Pontificial Catholic University

The founding of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, as the first institution of higher education of a private nature, represents an important contribution of the Dominican Episcopate Conference to the Dominican society, formed at that time by: Mons. Octavio Antonio Beras Rojas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Santo Domingo; Bishop Francisco Panal Ramírez, Bishop of La Vega; Juan Félix Pepén Solimán, Bishop of Altagracia, Higüey; Archbishop Tomás Francisco O'Reilly, Prelate of San Juan de la Maguana and his main ideologist, Bishop Hugo Eduardo Polanco Brito, Bishop of Santiago de los Caballeros. In the historical moment that the University arose, the first steps were taken towards a democratic society, after more than three decades of the dictatorship of Trujillo. The founding of the University was supported by the Dominican Episcopate and by distinguished Santiagoians, who made the first contributions for their early establishment. On September 9, 1962, the erection of the University was made public, calling it "Mother and Teacher" in homage to the great social encyclical of His Holiness John XXIII. On setting up, Monsignor Polanco Brito began to carry out the steps for his academic organization. On November 15, 1962, the work of the PUCMM was begun in a rented residence in the street Máximo Gómez, corner Sully Bonnelly, downtown. A total of 15 professors, all by subject, and 60 students formed the nuclei of the first established faculties, that were those of Law, Education and Philosophy.