Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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0 ! HE history of Boston College at University Heights has been one of rapid prog- I ress. These four years are but a beginning of what may be called the Colder k Era of our College and they augur well for its future. Boston College was established in 1863, and in 1907, when it was not yet fifty years old. Father Gasson, foreseeing the future needs of the College, purchased the present site facing Commonwealth Avenue and overlooking the Reservoir. No one who has enjoyed the beauty of this place will doubt the wisdom of the choice. The Recitation Building, the first of the eighteen buildings which are to be erected on the Height, was finished in 1913, the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Col- lege. The cornerstone was put in place in June of that year, the ceremonies being per- formed by Right Reverend Joseph G. Anderson, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Boston. On September 17, 1915, the first Freshman class, the Class of 1917, entered the new Boston College and the first complete collegiate year began. In October of this year the chime bells were hung in the tower. The sweet tone of these bells can not be forgotten by any one who has studied at Universiiy Heights. Father Gasson was succeeded at Boston College by Reverend Charles W. Lyons, S.J., in January of the year 1914. The departure of Father Gasson was deeply re- gretted by all the students whose hearts he had won by his kindly ways, but they were glad to welcome our present Rector, under whose able leadership the College has grown wonderfully. The need of a residence on the grounds for the faculty was soon felt, and the grounds were blessed and the first sod turned for the second of the group of buildings on September 8, 1914. The simple ceremonies were performed by Father Lyons. This Building has been placed under the patronage of our Blessed Mother and named St. Mary ' s Hall. It has naturally been the hope of all our athletes that the College might have an athletic field of her own. This hope was realized in 1915. On October 30th of that year, the new athletic field, a field of which every son of Alma Mater may well be proud, was dedicated. It was named Alumni Field in honor of our alumni, who helped so gen- erously that the field might be finished, and raised the money for the erection of the grand- stands. A flag raising and celebration were held on May 9th, 1916, at the Field by the Philomatheia Club, who donated the flag-pole. This Club, an organization of ladies