John Carroll University - Carillon Yearbook (University Heights, OH)

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Part I The first permanent settlement of the Jesuits within the present Diocese of Cleveland came in the year 1880. At the invitation of the second Bishop of Cleveland, the Most Reverend Richard Gilmour, D.D., the German Fathers of the Buffalo Mission came to Cleveland and took over the work of St. Mary's Parish. In the spring of 1886, the Superior of the mission, Fr. Behrens, S.J., sent Fr. John Neu- stich, S.J. and a few other priests and brothers to Cleveland for the purpose of opening a school. Their diligent work was finally rewarded when, on Sep- tember 6, 1886, St. Ignatius College, the forerunner of John Carroll, opened its doors to seventy-six ambi- tious young men. The first building constructed was of wood frame and stood at the corner of Jersey and Carroll Streets on the West side. This small building, however, soon proved to be inadequate, and so, in 1888, the good fathers opened the first wing of the new college. The first catalogue and roster of students is in- deed of special interest. On the latter can be found the names of such men as Mr. Thomas S. Grasselli, a noted Cleveland industrialist and one of Carroll's greatest benefactors. Although recognized from the start, the college was incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1890 and granted the power to confer certificates and degrees. The year 1891 marks the formation of two of our present day organizations-the Sodality of Our Lady and the Booster Club. In 1892 Fr. LeHalle, S.J., became the president of the college, and it was during his term that our now famous meteorological and seismological observatory was founded. Fr. Odenback, S.J., a noted pioneer in the field of seismology, is given the formal credit for the initiation of the observatory. A pushball contest . . . 1917 0 15 The old St. Ignatius College It is noteworthy that during the first ten years of the existence of the college, approximately sev- enty-two percent of the graduates went over to St. Mary's Seminary on the Lakeside. This is a mar- velous contribution of fine priests-over four hun- dred in number-whose honor and glory will never be taken from old St. Ignatius. The Glee Club and Band was organized under the Rev. Godfrey Schelte, S.J., who was later to become the next president of the college. In 1906 the first alumni association was formed by Fr. Zahm, who at that time was the rector of the college. Rev. George Pickel, S.J., took over his duties in 1907 and opened Loyola High School on Cedar Avenue and East 106th Street. In August, 1915, Rev. William Sommerhauser, S.J., became the president, and it was during his years that the first college paper, Lumina, was started. Fr. Thomas Smith succeeded to the rector- ship, and through his efforts to expand the college, the Jesuits were able to purchase the present site of John Carroll. As part of this plan of development, a new name was given to old St. Ignatius. On May 17, 1923, the title of Cleveland College was officially conferred on the school. This name was shortlived, however, for in September of the same year, the in- stitution was renamed as John Carroll University. Because of the crowded conditions of the school and the impossibility of further expansion, the Jesu- its realized the urgency of moving the university out to the Heights. The time was perfect, the stage was set, and the Fathers prepared to fulfill their long awaited dream.

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The new campus in construction . . . in 1931 The Story of the Blue and Gold This is the simple story of John Carroll Uni- versity. Space being inadequate, this will be but a rough outline Whose detail has been filled with heroic deeds, past and present. We leave to others the task of bringing into view those hidden details. This, then, is not only a tribute to those Who have come before us, but it stands as an invitation to those who Wish to become one of us and stand out in the ranks of the future as true Carroll men. The First Building . . . in 1887 140

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f .'ilf5l2iii',i ' . . 9 As Grasselli tower goes up . . . the New . . . 1931 Part II This dream became a reality on a glistening au- tumn morning as the Jesuits opened wide the doors of the new John Carroll University. In a history such as this, it is difficult to pay tribute to each indi- vidual responsible for the success of this undertak- ing and inadequate to praise them as a group, but this we must do. Our gratitude is extended to 5,609 patrons whose generosity amounted to 2B2,541,382.00 inithe construction of John Carroll. Among these numbers are two gentlemen who cannot be over- looked. Mr. John J. Bernet, who led the building council in co-operation with Mr. Herman R. Neff, chairman of the preliminary campaign. These men have left imprints as monumental traditions here at Carroll. However, the story of the construction of John Carroll University tells of many problems presented as the depression hit Cleveland. Businesses failed, incomes dwindled, savings of years-standing were wiped out overnight. As a result, many people were unable to pay their pledges. With funds lacking, building operations came to a standstill. For four years, the people of Cleveland struggled against the storms of the depression. Meanwhile, the unfinished buildings in University Heights were ex- posed to wind, rain, snow, and ice. Finally, realizing that Cleveland had weathered the financial crises, and fearing that longer exposure would render the buildings unfit for occupancy, the campaign com- mittee decided to start a drive to secure payment of pledges made five years before. John Carroll University, The Finished Product, in the Summer of 1935 Accordingly, the committee, in January, 1935, sounded the call to complete the new university. After four months of the campaign, work on the buildings was resumed in May. The administration, chemistry, physics, and biology buildings were pre- pared for use in the fall. Finally, on October 7, 1935, classes started in John Carroll. The students' resi- dence was ready for occupancy two months later. As the program for the physical development of Carroll took shape, so also did the school develop in the field of scholastic endeavor. A great educator, Reverend Albert C. Fox, S.J., saw the need of ad- vanced work under Catholic auspices and developed the Graduate Division of the University. Together with the Reverend Thomas A. Donnelly, S.J., and the Reverend Ralph A. Gallagher, S.J., he began after- noon classes. His last accomplishment before his death was to establish the Department of Business Administration. Anyone who knew, frequented, and loved the shadowed corridors, the worn stairways, and arched windows of the Old, can hardly believe his eyes as he approaches the New. As we walk through the portals of John Carroll, we pause lest our foot fall upon the seal embedded in the entrance. As our eyes search the embossed and emblazoned bronze seal, we, too, find that we have become part of John Carroll tradition.