Salve Regina University - Regina Maris Yearbook (Newport, RI)

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PAST AND PRESENT 1951 looks back to 1851. Jane Murphy stands before the picture of Mother McAuley whose educational philoso- phy was To fit souls for earth without unfit- ting them for heaven. L karter ia55 in T, ' nniversaru s4vinal$ HE HISTORY of Salve Regina College could not be told without recording the pre- liminary events that preceded its establish- ment. Our history begins with the history of the Sisters of Mercy in Rhode Island. On March 12, 1851, exactly one hundred years ago, the seeds from which Salve Regina Col- lege would later develop were sown. On that day, Mother Francis Xavier Warde and her small company of nuns took up residence in Providence, Rhode Island, to begin their labor of love for Christ in New England. In 1854 the Sisters of Mercy came to Newport to continue and extend the work they had been doing in other communities. From the moment of their arrival in Rhode Island, to the present day, and on into the future, the Sisters of Mercy have tirelessly practised and will continue to practise the spiritual and cor- poral works of mercy. They have built schools, missions, and orphanages; they have been teachers, nurses, missionaries, and foster- mothers. Above all, however, the Sisters of Mercy have been spiritual guides and coun- sellors. With Mater Misericordiae ever as their model and inspiration they have min- istered to the bodies and minds and souls of men. For years, the sisters cherished the dream of founding a Catholic Woman ' s College in Rhode Island, and in 1934 the Sisters of Mercy were granted a charter to establish Eight

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Jable of (contents History 8 Administration 20 Graduates 31 Undergraduates 73 Organizations 86 Activities 106 Directory 120 Advertisements 120 MOORE HALL— GIFT OF CORNELIUS C. MOORE, ESQUIRE— NOVEMBER, 1950

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Arch bishop Francis P. Ke- ough is preceded by Msgr. Peter E. Blessing in the processional. Arch bishop Keough blesses the college as- sisted by clergy - Sept. 2 4 . 1947. such a college. It was not until thirteen years later, however, that the sisters found a build- ing in which to begin their work. On March 24, 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goelet of Newport donated their estate, Ochre Court, to the Sisters of Mercy. The dream of the sisters was realized. Salve Regina College, the first Catholic College for women in Rhode Island, was formally opened on Mercy Day, September 24, 1947. The Most Reverend Bishop Francis Keough presided at the cere- monies and the first class was officially wel- comed to their castle by the sea. Freshman Features First class! First day! ... It seems so long ago and yet, paradoxically, it was only yesterday in our college life. It would be impossible to recapture that day in mere words. In each of our memories there is impressed some highlight of Mercy Day, 1947. Our hearts were bursting with pride as we surveyed the splendor that was Salve Regina, and yet we were strangely humbled when we heard Bishop Keough declare that we were to be the pioneers of S- R. C. Among the many famous persons who came to greet Ni ne