Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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(Oil %£,. a ilistorp of Boston CoUtge HE occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Boston College is a fitting time to look back into the past and review the remarkable growth of an institution which is now completing a half- century of life. It is especially fitting that the class of 1913, the binding link which unites the old home with the new, should tell this graphic story of fifty years of progress and achievement. The Jesuits came to Boston in 1847 at the invitation of Bishop Fitzpatrick and they settled at St. Mary ' s in the North End under the leadership of Father McElroy, S.J. The rapid growth of the parish and the desire of Father McElroy to open a school for boj s made it imperative to purchase additional property. Accoi ' dingly land was purchased on Harrison Avenue for the future Boston College on August 1st, 1857. The untiring efforts and the willing sacrifice of Father McElroy were rewarded by the completion of the buildings in 1859. The old college building was somewhat smaller than the present one on James Street. At that time it embraced that portion which is now the central portion of the later building, so that those rooms occupied by the college classes at present, the library and the chapel, were added several years later. Opening in 1860 as a house of studies for members of the Jesuit Order, it did not assume its present character until 1864, when on September 5th, a score or more of day scholars were enrolled in its catalogue. On April 1st of the previous year the college received its charter from the State of Massachusetts, with the power to confer degrees, except Medical degrees. The aim and purpose of the training at Boston College has always been not proxiinately to fit the student

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SliSi cititJlp f$a , liJeiu f23oj6iton College Itihrarp, l eto 25o ton College

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:•••••••• ••••••• ••••••• ••••••••■ »•••• • ••••••••••«• 5 a S r 2 4 for some special employment or profession, but to give him a gen- eral, vigorous, and rounded devel- opment as will enable him to cope successfully even with the unfore- seen emergencies of life. The lay- ing of a solid sub-structure in the mind for any super-structure of science, professional or special, also for the molding of correct moral, civil, and religious principles, is in short the purpose of all Jesuit teaching. To this end a prescribed course was offered. The curriculum included instruction in the classical languages, poetry, rhetoric, and a tiiorough training in philosophy. Since that time, the course has been somewhat varied. Father Bapst, the famous victim of the Knownothing outbreaks in Maine, assumed charge in 1862 and remained as the head of Boston College until 1869. He was suc- ceeded by Father Fulton, who is probably the best known Jesuit Boston College has ever had as its President. Famous for his spark- ling wit and his ability as an organ- izer, his name is still upon the lips of many Boston Catholics. During his long term of office he founded the Young Men ' s Catholic Associa- tion, which has since become a worthy adjunct of the college. Although the attendance at the College in the early days was very small, we find that the students were very active in athletics and dramatics. The Shakespearean dramas, as well as farce comedies, were frequently presented by the students. The Georgetown Window, Library, New Boston College