Seattle University - Aegis Yearbook (Seattle, WA)

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FRANCIS J. McGARRIGLE, S.J. Dean of the Graduate School Cs e2 » 6?, 4 37 JAMES B. McGOLDRICK, S.J. Dean of Seattle College 6

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FRANCIS E. CORKERY, S.J. President PETER J. HALPIN, S.J. Vice-President

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svsTem of eoucflTion [■I— DUCATION in its popular conception denotes the training of the intellect through scholastic endeavor |P - and practical experience. Fully aware of the importance of intellectual training, the members of the Society of Jesus have subordinated it, however, to moral and religious training, making this the whole foundation of their educational system. The soundness of such a foundation is unquestionable; surely any system having for its object the development of the whole man is strong and true. It should be remembered that education is mental and moral development and not mere instruction or assimilation of facts in the various branches of knowledge. In a college the successful scholar develops his mental faculties, hut unless this development is accompanied by moral training, he cannot be called truly educated. A positive result of a thorough mental and moral training is culture and refinement — these characteristics springing from the self-discipline which accompanies a real education. Now the essence of proper moral training is not to be overestimated, for adherence to moral principles is a dominant feature in the life of every strong character. Indeed such an individual’s life is composed of high, moral principles which in turn form superior ideals. This naturally tends to shape the most desirable type of person. The proper inculcation of maxims of conduct is one of the direct aims of the Jesuit system of education. To effect their moral training, the students are given example, supervision, ethical instruction and are aided by the all-important means provided by the Church. Moral education is subordinate to the basis of all education — religious training. To teach morality without religion manifests impossibility, for morality springs from religion. Religion, therefore, is not a mere ornament to education, but is, on the contrary, the most necessary and vital part of the student’s training. If the supernatural element were entirely omitted from the system, a weak, subjective, ineffective method of training would result. Such a condition has never been allowed to come about. Instead, the blending of the supernatural with the natural is the aim of the system, and the success of it is obvious. Religion, therefore, occupies a prominent position and lends, as a result, a cultured tone to the system. In such an environment students find themselves supported by principles that have never fallen, encouraged by the superior tone that only a religious atmosphere can produce. Here the religious, moral and intellectual training of the student is ably fostered. Since the object of the Jesuit educational system is the development of the whole man, what type of individual can be produced by such a system? Certainly the inculcation and acceptance of the principles of the system deign to form the true and perfect Christian, who is not only mindful of the duties of his state in life but possesses the integrity to fulfill them. Besides acquiring knowledge, he would, at the end of his training, lie capable of acting in a more rational manner; the qualities and virtues of charity, and justice towards others, honesty, faith, piety and chastity would manifest themselves in the student who assimilated the training instilled in him. Love of God, combined with a rational fear of God, would, of course, be his motive for ignoring evil and accepting the good. Intellectually, he would sympathize with progress and be alert to the world about him. The desired result of such training, the perfect Christian, could be depended upon to act nobly and truly at all times. Education at Seattle College is carried on in the manner described. The Society of Jesus has taught Catholicism four hundred years, maintaining at all times the highest standards of Catholic education. Seattle College is justly proud that her instructors are members of the Society of Jesus. Operating as a Jesuit institution of higher learning, Seattle College has grown from a college of forty students to a fully accredited school with a total enrollment of over 900 students in six years. Holding its first classes in St. Francis Hall, on Sixth and Spring Streets, Seattle College was founded by the Reverend Victor Garrand, S.J., and the Reverend Adrian Swcere, S.J., in the fall of 1891. Two years later the present building on Broadway and East Marion was started. Under the corporate title of Seattle College it received its charter from the State of Washington in 1898. The charter gave Seattle College the authority to confer academic degrees and honors that similar institutions of learning in the United States conferred.