University of Detroit - Tower Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

Page 24 text:

Above: Clement J. Freund Dean—College of Engineering Center: Rev. George J. Shiple, S.J. Regent—College of Engineering Right: Daniel J. McKenna Dean—School of Law allt vear the School of Law came into being. With the extension of curricula came a growth in numbers so that the authorities realized that the physical plant of the University was inadequate for the increased enrollment. Rev. William F. Dooley, S.J., presi- den t, appealed for aid to Messrs. John and Michael Dinan, prominent Catholic laymen and former students of the College, and through their generosity the Dinan Hall was erected where the original classroom building used to be. Presently the College of Commerce and Finance Night Division was organized with John A. Russell, A.M., as first Dean. Then followed a period of internal development during which curricula were adjusted and improved, enrollment built up to the capacity of the existing plant, and the name of the University of Detroit projected into the collegiate world with new and greater vigor. Keeping pace as ever with the growth of the city, the Univer- sity entered upon its second and greatest period of physical development when it was spurred onward by the indomitable will of the “building president,” the Rev. John P. McNichols, S.J., appointed in 1921. Immediately following his appointment, Fr. McNichols began a search for a site for a new campus. The present location was selected, though a few farmhouses were the only residences bor- dering on its eighty-acre stretch. Showing unusual foresight, Fr. McNichols pressed construction on the purchased site and by 1923 the stadium was completed. In 1925 ground was broken for the buildings and by 1927 the Commerce, Science, Engineering, and Chemistry buildings, and Tower had been raised. The Uni- versity section, receiving its first impulse to development from the school, began rapidly to build up around the campus. In 1932 another addition to the University was made when the Dentistry school was established in Dinan Hall in quarters formerly occu- pied by the Engineering school. Within the last year an important chapter of the history of the University was completed when the financial reorgan- ization of the institution was successfully terminated. Economic conditions which prevailed during the depres- sion and resulted in the national bank holiday had necessitated refunding of the University indbtedness. Opposition on the part of a small group of holders and subsequent legal action made it advisable to peti- tion for reorganization in the federal courts. Hearings were held in the spring of 1936, and in November the plan of reorganization, pre- 20)

Page 23 text:

Above: Dr. Paul D. Sullivan, S.J. Trustee Director—Graduate Division Center: Rev. John F. Quinn, S.J. Dean—Arts and Sciences Right: Rev. John J. Benson, S.J. Assistant Dean—Arts and Sciences [19 ] the inclosure of the fort so that they could preach there and teach the faith, and instruct the young men in particular and teach them the French language, for which the Indians, especially the chil- dren, have very great aptitude. It would be desirable that the king provide a fund for the Indian school children. . . . It would also be necessary to establish a house of the Ursuline nuns or sisters there, to teach the French language to Indian girls and to instruct them in our Religion.” This high anticipation was never quite attained. There were no Ursuline nuns here, and neither the gentle Franciscan pastor of the flock in the village, nor the lonely Jesuit who dwelt with the Indians, was able to impart more than the first elements of edu- cation to pioneer youth. They did wonders, indeed, in preserving religion itself. For the first sixty years of French control, and even long after the British occupation of the territory, the culture remained French and Catholic. The gallant struggle of the priests, and especially of the illustrious Father Gabriel Richard, to sustain religion, education, and good morals is well known. The slow burgeoning of Catholic culture from the missionary period finally burst into blossom when in April, 1877, the Most Reverend Casper Borgess, bishop of Detroit, brought the Jesuits into his diocese to build up its educational possibilities. As testi- mony of his eagerness to have them here, he transferred to them both his residence and his cathedral, now SS. Peter and Paul Church on Jefferson Avenue. On the following September 3, their institution, a liberal arts school-to-be, began its sessions in the former Episcopal residence which was located at the approximate site of the present Dinan Hall. Sixty students constituted the first enrollment, and five Jesuits, under the leadership of Rev. John B. Miege, S.J., former Bishop of Leavenworth, constituted the entire faculty. Four years later, in 1881, the growing school was incorporated with the state as Detroit College and it began issuing degrees under that title. For a period of twenty-five years following, the institution continued adhering strictly to the policies and methods of the schools of Liberal Arts. Its reputation grew with the years and spread beyond the borders of the State. January 14, 1911, regis- tered a signal point in the growth of the school when a new charter arrived from Lansing changing “Detroit College” into the ‘“Univer- sity of Detroit.” The incep- tion of the College of Engi- neering this year added to the growing prestige of the University. In the following . Nits.

Page 25 text:

viously approved by the University and the large majority of its bondholders, was confirmed. The plan provides the necessary relief to the University and affords substantial savings for the future. Three major administrative councils, the president of the Uni- versity being ex officio chairman of each, are in charge of all current affairs of the University. The Bo ard of Trustees, a cor- porate body, has control of all business relations of the school. The Very Rev. Albert H. Poetker, S.J., as president of the Univer- sity is president of the board. Other members are: Rev. Frederic Siedenburg, S.J., secretary; Rev. Norbert J. Preusser, S.J., treas- uber sev. George Ls Reno; S:J-; and Dr Paul DiSullivan, S.J. All matters of an academic nature are handled by the second of the major boards, the Council of Deans and Regents which advises the presidents and Board of Trustees regarding academic policy. Specifically the board is empowered to determine the re- quirements for academic degrees, coordinate curricula, adjust any differences which may arise between the various colleges and schools of the University, and is especially intended to promote research and the writing of scholarly papers on the part of the students. The board is made up of: Rev. Albert H. Poetker, S.J.; Rev. Frederic Siedenburg, S.J., executive dean of the University; Dr. Paul D. Sullivan, S.J., director of the Graduate Division; Rev. John F. Quinn, S.J., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Clement J. Freund, dean of the College of Engineering; Rev. George J. Shiple, S.J., regent of the College of Engineering; Daniel J. McKenna, dean of College of Law; Lloyd E. Fitzgerald, dean of the Colleges of Commerce and Finance; William B. O’Regan, assistant dean of College of Commerce and Finance— Evening Division; Rev. Laurence J. Lynch, S.J., regent of the School of Law and the College of Commerce and Finance— Evening Division; Rev. R. J. Bellperch, S.J., regent of the Day College of Commerce and Finance; Rev. John J. Benson, S.J., assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Charles Lane, dean of School of Dentistry; Florence E. Donohoe, registrar; Con- stance T. Maier, Dean of Women; and the Rev. Jo- Sepienabeutherss- je Dean of Men. Dean Maier, Fa- ther Benson, and Assistant Dean O’Regan were ap- pointed to the board at the beginning of the past year. A change was made in the graduation requirements of the Day College of Com- merce and Finance and that of Arts and Sciences when comprehensive examina- tions were substituted for the senior thesis of previous Above: Rev. Laurence J. Lynch, S.J. Regenit—Evening Commerce and Finance Center: William B. O’Regan Assistant Dean—Evening Commerce and Finance Left: Lloyd E. Fitzgerald Dean—Day and Evening Commerce and Finance Nits.