Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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A school of Commerce and Fi- nance was inaugurated in 1922 to meet the demand for training in the business field. An increase in enroll- ment necessitated the erection of a new dormitory, Austin Hall, in 1925. A library containing over 30,000 vol- umes was incorporated in its east wing. An intensive program of devel- opment was initiated in 1926, when the Rev. James H. Griffin O.S.A. was elected president, a plan which has favorably progressed in spite of a series of disheartening disasters which have struck Villanova within the past few years. A ruinous fire leveled College Hall in January, 1928, destroy- ing student living quarters, classrooms and nearly all of the offices and records. Within an amazingly short time, however, the stately walls of modern Mendel Hall arose from the ashes, another tribute to the dauntless spirit of our educators and advisors. At the same time, to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of new students, Fedigan Hall, our latest dormitory, was constructed. A strongly felt need for roomier quarters for the School of Commerce and Fi- nance, and adequate facilities for the proper physical development and recreational enjoyment of the college students, culminated in the opening of two magnificent struc- tures that more than satisfy those demands. The splendid new business building furnishes every convenience conducive to learning, while the gigantic field house has become the envy of many of the larger colleges in the East. Directly connected to the gym- nasium is a regulation type, tiled swimming pool. During the summer of 1932, the election of Rev. Edward V. Stanford O.S.A. as President marked the advent of a new administration. Hardly had the new officers en- tered upon their duties than they were called upon to cope with one of the most heart- rending misfortunes that had ever struck the campus. In August, the Monastery, home of the Augustinian Fathers for over half a century, was totally destroyed by another fire. Temporarily dispossessed of practically every belonging, the Fathers with charac- teristic patience and fortitude, took up temporary quarters in other parts of the col- lege grounds. Immediately work was begun on the erection of the new Monastery so recently completed. A beautiful Gothic structure, it is indicative of the spirit and deter- mination of the Augustinian Fathers. Truly does it offer the abode so deservedly theirs. Villanova has told its tale. Its story in time has been found to have been a truly full one: the more absorbing by reason of the manifold struggles from which Villanova has emerged the victor. The efforts of our beloved Fathers nave not been in vain, for Villanova is now on the threshold that holds every promise of a glowing future. May we hope and pray that we may ever share in aiding our Alma Mater in her every undertaking, in order that succeeding generations of Catholic youth may be served in the interests of Him to Whom we owe all success. MONASTERY FIRE IW

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swelled to forty-five within two years. The faculty consisted of three priests and four laymen, who taught on the first floor of the Belle Air mansion. Early in the year 1844 the first new college building was completed, classes being transferred to it immediately. Shortly after, the first prospectus of the college was issued. In the summer of the same year, a new chapel was erected and blessed on Sep- tember I. At this time the Know-Nothing uprising was at its height in Philadelphia during which St. Augustine's Church was burned. Its reconstruction involved such an expense to the Order that classes were ordered suspended until the following year. Reopened in 1846, the first public commencement was held on July of the next year. At this time, Reverend J. A. O'Dwyer O.S.A. was president, having as his asso- ciates Frs. Ashe O.S.A., Kyle O.S.A. and Hartnett O.S.A.. and Messers Gibney and Ainsley, who were lay professors. In 1848, An Act to Incorporate the Augustinian Col- lege of Villanova in the County of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania. was enacted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, Francis A. Shunk, giving the college a charter by which it was empowered to grant degrees. In the same year the present college seal was adopted and the Ecclesiastical School inaugurated. The oldest building on the campus at present, Alumni Hall, was completed by the half century mark, a year after which Fr. O'Dwyer O.S.A., Villanova's first president, succumbed to a long illness. Fr. Hartnett O.S.A. was elected to succeed to the office. In the year 1855, the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred for the first time. A second financial storm swept Villanova in 1857, as a result of which classes were sus- pended for a period of eight years. In September, 1865, after the close of the Civil War, Villanova was reopened by the Fathers as a result of success in the missionary fields. Frs. Middleton, Fedigan and Coleman O.S.A. were successively appointed to the presidency, to be followed by Frs. Sheeran and McEvoy O.S.A. Following the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the College in June. 1893, the Monastery and College Hall were erected, into which latter the Arts, Engineering and Pre-Medical Schools were incorporated. This great work was accomplished during the fifteen years of Father Delurey's presidency. Fr. Dohan O.S.A. succeeded him in 1910, to be followed by Frs. Dean. Driscoll, Hickey and Sullivan O.S.A., all of whom strove to further the now fast pace of Villanova’s progress. The present St. Rita's Hall stands as but another testimony to the determination and undying courage of the Augustinian Fathers to achieve their aims. Its construction was occasioned by the destruction of its predecessor by fire in 1912. In the same year Corr Hall, which now houses the Seminarians, was begun. The long simmering fires of war broke out shortly, scorching practically every nation with its flames. With the entrance of our country into the strug- gle. Villanova became the site of one of the many training quarters which were established throughout the East. The decision rendered, peace returned to the world and once more the college resumed its normal atmosphere. VILLANOVA IN IMS Fourteen

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SUMMARY OF CHIEF EVENTS IN VILLANOVA’S HISTORY Villanova founded........................................... Papal sanction.............................................. Classes formed.............................................. Chapel blessed.............................................. College closed.............................................. College reopened............................................ First public commencement........................ .......... East college wing built................................... College incorporated........................................ Monastery extended.......................................... Bachelorship of Arts........................................ Mastership of Arts.......................................... College closed.............................................. College reopened............................................ College Catalogues first issued............................. Commercial diplomas granted................................. Bachelorship of Science granted............................. Gymnasium opened............................................ Main college building begun................................. Main college building completed, Alumni Hall................ Prosent Chapel dedicated.................................... Celebration of the Golden Jubilee........................... Dedication of Monastery and College Hall, now Mendel........ Bachelorship of Science in Engineering granted. .. ......... Original Monastery consumed by fire,........................ St. Kite's Hall begun....................................... Corr Hall dedicated......................................... Establishment of School of Scionce.......................... Occupation by soldiers...................................... Tolentine Academy renovated and rechristened Alumni Hall. . Inauguration of School of Business Administration........... Austin Hall dedicated......................... ............. Disastrous Fire destroyed College Hall and Dormitorios...... Modern Mendel Hall begun.................................... Fedigan Hall erected. ........... Mendel Hall dedicated....................................... School of Commerce and Finance completed.................... Opening of new Gymnasium, , ..................... .......... Monastery and Good Counsel Hall completely destroyed by fire. New Monastery begun......................................... Dedication of New Monastery................................. . 1842 | 1843 . 1844 . 1845 . 1846 . 1847 j 1848 . 1852 . 1855 | 1857 . 1865 J 1871 J 1872 . 1873 . 1874 . 1887 . 1893 . 1901 . 1905 | 1912 .. 1915 . 1917 1920 . 1921 . 1925 .. 1928 .. 1928 .. 1928 .. 1929 .. 1930 .. 1932 1932 . 1933 .. 1934 S»t««n