History and Milestones of CCJC

"The School of Criminology started under the umbrella of the College of Arts and Sciences headed by Dean Evelyn S. Abeja in 1986. It had twenty-five students, three of whom were females, on its first year of operation. However, the current regional demand for law enforcers in the CALABARZON growth corridor attracts more students, many of whom are females.

Three years from its inception, the School of Criminology became a separate entity from the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Cesar A. Villariba was the first Director. Ernesto A. Adormeo was appointed Technical Assistant to the Director in May 1992 until May 1994. During his term of office, the School of Criminology received Goverment Recognition No. 003.

On April 2,1990, the first eight students of the School of Criminology obtained their diplomas for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology. Three of them took the Criminologist Licensure Examination in 1990 and one of them, Lorenzo A. Quintillano, placed 13th. It was beautiful beginning for the young department.

Mr. Adormeo resigned two years later and the Board of Trustees designated Dr. Jaime M. Buzar, Vice President for Academic Affairs, to oversee the operation of the School of Criminology effective school year 1994-1995. Dr. Buzar recommended Henedina A. Albacea to chair the Department of Professional Criminology Education while she was finishing her masteral degree in Criminology until she was appointed as Acting Director effective June 1996 vice Dr. Buzar.

For two years, Dr. Buzar supervised the operation of the School of Criminology. It was during his term that Rodrigo L. Ojenal ranked first in the October 1994 Criminologists Licensure Examination bringing honor to the University and boosting the academic program nationwide. The Board of Trustees gave him a testimonal luncheon at the Sulo sa Quezon where the chairman, Congressman Wilfrido L. Enverga, awarded Ojenal a plaque of recognition and a cash incentive of ten thousand pesos for his exemplary pertormance.

Likewise, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports gave the university a plaque citing its outstanding performance in the board examination. A year later, Maricel F. Radones also brought honors to the school when she successfully passed and placed fifth in the 1995 licensure examination. She got a Certificate of Recognition and a cash incentive of seven thousand pesos.

Another feather to Dr. Buzar's cap was Elizabeth Noblejas winning the Miss Enverga University '95 crown, the first time ever a Criminology student garnered the title. The department also figured in the national sports scene with Lalaine L. Argosino winning gold medals in the 1993 and 1994 National PRISAA taekwondo tournaments. Dennis S. Lagumen set the pace earlier by winning silvers in the 1992 and 1993 National PRISAA taekwondo tournaments.

The School of Criminology has an impressive record in the licensure examination, often topping the national passing average. As a proof, the Professional Regulation Commission declared Enverga University's School of Criminology as the fourth best in the country in 1992. From a 47 percent passing average in 1991, the School of Criminology posted a consistently rising passing average of 50.36 to 60.25 percent from 1992 to 1995.

This can be credited to the academic qualifications of its faculty. Its current director, Miss Albacea, and a faculty member, Mr. Lagumen, both hold masteral degrees in Criminology. Most of its faculty pool are licensed criminologists and members of law enforcement agencies, giving students total quality training reflective of the marriage between theory and practice.

It also maintains a viable research component participatively undertaken by both faculty and students. Its community outreach program is also relevant as it is responsive to the needs of the community. It regularly undertakes massive beach clean-ups as part of the Save Tayabas Bay Program. It has an ongoing Hatid Lakas Kaalaman sa Kabataan at the Lucena City National High School which aims to develop sound police community relations among the youth, instill discipline among students to prepare them for mature membership in society and to guide the young in value formation.

The thrust for academic excellence continues and this has received independent confirmation with the grant of Level I accreditation by the PACUCOA. With the legacy of its previous directors and the mandate given to its current director, Ms. Albacea, the School of Criminology is poised for greater accomplishments."

-Pahiyas Enverga University A Celebration of Golden Years, 1997

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