A complete Higher Education Institution was conceived by Msgr Antony Patrao who spared no efforts in realizing it. His fortitude, hard work and dedication, complete in itself laid a solid foundation for the vertical consolidation and horizontal expansion of the College over the years. The long journey of the College of self improvement began with a little step in 1958.
Fr Patrao named it after the Saint he revered the most, St Philomena. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Sri. Anna Rao Ganamukhi, the Minister for Education, Government of Karnataka and Dr. K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu), Vice Chancellor, Mysore University. Affiliated to Mysore University, the College offered one year PU course in Arts and Science discipline to start with.
True to the intent of its founder Fr Patrao and predication of Kuvempu, the College began to be counted as a centre of excellence from the very beginning. It has had the distinction of registering the highest pass percentage throughout the Mysore University, thereby richly rewarding the tireless efforts of the visionary Fr Patrao.
A degree programme in Commerce (B.Com) was offered in 1962. The College bagged Mysore University Inter-Zonal Athletic Championship Trophy consecutively for three years in 1962, 1963 and 1964. During this period 8 athletes participated in the National Level Meets. A great achievement indeed!
The academic efforts of the college were rewarded in the form of ranks secured by the students in the year 1965 in B.Sc. examinations and in 1966 in PU section. 5 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
Again in the year 1968 to prove that all the students of St Philomena College are good at excellence there was a rank in BA. As the number of students increased and diversification of courses was initiated, building expansion was undertaken. A new building to house Botany, Zoology and Library was inaugurated. 3 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
A major academic achievement of our students came in the year 1969 when we secured Ist Rank in BA. It was splendid. 1 athlete participated in the National Level Meet.
The extension counter of the Corporation Bank became operational in 1973.
The academic excellence found expression again in the year 1973 when the College secured IIIrd rank in BA and IXth rank in PUC.
Rev. Fr Casmir D’Sa became the Correspondent in 1988. We secured VIth rank in B.Com. 3 sportspersons were selected for the National Level competitions.
The College Athletic Team bagged the Champions Trophy in the MUIC Athletic Meet again in 1989. 10 sportspersons were selected for the National Level competitions.
The College Weight-lifting team held aloft Msgr. Patrao Memorial rolling University Trophy in the year 1980. 12 athletes participated in the National Level Meets
The college got affiliated to the newly established Mangaluru University in the year 1982. That year we secured IXth Rank in B.Com. The college also hosted the Mangaluru University Inter-Collegiate athletic meet and won the Athletic Championship. 10 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
Come the year 1983, the college groomed itself for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Two ranks in B.Com and participation of 10 athletes in National Level Meets made the celebrations sweeter.
The tradition of the students bagging ranks continued when we secured Vth Rank in B.Sc and VIIth rank in B.Com. in 1984. 12 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
The year 1985 was eventful for various reasons. Rev. Fr Gregory William Vas took over as the Correspondent. The majestic Silver Jubilee Memorial Hall was inaugurated. The academic field was brilliant as the students bagged FIVE ranks –IIIrd and VIIth rank in B.Com., VIIth and VIIIth rank in B.Sc., and IXth rank in PUC. Two NCC cadets attended RDC and 4 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
Rev. Fr Joe M. Shenoy succeeded Rev. Fr Gregory William Vas as the Correspondent in the year 1986. In the year we secured VIIIth rank in B.Com. One NCC cadet attended RDC and 8 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
In 1987, the students fared equally well in academic and sports arena. There was Vth rank in B.Sc. and the College Athletic Team emerged Champions in the Mangaluru University Inter-Collegiate Athletic meet. 4 athletes were selected for the National Level Meets
Rev. Fr Casmir D’Sa became the Correspondent in 1988. We secured VIth rank in B.Com. 3 sportspersons were selected for the National Level competitions.
The College Athletic Team bagged the Champions Trophy in the MUIC Athletic Meet again in 1989. 10 sportspersons were selected for the National Level competitions.
