Merrimack College - Merrimackan Yearbook (North Andover, MA)

Page 10 text:

The Very Reverend Arthur B. Maxteell, O.S.A., A.B,, M.A., Litt.D., an Augus- tinian teacher of many years, is Prior and religious superior of the clerical faculty. Corpus Christi — The ostensoriuin raised in blessing over Merrimack and her family. Our Heritage Loose bricks and boards being formed into a complete building with a sacred purpose. The gymnasium was made possible by an enormous Penny Sale held in the Lawrence Memorial Stadium and organized by parents and friends, known today as the Men of Merrimack. Their support, having become traditional, along with the Ladies of Merrimack, has enabled the plans for further construction to be realized. The next four years saw the “mushrooming” of three more buildings . . . Cushing, Sullivan, and Austin Halls. On September 29, 1948, ground was broken for the science building. Named Cushing Hall in honor of Boston’s beloved Archbishop who has done so much for Merrimack, this anchor of the pro- posed quadrangle was ready by late 1949 for occu- pancy by the various science departments. The summer of 1952 brought to completion Sullivan Hall and Austin Hall. The former was dedicated to the V’ery Reverend Mortimer A. Sullivan, O.S.A., late Provincial of the Province, and houses the liberal arts, business administration, and secretarial science depart- ments. The latter combines the administrative offices, the library, and the living quarters of the clerical faculty. Thus was achieved the first stage of IMerri- mack’s growth and development on a definitive leveL In the spring of 1955 the Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher was formally dedicated by Arch- bishop Richard J. Cushing, his own very special con- tribution to the spiritual life of the College. 6

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A Look At Our History This year, 1957, marks the end of the first decade in the history of Merrimack College. The ten years that the College has graced the valley whose name it bears have been filled with monumental accom- plishments. The College is the direct outcome of a surge of ambition following or concurrent with the economic vicissitudes of the Merrimack Valley. It is a result of defiance, of unequalled hope and faith in the face of discouragement, of the basic resilience of the people of the area. The College is to these people a symbol of achievement, of a new generation of spiritual and intellectual development raised up out of the valley itself. It is emblematic of pride and worthy self-respect acting as an impetus to greater things. Generations ago, the campus was the farm of Abiel Wilson, peaceful, and untrodden by academic shoe- leather. In 1946 members of a labor-management as- sociation in Haverhill, attempting to alleviate the over-crowded school conditions caused by returning veterans, conceived the idea of erecting a small col- lege within the Lawrence-Lowcll-Haverhill area. This group, headed by Mr. J. Leo Cronin, approached the present Bishop Minihan. then secretary to His Excel- lency Richard J. Cushing. His mediation proved largely instrumental in winning the Archbishop’s en- thusiastic and substantial support. The Augustinian Fathers cf Villanova were secured to found and to staff the proposed college. Under the aegis of the ' ery Reverend ’incent .A. McQuade, O.S.A., construction was begun on the building that would eventually be known as Guild Hall, a long E-shaped structure lo- cated on Peter ' s Street, below Wilson’s Corner, North Andover. The “E” is now indicative of Engineering, for it is thence that this department has been in- stalled. Classes began on September 29, 1947 with the sound of hammer and saw still echoing in the corri- dors. That was the beginning. Since then five other buildings have appeared and a Business Administra- tion hall is now on the architect’s boards. Austin Hall at j)re.st nt houses the Administration offices, faculty residence and the lihrary. Tha Collrfiiatt’ ( ' .liaprl is tin v ‘rv co c of life on cainpU ' and a syinhol of the spiritual nucleus of (iatholic ' duca- tion, ih ' ar to the heart of cv( ' rv stinhuil. 5

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The physical expansion is, of course, still continu- ing. Ever conscious of the increasing demands made upon the College His Excellency announced his intention of matching a half milion dollar fund to be raised by the Men of Merrimack. The immediate i ur- pose of the Development Fund Campaign is to erect a classroom building and a student union center. Con- commitant with this brick-and-mortar stage has been the blossoming of the Merrimack Tradition a spirit that is peculiarly and essentially a part of our aca- demic heritage. We feel that the spirit motivating our college is vital and unique because of the nature of its vitality, which permeates and enlivens the entire Mer- rimack family, alumni and current student body alike. This vigor stems primarily from the fact that we are so young that growth is still a conscious process, but it is so intrinsically a part of Merrimack’s heritage In earlier days collegiate activity was centered on the lower half of the campus, at Guild and Cascia Halls and the gymnasium. Archbishop Cushing imposing his final im- primatur as he lays the cornerstone of the Col- legiate Church of Christ the Teacher, Spring 1951. that it will always remain the core of the school’s activity. Those who are to come shall bear witness to it and shall carry it on and increase it, and Merrimack will raise her head over the Valley with pride and gratitude that through the efforts of so many, so many more have been able to give greater glory to God by the education of mankind. In the gallery of Firsts is this first commencement pro ' cession winding its way from Guild Hall to the gyni ' nasium and on out to make history abroad. 7