Another three-year term for the University President
by Raul Agner
The Board of Trustees of the Adamson-Ozanam Educational Institutions, Inc. recently chose and confirmed the reappointment of Fr. Gregg L. Bañaga, Jr., C.M. as Adamson University’s president for a third three-year term. In a letter to the Adamson University community dated January 8, 2010, Rev. Fr. Bienvenido Disu, C.M., Provincial Visitor of the Congregation of the Mission (C.M.) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, announced Fr. Bañaga’s reappointment and selection from out of six nominees during the meeting of January 7, 2010. Fr. Gregg’s fresh mandate will see him serving the University up until 2012 and on the cusp of another important milestone, the 80th anniversary of Adamson University in the aforementioned year.
Fr. Gregg was formally installed as Adamson’s fifth president on December 10, 2004 although he was officially appointed in December 2003. In 2006, he was given a second term.
Mapping out the next three years
In his official accomplishment report to the Board prior to his January 7 confirmation, Fr. Gregg also mapped out his plans for the next three years in case the Board extended his service for another term. “The next three years (2009-12),” he stated, “will be more of consolidation, integration and strengthening the gains of the past, solidifying the changes and the culture that are now in place. A lot of changes that have been introduced have not been fully integrated into the culture of the organization. For instance, the quality of service, better budgeting of units, customer service, marketing, recruitment, cleanliness program and the like are in different levels of implementation. Some can already stand alone; most need some more consolidation and integration into the university’s culture. This is what I envision for the next three years of my presidency if given another opportunity.”
A five-year Strategic Plan made by a multi-stakeholder committee a year ago expressed this vision: By 2013, Adamson University is recognized for quality academic programs, research and community service, supported by effective internal organization and systems, sustained growth of its resources and functional institutional partnerships. Among the primary goals of the plan were to meet all the requirements that will lead to the granting of autonomous status by 2011; increasing the research output and obtaining more funds for research; strengthen the University’s Vincentian service to marginalized communities; strengthen mechanism to pursue rights of students; undergo quality assurance through ISO certification by 2011; deepen the Vincentian orientation of the University especially new students, faculty and alumni; strengthen the alumni association; rehabilitate facilities and equipments damaged by Typhoon Ondoy; and, establish an endowment fund and increase the number of scholarships.
Revisiting the past
Adamson University saw a sea change in the past six years under Fr. Banaga’s helm.
The years 2003-2006 were for him a time of observation and analysis, looking around, feeling the pulse of the community, studying its culture, getting as much information about the University from the perspective of a Chief Executive as he could. From the data and insights gathered, the vision of the future was crafted together with the representatives of the University’s stakeholders. Initial steps and little changes were made. The first three years were years of transition from one President to another.
Initiating changes on a bigger scale based on the vision were done in his second term (2006-2009). These changes were mainly academic, administrative and financial.
In the academic side, the University moved towards quality standards through accreditation, notably the IQUAME process (Institutional Quality Assurance, Monitoring and Evaluation) in its desire to reach Level III (Autonomous Status). (The accreditation process is ongoing and the application for Autonomous Status has not yet been granted. As Fr. Gregg says, “We need to work on some weak areas. We are almost there but not yet.”)
In the Administrative area, the organization was made more efficient and effective in supporting the main vision and mission of the University. The University restructured the organization, enhanced physical facilities, developed its human resources, upgraded information technology, created a customer-driven service culture, and developed a new image of Adamson.
In the area of finance, the University was made more financially stable. It has become debt-free, increased the salaries and benefits of employees annually (even when there was no tuition fee increase), increased the retirement fund and managed the university properties quite well.
About the president
Impressive is the apt word to describe Fr. Bañaga’s past accomplishments. In Adamson’s physical makeover alone, many former students and long-absent alumni gape in disbelief as they enter the campus, noticing the changes that in their school days they never had the chance to enjoy. It should therefore not be any wonder if in the next three years, the newly-re-appointed president fully accomplishes the things that he has mapped out. Given his no-rest work ethic, educational background, and the strong support of the University community, the next leg of his presidency should look rosy.
Fr. Gregg was no stranger to the University when he started out as president. Prior to his appointment as the school’s highest official, he had served as Vice President for Student Affairs in 2000 and Vice President for Administration a year later. Besides, he studied in Adamson University, finishing his AB Philosophy course, magna cum laude, in 1975. This makes him the first alumnus to become president.
In 1979, he earned his BA in Sacred Theology, cum laude, at the University of Santo Tomas and in the same year was ordained a priest. In August 1992, he was sent to the United States to take up graduate studies. Starting his master's degree in Organizational Development at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, he did not find it necessary to finish the course. Upon learning that at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio students could enroll in the Ph.D. program even without an M.A - for as long as they have the required equivalent and experience - he went there to pursue a doctorate in Organizational Behavior. In 1999, he was the fifth in his class to successfully defend his dissertation and finish the course.
Lucky for AdU
Unknown to many, two job offers were waiting for him in the U.S. and in Kenya in case he didn’t get a third term but as the Board would have it, they saw it fit that he should apply the finishing and fine-tuning touches for the important changes and improvements that he has put in place. The two jobs can wait and Adamson University is three years more lucky to have a productive presidency.
