St Josephs College - Footprints Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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A Decade — in Retrospect TEN years have passed since St. Joseph ' s College first saw. through the mist of uncertainty, its rising star, its raison d ' etre — the moulding of Catholic womanhood for the greater glory of God. With this end in view, the College was formally dedicated on October first, with its founder, Bishop McDonnell, as its first president and Sister Celestine as its first Dean. In those early days, the College Buildings were the little wooden house on Washington Avenue. It was not until 1918, when the College was to prepare for the matriculation of its third class that our present home on Clinton Avenue was purchased. The evolution of this building from one of the gorgeous mansions of Brooklyn to the diocesan Catholic College, is one of the most marvelous accomplishments of the first Faculty. The struggle for existence during those earl) years was unquestionably uphill work. Those in charge, always conscious that each new step was only an experiment to he carried on against overpowering odds, neverthe- less managed by a series of checks and balances to reduce chaos to order and system in government, lint the many moments of failure and disap- pointment must have been discouraging and depressing. However, in June, 1920, when the members of the pioneer class — the twelve Apostles of St. Joseph ' s — were ready to receive their degrees, the toil and hardship of tin- past were completely forgotten in present joy and gladness. The happiness occasioned by that first Commencement is one of the sweetest pages in the College history, for then only did St. Joseph ' s compel diocesan recognition and make secure its place as an educational institution. The Facultj at that time consisted of eleven members. How interesting a com- parison between that and the present number, which shows an increase almost in proportion to that of graduates. Equally interesting is the fact that of the pioneer group there still remain five as professors in the St. Joseph ' s of today. The first great change in the Faculty took place in the summer of 1920 when Doctor Molloy of the Philosoph) Department was made Auxiliary Bishop i Brooklyn. While the College rejoiced at the distinction conferred upon its beloved professor, it regretted that the new duties necessitated his resignation from the Faculty. Father Dillon was then appointed by Bishop .McDonnell to succeed Bishop Molloy. In 1921, thi ' entire College was saddened by the death of its President. That this was truly a great loss everyone understood. For five years, the Bishop had labored hard and well that the College might reach the posi- tion which it occupied at his death. It was consoling, however, to know- that he had lived to see the fulfillment, in great measure, of his dreams an d the fruition of his labors. With Bishop Molloy ' s appointment as Bishop McDonnell ' s successor, came his subsequent assumption of the office of I ' resident of St. Ji iseph ' s I olli Meanwhile, the College was steadily progressing, as was proved by the increasing numbers in each successive Freshman class. When the present Seniors entered, the college register numbered one hundred. How gratified . sister Sacred Heart, then our Registrar, was when she announced this fact! And how gratifying the contrast in numbers brought about in three short years. From all indications, one hundred will very soon mean not the college but the Freshman register. Scholastically, too. the College was proving successful, for each year St. Joseph ' s girls were leaving in steadily growing numbers to take their places in the world ' s professions. At the same time, they were bringing glory to their Alma Mater by their exemplary li .

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TO OUR PARENTS o repay in a measure, the debt we owe you, and to manifest our appreciation of the many sacri- fices made by you in the course of our lives, especially during our college days, we, the class of 192.6, do gratefully and affectionately dedicate this volume. 8? Helyne Straub ' 26

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The winter of 1923 brought us again into the darkness of death. Sister Celestine, one of the founders of the College and its Dean for almost seven years, went to her reward in January of that year. Once again the College was faced with the serious problem of finding a successor to fill a gap. Shortly after. Sister Sacred Heart was chosen as Dean. How delighted we were, when we returned in tin- fall of 1923, to find that the long-promised annex in the rear of 245 was actually under construction ! Delight was augmented by pride in the growth and progress which had made the new building absolutely necessary for the College. A Greater St. Joseph ' s was the goal toward which we were all working, and this was the first definite step in that direction. Of course. ' 26 then in Sophomore Year, felt all the thrill of active co-operators in the great work. On St. Joseph ' s Day, 1924, the College Chapel, made possible by the larger quarters, was dedicated by Bishop Molloy, and the room where once we had danced and made merry became the Shrine of the Divine Presence. We were grateful indeed for this blessing and privilege which was to be a source of solace and inspiration to us all. The growing numbers in the student body now made it imperative that the Faculty be correspondingly increased. Heretofore, some provision had been made but it was inadequate for the demand and so the situation had not been greatly relieved. It was not until the fall of 1925, when the teaching staff was practically trebled that conditions were bettered. Sister Sacred Heart ' s position as Dean was taken over by Sister Angeline. Numerous additions throughout the various departments made possible the carrying on of the work of education in a suitable manner. On this, its tenth birthday, the College can rightfully boast of many things accomplished. It has triumphantly passed the formative stage and is now functioning as a recognized Catholic College. Expansion in every direction has taken place. Gradually but definitely, student government is superseding faculty management, while the students themselves are proving worthy of this great trust. Besides, the purchase of our newest building on Clinton Avenue gives evidence of still further growth and betterment. Its occupation by the students at the beginning of the new semester was indeed a milestone in our history. In that mass of stone and wood lie the fulfillment of dreams, the consummation of hopes, the inspiration for future glory and achievement. In addition, the student register now numbers two hundred and forty-live, despite the fact that many applicants have been denied admission. The standard of scholarship has also been raised so that under the new regulations, admission to and graduation from St. Joseph ' s College have come to mean more than mediocre ability and earnestness. Beyond a doubt, much has been accomplished. St. Joseph ' s girls are representing her in almost every field, as the religious, the mothers, doctors, teachers and lawyers of the race. This speaks well indeed for the past. But the task does not end there; much still remains to be done. What the future will bring rests, to a great extent, in the hands of us of the present. The road is still long and wearisome, but, spurred on by the accomplishments of our predecessors, we cannot fail. We must continue onward toward the realization of the ideal which gave birth to St. Joseph ' s, our Alma Mater. GENEVIEVE D ' ALBORA, ' 26. ■4 8 } -