U. C. College Alumni Association N. America Representatives at Austin College, Sherman, Texas on Nov. 10, 2007

Visit to Austin College, Sherman by Dr. Thomas P. Mathew, Treasurer, and Attorney Lal Varghese, Vice President on behalf of the U. C. College Alumni Association of N. America on Nov. 10, 2007

As per the invitation of Prof. Janet Lowry, Department of Sociology, Austin College, Sherman, we both had the privilege to visit Austin College, Sherman on Nov. 10, 2007. It was a very productive meeting even though we did not make any formal decisions, but we believe it will be a stepping stone in the history of U. C. College Alumni Association of N. America in its relationship with Austin College, Sherman. We were at Austin College from 2:30 pm until 5:45 pm on Nov. 10, 2007 at a time when their alumni get together is being celebrated from Nov. 9-Nov.11, 2007. We had the opportunity to watch and gain first hand knowledge and experience about the alumni get-together conducted by Austin College every year.

We met at Wright Campus Center at Austin College and had informal discussions about faculty exchange, student exchange, J-1 visa program, opportunity for visiting a medical college in Kerala for Jan term students, International House being planned at U. C. College etc. Dr. Oscar C. Page, President of Austin College, Prof. Janet Lowry, Department of Sociology, Dr. Julia Shahid, Austin College Teacher Program, Prof. Henry Bucher, Professor Emeritus of Austin College represented Austin College in the discussions. Mrs. Carol Ann Middents, and Alumni of Austin College took part in the informal discussions. In between, few present students of Austin College, and couple of Jan term students who are expected to arrive at Alwaye in January 2008 and few other faculty and staff also stopped over to meet with us.

It was a very productive meeting with the Austin College representatives especially the discussions about the arrangements for bringing students and faculty from U. C. College to Austin College and the funding for the same. We also suggested that Austin College to apply with the U. S Immigration for being approved as a J-1 visa sponsor so that Austin College can directly sponsor students and faculty from U. C. College for exchange program. Prof. Janet Lowry suggested that she will bring this matter to the attention of the Registrar of the College, and we are looking forward to such a sponsorship from Austin College. Attorney Lal Varghese offered to help Austin College in achieving this goal of being a J-1 sponsor.

We also suggested setting up some funds for the travel of students and faculty of U. C. College, who intend to visit Austin College under the exchange program in the future. We also requested for funding to build International Student House at U. C. College at the initiative of Alumni Association of N. America. We were told that about 10% of the students at Austin College is of Indian origin and they are really proud about the accomplishments of Indian students. The Indian student association is the most functional among the student associations in Austin College. We were invited to join the Deepavali celebrations to be conducted by Indian Students Association during the Nov. 17th week end. Prof. Janet Lowry sought the help to visit a medical college in Kerala preferably near Alwaye by few of the Jan. term students. Dr. Thomas P. Mathew is making arrangements with Kolencherry Medical College for one day’s visit by the students who are doing pre-med at Austin College. We also took a few photos with the faculty, students and Dr. Oscar C. Page, President of Austin College. Our meeting ended at about 5:45 pm. We watched the programs of the Alumni Association of Austin College and met with several Alumni of Austin College during our time spent over there including one 2000 Jan term student who came for the Alumni meeting at Austin College.

We were assured by the Director of Alumni office of Austin College that they will help us in our efforts to have an effective Alumni Association in N. America. Mrs. Carol Ann Middents presented copies of the book written by her husband Dr. Gerald J. Middents titled ‘Bridging the Fear and Peace’ to Dr. Thomas P. Mathew and Attorney Lal Varghese during the occasion. It was really a pleasure for both of us to visit Austin College, Sherman on behalf of U. C. College Alumni Association of N. America and to have a productive discussion about various things so that the relationship between Austin College and U. C. College may be furthered more in the future by arranging student and faculty from U. C. College visiting Austin College. We express our sincere thanks to the Board of Alumni Association of N. America and the authorities of U. C. College, Alwaye for making it possible and a success. Thank you.

