Gannon University - Lance Yearbook (Erie, PA)

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jtallcafttm The 1957 edition of THE LANCE is dedicated to His Excellency. The Most Reverend John Mark Gannon, D.D., D.C.L., L.L. D. Archbishop — Bishop of Erie. It was his courage and great vision that brought about the founding of Gannon College in 1944, and his unswerving interest in the school and its students that has contributed greatly to the. development of this college. The founding of any institution of higher learning is a Herculean task, but the scope and complexity of Gannon College made it a deed that many termed impos- sible. Gannon College was founded as the only Catholic men's school in the city, originally starting with meager facilities and resources. The situation was made more difficut as World War II broke out, all but emptying the halls of Gannon. The school managed to remain in existence throughout these turbulent years. They were difficult years . . . heartbreaking years. The men of the college left the placid atmosphere of their classes to engage in the deadly serious business of war. Many of them never returned. Weaker men, men with less foresight and convictions, would have accepted this as defeat and closed the doors of Gannon forever. But, this was not to be the fate of Gannon College. Thanks to Bishop Gannon, the college remained open during the war, nurturing its wonderful gift of education until such a time as the men of Erie could again take advantage of it. The ensuing years proved to be the period of greatest expansion in the short history of the college. New and imposing buildings sprang up on the Perry Square horizon, giving concrete rebuttal to the doubter and critic, emphatically proving that Gannon College had become a vital and permanent part of the educational system of the area. It is a phenomenal and almost fantastic achievement in the annals of education- al pioneering, but the job was done and done well. The Gannon Class of 1957 can think of no man more deserving of this dedica- tion. To Archbishop John Mark Gannon we extend our sincere appreciation for the opportunity of a higher education.

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A birthday SaMt m Ifis lExttUtnm On June twelfth of this year Archhishop Gannon will celebrate his eightieth birthday. At this time the city will honor its most outstanding octogenarian. Born in Erie, the son of Thomas and Julia Gannon. John Mark Gannon was the seventh child of a family of nine. He was reared in the warm and loving atmosphere of a modest Catholic family which then resided on West 11th Street in Erie. After his graduation from Central High School, the young man worked in the office of the Erie City Iron Works, an experience which no doubt helped to develop his familiarity with the problems of the working man. He also was tutored in Latin in preparation for the priesthood. He enrolled at St. Bonaventure College and there formed friendships with other men who have since become some of his closest acquaintances. The young Gannon was ordained on December 21, 1901, and began furthering his studies, this time at Catholic University, in preparation of the high place in the Church which his contemporaries and teachers knew he would some day assume. After assisting at various diocesan parishes for a short time. Father Gannon, in 1904, sailed to Europe where he continued his studies at the University of Munich and the Appolinare University of Rome where he earned a doctorate in Canon Law and Sacred Theology. The young Doctor of the Church received an appointment to hi s first parish in 1907, when he was assigned to Cambridge Springs as a resident pastor. This began his fantastic career in the Erie diocese during which he has performed feats which by many were thought impossible. Upon the death of Bishop Fitzmaurice in 1920, John Mark Gannon was in- stalled as Bishop of Erie. His first major accomplishment was the erection of the million dollar St. Joseph's Home four years later. From that time on, Bishop Gannon has successfully completed many projects which until this time were not believed possible for any one man. In the majority of the cases, he has taken the welfare of the young people into consideration above all else. It was only a little more than a decade ago that he founded Gannon College, an institution which through his guidance has grown in tremendous proportions. It has been a full life for Bishop Gannon. It has been a life which many men with combined efforts could not duplicate. Still, he is not finished. He is con- stantly striving to better the conditions of his diocese and will not rest until he has done everything in his power to meet this end. This truly is an indication of his en- viable and admirable character.