Fordham University - Maroon Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Jfurhbam Mnihersitp Father Harley's ill-health did not permit him to enjoy the honor of presid- ing over the growing institution very long, and the next year he resigned his office giving place to Father Hayley, afterwards Archbishop of Baltimore. Linder his care, Fordham continued to flourish both in the increase of students and the character of the work done. At this period, Bishop llughes, in need of priests for the regular work of the diocese. desired to effect a change in the management of the college. It was his intention to place it in the hands of some religious order, devoted to educa- tional work. .-Xccordingly, he communicated with the -lesuits of St. Mary's College, Marion County. Kentucky, and the result was an agreement whereby they were to come to New York and take charge of Fordham. So it was that in -lune. 18-16, the Fathers of the Society of .lesus purchased Rose Hill from the diocese. Previously, however, articles of incorporation for the college had been applied for, and on April 10, 18-16, the act of incorporation was passed, raising St. 'lohn's College to the rank of a university, and granting it the power to confer such literary honors, degrees or diplomas as are usually granted by any university, college or seminary of learning in the United States. In September. 18-16, the -lesuits began their work amid strange surround- ings and a strange people. The First 'lesuit to assume control was Father Augus- tus '1'hebaud, a man of extensive erudition and a writer of note. Assisting him in the management of the college was a very able and efficient corps of profes- sors. During his incumbency, Father '1'hebaud's main care was to remodel the courses of study. according to the -lesuit Ratio Studiorumf' The result of his efforts was that the courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree were established. and these courses with a few modifications, have continued to this day. Several important changes were effected by Father Thebaud, notably the establishment of the student's library, and the designating of October as the month wherein the annual student retreat was to be held. Father '1'hebaud's successor in the Presidency was Father john Larkin, who had been connected with the faculty, in the capacity of Yice-President. Father Larkin was President from 1851 to 1354. and during that time, exercised wonder- ful influence over the students. He is described as an exceptionally handsome. courtly and erudite man. ln the year 1852 Father Louis blouin, the famous phil- osopher, mathematician and linguist, came to Fordham. He later became Vice- l'resident. ln 1855 .-Xrchbishop Hughes withdrew the seminary, which. to this time, had been continued at Fordham, and in 1862, secured property at Troy, N. Y., for the establishment of St. loseph's Provincial Seminary for the Archdiocese of New York. In 1354 the Presidency of Fordham passed to Father Remigius Tellier. During his term, which lasted until 1860, a few changes were made. In his first 21

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The jtiilarnnn the sincere congratulations that greet her on this notable occasion. She has earned the tribute by long years of silent service. Could the venerable founder have beheld the present flourishing condition of the institution he established, he would have rejoiced, but it could hardly have spurred him on to increased effort, for he labored most strenuously to put on a solid basis this first venture in the academic field. The humble beginning he knew, the early disappointments, the struggle for recognition, the handful of students, the paucity of professors, the isolation from the city. He knew the labor and the dilihcultyg may we not hope that he now looks down upon the grand result attained and feels that he builded wiser than he knew? For, scarcely in the wildest dream, could he have pictured the great Fordham of today, proudly looking back upon a past achieved. confidently facing a future big with hope. In 1841, Bishop llughes was fortunate enough to see his efforts for the improvement of the common schools in a fair way to success and, alive to the needs of Catholic higher education, he turned his attention to that subject. .Ns a preliminary, he set about completing the work begun by his predecessor. Bishop Dubois, and the seminary at Lafargeville, Jefferson County, was the result, However, the futility of trying to maintain an institution for secular training in so inconvenient a place as Lafargeville was soon shown, and the Bishop began to look around for a more suitable site, in the immediate vicinity of New York. Fordham, at that time a village of XVestchester County, though now a part of New York City. was selected as the site for the college. The Rose lelill Estate, beautiful in situation, with spacious grounds and of historic interest. seemed ideal for the purpose. Accordingly negotiations were entered into with the purpose of securing the property, and through the kind ollices of Mr. .Nndrew Carrigan, 'Rose llill Manor. a tract of ninety acres of rolling land, was bought for 330,000 The purchase price included the structure, which today forms the main part of the Jkdministration building. Some thousands of dollars were spent in necessary improvements, and the college was formally opened on june 24, 1841, on the Feast of St. -lohn the Baptist, its patron. Reverend Dr. john McCloskey, afterwards Archbishop of New York, and later the lirst :Xmerican Cardinal, was installed as hrst President, The following 8eptember studies began with an enrollment of about thirty students. 1t was also in 1841 that the diocesan theological seminary was transferred from Lafargeville to Fordham, and placed under the direction of Dr. McClos- key. ln 1843, Dr. McCloskey, the college now Hrmly established, was sum- moned to other duties for which he was peculiarly fitted, and he was succeeded as President by Father John B. Harley. who had been one of the faculty since the college's opening. During these two years noticeable progress had been made. The number of students had been doubled, the grounds improved. new buildings erected and the curriculum enlarged. 20

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