You can have more information about Austin College at its Web Site: www.austincollege.edu
Dr. Thomas P. Mathew and Attorney Lal Varghese

Building Named in Memory of Founders in the Campus

U. C. College Land Mark Buildings

Alumni Association Inauguration Report by Mr. Thomas Mathew (NJ)

Union Christian College Alumni Association of North America, Inc.
(IRS Section 501(c) (3) Tax Exempted Non Profit Charitable Organization)

INAUGURATION MEETING REPORT

The inaugural event for UC College Alumni association was held on September 2nd at 4.00 pm. The venue was Taste of India restaurant, Bergenfield, New Jersey. The event was well attended by alumni from different decades, ranging from 1950 through 2000. Chief Guest, Retired Principal Dr. A. M. Chacko came from Kerala for the occasion and graced the event by delivering the inaugural address. He suggested that the college must be able to look up to its North American alumni for greater intellectual, academic and financial resources for internationalization of higher education and establish greater international linkages. He talked about advancing the educational standards and promoting student and faculty exchange. The gala event was seasoned by songs, dance, panel discussion and a sumptuous Kerala dinner. It was also decided that the association should start to work on a project to create an alumni directory.

The meeting was chaired by President Dr. Kamakshi Krishnan who welcomed all the guests. Dr. James Jacob, Dr. Pothen Varghese, Mr. George Varghese, Dr. David Jayakar Daniel and Mr. Anil George Alexander spoke. Several others actively participated in the panel discussion. Dr. (Mrs) Rebecca Varghese organized and led the variety entertainment which included group songs, solo and dance. Treasurer, Dr. Thomas P. Mathew presented the financial statement and Mr. Thomas Mathew; Secretary delivered the vote of thanks

It was a memorable evening for all the alumni members who came to meet with their old friends and beloved teachers.

The meeting and the event adjourned after dinner at 9.30 pm.

PANEL DISCUSSION

The panel discussion was held at the end of dinner and many of the guests actively participated in the discussion. All those who spoke stressed the importance of continuing the momentum created by this occasion and build on it by specific plans for the future.

Also there was a suggestion that events of this nature, big or small should be held at different regions in the country to ensure participation of other alumni who could not be there for the inauguration.

The following suggestions were made for the future:

Student/Faculty exchange programs which are beneficial to UCC as well as the alumni community. Many U S corporations value students with educational experience in foreign countries, especially in India and China.

To improve the quality of higher education on par with international standards. Dr. A. M. Chacko mentioned that not even one Indian university was included in the top 200 universities listed worldwide. He suggested that U C College should work with UCCAANA for greater intellectual, academic and financial resources.

Publish an Alumni Directory for North America.

Start an alumni newsletter. Details to be worked out.

Small meetings and events to be held at other parts of the country. There will be one alumni meeting in Chicago in April 2008.

Close communication with UCC and the Alumni Association.

Establishment of an International House in UCC, Aluva which will be useful in the future for student/faculty exchange programs.

Respectfully submitted by,

Thomas Mathew (NJ)
Secretary, UCCAANA.

Inaugural Speach by Dr. A. M. Chacko, Retired Principal of U. C. College

Union Christian College Alumni Association of North America, Inc. Inaugural Speech delivered by Dr. A. M. Chacko, Retired Principal on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at Bergenfield, New Jersey

I am very glad that you have made it possible for me to be with you at the inaugural function of the Alumni Association of North America. I thank you very much for this kind gesture.

I remember having visited several centers in the U.S. in 1996 and organized units of alumni. I am very glad to note that you have carried on the efforts and got the National Alumni Association of America registered and that you have now got permission from the IRS to exempt donations to AANA from Income Tax. It is a great achievement. I congratulate the office bearers for this grand achievement.

I bring you greetings from the Principal Dr. Varghese John, the Old Students Association Secretary Dr. Sunny Kuriakose, and the Manager Prof. Mathew Koshy.

