Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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 •» St. Augustine’s, I.ansingburgh, N. V Most Kev. 1' .1. Ryan, Archbishop of Philadelphia, assisted at Vespers in the evening. Rev. (buries F. Kelly. D.D., of Towanda, Pa., an alumnus of 18 8, delivered an address on Chris tian Kduention. The Archbishop also spoke. Father MoKvoy was succeeded as president of illanova by Rev. I’ran eis .1. McShanc. At the provincial chapter July, 1 S! I-. l ather McShane was elected, a new hoar»! f directors chosen, and tin faculty increased. Many improvements were made under the new president. I here was a not able advance in the scientific department in the way of new appliances and improved apparatus. In 18.0:», Rev. L. A. Delury became president. During his administra tiou Yillanova made great strides, hi 1899 the present imposing structures (College and Monastery) were started. The work was finished and the buildings occupied in 1001. On June 28. 1901, they were blessed. The old Monastery was now made into a house for the postulants of the order, ami opened December 8. 1902, under the patronage of St. Rita of Cassia. The old College became an academy for younger boys -Tolcntine Academy. In 1905, Yillanova, realizing the need of men trained in the practical work of applied science, opened a school of technology and instituted courses in civil, electrical, ami mechanical engineering. The seventeen years of her labors in this field have shown conclusively that Yillanova did not overstep the bounds of her ability in undertaking to develop trained, efficient, tech nieal men to take their places among the leaders of industry. At the sixty eighth annual commencement June 15, 1909. Yillanova graduated her first engineers. Lewis Nixon, of New York, naval constructor and ship builder, delivered the address. The first graduates were John A. White, of Williams port. Pa.. hdward J. Kirsch of Roscmont, Pa., civil engineers; and John J Smith of Altoona, electrical engineer. Thursday, October 17, 1907, Rt. Rev. WiMiam A. Jones, (). S. A., consecrated the illanova church. Dr. Dclurcy was succeeded in 1910 bv Rev. Kdward (i. Dohan, S.T.I... O.S.A. On Januan 10, 1912. between two and three o'clock while the clerics w re at office in the monastery chapel, St. Rita’s Hall took fire and was almost totally destroyed. It was soon replaced by a new building. In 1912 the corner-stone was laid and the chapel was blessed on the feast of M. Augustine, August 28. During Father Dohan’s administration, the new college hall was opened. Many improvements were also made in the laboratories. A two-vear pre medical course was introduced. It is designed to meet the requirement, for 18

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In the summer of 1881 the custom was introduced of chanting the Pnlsms at Vespers on Sundays !»v a double choir of clerics; one in the organ gallery and the other with the rest of the religious in the chancel. The Fathers now decided to build a new church. In 1883, the present Church of St. Thomas of Villanova was erected. It is a beautiful gothic structure, and an evidence of zeal and labors of these self-sacrificing men. The little oratory in the old monastery parlor was the first step; then came the Church of 1818, the Chapel of 1811, the Gymnasium Church of 1872, ami finally the beautiful structure standing at present. On Faster Thurs- day, March 29, 1888, ground for the new church was broken by Prior Cole- man. St. Mark’s Day, April 25, the first stone was laid in the trenches; Sunday afternoon. June 8, tin- Feast of Most Pure Heart of Mary, the cor- ner-stone of the new church was solemnly blessed and laid in place by lit. Rev. Jeremiah F. Shanahan, Bishop of Harrisburg. Dr. Stanton delivered the dedication oration. Sunday, November 28, 188 f, the cross on the front gable was blessed by V. Rev. Maurice A. Walsh, vicar of the diocese. The sermon was preach- ed by Rev. John P. Gilmore, (). S. A. Father Coleman who had been trans- ferred to Australia, completed the church. On Sunday, July 3, Most Rev. P. .1. Ryan of Philadelphia, blessed it. Rt. Rev. M. J. O’Farrel, of Trenton, gave the benediction sermon. Father Sheeran, for many years professor and vice-president, in 1885 received the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology and was elected presi- dent of Villanova. During 1889 while Father Blake was procurator, the old Rudolph barn was rebuilt. Mr. Durang drew up the plans. In the long vacation of 1890, V. Rev. Charles A. MeHvoy was elected president, with Rev. Richard A. Gleason as vice-president. The year after, Rt„ Rev. Lawrence A. Delury succeeded as vi e-president. The fiftieth anniversary of Villanova’s foundations occurred in 1892. At this time the community consisted of forty-five members, viz.—sixteen priests, ten professed clerics, five novice lay brothers, four postulants. The students were ninety; fifteen in the eclesiastieal ami seventy-five in the collegiate department. The golden jubilee was a great day for Villanova. The academic celebration took place on Wednesday. June 21, 1898. Many bishops and clergymen were present. Archbishop Ryan presided. The religious celebra- tion took place on Sunday, July 2, 1893. The Rt. Rev Thomas McGovern, Bishop of Harrisburg, celebrated Solemn Pontifical Mass and Vespers. 'Phis was the first lime such services took place in the history of Villanova. The jubilee sermon was preached by Rev. F. X. McGowan, O.S.A., rector of 17 i to.y C m. Ufh £an. 0.(UL

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 sioiinl Education of tin State of Pennsylvania. There is extensive work in Chemistry, Biology, and Physiology. On May h 1912, work was started on a new building for the Professed and the Novices of the order. It is a memorial to Bernard Corr. Father Delian was succeeded in 1917 by one whose name had been joined with Villanova's progress many years. Father Dean did not come to us a stranger. Since 189.’}. with the exception of three years, he has been continually associated with the College in one capacity or another. He has been Professor, Prefect of Studies, and Dean of the School of Technology. His ability as an orator, his attainments in the field of science and mathe- matics, his business ability and his understanding of boys, made his admin- istration a decided success. Toward the end of the year 1920, Father Dean suffered a physical collapse and was forced to tender his resignation as President. The follow- ing September Fr. Francis A Driscoll, who for seven years had been identi- fied with Villanova's work in the capacity of Vice-President succeeded Father Dean as President. During his administration Villanova has broadened and intensified her courses. The Engineering S.'hool has introduced all the various branches. A School of Business Administration has been inaugurated. The Pre- Medical Course has added another year, and the College has been placed on the list of Colleges approved bv the Association of Colleges and Univer- sities of the Middle States and Maryland.