La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Naturally, many activities were phased out because of the war. But whether they remained active or not, they are worth notice in their reflection of our predecessors ' inter- ests, attitudes, and aspirations. From this reflection we perceive the image of an energetic, enthusiastic, and innovative college community. Between 1941 and 1942, enroll- ment dropped from 411 to 356. The call of the Army, Navy, and Ma- rines continued to be answered by La Salle students en masse so that by December of 1943 the college population had dropped to 121 stu- dents. During this time the total en- rollment of high school students at La Salle kept climbing and by 1944 had reached 1000. But the college picture turned even bleaker; the end of the 1945 academic year saw only fifty students attending La Salle. Though the effort was costly, and to some futile, the Christian Brothers refused to close the school. Finally, with the end of the war emergency, the population began to grow. In fact, the rate of enrollment soared so high that the fall of 1947 brought with it 1,700 college students. As Brother Thomas Gimborn noted, It was unheard of — after dropping to so few students — to be struggling to get together enough courses, sections, and teachers. The increase in student population necessitated faculty growth. From 1945 to 1952, the college faculty climbed from fifty-six to 120 full-time professors. In 1946, an Evening Division program was firmly established. Here, too, enrollment rose from thirty-six in the program ' s first year to over 1,600 students by 1956. And in 1959, academia at La Salle invaded students ' final sanctuary — summer. Summer sessions created the year-round services La Salle provides today. The growth of the college population soon forced out the high school students. By 1960, the small mammals, as Dr. Holroyd called the high schoolers, had migrated. But the entire campus was soon not large enough for the college population and the need for expansion became apparent. A project of major importance to the college was the completion of the library in 1951. Later years and further increases brought other new accommodations: several dormitories, Olney Hall, the College Union Building, and the chapel. The evolution of La Salle has led to a special college character. Brother Daniel Burke once wrote, La Salle is a complex college, a liberal arts college, a pre-professional school — with day, evening, and summer sessions ... All of these, combined with La Salle ' s emphasis on educational essentials and community, comprise the essential fabric of its tradition, propelling La Salle College further toward the realization of its destiny. ■ HT ■ HH H KH ' ' ' 1 ■ iJ ' HH P mihh 1 Hi 1 K kHI 1 IP Hi Brother F. Christopher Businsky rl

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For La Salle students, the years spent at 20th and Olney are a personal experience. Our view is limited by the brevity of our stay here. Looking upon the buildings and the campus, we feel a sense of constancy — of permanence. The La Salle we know is fixed in tradition. However, from a historical perspective. La Salle College at 20t h and Olney, on its fiftieth birthday, is still in those impressionable years: an age at which tradition does not yet impede progress and at which the students, faculty, and administration are still working toward the ideal La Salle. So, on the fiftieth anniversary of La Salle ' s ■plunge toward destiny, the eventful stages of the college ' s journey take on greater significance. In 1925, the mood of the nation - and of La Salle College - was confident. Plans for renovating old 1240 on North Broad Street were discarded and negotiations for the land at 20th Street and Olney Avenue began. Final settlement for the property was made on October 11, 1926, and soon afterwards construction started. The financial optimism of the Christian Brothers was shattered a short time later by negotiation difficulties and a nationwide economic collapse. As a result, college students were not moved from 1240 to 20th and Olney until February 5, 1930. A staggering debt and construction problems clouded the future, but the new campus opened new horizons. Numerous activities which has been struggling for survival or had never been considered thrived at 20th and Olney. The Collegian, for example, first appearing in May of 1931, has grown nd prospered despite depression, expansion, and controversy. Up to this time, college newspapers had had a traditionally short history at La Salle (as evidenced by the La SalJe Advance, the Argosy, the Budget, the Go-Getter, the Quadrangle, and the Acorn). La Salle ' s first football team kicked off in October of 1932. For ten years La Salle ' s football program remained in operation — including one undefeated season! But when the student population fell dramatically as a result of World War II, the sport was abandoned and never revived. In 1935, the first fraternity at La Salle was founded - Sigma Phi Lambda. The early years also saw the establishment of a law club, a history club, a debating society, and a pre-med society. And in 1940, for the very first time, the faces and events of a school year were captured in the first publication of the Explorer.

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Brother William Quinn strolling through campus