When Dr. Thomas P. Mathew and Mr. Thomas Mathew came to U.C. College, they met the executive committee of the Old Students Association. I was also present at that meeting. I am glad that they made me the official representative of the College and the O.S. Association.

I am glad that so many of you set apart this afternoon for the inaugural function of UCCAANA. You are here because of your love and concern for your alma mater.

The brochure in your hands briefly gives an account of the present condition and growth of the college.

The Administration

The College is owned by an Association consisting of the representatives of the four constituent churches and the Inter Church Fellowship of the College. The Association is registered as a non-trading company.

Four representatives each of the 4 churches and 8 representatives of the Fellowship are there in the Association in addition to the Principal, Bursar and the Manager as Ex-Officio members. Every three years the association is elected by the outgoing association. They elect a Governing Body for the general administration of day to day matters. The Governing Body meetings are held once a month and are chaired by the Manager.

The academic matters are managed by the Staff Council under the leadership of the Principal.

The Inter Church fellowship consists of the permanent teachers of the College belonging to the constituent churches. They meet once a week for prayer and look after the spiritual activities and manage the hostels and supervise works. There are 5 women’s hostels and one men’s hostel.

There are Academic Dean and Administrative Dean to help the Principal in the discharge of his responsibilities.

The Old Student Association

The Old Student Association is functioning more effectively than in the past. Old Students’ reunion is held every year by the O.S.A. on the 2nd Saturday in November. Please adjust your leave in such a way that you can be present at the College for the Old Students’ reunion on the 2nd Saturday in November.

One recent trend is that old students belonging to a particular dept or a particular period sometimes organize reunions on their own to which they invite the executive officers of the College and former teachers.

Eg:
- the meeting of the O.S. of the period 1956 – 1966.

- the reunion of Chem. B.Sc. students of the year 1979 – ’82.

- the reunion of Botany graduates and post graduates for celebrating the
Golden Jubilee of the commencement of the Botany Dept.

- the reunion of O.S. of the Economics Dept. to celebrate the Silver Jubilee
of starting the P.G. course in Economics.

- the reunion of Psychology Dept. O.S. every year.

- the reunion of the women students of East Hostel during the period 1966 – ’73.

- Also regional get together functions.

Such reunions are expressions of the love, unity and brotherhood they learnt while they were studying in the College.

The College is proud of all its alumni. Some of them have distinguished themselves as Central and State Ministers, Chief Ministers, Civil Servants, Judges, Educationists, Administrators, Scientists, Bishops, Teachers, Poets, Social Workers, etc.

The Vocation and Mission of the College

In the past the founders kept the following as their goals:

- Imparting of sound learning and building of character.
- Spread of spiritual truth and knowledge of God.
- Contribute to nation building.
- Inculcation of the spirit of love, unity and brotherhood.
- Maintaining a cosmopolitan character and a sense of wider ecumenism.
- The Fellowship method of life and work, understanding that working with synergy will yield more enduring results, 1 + 1 > 2.
- Arriving at consensus whenever possible and accepting the reality of interdependence, not dependence or independence.
- Inculcation of values of life by living together and learning together.
- Working with a view to improving the standard of life of the people belonging to socially backward and financially weaker sections of our population (Yathi, Alwaye Settlement, Rural Medical Mission, etc.). These goals are relevant even today.

The Present Scenario

We are to involve ourselves in secular education in a Christian context according to the goals mentioned above. The present scenario is characterized by rapid changes, advanced technologies and shift in educational philosophy. Education is more and more seen as a ‘private good’, and hence the consumers and beneficiaries are supposed to pay for it. The Govt. is spending less and less on education.

The human being is more seen as a ‘resource’ to be developed and shaped according to the market demand, and education is not seen as self- realization and self- transcendence with maximum satisfaction to the individual and maximum benefit to the society. On the other hand, education has become a profit making business rather than a service to the society.

Revolutionary changes are occurring in the area of education brought about by rapid advances in information technology, biotechnology, etc. Because of the positive aspects of globalization, internationalization of education has become a felt need. ‘Internationalize or perish’ is the slogan today in the educational field.