Considering the changed paradigm of education and the need to impart computer education, St Philomena Computer Centre was established in 1991. 16 athletes participated in the National Level Meets
The year 1995 has a special significance as a new degree programme in Management Studies (BBM) was offered. To accommodate the students of the newly offered programme extension work to the College building and Library was undertaken. Our students secured IInd and Vth rank in PUC and IXth rank in B.Sc. 8 sportspersons were selected for the National Level Meets and one cadet for RDC.
Construction work of additional class rooms was started in 1997. The Audio-Visual Hall was inaugurated in the same year. The college secured Xth rank in B.Sc. 8 athletes participated in the National Level Meets
The longstanding need for Hostel facilities for women was fulfilled in 1999. This year also was marked by VIIIth rank in B.Sc. and Vth rank in B.Com. The MUIC Meet was held on our spacious athletic ground and our college team ran away with the Champions Trophy. 16 athletes participated in the National Level Meets
A new degree programme in Computer Application (BCA) was offered. Students brought credit to the college in the form of IInd rank in B.Sc. and IXth rank in B.Com. The College also played host to the MUIC Kabaddi Tournament in both men & women sections. The college had the privilege of instituting a rolling shield for Kabaddi in the name of Msgr Antony Patrao to be awarded to the winners in the women section. It was a great moment when our players lifted winners trophies in both the sections. Apart from this 11 athletes participated in the National Level Meets. What a great year for the college!
Our students maintained the habit of winning in the year 2001 also, as we secured Ist rank in BBM and Xth rank in BA. It is to be noted that for the first time our student got a rank in BBM. 19 athletes participated in the National Level Meets
St Philomena P.U. College was carved out of St Philomena College in accordance with the stipulation of Govt of Karnataka. Mrs Annamma was placed in-charge of the new arrangement. In the year 2002, 22 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
Dr John Clarence Miranda and Fr Michael Lobo took over as heads of Degree and PU sections in 2003. We secured VIIIth rank in B.Com. The college hosted Karnataka State Junior Weightlifting Championship. College offered itself for NAAC accreditation. 22 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
The visit of the NAAC Peer Team for assessment was the major event of the year 2004. 16 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
Rev. Fr Bonaventure Nazareth took over as the Correspondent in the year 2005. Prof. Janardana Herale P was appointed in-charge Principal of PU College. A new degree program in Social Work (BSW) was offered. Our students secured three ranks - IVth & IXth ranks in B.Com and IXth rank in B.Sc. 8 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
There was a change in College administration in 2006 as Rev. Fr F.X. Gomes took over as Principal and Fr Maxim Rosario was the Head of PU section. New college block to accommodate the PU students was inaugurated. Our students secured Vth & IXth rank in B.A. and B.Sc. respectively. One NCC cadet participated in the RDC and 15 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
The year 2007 was marked by a plethora of activities as the College celebrated the Golden Jubilee. The Kabaddi Team(men) of the College lifting the winner’s trophy in the Mangaluru University Inter-collegiate Tournament and 19 athletes participating in the National Level Meets were the highlights. Prof. Edwin S D’Souza shouldered the responsibility of the Head of PU Section.
Fr Ivan Michael Rodrigues became the Principal of PU College in 2008. Our college bagged Ist rank in BCA. 10 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
In 2009, we secured Vth rank in B.Sc. and Xth rank in BCA. The Kabaddi Team(men) of the College won the Mangaluru University Inter-collegiate Kabaddi Championship and 6 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
The College offered for the second cycle of NAAC accreditation in 2010 and was awarded the coveted ‘A’ grade. As if to justify the grade we secured Ist rank in BA. In sports, the Kabaddi Team (men) won the Winner’s Trophy, Swimming Team were also the University Champions and 19 athletes participated in the National Level Meets. Prof. Leo Noronha took over as the Principal.
