The University of San Martin de Porres, traces its origins to the Instituto Pro-Deo, a house dedicated to the cultivation of philosophy and theology founded by the RP Dr. Vicente Sánchez Valer Order of Preachers (Dominicans). Shortly after Pope John XXIII elevated to the altars to Blessed Fray Martin de Porres Velasquez of Dominica Order of Peru, the University under the patronage of the new saint is founded; the May 17, 1962. "The first faculties were Education and Letters including the Institutes of Philosophy, Castilian, Literature, History, Geography and Journalism. The first rector was the founder, RP Vicente Sánchez Valer. That was a time remembered with nostalgia for the founders due to the innovative spirit and growth that led them to incorporate the careers of Accounting, Economics, Management, Law, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology and the Institutes of Industrial Relations and Cooperative. The seventies were marked by very active as far as infrastructure is concerned, for example, the acquisition of the extensive grounds of the University City in the then remote district of Santa Anita."