In order to become a knowledge society, the quality of the teaching – learning process has to be improved tremendously.

In a listing of 200 top universities of international standards, not a single university in India has been included. So also, among the top 10 colleges in India listed by India Today for several consecutive years, not a single college in Kerala has been included.

The Union Christian College has to meet these challenges and needs of the present in a meaningful manner without compromising its goals. Both the Management and the teaching community must work together in a meaningful manner with renewed vision and dedication harnessing cooperation and resources from all possible sources. It is in this respect that the North American Alumni become very relevant.

The College must be able to look up to its North American alumni for greater intellectual, academic and financial resources for internationalization of higher education or establishing greater international linkages.

If UCC can impart world class education at affordable cost, with value addition distinctive to it, then your children and grand children, if necessary, can benefit from it. Students from foreign countries can be attracted to UCC.

Steps to be taken

While maintaining the liberal arts and science tradition, UCC should offer courses that have greater relevance, fundamental contribution and life-orientation.

There should be greater faculty and student exchanges.

Education should be such that it could enable students to take on challenges of a world which require diversity of skills and wider knowledge base.

This would mean ensuring compatibility between systems and courses that are offered in UCC and elsewhere in the world, particularly in the U.S.

This naturally will entail greater academic autonomy, better infrastructure, residential facility and world class library with better access to knowledge and information.

The Present Project

It is in this connection that the College has been planning for an International House and Alumni Development Office. The IHADO is expected to be a hub of all these developmental initiatives.

You, as alumni, have a stake in this trajectory of development. As stake-holders you have to spell out your suggestions as to how the College should develop in future through UCCAANA.

The College should seek your suggestions for future development by holding consultation with as many of you as possible.

Though I am not now a part of the College’s power structures to give you any commitment, I can certainly be a facilitator for a mutually rewarding relationship.

Some Suggestions

Let me suggest a few ways UCCAANA can involve itself in the future development of the college.

(1) You can pass on information regarding the alumni in the USA to the office bearers of the UCCAANA or to the College.

(2) You can persuade people or foundations to become interested in the growth of UCC and request them to take up financing some of the projects and to think of bequeathing some funds for the College in their will, deed.

(3) You can make some colleges or universities interested in establishing links with UCC for academic exchange programs. The UCCAANA should be able to promote such exchanges.

(4) UCCAANA can plan to have annual get together in different parts of USA on the first Saturday of a particular month and make this known to every alumnus.

(5) UCCAANA can also persuade members in different regions to arrange regional get together functions.

(6) A committed core group must steer the activities of UCCAANA.

(7) Members of UCCAANA must make it a point to visit their alma mater when they go to India.

(8) College should invite the representatives of a core group of UCCAANA to discuss its proposals with the UCC Management to enable the college to consider implementation of the same.

With these words I inaugurate the Union Christian College Alumni Association of North America.

Union Christian College, Alwaye its Founding Fathers and its Mission

Founded in 1921, Union Christian College is the only centre of higher education in Kerala, run on ecumenical basis. The college is managed my an association of members drawn from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, the Malankara Marthoma Church, the Church of South India and the Inter Church Fellowship of the College.
The origin and growth of the college was mainly on Indian initiative and resources, though the college from the beginning entertained overseas scholars as co-workers.

While identifying with the hopes and aspirations of the nation, the college vigorously promoted the scheme of expanding international co-operation. It became a congregating point for a host of scholars, theologians and missionaries from the west. The list includes Canon W. E. S. Holland, Rev. L. W. Hooper, Rev. B. G. Crowley and Malcom Muggeridge. The ecumenical identity of the college carried a strong secular dimension as well. The faculty of the early years was a balanced mix of Christian and non-christian members. The college has diligently maintained this secular structure to the present.

FOUNDERS The Late K. C. ChackoThe Late A. M. VarkiThe Late C. P. Mathew The Late. M. Ittyerah

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

The founder members of the College had as their ambition the instituting of a Christian College whose distinctive features were to be: 1. Inter-denominational basis of administration 2. Residential system of life 3. Fellowship method of life 4. Cosmopolitan team (Christians and non-Christian, Indians and non-Indians) of staff.

