The Union Christian College (UCC) is one of the few tertiary schools based in the City of San Fernando which is known as the "Botanical Garden of the North" and also acknowledged as the Regional Center of Region I. It is ideally located on a hill overlooking the vast Lingayen Gulf. The province of La Union, the immediate service area of the College, is typical of the Ilocos Region - it has vast undeveloped marginal lands in the hillsides and barely tapped marine resources but with sturdy folks. Thus, with this challenging environment, UCC, aside from its primary mission of providing quality Christian learning, orients its programs and activities to motivate, and lead a paradigm of education from a teacher-centered program to a student-centered paradigm of development

UCC envisions itself as a distinct center of excellence providing affordable, relevant, and quality education towards a deeper Christian faith and the improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino. This vision is the cornerstone of all planning and developmental activities of the college.

Part of the college’s mission are to sustain the institutional capability and development thrusts for academic excellence, financial stability and effective teaching – learning environment; promote Christian servant leadership in all areas within the academic community; engage in alternative education through research, community development and people empowerment; and develop Christian educators and learners who are intellectually honest and creative, spiritually and ethically upright, and technologically competent and responsive to the needs, aspirations and realization of a just, free, humane and responsible society.

The Union Christian College traces its humble beginnings to the Women’s Bible Training School for deaconesses founded in November 7, 1910 by Ms. Matilde Weber, an American Missionary. This institution was the result of the merger of two schools, namely, the Bible Training College (formerly the Women’s Bible Training School) and the La Union Christian College (founded in November 17, 1946). The two schools were integrated in April 26, 1960 into what is known today as the UNION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE.

The UCC is one of the eighteen non-sectarian educational institutions affiliated with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). The other non-sectarian schools are the Ifugao Academy, College of Maasin, Northern Christian College, Southern Christian College, Pilgrim Christian College, Tabuk Institute, Kalinga Christian Learning Center, Apayao Community Learning Center, United Institute, Brokenshire College, Jimenez Bethel Institute, Farmers Institute, Dansalan College Foundation, Kalinga Academy, Central Mindanao Christian College, Abra Mountain Development Education Center and Mindanao Institute. The UCC also holds partnership in the church’s mission with the North Central Luzon Conference of UCCP and other UCCP conferences nationwide, the Bethany Hospital, the Center of Northern Development Organization for Urban Action for the Development and Management of Resources to Insure Self-Reliance (CONDORA-DAMORTIS) and the Bethany Hospital-Union Christian College Development Foundation.

Elementary education was first offered to the Christian Education (deaconess) students with the former Ms. Agapita Obaldo as the first Filipino Principal. In 1920 and again in August 1926, the first concrete building was dedicated to house the Women’s Bible Training School which was named the Otterbein Guild Hall to memorialize the gift of the women members of the Otterbein Guild of the United Brethren Church. From 1932-1933, the school was temporarily closed due to the economic depression in America. In June 1933, the school was re-opened with an expanded program in Pastoral Education for men. The school was again closed during the Japanese occupation from 1941 – 1944 but immediately after the Second World War, in June 1945, Mrs. Agapita Obaldo Bacalzo re-opened the school in Caba, La Union temporarily holding its classes at the Otterbein Memorial Church. The Rev. and Mrs. Clayton C. Witmer – a missionary couple -- were sent to undertake the reconstruction work in San Fernando, La Union. By June of the same year, the school was moved back to San Fernando in January 1946. In August of the same year, a committee headed by Rev. Onofre G. Fonceca, the Superintendent of the North Luzon Conference, was appointed by the late Bishop Cecilio P. Lorenzana to formulate plans necessary for the organization of a college in San Fernando, La Union – "to support the faith of our church and the moral education of the young people."

The blueprint of a college was completed in November 17, 1946 and the "La Union Christian College" was born with Rev. C. C. Witmer as Chair of the first Board of Trustees and Rev. Onofre G. Fonceca as its acting President until one who could serve full time was found. Mr. Roman C. Villalon became the first full-time President and Rev. C. C. Witmer became the Dean of the Department of Theology. Again in March 1947, incorporation papers were registered with the government establishing first a Junior College offering the following courses: 3 years Theology, 2 years Liberal Arts, 2 years Pre-law, Junior Normal, 2 years Teacher Education, 1st year High School, Grade I and Kindergarten.

In 1951, a Senior College Department was established after opening new courses and degree programs. Dr. Enrique C. Sobrepeña, Sr. served as President of the College and he was succeeded by Rev. Rizalino Subido in 1952.

The school decided to concentrate in Higher Education courses and High School program phasing out the kindergarten, elementary and Junior Normal programs. Degree programs in Commerce, Education, Liberal Arts and Secretarial Science were fully recognized in June 15, 1953. From 1955 to 1956, a Bible Training College operated independently from that of the La Union Christian College. However, in April 1960 – La Union Christian College and the Bible Theological College were fused into one under a new name, the "Union Christian College." From 1956 to1959, Mr. Proceso Runas was appointed Executive Dean while the school was in search for a new president. Mr. Runas was the senior administrative staff since the beginning of the La Union Christian College being both the Registrar of the College and the Principal of the High School. Dr. Aurelio Elevazo served as College President only for one year but the Board of Trustees was able to convince Mr. Samuel Capistrano to be available for the position. He was installed to office in time for the Academic Year 1961 – 1962. Under Mr. Capistrano’s leadership, the programs of the school were expanded and new building structures were built to serve the classroom needs during his administrative term.

