St Louis University - Archive Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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The Rev 1840- S.J., The Rev 187H 1877 The Rev The S.J., The Rev, 1920 S P. I. Verhaegen. S.J., 1829-1836; The Rev. I. A. Elet, S.J., 1836-1840; The Rev. J. O. Van de Velde, S.J., ■ 1843; The Rev. G. A. Carrell, S.J., 1843-1847; The Rev. J. B. Druyts. S.J., 1847-1854; The Rev. J. S. Verdin, 1854-1859 F. Coosemans, S.J., 1859-1862; The Rev. T. O ' Neil, S.J., 1862-1868; The Rev. F. H. Stuntbeck, S.J., 1868- ; The Rev. J. G. Zealand, S.J., 1871-1874; The Rev. L. Bushart, S.J., 1874-1877; The Rev. J. li. Keller, b. J., ■ 1881 R I Meyer, ST., 1881-1885; The Rev. H. Moeller, S.J., 1885-1889; The Rev. E. J. Gleeson. SJ., 1889-1890; Rev J.Grimmelsman,S.J., 1891-1898; The Rev. J. F. X. Hoeffer, S.J., 1898-1900; The Rev. W. B. Rogers, 1900 T P Frieden, ST., 1908-1911; The Rev. A. J. Burrowes, S.J., 1911-1913; The Rev. B. J. Otting, S.J., 1913- ' ; The Rev. W. F. Robison, S.J., 1920-1924; The Rev. C. H. Cloud. S.J., 1924-193°; The Rev. R. S. Johnston, 1930-1936 President Verhaegen had as assistants in beginning the college the Rev. P. J. DeSmet, S.J., whose missionary labors have made his name illustrious in American history; the accomplished Rev. J. A. Elet, S.J., subsequently vice-pro- vincial of the Jesuits in Missouri; and the Rev. J. F. Van Assche, S.J. In 183 1, the faculty was re-enforced by the very scholarly Rev. James Van de Velde, S.J., who, at a later date, became Bishop of Natchez, Miss. The original College Church and Saint Louis Academy. Page 1

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About the same time a desire was generally- expressed among the people of St. Louis, and throughout the state that the Jesuit fathers should not confine their efforts to the Indians, among whom little permanent good was likely to be effected, but should open a college in St. Louis. Bishop Rosati, who had succeeded Bishop Dubourg, concurring in this view, trans- ferred to the Jesuits a lot on Ninth street and Christy (now Lucas) Avenue, which had been donated by a Catholic gentleman. The new building was not quite completed when its doors were opened and classes begun in it on November 2, 1829. The general assembly of Missouri, in 1832, granted the new institution a rather unliberal charter, and its name was changed to the St. Louis University, to replace the former title of the Indian Seminary. The first president, and actual founder of the University, was the Rev. P. J. Verhaegen, S.J., who had a principal part in planning the institu- tion and arranging its system of studies. As he continued in office until 1836, the division of classes and studies made by him, as also his theory of collegiate education, were firmly estab- lished before the close of his term. When he was elevated to a higher position in 1836, being appointed superior of the Jesuit Mission in Mis- souri, he still continued to exercise a directive and controlling influence over the University, and it thus happened that he left his impression upon the University, which was discernible long after he ceased to exercise any positive duties. Sa SAatv s a.us NowUate. , wear Tlorissant , -v K7 Saint Stanislaus Nm itiau as it was in 1S47.

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As stated previously, classes were begun at the College on November 2, 1829, and during that month 30 boarders and 120 day pupils were registered. Thenceforth the number of students, especially boarders, steadily increased, and when the institution became known in the South, the sons of rich planters especially in Louisiana, and of wealthy families in New Orleans, largely increased the number of students. Early in th e school year of 1831, it became apparent that additional room was needed and consequently the east wing was begun and completed in the summer of 1832. The west wing was begun in 1833 and was finished in 1834. In 1832, the Asiatic cholera broke out in St. Louis, returning in a still more virulent type in 1833. During the period of its greatest violence the students were removed to St. Stanislaus Seminary near Florissant. A typical street scene in earlier St. Louis Davis-Shaughnessy Flail. ThiSchool 1 f Commerce and Finance. Page 9