1901
The American soldier–mentors are replaced by the civilian American teachers, who arrive in the Philippines on August 21, 1901, on board the U.S. Army Transport Thomas. The Philippine Normal School is established, together with primary schools throughout the country.
1902
Provincial normal schools on the secondary level are established as branches of the Philippine Normal School in accordance with Section A, Act. No. 74 of the Philippine Commission. Among these normal schools are those in Vigan, Ilosoc Sur, Nueva Caceres in Bicol, Iloilo, Cebu and Cagayan de Misamis in Mindanao. The first Cebu Normal School is a rented building on Colon St., for which the Cebu provincial government pays the amount of 200 pesos monthly. This building is the old Colegio Logarta, later known as the Hijos del Pueblo, which stood on the site of the present Gaisano Main Department Store.
1904
The first batch of graduates of mixed ages is turned out by CNS.
1906
The Cebu Provincial High School is established. The building is constructed in front of the site of the present Abellana National School on Jones Avenue (now Osmeña Boulevard). The CNS curriculum is lengthened to four years , and CNS transfer to a building on the new site, where its students share teachers with the CPHS students. John Barrows, the Acting Superintendent of Schools for Cebu province, becomes its principal.
1910
The City Intermediate School (now the City Central School) is constructed beside the CPHS. Grades V – VII of the Cebu Normal School are housed in this new building.
1924
The new building intended to house a separate normal school is constructed across the street from CPHS, on the site which used to be known as Plaza Esportiva.
1925
On June 8, 1925, the Cebu Normal School is formally opened. Some classes, however, like two combination classes, Grades I – II and Grades III – IV, continue to be held at the CPHS grounds. This building is known as the CNS Extension School. Class 1926, which includes former Undersecretary of Education Narciso Albarracin, is the first batch to graduate from the new educational institution. The first principal of the new CNS is Miss Inez Crawford, an American, while the first training supervisor is Mr. Lazaro Milaor, a Filipino.
1936
With the advent of the Philippine Commonwealth, Filipino administrators also take over. Mr. Miguel Gaffud is the first Filipino principal of the CNS. The secondary normal curriculum is replaced with a two – year college curriculum, Junior Normal, which later comes to be known as ETC (Elementary Teachers Certificate)
1941
World War II breaks out. Cebu is invaded by the Japanese on April 10, 1942. CNS is used as the headquarters of Japanese general Manjome.
1944
After June 1944, CNS is used as the headquarters of the Japanese Kempeitai or Military Police. Many guerillas, their suspected sympathizers, patriots and freedom – loving Filipinos are imprisoned, tortured and executed by the Japanese, usually by beheading. Among them is the Governor of Cebu, Gov. Hilario Abellana.
March 26 , 1945
The Allied forces land on Cansojong Beach in Talisay and the liberation of Cebu begins. The Americans make CNS their Base .
1946
Classes resume at CNS. The school adopts the two – year general curriculum.
1952
The two – year general curriculum is changed to the four – year Elementary Education Curriculum, which is later changed to Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE – Elementary Education) in 1954.
1954
With this, the school becomes a tertiary institution under the leadership of its first dean, Mr. Ramon Melgar.
1956
The CNS Parent – Teachers Association organizes the kindergarten with an alumna, Miss Lourdes Suico, as the teacher. The kindergarten becomes a regular component of the school the following year.
1959
BSE (Elementary Education) is changed to Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
1960
The Graduate School is opened with Dr. Tecla P. Revilla, another alumna, as its first dean. It produces its first M.A. graduate in 1966 – Rosemary P. Gellor.
1965
CNS is chosen as the venue of the historical – cultural exhibit of the National Museum to commemorate the quadricentennial of the Christianization of the Philippines.
1976
Cebu Normal School becomes Cebu Normal College with Superintendent Heriberta Caguioa, the first female superintendent, at the helm.
1970
CNS is rocked by demonstrations against Superintendent Heriberta Caguioa. These lead to a rapid decline in enrolment.
1974
CNS opens its high school training department. Dr. Victoria Cervantes, a Siliman University graduate, is appointed as its first principal in 1978.
1976
Through the efforts of Dr. Tecla P. Revilla, CNS is converted into a chartered state college and renamed Cebu State College in accordance with PD 944. Dr. Camilo Aliño is its first president.
CSC starts the two – year Certificate in Tourism program.
1977
The Liberal Arts Department is established. Having received the authority to offer other degree courses, CSC starts programs such as Bachelor of Arts (1977), Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in consortium with Sudlon Agricultural College, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, via consortia with the Southern Islands Hospital School of Nursing, the Cebu City Medical Center School of Nursing, and the Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing, all in 1978. It also extends its services to a high school in Tapud, Dumanjug. In the same year , the two – year Certificate in Tourism program is changed to the four – year Bachelor of Science in Tourism. CSC also starts the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP), whose graduates are qualified to teach in both the elementary and secondary levels.
1982
With the closing of the SIH School of Nursing, the students transfer to the newly – created CSC department of Nursing. Class 1986 is the first batch to graduate from the department.
1985
President Tecla P. Revilla creates three new colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences which offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs, the College of Nursing; and the Teacher Education College, with its Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) programs.
1987
President Jaime Gellor tries to bring order to the CSC. But in doing so, he abolishes the three colleges and reverts the structure to its old status, and the three colleges become mere departments. The BST and BS Ag Ed programs are phased out.
1993
The consortium with CCMS is ended.
1995
President Heidi Limosnero restores the three colleges.
1996
The Federation of Cebu State College Alumni Associations is established.
1998
Cebu State College becomes Cebu Normal University through the efforts of Congressman Eduardo Gullas and Raul del Mar in the Lower House, and Senator Marcelo Fernan, a CNS alumnus in the Senate. Dr. Heidi B. Limosnero is the first CNU President. The enabling law, Republic Act No. 8688, is signed by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos on June 27, 1998.
2000
Dr. Ester B. Velasquez becomes the second university president. The College of Arts and Sciences is restricted. It is now made up of the School of the Arts and the School of the Sciences.
2004
CNU embarks on a teacher sharing arrangement with the Talisay City College.
2005
CNU in Balamban , an extension school, is established in the barangay of Lamesa with Dr. Racquel Georsua as administrator.
2008
The Garbo sa CNU Awards, as conceptualized by Dr. Marcelo Lopez, Chairman of the Museum Council, are given to 106 outstanding graduates to celebrate the 106th anniversary of the establishment of the school. The occasion also marks the launching of Tulay, the Alumni newsletter. Both have become highlights of the yearly alumni homecoming.
CNU in Medellin, another extension campus, is started. The Administrator is Dr. Isabelo Genegaboas. Also in the same year, Dr. Velasquez retires and Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez is inaugurated as the third CNU president.
2009
The CNU College of Nursing is recognized by CHED as a Center of Excellence , while the College of Teacher Education is declared as a Center of Development.
2011
The school celebrates its long – delayed centenary (delayed by nine years).
Both the College of Teacher Education and the College of Nursing have their programs accredited by the AACCUP (Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines). Both of these CNU colleges pass level IV accreditation, the first among the AACCUP members to do so.
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