There were fifteen boys that first morning. The equipment consisted of four desks about ten feet long, two tables and two chairs, a few McGuffey’s Readers, a few geographies, arithmetics and ninth-grade grammars. I was President; Mrs. Hibbard was the faculty.
Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard, after the school's establishment, Carson, Arthur L., Silliman University 1901-1959, United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, p. 1
What is it that Silliman University wears under your necktie that is your heart but which shines forth on your face? … they are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control .. these are fruits of the Spirit …they are what Silliman wants you to wear in your hearts.
Silliman University Motto, appearing in the Bible: John 14:6
Often I have marveled over the far-seeing vision and crusading spirit of philanthropy that had actuated the kind soul who, in a land not his own founded this Institute to impart to our youth a culture and a faith buttressed by upright moral principles.
Emilio Aguinaldo during his visit to Silliman Institute now Silliman University
"Every once in a while, my mind would catch, however faintly, strains of music from long, long ago, when my elder brother, fresh from what seemed to me then a wonderful adventure in a world far from home, used to sing that sweet song with words I can still remember — "Silliman Beside the Sea."
Sen. Jovito Salonga, "The Educated Man", The Jovito R. Salonga Journal, Retrieved 2010-02-13.
"Let me start off by admitting that I am quite nervous about giving this speech for a couple of reasons. First, because I am speaking at the distinguished Silliman University where my grandfather, John Gokongwei Sr., went to high school. I never had the chance to meet him since he passed away when my father was only thirteen. But I am very honored to be speaking on the hallowed and historic grounds where he went to school more than 80 years ago. The other reason I am nervous is because I am speaking to the 2007 graduating class of Silliman. Given your Sillimanian pedigree, the world has high expectations of you."
Lance Gokongwei, Commencement Address at Silliman University, March 25, 2007, SU NetNews. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
"I have always held the highest regard for Silliman University. I have many colleagues in UP - members of our faculty who are graduates of this institution and I am very impressed by them."
Emerlinda Roman, President of the University of the Philippines, Commencement Address at Silliman University, March 21, 2010, SU NetNews. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
"It is a privilege of mine to be here. In 2003, I was requested to be the commencement speaker for the graduating class of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. And after I gave that address, I said to myself-and this is true-the only other invitation that I will accept after UP Diliman is Silliman University. I have actually been waiting for almost three years. And I would have waited 30 more years to address you."
Menardo "Butch" G. Jimenez, Jr., Senior Vice-President, Retail Business Group PLDT and OIC, Wireless Consumer Division, Smart Communications, Commencement Address at Silliman University, March 26, 2006.
"I cannot think of a more pleasant environment in this country that is most conducive to serious study than the campus of Silliman University."
Oscar M. Lopez, Chairman, Lopez Group of Companies, Address at Silliman University, July 2010, SU NetNews. Retrieved 2010-07-24.