Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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Discipline, with l ather Grelis as the Prefeet of Studies. If the student |,o ly had been asked to cliocse its own College President, or had hern asked to select for itself a Prefect of Discipline, there is not the slightest doubt hut that the very same men would have been chosen. Father Frank had long before taken his pi ace in the long line of eops, firemen, presidents gen- erals and our other heroes; and Father O'Meara’s snide had from the very first moment won everyone of us as a friend, unconditionally. With this change in Administration, Villa nova’s phenomenal growth began. One of Father Driscoll s first nets, was to divide the college Into departments, placing at the bead of each, a Departmental Dean who was entirely responsible for the operation of his department. This one step was an enormous stride toward rapid expansion and a never before dreamed of efficiency. 'I’lie effects were apparent almost immediately. Father Grelis was created Dean of the Classical Department, Father Fink, Dean of tlu- Pre-Medical Department, and Professor Humphrey. Dean of the School of Technology, and all the energies of these men were bent toward systemati ing and organizing the work of their respective departments. A |»erfeet coordination of classes and schedules, and an almost complete elimination of those troublesome tilings known as conflicts” was an immediate result. Oil October 28, 1920, Alumni Hall was dedicated. 'Phis day marked the completion of a work that had engrossed the attention of the aiithori ties for many years past; there were many difficulties to be overcome, there were many obstacles to be surmounted, before “Finis could be written to the undertaking, but the same spirit that bad acquired Belle Air, the same spirit that had built Villanova, that same spirit of dare and do triumphed in the beautiful Alumni Hall. Its dedication was made one grand gala day. Not since before the war had there been such demonstrations of class spirit. The day was chosen for the annual Freshman-Sophomore Football game; the Alumni Banquet was given in the gymnasium that occupies the ground floor of the east wing: there was a Dance in the evening—the otherwise idle hours of the day were devoted to class fights. The Juniors, of course, were in all of it, and fared probably no better, and certainly no worse than the others. In May of this V ear, the Vi llano va College Council (2288) of the Knights of Columbus was established. The first three Degrees of the Order were conferred on a class of candidates composed exclusively of college men. during this month. The Third Degree is still spoken of in knight hood circles, and those who were admitted on that occasion have bail a rare good fortune. Perhaps no other single thing in the history of the College has had such an immediate and far reaching effect on College activities. 28

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The difference in administration was a marked one. The upper-class- men quickly took us in hand and put us through the various degrees of the Ancient ami Kternal Order of the Hobble Gobble. Any little bit of swell heudedness that might have survived army days was quickly discovered and taken out of us. Professors, classes, and religious exercises assumed a new importance in our life. Much had been missed during the months previous to Christmas, and it required busy .lecture hours and lots of preparation to make up before June what had been lost. The sections, of course, were not nearly as large as they had been, owing to the fact that comparatively few ol those who were here during the S. A. T. ('. had returned for the second term. Due to the earnestness of those who did come back, the judicious arrangement of schedules and the co-operation of fa uilty and student body, June found us exactly in that place where, we should have been after a normal year. 'Pile It. (). T. C. unit spent six weeks in training at Camp I.ee, Virginia, and those days will never be forgotten bv the ones who attended. The I 'nil brought them back to school sun browned, lean, and hard. Father Dean was still President, Father Harris, Prefect of Discipline, and Father Frank Driscoll, Vice-President and Prefect of Studies. During this year, Father Harris was transferred to North Trov, N. V., and Father Driscoll for the re- mainder of the year assumed his duties. 'Pile first event of importance in this, our Sophomore year was the visit of Cardinal Mercier. He was received here, with great ovations of welcome; the grounds were crowded with people from all the country around who came to see the great Cardinal: the two companies of the It. (). T. C, composed chiefly of the class of ’22, formed the Guard of Honor. 'Phe problem of introducing the Freshmen into college ranks properly and with fitting ceremony was as usual the particular task of the Sophomore C’lass, and it might he said that few' classes have ever had the privilege of managing in their infancy, a better class than ’23. (Even today, we look with pleasure on our work.) In the spring of our Sophomore Year was founded the Villanova Col- legi- Chapter of the American Association of Engineers. Phis organization was introduced into the school to provide a means of contact for our student engineers with the engineering world outside. And once more .June came, and vacation, and an a l too qui.-k September. 'Pile Finals of the Sophomore year had caused a high mortality; there were many vacant places at roM-call when we began our career as the Junior Class. It was just prior to our return that Father Driscoll had been chosen President of the College, Father O’Meara, Vice-President and Prefect of 27

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Tin- establishment of the eouiteil supplied a want that has long been felt, that is, the need of one great big organization including the wlio-’e college, and in which all students can meet as brothers, be they engineers, classicals, philosophers or pre-meds. The Knights of Columbus do not dominate Col lege activities, but they are evident in everything that is done, and where anything at all is lacking, the knights are there to supply the want. There was but one dark cloud in the clear sky of June, the resignation of Professor Howland. Professor Howland bad won a friend in every stud «•lit,—to '22, he had become a near idol. Mis departure caused a bitter grief, but the memories he left with us, and the ideals lie gave us will a1 ways be amongst our most sacred treasures. June «•nee more brought with it the dream of every spring-fevered youth,—Vacation, yes, and this the last. Hut there was no vacation for Villanova. One more innovation that the class of '22 had the distinction of witnessing is the Summer School. After we departed, nuns from all Orders and from al! parts of the country began to arrive to attend the Villanova Summer School. And the co-ed, the very thought of whom would have shocked Villanova a decade ago, found her way hither. This class indeed has witnessed miraculous transformations. During this summer also, the School of Business Administration was created. A course in Radio Operation was added to the curriculum with Mr. Rafferty, (). S. A. as instructor. Two recreation rooms were outfitted in the basement; the Machine Shop was completely remodeled; the Dynamo Laboratory was moved from the basement into the west wing of the college huihling where formerly had been the Gymnasium; the Photometry Labora- tory was moved to the room behind the Dynamo Lab., and the old Photometry Lab. was converted into a Photography Laboratory. The Physics Labora- tory was moved from the Main Floor to the Second Floor into what was formerly the Library. The Electrical Testing Laboratory was enlarged to fill the entire north side of the Main Floor. A new reception room was furnished on the Main Floor; the Library was moved to the Monastery where more space was available; the Study Hall was converted into a Drafting Room; and the old Drafting Rooms were mad into Chemical Laboratories. The old Chemical Laboratories on the Main Floor were added to the Assay- ing Laboratory. Special mention must be made of Mr. Rafferty who «levoted all his time during the summer to enlarging and improving the Radio station in preparation for the coming school term. The college building was com- pletely repainted, many of tin- class-rooms were remodeled, and a tile-floor was laid in the corridor of the Main Floor. All these things were going on while we were away «luring the summer vacation months,—when we returned 20