User:Normi webmaster/sandbox

Northern Mindanao Colleges, Inc. History

It was immediately after the Second World War that a handful of enterprising and public spirited Cabadbaranons founded the school on March 15, 1946 that was to be known as the Northern Mindanao Institute (NORMI). They were Dr. Mariano Atega, Mrs. Crecenciana Ferrer, Mrs. Telesfora L. Ong Oh, Mr. Valentin Cabonce, Atty. Primo Cabrera, Engr. Alfonso Alaan, and Mrs. Daylinda Pastrana.

Armed with a government permit secured by Atty. Primo Cabrera through the financial aid of the local Philippine Independent Church, these school officials immediately buckled down to work. Veteran teachers from the Agusan National High School in Butuan like Mr. Victor Lerias, Mr. Jesus Barroquillo, and Mr. Semeon Bacol were tapped to teach.

With two hundred fifty students from first year to fourth year levels, they were housed on the residential building owned by the late Antonio and Segunda Dagani. But after three year of the existence, the Bureau of Private Schools served a notice to the NORMI to have its own school building and ground. The challenge was met headway with Don Adolfo Mortola, Mrs. Basilisa Kittilstvedt, and Mrs. Telesfora Ong Oh chipping in five thousand pesos each for the construction of the new building and Atega Park, which served as the playground.

Classes became bigger in enrollment until such time when college courses were being offered to meet the demands of students. A new Board of Directors had to be reorganized with Engr. Fidel C. Dagani Sr. as President and Director at the instance of Mrs. Basilisa Kittilstvedt who was then the School Directress. It was very unfortunate that Engr. Dagani succumbed to an ailment leaving behind some changes designed to improve collections and academic instruction. New hands took over the rein Normi. Dr. Teofilo D. Curato Sr. was elected was elected Chairman of the Board and Fidel V. Dagani Jr. assuming the Directorship.

In 1972, with the resignation of Architect Fidel V. Dagani Jr. as Director, Mr. Ceferino L. Baltazar Sr. a tried and tested educator took over the helm of the school during the school year 1972-1973. However, after only five months of service as director of the school, a greater call from the public service forced him to resign in which another veteran educator, Dr. Eladio Pro Anino was elevated to the Directorship. Under Dr. Eladio Pro Anino’s watch teachers’ salaries were raised and moves were started to update standards of instruction and initiated a vigorous faculty development program.

Unfortunately, however on March 17, 1974 a conflagration struck the town and the school building was one of those razed to the ground. However like phoenix rising from ashes. A three story complex of forty eight rooms was constructed at the fast pace through the joint effort an initiative of the energetic and hardworking Atega sisters, Mrs. Basilisa Atega Kittilstvedt and the late Mrs. Prosperidad Atega Rodriguez, two of the riches, dynamic, philanthropic heirs of the vast Atega Estate.

The strong and sturdy NORMI was again mercilessly razed on that big fire of December 14, 2001 in which the whole complex was burned. However, even before the fire, old NORMI’s SEC registration had not been renewed. Perforce, NORMI held an election for a new Interim Board of Directors with Engr. Manuel A. Rodriguez elected as Interim Chairman and President. Upon expiration of the Board’s term of office, another election for the Interim Board of Directors was held and Mr. George C. Cabrera was elected as Chairman and President.

Meanwhile, because of the lapse of NORMI’s corporate Charter, Interim Board applied with the SEC for a new charter.

This was necessary for new led by Atty. Ricardo D. Gonzalez, Mrs. Veronica A. Nable, Arch. Arthur C. Atega, Mrs. Lorna A. Lohman, Mrs. Yedda M. Kittilstvedt, Justice Francisco and Atty. Terisita A. Villaluz, Engr. Ernesto A. Mortola, Mrs. Frances K Bagsil, Mrs. Rita K. Soriano, Mrs. Esther S. Famador, Dr. Mariano A. Tolentino. Mrs. Judith L. Deen, Mrs. Pepita D. Jordana and Mrs. Joan D. Hermosa, Mr. George C. Cabrera, among many others, had given their time and resources to revive the school and continue operations. Noteworthy to stress is that again, the Atega Estate’s support was crucial in that they swapped their prime land for shares and now the building stands proudly thereon.

Presently, the school organization has formed a new organizational function of offices and administration in order to address effectively the needs of the present institutional operations which are the realization of the NMC vision and mission in benefits of the clients.