Vancouver College - Collegian Yearbook (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada)

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Brother Lannon Dominates the First Decade of the History of Vancouver College REV. BR. MICHAEL J. LANNON 1877-1961 Founder of Vancouver College Principal 1922-28, 1930-33 Efforts had been made to secure the services of the Christian Brothers of Ireland for Vancouver as early as 1906. Finally the Superior General, Brother Hennessy, was able to accede to the request of Archbishop Casey in 1922 and sent Brother Michael J. Lannon with a staff of three: Brothers Reid, Murtagh and Keane to open a school. Tempor- ary accommodation was secured in the building on Richards Street known as Rosary Hall and on Sep- tember 5th 91 pupils courageously presented them- selves for instruction. The Brothers acquired a temporary residence at 1112 Broughton Street and Brother Lannon set about the task of finding a site compatible with his grand vision of Vancouver College. Through the instrumentality of Father O’Boyle and Mr. Charles Stafford property was obtained far out in Shaughnessy Heights at the highest point in the city and a drive was instituted to raise funds for the construction of a school build- ing. It took three years for the inital stage to be attained and a very awkward situation was advoided When Mr. J. D. McCormack provided funds for the construction of a residence for the Brothers com- plete with boarding accommodations for 30 boys. The shift was made from Richards Street in the spring of 1925, the number of students at that time being about 200. Within two years the capaci- ty of the new buildings was overtaxed and Mr. McCormack again came forward, this time with the magnificent gift of the new wing which now bears his name. The number of students now surged to 300 and “we want 400” became the motto of every boy as he went home for holidays in June of 1928 to spread the words of the marvels of Vancouver College. However, the unbelievable Great Depres- sion was even then casting its ominous shadow over the land and this magical number was destined not to be reached for nearly twenty years. Brother P. B. Doyle came from St. Bonaven- ture’s College in Newfoundland to act as principal in 1928 but after two years Brother Lannon was again called to the helm and carried on amid grow- ing financial difficulties for three more years. During this time Mr. Pat Burns of Calgary bought the block of land extending to 41st Avenue to en- largen the campus which had only gone to 40th Avenue in the original purchase.

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Published by the Students of Vancouver College Vancouver, Canada war 93

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A momentous day at young Vancouver College was March In the front row may be identified beside Mr. McCormack, 19th, 1927 when Mr. J. D. McCormack took shovel in hand Brother Lannon, Father C. J. McNeil, Brother Murtagh to turn the first sod for the construction of the new wing. and Brother Walsh. A typical March day! Brother Lannon was a cultured and refined gentleman whose complete dedication to the highest religious ideals was undoubted. His great ambition for his boys led him into prodigious efforts in the classroom and herculean exploits outside of it. Si- multaneously he promoted and encouraged activities that almost at once established the College as a leader in an astonishing array of accomplishments. His personal production of Shakesperean plays in the old Orpheum theatre in conjunction with variety entertainment claimed the participation of nearly every boy in the school and established a standard that astonished the large crowds that attended. Debating and elocution reached into every class- room. Though he did not himself play games to any extent he thoroughly enjoyed the role of spectator and laid the groundwork for the unique tradition in sport that has characterized V.C. to the outsider. A school newspaper of high literary standard was put out for several years and even a very fine year- The class of 1925 held a reunion dinner at the Hotel Vancouver in October of 1940. Brother Lannon, who was at the time prin- cipal of O’Dea High School, Seattle, was the guest of honor. Pictured at this gathering, left to right: Fred Patterson, Art Gilker, Charlie Sullivan, Denis Mur- phy, Brother Lannon, Jim O’Hagan, Jack Horan, Bill Weeks, Dave Steele, Frank Humber, Paul Murphy. book appeared in 1928. Music abounded in the school, both instrumental and vocal — there seemed to be hundreds of violinists. Step dancing, bolas and Indian clubs, barbell and gymnastic teams proliferated. There seemed to be no end to his creative and organizational talents. He was ex- tremely fortunate in being blessed with staffs that were able to mateh his tremendous energy. He was transferred to St. Mary’s University Col- lege in Halifax of which he became President in 1937. This was followed by an appointment as principal of O’Dea High School in Seattle after which he served as a Consultor to the Provincial of the North American Province. Then he joined the fac- ulty of Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, to become professor of English and to lecture on the subject that had been dear to his heart his whole life through — Shakespeare, whose work he knew almost by rote. A gradual decline in health called a halt even to this beloved occupation but he never lost his keen interest in everything around him nor was he ever at a loss for the apt quote from the great bard. Brother Lannon died on November 7th, 1961 in New York at the age of 84. The sentiments of the many grateful friends he left behind in Vancouver are beautifully expressed in the dedication of the 1951 Collegian : “He gave his students a wealth of spiritual, moral and cultural values that could never be measured in a material way. The imprint of Brother Lan- non’s boundless enthusiasm has remained at V.C. through the years.” So it has been. So it may ever be.