Fordham University - Maroon Yearbook (New York, NY)

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'ur' Plmlus lay II, J. ,hm l7llIQlHl.XXl Yll-IXYS

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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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jfurhbam Ginihersitp year he founded the St. .lohn's Debating Society, which has existed full of good deeds to this day. 1Yhen Father Tellier had rounded out his sixth year as President of Ford- ham. he was succeeded. in 1860. by Father Thebaud, who was re-appointed to the ollice he had left vacant nine years before. lluring his second term, many im- portant events took place. The Seminary liuilding and Church were purchased from .Xrchbishop Hughes for 385.000, and additional property was also procured. ln 18oO, a marble quarry in Tremont was acquired, and a blue stone quarry was opened in the woods near the Bronx River. ln 1862 the lodge standing today at the main gateway was built as an experiment to test the qualities of the stone supplied by the newly opened quarry. lfvidently it proved durable, judging from the fact that all the college buildings save one, erected since that time, have been built of this blue stone, ln the latter part of 1863, Father Thebaud was succeeded by Father lidward lloucet. Father lloucet was a famous musician and a preacher of great ability. He was also a close friend of the much pitied and greatly maligned Edgar .-Xllan l'oe. who would often come to dine and hold conversation with the Fathers. l'oe lived, at that time, on Fordham hill, beyond the village. Father Doucet was in office but one year when he was called away to liurope and his duties then devolved upon the Yice-President. Father l'eter Tissot. Father Tissot retired at the end of the year. and Father XYilliam Kloylan was appointed in his stead. Father Xloylan left after him Senior llall. as a material contribution to Fordham's upbuilding. The structure was finished in the summer of 1867. ln 1808, Father Bloylan having served for three years, retired in favor of Father ,loseph Shea. During his term. Father Shea made some improvements to the buildings, and also several changes in the discipline of the college. lrle was followed as Presi- dent, in 187-l, by Father F. XYilliam fioclceln, who had previously held the office of Yice-President. Father lioclteln's chief problem during his term was the combatting of some disciplinary evils, which had crept in during the previous administration. llowever. after he had given them prompt attention, and reme- dial measures had been 'applied. all traces of the laxity disappeared, and the college was itself again. XYhen Father tioclteln had completed his long term of eight years, he was succeeded hy Father l'. F. llealy. Father llealy was probably one of the most able and progressive men that the college had had as its head up to this time. Not without a thorough acquaintance with Fordham, its manner and customs the himself having been a student there in 18-lil, he set to work to make some much needed improvements. Through his initiative, a regular College publication was started, resulting in the first appearance of the 'Fordham College Monthly, in November. 1882. Father llealy also introduced the landscape architect, and his coming resulted in extensive changes in the form of new terraces and better 23