The College of Nursing was opened in 1973 and in 1979 complete degree programs for Commerce with Accounting and Banking and Finance as major subjects were recognized.

When president Samuel Capistrano died on May 19, 1982, Atty. David Aguila was appointed interim President and served in that capacity up to May 1983. Dr. Mariano C. Apilado served as President from 1983 to 1991. It was during his term that the High School Program and some collegiate programs were accredited for the first time for Level II. Community Extension and Development Program – (UCCRAD) was developed and accredited. In 1991 and up to 1994, Dr. Eliezer D. Mapanao took over the presidency when Dr. Apilado was appointed President of the Union Theological Seminary in Cavite. Dr. Mapanao worked out the financial stability of the school, introduced a program to improve teaching competencies and managed to build a new three-storey building with a roof garden. Dr. Mapanao resigned before the School Year 1994 – 1995 started. Mrs. Esther T. Bautista was designated interim President up to November of the same year.

In November 30, 1994, Mr. Renato Andre Paraan assumed the presidency and served up to May 2000 as the 10th president of the Union Christian College. He o worked out a particular school system and structure, raised cultural awareness, upgraded salaries and wages, acquired a 10-hectare land for resource generation and possible alternative campus for new college undertakings.

The opening of the Elementary School took place in 1997 during which UCC was identified as one of the top five institutions in the region and in the whole country. PERAA also recognized UCC as the "Most Outstanding Institution" for its commitment to upgrade salaries and benefits of the faculty and staff.

Mr. Paraan resigned for a greener pasture on May 2000. Dr. Ruby Pilar Buenaventura took over to serve the unexpired term of Mr. Paraan up to 2002. The Ten-Year Institutional Program of Mr. Paraan was continued by Dr. Buenaventura. During this span of time, the general degree programs and the High School passed the re-accreditation visit for the Level II. Accounting was granted a Level I accreditation.

On May, 2002, a seasoned President, a prime mover, and a transformational leader, Rev. Filemon L. Lagon, Ph.D., was elected by the Board of Trustees to become the 12th UCC President. He was at that time the Senior Minister of the United Church of Christ, Baguio City and the Chairman of the UCC Board of Trustees. He was the former President of Northern Christian College in Laoag City from 1979 to 1986 then, President of Southern Christian College, Midsayap, Cotabato from1986 to 1995.

Dr. Lagon’s new administrative term started with the thematic thrust: "Shifting Paradigm of Education at UCC" with the following general directions and years: "Going Back to the Basics: Strengthening the Spiritual and Moral Foundation of UCC," (2002-2003); "The Quest of Academic Excellence – Quality Assurance/Enhancement," (2003 – 2004); "Leadership Quality - Enhancing the Quality of Leadership," (2004 – 2005); and "Consolidation of Development for a New Take-off," (2004 – 2005). In October 27, 2003, UCC was granted a "Deregulated Status" by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), one of the six (6) schools granted this status in Region I.

Dr. Lagon also adopted the following Agenda: COPS – Client Oriented Program of Service – A training program for non-academic personnel; INNOVATION – New Directions in the Academic Affairs – From Teaching-Centered to Learning-Centered Education/Program, Project Financial Viability, Enhancing the Capability of the NFECER Program (Non-Formal Education, Community Extension, Research and Production), New Organizational Structure on Academic Affairs and the creation of an Academic Council, the Student Development Services, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Graduate Studies, Leadership Enhancement Toward Quality Service: A Servant Leadership Model.

Dr. Lagon adopted the Administrative Thrusts "Humanology Perspective in Education for Excellence and Development," Quality Learning Improvement in all Course Offerings, Adoption of a "Client Oriented Program of Service," Creation of a Powerful Environment for Quality Teaching and Learning to achieve Liberal Enhancement and Empowerment of Leadership Potential" and "Shifting Paradigm of Education from Teacher – Centered to Student – Centered Programs".

Rev. Lagon also restored the Otterbein Hall, after 85 years. This hall was dedicated in August 26, 1920 and after its completion in 2005, it was blessed and re-dedicated in August 26, 2005. It now houses the Graduate School Office of the Dean, Graduate School Core Faculty, Graduate School Library, College of Education Office of the Dean and Faculty, Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs, classrooms and will soon have the Speech Laboratory and the CEC Office. Construction of the Covered Court that could accommodate 3,000 or more people and the Oikoumene Chapel for Spiritual Upliftment and Formation were also started.

PRESENT TIMES

On linkages, the UCC manifests a very active role in her memberships to different local, provincial, regional, and even national organizations as a member of the Church Related Education Action Toward Empowerment (CREATE-UCCP) and the Accrediting Agency, ACSCU-AAI. Expanding affiliations in the region, Union Christian College also holds memberships in the Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (APSCU); Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Ilocos Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC); the Regional Association of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions – Region I (RAPPHEI – I); Philippine Association of Graduate Education (PAGE); and the Association of Regional Registrars of Region I (AREREI) – I.

UCC Graduate School now offers two masteral programs, namely, Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in partnership with Philippine Christian University and Master of Arts in Teacher Education (MATE).

UCC has eight programs in the Undergraduate Studies, namely, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy; Bachelor of Arts in History, Political Science and English; Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management, Economics and Banking and Finance; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Two-Year Associate in Computer Technology and One-Year Certificate in Computer Technology; Bachelor in Elementary Education majors in Early Childhood Education and English; Bachelor in Secondary Education majors in Filipino, English, History, Math, General Science, PE Health & Music, and Library Science; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate in Health Science Education (AHSE); and Bachelor of Science in Office Administration with Office Management, Computer Education and Two-Year Junior Computer Secretarial.

UCC also offers short-term programs such as the Caregiver Program for six months and Clinical Nursing Aid (1 year). It offers Complete General Secondary Course (1st – 4th Years); Complete Elementary School from (Grade I – VI); and an Early Childhood Learning Center (Pre-Elementary).

The UCC College of Nursing produced 412 graduates, the biggest number of graduates for school year 2006-2007. Other top producers are the College of Arts (87 graduates) College of Commerce and Accountancy, Office Administration and JCSC (68 graduates), College of Education (49 graduates) and CAED (45 graduates). There were five graduates from the Graduate School in S.Y. 2006-2007 gettting the Masters of Arts in Education in partnership with Philippine Christian University in Manila.

The College continued to be a staunch supporter of ACCREDITATION, the only measure of quality assurance today. The following course offerings were evaluated five-year Level II – Re-accreditation Status, namely, Bachelor of Arts with three majors namely, History, Political Science and General Science; the Bachelor of Secondary Education majors in English, Filipino, Social Studies, Math, Biological Science, MAPEH; Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Commerce, majors in Management, Banking and Finance and Economics; and the Complete General Secondary Course (High School) which was granted a three-year re-accreditation status. Meanwhile, two curricular offerings were accredited Level I, namely, Bachelor of Elementary Education with General and Pre-School as areas of specialization; and Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Some of its academic programs are still preparing their accreditation, namely, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Ladderized); Associate in Computer Science (2 years) and Certificate in Computer Technology (1 year); Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, major in Computer Education, Office Management; Two-Year Computer Secretarial Science leading to the title of Diploma in Junior Computer Secretarial Course; One-Year Certificate in General Clerical Course; Complete Elementary Course; Pre-School; 6-months Caregiving Program, and 1-Year Clinical Nursing Aid Course.

With only a handful of teachers when it started in the 1920s, UCC now has a solid faculty composed of 233 faculty members. In previous years, UCC had only 201 faculty members. Of the 233 faculty members, 10 are doctoral degree holders, 46 are MA/MS degree holders, and 177 are bachelor degree holders.

The UCC Non-Teaching for SY 2006 – 2007 totalled 72 with 68 or 94.4% with regular appointments, three with contractual appointment and one probationary. Most of the employees belong to the Maintenance Department with 23 and the Library with eight staff.

The UCC’s quest for quality and excellence in instruction is seen in great part on the performance of its graduates in national licensure exams. In the June 2004 Nursing Licensure Examination, UCC ranked No. 1 in Region I and ranked 32nd in the entire country; hence, the PRC acclaimed UCC as one of the top performing institutions in Nursing in the whole country.

Major source of pride was the passing of the College of Nursing graduates who continued to perform consistently well in their Licensure Exam. Although there were no topnotchers among those who passed, UCC average performances were better than the national averages.

The UCC students also had good performance in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) whose passing rate was much higher than the national percentage of passing. This year, one student passed the Certified Public Accountancy Test (CPA) and 3 others recently passed the CPA Licensure Exams, a 75 % passing (3 out of 4).

The Rotaract Club of UCC was one of the finalists in the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations for Luzon of the National Youth Commission from among 1,000 entries. ALFONSO OLIVER JAIME, a BSN IV student, represented the Rotaract Club of UCC. He competed in the TAYO 4 Luzon Area Competition held at OSHC, Quezon City on July 27 – 28, 2006 with Mrs. Flora May Padua, as Trainor and Coach, Mr. Rodel Suyat, Adviser, and Dean Cristeta Bagtang of the College of Nursing.

Perhaps due to its performance, the College of Nursing has the highest number of enrollees for the past two - SY’s 2005 – 2006 and 2006 – 2007 - totaling 2055 and 2201, respectively. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Ladderized) came next with a total enrollees of 297 during the SY 2005 – 2006 compared to 267 this year 2006 – 2007. (Dr. Vivina E. Villanueva, College English Course Coordinator).