was established.

The school transferred sites several times until finally in 1952, with its name officially changed to Maryknoll College, it laid down its permanent roots in Diliman (or Loyola Heights), Quezon City.

A long period of stability and growth followed. Maryknoll College expanded its programs from training teachers to the formation of women leaders, thus a liberal arts college was developed. The school grew in student population, in programs, services and reputation, justifiably achieving recognition as a school where academic excellence, communication skills, competence, individuality and social responsibility were developed in its students.

Its graduates have distinguished themselves in various professions. Several have been cabinet secretaries, legislators, accomplished businesswomen, entrepreneurs, educators and leaders of government and non-governmental organizations. To date, nineteen alumnae have been selected as “The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service” (TOWNS) awardees.

After Vatican II, the Maryknoll congregation began to evaluate its work, not only in the Philippines but worldwide, in the light of their original apostolate as a missionary order. In the 60s, the Maryknoll congregation saw the readiness of the Filipino laity to continue the educational mission they had started. In 1977, the ownership and management of the school was turned over to lay administrators.

In accordance with the agreement, the name Maryknoll was to be changed to pave the way for the promotion of the school’s unique identity, distinct although not disconnected from the identity of the Maryknoll sisters. In 1989, after a series of consultations, Maryknoll College was re-named Miriam College.

To meet the challenges of the times, Miriam College has expanded its course offerings and set up four major centers for curriculum development, research and community outreach – the Environmental Studies Institute, the Center for Peace Education, the Institutional Network for Social Action and the Women and Gender Institute.