Filipino song artist Arthur Nery and distinguished author Jonahmae P. Pacala or also known by her pseudonym as Jonaxx are also an alumni of the institution.

Ateneo de Cagayan then moved to its present location along Corrales Avenue and grew into a college, offering courses in Liberal Arts, Education, and Commerce.

Edward J. Haggerty, S.J., became chaplain to the advancing Visayas-Mindanao Force while serving as an advisor in Fertig's guerrilla government.

Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin on August 30, 1947, the campus housed refugees inside the gymnasium and even sponsored a boxing match to raise funds for the survivors.

Francisco Z. Araneta, S.J., had vowed to St. Francis Xavier that if Ateneo de Cagayan was granted university status before its commencement exercises on March 22, 1958, he would rename it after the saint.

An hour before the commencement exercises, then-Secretary of Education Manuel Lim sent a telegram stating that Ateneo de Cagayan now had university status.

It became the first higher education institution in Mindanao to receive university status, a year before its sister school, the Ateneo de Manila.

At the inauguration banquet, President Carlos P. Garcia received the first honorary degree conferred by the university.

However, there has been some opposition from alumni and retired faculty and staff, citing long-term traffic issues in the uptown area, as well as the heritage status of the main campus.

Primitivo E. Viray, S.J., endorsed the plan to the Superior General of the Society of Jesus in Rome, the Very Rev.

In 2021, the Vatican has finally given its seal of approval for the Campus of the Future project of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

"The long wait for the final decision only showed the amount of time devoted by the Church authorities to review and study the project."

In addition to the courses being offered by the university, there are programs specifically designed to train "engaged citizens and effective leaders".

Also, at least four courses in theology and in philosophy are required, with Muslim students allowed to study their own religious tradition.

Its curriculum is designed to widen and deepen appreciation and understanding of the history and development of law and to encourage continuing education and research consistent with the nature of the field.

Early on, they are exposed to litigation, consultation and counseling, which enable them to develop a logical and analytical mind, uphold high ethical standards, and possess a mastery of communication skills vital in effective law practice.

It has produced graduates who are nationally distinguished law practitioners, corporate counsels, policy makers, local chief executives, and judiciary officials.

[27] The Dr Jose P Rizal School of Medicine is housed in a five-storey building located at the east side of Xavier Ateneo campus.

Founded in 1983, the medical school has Level 3 Accredited Status from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities,[28] while being acknowledged by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center of Development in Medical Education, and was recognized by the Professional Regulations Commission and the Board of Medicine for having ranked second in the national Physician Licensure Examination over 11 consecutive years.

The college pursues an integrated program of instruction, research, extension, and production to educate students in sustainable agriculture and other relevant technologies and in equitable access to resources in the context of "global liberalization" and "grassroots people participation."

Manresa Farm offers research, outreach, and production opportunities, which are supplemented by team-building and ongoing faculty development.

On February 27, 2009, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) declared Xavier Ateneo Center of Development in Agriculture for three years,[29] the first private institution given this designation.

Xavier Ateneo qualifies for a ₱500,000 grant to fund scholarships, continuing agriculture education programs, instructional materials development, and upgrading of facilities including research laboratories, among other priority projects supported by CHED.

It was included in the first batch of Centers of Development for Excellence in Information Technology Education (CODE-IT) by CHED and its BS in Computer Science received Level II accreditation from PAASCU.

It strives to remain abreast of local and international standards and regulatory requirements through an ISO9001/IWA 2 "Guidelines for the Application of ISO 9001: 2000 in Education" alignment initiative.

The CCS maintains partnerships and linkages with other academic, industry, and government institutions to augment its instruction, research, and social outreach capabilities and to enhance the delivery of its curricular offerings.

[41] The Student Entrepreneurship Program is focused on entrepreneurial values, business ethics, environmental stewardship, and corporate social responsibility.

In the 2016 CPA exams, XU ranked sixth nationwide,[42] and from its first class in Real Estate Management 17 of 19 received a passing grade.

While the students of the Technical-Vocational Track are in the Jose Chavez Alvarez Technology Complex in uptown Cagayan de Oro, beside the Manresa Farm.

Despite its name, however, it is not a full parish church because its only service is funeral masses for deceased university staff.