These still remain the chief features of the College even though by force of circumstances the college which at first was entirely residential has now on its rolls a larger number of day scholars than residents. The principle of cooperation in teaching, study and life is still a guiding factor in our work here. There should be a conscious attempt on the part of students and staff-teaching and non-teaching-to realize this in our academic life. AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe Union Christian College aims at the wholesome education of the young to bring out the best in each individual. It strives to produce intellectually competent, morally upright, spiritually inspired and patriotic men and women in the service of the country.The college commits itself to the promotion of justice and peace, respect and preservation for the integrity of creation, fostering of wholesome and simple life styles, combating the ill effects of corruption, powerlessness of the marginalized, violence and criminalization. Empowering the powerless particularly the tribals, dalits, women and other vulnerable sections of society will be a significant part of this activity. It seeks to nurture transparency and probity in private and public life and to promote national integration. "delighted with the ideal situation" Mahatma Gandhi In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi visited the college and planted a mango tree. He wrote in the visiters book "delighted with the ideal situation" The mango sapling is now flourishing in front of the administrative block

THE COLLEGE MOTTO & EMBLEM
College Emblem The present emblem was adopted in 1939. The symbolism calls on the seekers after knowledge and truth to hold the torch, read the book and reap the harvest.

College Motto The college motto is “The Truth shall make you free" It was only in 1939 that the College adopted its present emblem. The symbolisation calls on the seekers after knowledge and truth to hold the torch, read the book and reap the harvest.

The College motto is drawn from a statement made by Jesus to the Jews: “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free”. That the way to ultimate freedom is through ultimate truth was known to the great thinkers and sages of the world.

exhorts : ‘Hold to the truth within yourselves as to the only lamp’. The Quran declares that ‘God is truth’. To Gandhiji, the father of the nation, the whole of life was the pursuit of or experiments with truth. His life demonstrated to the world, although in a limited field, that the way of truth leads to freedom.

Francis Bacon starts his essay on ‘Truth’ with the statement “What is truth?’ said Jesting Pilate and would not stay for an answer”. Those who, like Pilate, are cynical in their attitude to truth can never attain the true freedom that is the reward of the earnest seekers after truth.
Traditionally the True has been linked with the Good and the beautiful as one of man’s supreme values. The pursuit of truth is in practice indistinguishable from the pursuit of knowledge. True knowledge sought in a spirit of enquiry should mature into wisdom and reverence.
The College is a community of teachers and students bound together in partnership in the pursuit of truth, and those who assist them in this pursuit.

Photo Gallery of College

‘Mahaganitham’ is a sculpture commemorating the huge Mahagony tree that stood in front of the Cutcherry Malika. This huge tree, like other trees on the campus, played a vital role in the making of the unique heritage of U.C. College. The tree was struck by lightning in 2002. The remnants of this great tree stand as ‘Mahaganitham’ near its original position. ‘Mahaganitham’ represents the historic Mahagony tree and ‘Ganitham’, Mathematics, the queen of all sciences. Aesthetic concepts like Golden ratio, Fibonacci series etc. are used in the design. More than a thousand mathematical entities and geometrical shapes are engraved in the sculpture. The five Platonic bodies - tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron - are present in it. Moreover, an attempt has been made to impart certain ethical messages through different mathematical models. An old iron bell, used during the early period of the college, is a part of the sculpture. It reminds us to make the best use of precious opportunities available on the campus. The copper and brass frame strengthens the structure (our relationships too!). The work was crafted by the artist Mr. PV. Ramachandran and the mathematical part was conceived by Dr. Sunny Kuriakose, Department of Mathematics.

U. C. College Alumni Association of N. America (UCCAANA)

The UCC Alumni Association of North America is an organization of the alumni and friends of UC College to undertake charitable, scientific and educational activities. The Association has been registered as a Non-Profit ogranization with the Secretary of State of Ohio. It has also been approved as a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Inerrnal Revenue Service Code. Hence all contributions made to the College through the alumni association are tax deductable. The association acts as a catalyst for connecting the alumni of U.C. College to each other and to the college in order to promote bonding and fellowship amongst the alumni that will add to the strength and reputation of the alma mater. The UCC Alumni Association of North America is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, more specifically:

To promote student and faculty exchange between colleges and universities in North America and Union Christian College .

To promote joint research work between colleges, universities and research organizations in North America and U. C. College.

To develop the library and other educational and research resources at U. C. College by providing collaboration and exchange program with libraries and other resources in North America.

To act as a center for networking of the alumni of U.C. College in order to promote bonding and fellowship amongst the alumni and, thereby, create a pool of knowledge, skills and experience to be utilized for adding to the strength and reputation of the alma mater.

To provide mentoring for students and alumni so that they may grow professionally.

To help the needy students by providing scholarships and other assistance.

To establish and strengthen the linkages between the alumni and the alma mater.

To publish or cause to be published newsletters, books, journals, periodicals and other useful literature towards the attainment of the objects of Union Christian College Alumni Association of North America, Inc.

To arrange and organize lectures, debates, discussions, seminars and excursions for the diffusion of knowledge.

To solicit and raise funds from alumni, friends, U. S. Foundations and other charitable organizations for supporting the above programs and other similar programs as determined by the Board of Directors.

Membership in the association is open to all alumni, family members of alumni, current or former faculty members, friends and benefactors of U.C. College. We encourage you to become a member of the association to keep abreast of the developments at your alma mater.

Alumni Association Chapters:

Metro NY/NJ
Washington DC, Baltimore, N. VA
North Carolina
Chicago
Cleveland
Atlanta
Dallas

The by laws of the association envisions a Board of Directors and an executive board to conduct the day to day governance and leadership of the association. The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall policy and direction of the Association and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Association Chair.

Board of Directors:

Dr. Kamakshi Krishnan, NJ - President
Attorney Lal Varghese, TX - Vice President
Mr. Thomas Mathew, NJ - Secretary
Dr. Thomas P. Mathew, OH - Treasurer
Mr. George Varghese, NJ
Dr. James Jacob, FL
Dr. Simon Thomas, AZ
Mr. George P. Kurian, TN
Ms. Bindya Ibrahim Shajith, NC
Dr. K. M. Koshy, Canada

Advisory Board:

Dr. K. C. Chacko, CO
Prof. Mathew Koshy, Manager, U. C. College
Dr. Varghese John, Principal, U. C. College
Prof. Anu Oommen, Bursar, U. C. College
Dr. Sunny Kuriakose, Joint Secretary, OSA, U. C. College
Dr. Jyothi Mariam John, Co-Ordinator, UBCHEA, U. C. College

Mailing Address:

Dr. Thomas P. Mathew - Treasurer
UCC Alumni Association of North America
120 Valencia Circle
Orange Village, OH 44022, USA

Phone:

Attorney Lal Varghese, Vice President - (972) 788-1555 (10 AM - 6 PM ET - M-F)
Dr. Thomas P. Mathew - Treasurer (216) 591-9632 (after 6 PM ET and on weekends)

E-Mail:

Dr. Thomas P. Mathew – Treasurer: thomasmathew@hotmail.com
Attorney Lal Varghese – Vice President: attylal@aol.com

Web Sites: www.uccollege.org/NA for the Alumni Association of N. America

www.uccollege.edu.in for the official college web site

www.uccollege.org for the Alumni Association of the College

Founded in 1921, Union Christian College is the only centre of higher education in Kerala, run on ecumenical basis. The college is managed my an association of members drawn from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, the Malankara Marthoma Church, the Church of South India and the Inter Church Fellowship of the College.The origin and growth of the college was mainly on Indian initiative and resources, though the college from the beginning entertained overseas scholars as co-workers.While identifying with the hopes and aspirations of the nation, the college vigorously promoted the scheme of expanding international co-operation. It became a congregating point for a host of scholars, theologians and missionaries from the west. The list includes Canon W. E. S. Holland, Rev. L. W. Hooper, Rev. B. G. Crowley and Malcom Muggeridge. The ecumenical identity of the college carried a strong secular dimension as well. The faculty of the early years was a balanced mix of Christian and non-christian members. The college has diligently maintained this secular structure to the present.

