 Francisco Z. Araneta, S.J., placed his efforts to achieve university status under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier, and when he succeeded he added this saint's name to the university.In 1958 it became the first university in Mindanao to receive university status, a year before its sister school Ateneo de Manila.At the inauguration banquet Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia received the first honorary degree conferred by the university.