Merrimack College - Merrimackan Yearbook (North Andover, MA)

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.qfjjl 3 . WM 1 1 u , . ,- V V 1' AP, Q-v Z CUpper leftj Members of the earliest student society at Merri- mack, the Glec Club, under the able direction of Father Wynne, make music around the pianoforte. CUpper rightj The intramural teams square away in the first game of a brilliant and close competition between student-organized, sectional teams. ' The original canteen in the Classroom Building made up for lack of facilities by the good humorcd fun of the budding: scholars as they dashed in for cigarettes and collee between classes.

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Under the inspiration and guidance of Father Edward Burns The Press Club Bulletin, a mimeo- graphed news monthly, was published regularly until the first edition of the informative MERRIMACK WARRIOR appeared'in June, 1948. The intense academic and extra-curricular activity was equalled only by the stabilizing and spiritually rejuvenating force of the college chapel. Dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel, patroness of the college, the chapel was the center of the religious program of the stu- dents' life. Father James Hannan as chaplain devel- oped a full schedule of devotions and personal conferences. Fathers Thomas E. Rogers, O.S.A., and William V. Donovan, 0.S.A., conducted the first of Merrimack's annual retreats at the conclusion of the winter term. The Guild of the Holy Name and the Sanctuary Society took their places among the lead- ing organizations of the college. Nineteen new students were accepted for the spring term, and Father Francis X. Smith, O.S.A., M.A., joined the faculty. Archbishop Cushing inaugurated the Merrimack Forum, an annual series of public lectures sponsored by the college. In March the pioneer class elected Donald Beaton, presidentg James McLaughlin, vice-president, Thomas Mc- Gowan, secretary, and Charles Gallagher, treasurer. In May the first formal dance, the first Holy Name Communion Breakfast, and the first meeting of the Student Council followed one another with an im- to An essential to the athletic program of any college, the gymnasium resounds with the vigorous activity pressive display of spirit. But for the parents and friends of Merrimack College this challenging record was not quite enough, and early in the spring of 1948 they formed the Merrimack Association for the pur- pose of furthering student activity at the college. Under the leadership of its officers, Mr. Patrick F. Shannon, Malden, president, Mrs. Adam Silk, Lowell, vice-president, Mrs. William Mason, Medford, second vice-president, Mrs. William O'Neill, Lawrence, cor- responding secretary, Mr. John J. Regan, Lawrence, recording secretary, and Attorney Jolm J. Fox, Jr., Lawrence., treasurer, the association immediately organized a gigantic Penny Social at the Lawrence Memorial Stadium to realize funds for the construc- tion of a gymnasium. The result of this initial effort of the Merrimack Association graces thue college campus today-a spacious gymnasium with a hardwood basketball court, lockers, showers., and utility rooms. Recogniz- ing the necessity for a healthy sports program, the administration encouraged the participation of the entire student body in an expanded intramural bas- ketball program. Then, in June, the epoch-making first year was history. Six new faculty members arrived to augment the staff for the summer session and the new class in the fall: Fathers Joseph A. Flaherty, O.S.A., and Arthur B. Maxwell, O.S.A., and the lay instructors, Francis X. Day, Stephen Horn, Donald Kearns, and Benjamin Mattina. of intramural and varsity sports. Here too is the stage of the college's cultural and social life. 'WWW' ,

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I l V rt, X. . Q' , 1 - ' ,stu A year to the day after the opening of the College, September 27, 1948, construction was started on the new Science Building located on the northwest cor- ner of what will eventually be the main campus quadrangle. Of classic colonial design the three-story fully-equipped building is fabricated of red brick and granite facing. In addition to classrooms, depart- mental ollices, and research laboratories the Science Building contains a chapel and assembly hall, a general lecture hall, faculty and student lounges, a lunchroom, locker facilities, and individual labora- tories for physics, electronics, optics, quantitative analysis, physical, organic, inorganic and advanced chemistry. High over the main entrance is indelibly inscribed in stone the motto of this hall of science, Deus Scientiarum Dominus Est. -, A'3ft.af'tl' Mum The Solemn High Mass invoking Cod's Blessing on the opening of Merrimack College, September 22, 1947 commences with the Provin- cial, the late Father Sullivan, as celebrant and Fathers McDonald and McQuade assisting. 5. n