July 4, 1949: A New Day, A New Vision “We want to educate men and women whose only passport is intellectual competence; whose pursuit is excellence of mind, body and character; and whose quest is for freedom and truth.” —Dr. Vicente G. Sinco Founded by Dr. Vicente G. Sinco, Foundation University opened its doors at the dawn of a new era for the Philippines, a country that emerged at the end of World War II to become Asia’s first democracy. From the beginning, the university has been a non-profit, non-sectarian institution, accessible to all. Dr. Vicente G. Sinco was born in Negros Oriental of modest means, and rose to become an influential figure who helped to write the Philippine Constitution. He was a trusted adviser to several Philippine Presidents, and launched our country’s involvement in world affairs as the representative of the Philippines, signing the United Nations Charter in 1945. He was the Dean of Law at the University of the Philippines and served as that institution’s president from 1958-1962. For Foundation University, he envisioned a school that afforded anyone with ability and determination the opportunity for a college education, regardless of wealth or social position. He dreamed of a permanent center for teaching and learning that would help the Philippines assume its place among free nations. Dr. Vicente Sinco passed this dream on to his son, Leandro (Andy) Sinco who’s life had always been intertwined with the fate of Foundation University. In 1993, after a full academic career in the United States, Andy Sinco returned to Dumaguete to take up the reigns of the family-founded university whose graduates now numbered in the thousands. For ten years he infused new life into the school with dynamic leadership that brought to the forefront student-centered principles and uncompromising, personal attention.
