Father Saturnino Urios University

Father Saturnino Urios University (Filipino: Pamantasang Padre Saturnino Urios), also referred to by its acronym FSUU, is a private Roman Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution run by the Diocese of Butuan in Butuan, Philippines. It offers preschool, elementary, junior and senior high school, and college (undergraduate and graduate) courses. It was founded by

Father Saturnino Urios, SJ, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, in 1901.

History

Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) traces its origins to October 21, 1901, when Rev. Father Saturnino Urios, a Spanish member of the Society of Jesus (SJ), established a boys' school in Butuan. The school, a low brick structure adjacent to the old Butuan church, was founded in response to public school laws that prohibited teachers from discussing religion. Fr. Urios, along with other Spanish clergy, sought to provide free Catholic education that fostered both intellectual and moral development. Despite facing opposition from American non-Catholic soldiers, who also served as public school teachers, Fr. Urios remained steadfast in his commitment to Catholic education in Butuan.

By 1927, as government regulation over public and private education intensified, Fr. Jose Buxo, the last Spanish Jesuit priest in Butuan, pursued official recognition for the parochial school as an elementary institution. The Jesuits faced persistent financial difficulties in maintaining the school. The expulsion of Spanish priests by the American military government in the early 1900s led to the Vatican commissioning the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), a religious order, to serve in Surigao, which at the time included Butuan. The first MSC missionaries arrived on December 8, 1908.

Following the death of Fr. Urios on October 27, 1916, the Jesuits continued to manage the elementary school. However, on December 8, 1935, Dutch MSC priests, previously stationed in Surigao, assumed leadership of Catholic education in Butuan, replacing the remaining Spanish Jesuits. Among their early contributions was the reconstruction of the Church of Butuan and the Butuan Parochial School in 1937.

In 1939, the MSC Fathers expanded the institution by opening a high school department and renaming it Father Urios High School in honor of its founder. The first principal of the high school, Rev. Fr. Antonius Jansen, MSC, was appointed in April 1941. However, the onset of World War II, marked by the Japanese invasion of the Philippines on December 8, 1941, disrupted normal operations. Following the war, reconstruction efforts commenced, and Fr. Jansen resumed his role as principal in 1945. Under his leadership, the elementary building was rebuilt, and a new wooden high school structure was constructed adjacent to the convent.

On July 1, 1947, Fr. Jansen secured government recognition for Fr. Urios High School, where he also became the first rector. The first batch of high school graduates completed their studies in 1948. That same year, Miss Aurora Rosales, a Butuan native, was appointed principal of the elementary school, a position she held until 1979.

Administration and organization

FSUU has a board of trustees, which elects the president and two vice presidents (academics and research & administrative and student affairs).

Colleges

FSUU has 9 undergraduate colleges, and two postgraduate colleges (the College of Law, and Graduate Studies), based in the main campus. It also has a basic education unit at the Abp. Morelos Campus, offering K-12 education.

Notable people

Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri – the 46th Chief of Staff of the AFP

Jason James Dy – the grand champion of ABS-CBN's The Voice of the Philippines Season 2

Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba - Agusan del Norte Representative from second District and Governor of Agusan del Norte (1995-2004, 2013-2019, 2022-present)

• Atty. Archie Francisco F. Gamboa - the 21st Chief of the Philippine National Police, lawyer
• Engr. Ronnievic Lagnada – Civil Engineer; 14th Mayor of Butuan (2016–2025)
• Santiago Cane Jr. - Governor of Agusan del Sur (2019-present)

Atty. Law Fortun - Lawyer; 15th Mayor of Butuan (2025-present), Agusan del Norte 1st district representative (2013-2022) and Vice-Mayor of Butuan (2010-2013, 2022-2025)

Sister schools

• Father Urios Institute of Technology of Ampayon, Inc. (Ampayon, Butuan)
• Father Saturnino Urios College of Bayugan, Inc. (Bayugan)
• Father Saturnino Urios College of Sibagat, Inc. (Sibagat)
• Father Saturnino Urios College of Trento, Inc. (Trento, Agusan del Sur)
• Father Urios Academy of Magallanes, Inc. (Magallanes, Agusan del Norte)
• Father Urios Academy of Hinatuan, Inc. (Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur)
• Father Urios High School - Prosperidad (Prosperidad)
• Mt. Carmel College of San Francisco, Inc. (San Francisco, Agusan del Sur)
• Mt. Carmel High School of Rosario, Inc. (Rosario, Agusan del Sur)
• Our Lady of Carmen Academy of Caraga, Inc. (Carmen, Agusan del Norte)
• Candelaria Institute of Technology of Cabadbaran, Inc. (Cabadbaran)
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy - Kitcharao, Inc. (Kitcharao)
• Saint Michael College of Caraga, Inc. (Nasipit)
• Saint James High School of Buenavista, Inc. (Buenavista, Agusan del Norte)

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