A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

The DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY (DMMMSU)

had a very humble beginning. It started as a small agricultural high school known as the
La Union Agricultural School (LUAS) by virtue of R.A. 2692 on June 18 1960, under the
supervision of the former La Union School of Arts and Trades (LUSAT). Eight years
later. It was converted to an agricultural college named The Don Mariano Marcos
Memorial College of Agriculture (DMMMCA) by virtue of R.A. No. 5310, in memory of
Don Mariano Marcos who presumably died within the vicinity of the main campus of the
University. On December 10, 1974, the former President of the Philippines Ferdinand E.
Marcos signed PD.. No. 1617 the Balaoan School of Fisheries in Paraoir, Balaoan, La
Union was integrated into the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College
(DMMMSC).

On January 15, 1981 after seven years of being a state college, the Dona
Mariano Marcos Memorial State University was created to fulfill the aspirations of the
people for a University for Rural Development. P.D. 19778 integrated five (5) discrete
colleges/schools namely (1) The Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College
(DMMMSC) as the main campus: (2) the La Union School of Arts and Trades (LUSAT)
in San Fernando founded in 1907, as its College of Engineering and Technology: (3) the
Southern Ilocos Polytechnic State College (SIPSC) created by PD No. 1176 in July 28,
1977 that integrated the La Union National High School in Agoo, the Sto. Tomas
College of Fisheries and the Rosario National Agriculture School in Rosario, La Union
was reconstituted into the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fisheries and
the College of Agriculture; (4) The Community College of La Union (CCLU), founded in
San Fernando by the Provincial Board was identified as the College of Liberal Arts: and
(5) the Sapilang Elementary School, formerly under the Department of Education
Culture and Sports (DECS), was integrated into the main campus as its Laboratory
Elementary School.

Dr. Bienvenido P Agpaoa became the first University President until his untimely
death in October 1988. Dr. Agpaoa’s stewardship was defined by massive academic
improvement and infrastructure development. He was succeeded by Dr. Manuel T.
Corpus, the former President of the Cagayan State University who was formally
installed in a turning over ceremony as the second University President on February 18,
1989. During the interim period from Dr. Agpaoa’s death and Dr. Corpuz’s assumption
into office, the University’s affair were managed by and Dr. Pablito G. Picardal as
Officer-in-Charge.
 When Dr. Manuel T. Corpus assumed the university Presidency, the mandate
was clear for him: the University must be responsive to the needs, problems and
concerns of the faculty, studentry and the community. In response to this challenge, he
has painstakingly directed the University’s three (3) fold mission of instruction, research
and extension as well as the production activities that were reflective of the university’s
vision to quality and relevant education. The University’s trek toward modernization and
computerization was reflective of his tenure of office.

Through the initiative and chairmanship of Dr. Manuel T. Corpus, he restricted

the university in 1993 in accordance with the Six-Year Development Plan (1993-1998).
The University was reorganized into three major campuses namely: north La Union
Campus in Bacnotan as the main Campus; Mid L Union Campus in San Fernando: and
South La Union Campus in Agoo.

The NORTH LA UNION CAMPUS at Bacnotan, La Union is composed of the

former College of Fisheries in Balaoan, now FRTI; the Institute of Veterinary Medicine;
and College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF).

The MID-LA UNION CAMPUS at San Fernando, La Union then made up of the
College of Engineering and Technology; and the College of Liberal Arts was
recomposed to form the following Colleges/School: College of Engineering (CE),
College of Teacher Education (CTEd); College of Arts and Management (CAM),
College of Technology (CT); College of Law(CLAW), and the School of Midwifery
(SOM).

Meanwhile the College of Education (CE), the Institute of Sciences(IS), the

Institute of Fisheries (IF) in Sto. Tomas and the Institute of Agriculture (IA) in Rosario
comprise the SOUTH LA UNION CAMPUS in Agoo, La Union.

Two other opening units compose the structural functions of the University (1) the
Graduate College, based mainly in San Fernando City also maintain annex departments
at the North and South Campuses; and (2) the DMMMSU Open University System
(DOUS) was created by BOR 98-024 in March 26, 1978 and was initiated by Dr. Manuel
T. Corpus to provide alternative instructional modes and delivery systems.

The university has 59 regular academic programs broken down into six (6) post
graduate programs in Philosophy and Education: 24 masteral degree program: 25
undergraduate program with 65 specialization areas; nine (9) most secondary non-
degree programs a laboratory programs for both the secondary and elementary levels
and eight (8) evening opportunity classes that cater to the out-of-school youth, the
DOUS provide curricular offering from the graduate to the diploma courses to include
two (2) Master’s degree; one (1) Bachelor programs; and certificates it Early Childhood
Education Teaching and Entrepreneurship.
 On July 14, 1994, Dr. Dionisio Gat Ducusin took over the helm of DMMMSU for
one-and-a-half years only to serve the unexpired term of the former President Dr.
Manuel T. Corpus who retired as the third president of the university, he was able to
institute some institutional reforms and behavioral/attitudinal changes. Before the term
of President expired, a Search Committee for DMMMSU Presidency was then created
with Commissioner Roberto Padua as Chairperson, Dr. Daniel Bolong, General
Manager Ramon Posadas, Dr. Feliciano Rosete, Mr. Marvin Ordoño, as members and
Dr. Rogelio Villanueva as Secretary.

After a rigid screening by the Search Committee, Dr. Ernesto R. Gapasin

emerged the victor over his four (4) other opponents. On January 4, 2001, Dr. Ernesto
R. Gapasin took his oath of office as the fourth DMMMSU President at the CHED,
Manila before the Hon. Ester Garcia, CHED Chairman.

Under the stewardship of President Ernesto R. Gapasin, a dynamic hardworking

and development-oriented leader, DMMMSU dares to make its rightful place among the
best and finest institutional of higher learning in the country today. This is manifested in
his vision, which shall be realized through a three-point agenda for the next four years
and these specific activities are as follows.

Enhance and upgrade DMMMSU’s academic programs in relation to domestic

and global development thrusts and manpower demands.

Refocus and intensify its search and development priorities embodying high-end,
low-cost technologies for sustained growth of village-level scale enterprises (SMES) in
commodities which are market-oriented and demand-driven, pro-poor and labor-
intensive and:

Generate a university status and governance which is globally respected as a

symbol of human integrity and trustee of civilization, intellectual culture and knowledge
society.

With Dr. Gapasin at the helm, DMMMSU is destined to achieve a scale of greater
heights as it faces the awesome challenges of the 21 st century. As the first University
President of this New Millennium, we embark on new and better paths and courses of
action, for we do not want to be left behind as an anachronism of the past but move
forward, facing the challenges with determination and dedication in light of the need and
demands of the times.
 DMMMSU HYMN

Hail Beloved Alma Mater

Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Your honored name will shine forever
Keep your glorious fame resounding far and near
From your portals we learn in skills unknown before
And heads and hands keep on craving for more
Oh Hail! beloved institution
Never shall we Stand forlorn
from you a new era is born
To keep life smoothly moving on

You are our inspiration in our quest for knowledge and wisdom
You fulfill a noble mission in instruction, research and extension
You give the best solution in transforming our land into a great nation
And though the years may come and go our love for you will grow

Beloved University WE ARE PROUD OF YOU

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU