Central Philippine University’s 120th Anniversary: The Forbes Era
On October 1, 2025, Central Philippine University marked a milestone: 120 years of shaping minds, faith, and community in Iloilo. At the heart of this long arc of growth is Rev. Dr. Joseph Morris Rickey Forbes, a Californian missionary whose life bridged distant worlds—from the villages of Assam, India, to war refugee camps in Burma, and finally to the rebuilding of CPU after World War II. Serving as Acting President from 1947 to 1950, Forbes embodied the resilience, leadership, and practical faith that helped CPU weather upheaval and emerge stronger.
Early life and education
Born December 3, 1903, in San Diego, Forbes grew up in a family with transnational roots and a strong Christian calling. He earned a BA from the University of Redlands in 1926, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary in 1929. His scholarly path continued with a Master of Theology from the University of Southern California in 1937 and, later, a PhD in Social Studies from the University of California. This solid academic base prepared him to teach, lead, and think deeply about how higher education can shape character and society.
Missionary work in Assam, India (1930–1944)
In 1929, Forbes and his wife Leila Rosalie Gibbs-Forbes accepted a call from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to serve in Assam. They arrived in Jorhat in 1930, where Forbes led the Jorhat Bible School as teacher and head (1930–1935) and also served as Mission Treasurer. His years in Assam immersed him in cross-cultural ministry, evangelism, and education. When World War II intensified, Forbes remained with refugee populations from Burma, laboring in Nowgong, Sibsagar, and Gauhati from 1942 to 1945—an arduous period that forged his enduring resilience and compassion.
Arrival in the Philippines and the postwar transition
After the war, Forbes and his family were reassigned to the Philippines. They arrived on June 19, 1947, just as CPU was rebuilding after Japanese occupation. In interviews, Forbes stressed the vital role of Christian education in developing leaders for a newly restored nation, saying there was a great need for leaders of faith and integrity. His wife Leila joined CPU’s High School Department, and their children enrolled in CPU schools, cementing the Forbes family’s place in CPU life.
Acting President of Central Philippine College (1947–1950)
On September 19, 1947, Forbes became Acting President, taking the helm during a challenging reconstruction era. He faced the task of repairing war-damaged facilities, reorganizing administration, stabilizing finances, and restoring faculty morale. Colleagues described him as an indefatigable worker and a man of action, qualities that earned him deep respect across campus. Students saw him literally in the field—working with laborers, laying stones, and pushing a lawnmower—demonstrating his belief in the dignity of labor. In a chapel talk during orientation week, he urged students to THINK, emphasizing critical reading and the construction of knowledge around central ideas.
Faculty service, public engagement, and leadership
Beyond his role as administrator, Forbes taught in the College of Arts and Sciences (1947–1953) and chaired the Department of Social Sciences (1951–1953). He advised the Central Echo and led the CPU team in the YMCA Fund Campaign of 1950, signaling his commitment to student welfare and campus life beyond the classroom. His approachable demeanor—greengreets of “Hello there!” and a warm smile—left a lasting impression on students, who recalled his willingness to help and his belief in a welcoming learning community.
Legacy and lasting impact
Forbes’s influence extended through formal recognitions and sustained support for theological education. In 1981, Berkeley’s First Baptist Church established the J. Morris Forbes Memorial Scholarship Fund for CPU’s College of Theology, ensuring ongoing mentorship for future clergy and leaders. CPU honored his service with a 2005 Posthumous Service Award, underscoring his role as an administrative pioneer, devoted teacher, and advocate for Christian higher education. Forbes’s story—from Assam to Iloilo to campus life—remains a touchstone for an institution built on faith, labor, and a belief that education can transform devastation into opportunity.
Enduring message
As CPU celebrates 120 years, the life of Rev. Dr. Joseph Morris Rickey Forbes reminds us that the strength of a university lies not only in its buildings and books but in the people who transform hardship into opportunity. His call to THINK, to work with one’s hands, and to lead with integrity continues to inspire CPUs leaders, educators, and students who seek to build a future rooted in faith and service.
