University of Detroit - Tower Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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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.

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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)

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Left: Right: Below: years. {mn the Arts and Sciences College oral and written examinations on the student’s major sub- ject are required. In the Commerce and Finance College the student is examined orally on his minor and major subjects and must take a written examination in his major branch. Having as its special province the maintenance of the University in its position of civic excellence the Administrative Council, third major board of the Institution, was founded in 1932. It is composed of fifteen men important in Detroit’s industrial and financial affairs who cooperate in assuring the active support of the University by the community. The board is composed of the following: Walter O. Briggs, president of Briggs Rev. R. J. Bellperch, S.J. Regent— Day Commerce and Finance Dr. Charles J. Lane Dean—School of Dentistry Rev. Joseph A. Luther, S.J. Dean of Men Manufacturing Company; Leo M. Butzel, attor- ney and counsellor; E. F. Connely, president of the First of Michigan Corporation; James E. Danaher, of the R. E. Danaher Company; Wil- liam M. Dillon, vice-president of the Scotten- Dillon Company; Charles T. Fisher, Sr., chair- man of the board for Fisher and Company; Fred J. Fisher, president of Fisher and Company; Ed- ward J. Hickey, president of the E. J. Hickey Company; James S. Holden, chairman of the board for Holden and Reaume, Inc.; Dr. William E. Keane, physician and surgeon; Peter E. Mar- tin, vice-president of the Ford Motor Company; W. Ledyard Mitchell, vice-president of the Chrys- ler Corporation; Peter J. Monaghan, attorney and counsellor; Hon. Ernest A. O’Brien, Judge of the Federal Court of Michigan; Rt. Rev. Joseph C. Plagens, Bishop of Diocese of Marquette. On October 19 last, John P. Dinan, who had been one of the earliest students of the Old De- troit College and had served on the Administra- tive Council, died. Mr. Dinan was well known to University of Detroit students and graduates as one of the main benefactors of the institution. With the aid of his brother Michael Dinan as joint-donor he erected Dinan Hall and St. Cath- erine’s chapel on the Jefferson Avenue campus and presented the University with the land on which the present University of Detroit stadium stands. Supplementing the three major boards and find- ing their jurisdiction in more detailed matters are nine general committees. The President of the University is a member of each of these com- e228