In the mid-1950s Guadalajara did not have a Jesuit university. Parents of students from the Instituto de Ciencias joined efforts to make this new university possible. Among other implications, some Jesuits who worked at the only Catholic university of Guadalajara at the time decided to join ITESO's ranks. This context shrouded the founding of ITESO in controversy, and signaled the decisive participation of the Society of Jesus in the project. The first ITESO campus was located across from the Rotunda of the Illustrious Sons of Jalisco.

In the face of the difficulty of raising funds for a swimming pool, it was decided that the priests of the Society of Jesus should focus on education, for which the "Board for the Improvement of the Institute" was created. This idea grew, and the board finally settled on the creation of a new institution of higher education as an alternative for the next generation of Instituto de Ciencias graduates. Cardinal José Garibi Rivera (photo) showed enthusiasm for the possibility of another Catholic university in the city.

In April, there was a meeting between Father Manuel Aceves Araiza, then the Vice-provincial of the northern region, and Father Luis Hernández Prieto, who after observing the board of the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, decided to work on a five-year plan, in which the board would focus on fundraising to build and equip buildings, as well as to sustain the institution.

On July 31, the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founding charter was signed. One hundred eleven founding partners signed the document, including José Aguilar Figueroa (photo), who donated the land where the current campus is located.

Thus began the period of José Fernández del Valle y Ancira as the president of ITESO, A.C. The office at the corner of Pedro Loza and Garibaldi was opened, and the organization that would lead the fight for ITESO's founding started up operations.

In July, the tenure of José Fernández del Valle y Ancira (photo) as Rector began. From 1957 to 1965, he served as the first president of ITESO, A.C.

In September the Academic Council's first session was held, and the first undergraduate courses were taught at Independencia 366, across from the Rotunda of the Illustrious Sons of Jalisco (photo). ITESO's Organic Statutes were enacted in October.

... The search for a campus

At first, ITESO was seen as an extension of the Instituto de Ciencias, and the assumption was that they would therefore share the same land. But after the Society of Jesus decided not to play a leading role in the construction of the university, ITESO set up operations on Independencia Street. Years later, they moved to Libertad Street, to what is currently La Casa de los Abanicos, the "House of Fans." After a long search, Don José Aguilar Figueroa donated the land where the campus is now located.

On July 5, the move to the Las Fuentes campus, as it was known at the time, got underway. ITESO bid farewell to its first graduating classes, who received no diplomas or official recognition by the Ministry of Education.

On September 8, at 10 a.m., classes started at the Las Fuentes campus.

The first chapters of the Organic Statute were enacted. The Society of Jesus formally assumed the responsibility for directing ITESO's Academic Departments.

Roberto de la Torre Castañeda (foto), started as president of ITESO, A.C., and finished at 1968.

At the end of this year, ITESO considered granting scholarships in spite of its precarious finances. Father Jorge Villalobos, SJ, (photo) took over as Rector.