History of the Lyceum of the Philippines University - Cavite Campus

The Lyceum of the Philippines University acknowledges the legacy of its founder, Dr. Jose P. Laurel, a lawyer, legislator, constitutionalist, jurist, writer, scholar, statesman, philosopher and above all, an educator. He was the President of the second Philippine Republic.

Teaching was his great love, and concern for education, his abiding passion. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, the Escuela de Derecho, Yale University, and the University of Sto. Tomas, his credentials as an educator were unassailable. Dr. Laurel wrote extensively on education, and in spite of his many commitments, managed to teach in several schools in Manila.

During the dark days of the nation's history, while carrying the burden of wartime leadership , he introduced educational policies that emphasized and upheld the national character. After World War II, as senator, he authored the law creating the National Education Board and with Senator Claro M. Recto sponsored the Rizal Law.

The idea for a school came to him in the early 1920's while he was at Yale. It was only three decades later when, with close friends, he was able to fulfill his dream of founding an institution that would become a center of learning in the Philippines and in the Far East. On July 7, 1952, Lyceum opened its doors to its first students.

Laurel's admiration for the great seats of learning and his appreciation for classical thought inspired him to name it Lyceum, after Lykeio, the grove in ancient Athens where Aristotle searched for truth and wisdom. The school's motto, Veritas et Fortitudo – courage and unyielding resolution in the quest for truth – reflects Dr. Laurel's belief in the value of learning and his enduring devotion to the pursuit of academic excellence.

Even at its early stage, the Board of Trustees had already considered in their agenda an expansion program with the end in view of converting Lyceum into a university.

Eventually, after 53 years, Lyceum was granted its University status in January, 2006.