FOUNDERS

The Late K. C. Chacko

The Late A. M. Varki

The Late C. P. Mathew

The Late. M. Ittyerah

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

The founder members of the College had as their ambition the instituting of a Christian College whose distinctive features were to be: 1. Inter-denominational basis of administration 2. Residential system of life 3. Fellowship method of life 4. Cosmopolitan team (Christians and non-Christian, Indians and non-Indians) of staff.These still remain the chief features of the College even though by force of circumstances the college which at first was entirely residential has now on its rolls a larger number of day scholars than residents. The principle of cooperation in teaching, study and life is still a guiding factor in our work here. There should be a conscious attempt on the part of students and staff-teaching and non-teaching-to realize this in our academic life.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Union Christian College aims at the wholesome education of the young to bring out the best in each individual. It strives to produce intellectually competent, morally upright, spiritually inspired and patriotic men and women in the service of the country.The college commits itself to the promotion of justice and peace, respect and preservation for the integrity of creation, fostering of wholesome and simple life styles, combating the ill effects of corruption, powerlessness of the marginalized, violence and criminalization. Empowering the powerless particularly the tribals, dalits, women and other vulnerable sections of society will be a significant part of this activity. It seeks to nurture transparency and probity in private and public life and to promote national integration. "delighted with the ideal situation" Mahatma Gandhi In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi visited the college and planted a mango tree. He wrote in the visitors book "delighted with the ideal situation" The mango sapling is now flourishing in front of the administrative block

THE COLLEGE MOTTO & EMBLEM

The present emblem was adopted in 1939. The symbolism calls on the seekers after knowledge and truth to hold the torch, read the book and reap the harvest.College Motto The college motto is “The Truth shall make you free" It was only in 1939 that the College adopted its present emblem. The symbolisation calls on the seekers after knowledge and truth to hold the torch, read the book and reap the harvest.The College motto is drawn from a statement made by Jesus to the Jews: “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free”. That the way to ultimate freedom is through ultimate truth was known to the great thinkers and sages of the world.exhorts : ‘Hold to the truth within yourselves as to the only lamp’. The Quran declares that ‘God is truth’. To Gandhiji, the father of the nation, the whole of life was the pursuit of or experiments with truth. His life demonstrated to the world, although in a limited field, that the way of truth leads to freedom.Francis Bacon starts his essay on ‘Truth’ with the statement “What is truth?’ said Jesting Pilate and would not stay for an answer”. Those who, like Pilate, are cynical in their attitude to truth can never attain the true freedom that is the reward of the earnest seekers after truth.Traditionally the True has been linked with the Good and the beautiful as one of man’s supreme values. The pursuit of truth is in practice indistinguishable from the pursuit of knowledge. True knowledge sought in a spirit of enquiry should mature into wisdom and reverence.The College is a community of teachers and students bound together in partnership in the pursuit of truth, and those who assist them in this pursuit.

In 1921, Union Christian College began as an adventure with sixty Students, a handful of teachers, a room loaned by a seminary, an old court building gifted by the Maharajah of Travancore and the sublime dream of four young pioneers. Today, the vision of the founders stands materialized as an institution of eminence with fifteen undergraduate programs, twelve postgraduate programs, eight centers for doctoral research, nearly 100,000 alumni now spread all over the globe including alumni chapters in India, Middle East, North America. Wherever they are and whatever their life journey has taken them to, there is one thing all alumni of UC College shares. That is a passion for the college. All agree that their alma mater and their time at the college has left an indelible mark on their lives. The objective of this blog site is to keep you abreast of the news of the alumni as well as the news from the college. We hope to keep you connected. The dream continues...