In the annals of the College, the year 2011 deserves to be inscribed in special ink. An imposing building with immense utilitarian value was realized at a cost of Rs 4.25 crore to accommodate the existing and futuristic PG programmes. Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop, Mangaluru Diocese blessed the building and offered prayers. M.Com programme was offered in the year. Fr Antony Prakash Monteiro took over as the Chairman of PG Studies and Fr Vijay Lobo as the Principal of PU College. The feather in the cap of academic achievement of the College was 7 ranks - IIIrd rank in B.Sc., IIIrd & IVth rank in BSW, VIth rank in BBM, Vth, VIIth and VIIIth rank in B.Com, A PU student emerged state topper in II PU Commerce and 21 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
A PG programme in Physics was offered in 2012. In the year we secured VII rank in B.Sc. 19 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
In 2013, PG programme in Mathematics was offered. The college secured IInd rank in BSW, IXth rank in BA and Vth rank in B.Sc. An NCC cadet attended RDC and was a member of Guard of Honour troop at New Delhi. A PU student was placed third topper in the state in II PU Science exams. 17 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
Very Rev. Fr Alfred J. Pinto took over as the Correspondent in the year 2014. PG programmes in Computer Science and Economics were offered. A new combination with Journalism was also offered in B.A. The roll of honour was enriched by eight ranks – IIIrd & Vth rank in BA., Ist & VIIIth rank in B.Sc., Ist, IInd & IVth rank in BSW and IIIrd rank in M.Sc.-Physics. 10 athletes participated in the National Level Meets. The year was truly momentous.
In the year 2015, PG programme in Hindi was offered. Excellence in academics radiated through the nine ranks secured - IInd, IIIrd, IVth, Vth & Xth rank in B.Sc., IIIrd & IV rank in BCA, IIIrd rank in BSW and Xth rank in M.Com. Besides, 4 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
The College offered for the third cycle of NAAC accreditation in 2016 and retained the ‘A’ grade. In the same year the College cricket team won the InterCollegiate Mangaluru Zone Cricket Tournament. We secured IIIrd rank in B.Com, IInd rank in M.Sc.-Mathematics and IInd rank in M.Sc.-Physics. 4 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
2017, two NCC cadets participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. A new combination with English as a core subject was offered in BA. We secured Vth & VIIth rank in B.Sc., Ist rank in M.A.-Economics and IInd rank in M.Com. In sports and games 12 athletes participated in the National Level Meets.
The year 2018-19 saw defining moments as new benchmarks of quality were laid down, efforts were not spared to bolster the infrastructure, brace-up the teaching-learning process, revamp the facilities present. The subject departments and the functional units remained very active with a huge canvas of myriad activities for enriched learning experience of the students.
The inaugural function of the Diamond Jubilee was held on 21-09-2017. The glittering ceremony was graced by Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General, Mangaluru Diocese, Sri Ramanatha Rai, Honourable Minister, Govt of Karnataka, Dr Vivek Rai., Former Vice Chancellor, KSOU and Hampi Kannada University, Smt Shakunthala T Shetty, MLA, Puttur, Sri Ivan D’Souza, MLC, Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLC, Sri Rajendra Kumar, Post Master General, South Karnataka Region, Prof Udaya Shankar, JD, Collegiate Education and a host of dignitaries. The function opened a new story line that set the tone for the activities of the Jubilee year.
With regard to infrastructure, the steps initiated include – beautification of college entrance by means of attractive welcome arch, gardens, lawn, palm trees and wurly art, new parking lot for the students, upgraded drainage system, renovated play-ground gallery, re-laying the football ground, additional water supply facilities including water coolers, addedl furniture for the class rooms, renovation of Botany, Zoology and Physics laboratories, new PG block in the Hostel for women, renovation of Silver Jubilee Memorial Hall and Divya Chethana Chapel, enhanced facilities in the PG Seminar Hall and up-gradation of PG Library.