Marquette University - Hilltop Yearbook (Milwaukee, WI)

Page 10 text:

Below: Marquette College's first graduating class, 1887 Bottom Right: Stanislaus P. Lalu-miere, SJ„ the college's fourth president, and president at the time of the first graduation. Pcre Jacques Marquette stopped only briefly in what is now Milwaukee on his famous expedition of 1671. Hut 208 years after the French Jesuit explored Wisconsin and the upper Midwest, a college bearing his name opened in Milwaukee. To this building is attached the name of one who is held in veneration by pagans and Christians, said Rev. H.F. Fairbanks, a Milwaukee priest, at the dedication of the first Marquette College building. Students will be taught and edified, and they shall possess and communicate the spirit of Marquette. Thar first building has fallen victim to time, but the spirit of Marquette lives on. Parr One: Marquette College (1848-1907) 18-18 — The first attempts at starting a Jesuit college in Milwaukee are unsuccessful, but they are nonetheless important in the Marquette story. Only two years after the incorporation of Milwaukee, the city 's first bishop. John lienni. initiates efforts to establish a school. The Jesuits arrive in Milwaukee in 185.1, and open Sr. Aioysius Academy in 1856. The Academy folds after a few months, bur theJesuits remain. In 1864, the Wisconsin State Legislature grants them a charter for a college. 1850 — Bishop lienni obtains a $16,000 grant from Belgian businessman G.J. De- Boey, to be used in founding a Jesuit college. The money is used to purchase land outside of the city, on the hill. ” at 10th and State Streets, in 1856. 1880 — Construction begins on the first Marquette College building, on the land purchased 24 years earlier. 1881 — In September. Marquette College opens its doors to 77 students, all male. Tu -irion is $60 a year, and remains at that figure until 1916. 1882 — Semester examinations are admin -istered for the first time, on January 27. — The Marquette Sodality is formed. The purpose of the voluntary religious organization is to develop Christian character under the protection of the Mother of Christ, and to cultivate the apostolate by promoting activities involved in Catholic action. It immediately becomes one of the most popular organizations on campus. In 189.1. the Sodality is divided into junior and senior divisions in order to accommodate everyone who wants to be a member. The Sodality remains popular until the 1960s. when interest declines rapidly, and the organization folds. — In June, the first Annual Fxcercises are held. No degrees arc conferred, bur honors, promotions, prizes and awards are announced. 1881 — Two laymen are employed by the

Page 9 text:

Past Perhaps (here is no significance to the fact that the idea of Marquette University was conceived in a period of stress. And then perhaps again there was somethng of an omen in this circumstance which may have forshadowcd events to he narrated in this history. — Raphael J. Hamilton, S.J.. in The Story of Marquette University 5

Page 11 text:

The first Marquette College building, at 10th and State Streets, was the home of the college and high school Built in 1881. it survived into the 1970s At Marquette 100 Years Ago When Marquette opened in 1881. it was foreign languages and Christian doctrine not only a college, hut also a high school were required classes. The entire curriculum took seven years to In 1906. the college and preparatory acad- complete, with four years in the preparatory emy separated. The academy, later called academy followed by three years of either Marquette University High School, remained liberal arts or commercial training. under the direction of the Jesuits for several Many of the first 77 students of Marquette years after the separation, although it had its College had little or no previous education own principal and faculty. The nine faculty members, all Jesuits, even After the college became a university, were faced with several students who had not there developed a trend to specialize By yet learned to read and write! By 1887. 1916. most of the independent colleges with - though, five men finished the whole seven- in the university had been founded Even the year course, and were awarded bachelor of schools that were founded after 1916 had arts degrees. their roots in this period. Nursing courses, for Until 1907, when the Medical College was example, were offered long before the Col- established. the college offered liberal arts lege of Nursing became independent of the education only. Classical studies, philosophy. Medical College in 1936.