Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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 T THE 19 3 5 BELLE A I R ▼ The Story of Villanova O Q. WITH monuments, records, fragments of stories and the , like, we do run through the shadowy past like a tomb'searcher, bentleman a lifting each shroud that Time has cast over buried hopes and deeds. Estate The casual observer of Villanova experiences a fascinating paradox of everchanging, yet permanent beauty, blended in its striking panorama of graceful architecture, distinctive atmosphere of campus life, and grandeur of flowing lawns and shrubbery. But those who have been sheltered by her time'honored walls experience an additional emotion. Therein have been enacted many happy and memorable scenes; and the golden friendships and traditions which her silent pillars have witnessed all tell their own tale of the rich heritage which she is so proud to possess. Let us recall the milestones in her history, and pass each achievement again down the long corridors of Time. 1841 THE PURCHASE OF A PRIVATE ESTATE Formerly called Belle Air, the grounds which today we know as Villanova comprised the estate of John Rudolph, a Catholic merchant of Philadelphia. After his death the beautiful estate was offered for sale in 1841. And on Wednesday, October 13, 1841, the day preceding the one appointed for the public sale. Belle Air was purchased by the Augustinian Order for $18,000. On Jami' ary 5, 1842, the title was granted to the “Brothers of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. Thus began the history of a great institution—a seat of learn' ing which was destined to undertake the work of the higher edu' cation of Catholic youth. On the feast of St. Augustine, August 28, 1843, Father O'Dwyer, O.S.A., celebrated Holy Mass in the oratory of the mansion, dedicating the new monastery, and for' mally placing it under the Patronage of St. Thomas of Villanova. No more appropriate selection for the patron saint of this infant establishment could have been made. A man of saintly character T welv

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COLLEGE W HAT charmed me in their inter- course was the talk, the laughter, the courteous mutual deference, the com- mon study of the masters of eloquence, the comradeship now grave, now gay, and dif- ferences that left no sting, as of a man differing from himself, the spice of dis- agreement which seasoned the monotony of consent. Each by turns would instruct or listen; the absent were always missed, the present always welcome. Such tokens springing from the hearts of mutual friends, and displayed by a word, a glance, an expression, by a thousand petty complais- ances, supply the heat which welds souls together, and makes one of many. St. Augustine.

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▼ the 1935 BELLE AIR and most kind to the poor, St. Thomas was indeed an inspiration. In his honor the institution was called Villanova, but the hallowed name of Belle Air remains as a cherished tradition. SIX STUDENTS Desirous of joining in the work of educating Catholic youth and anxious to honor God in the name of St. Augustine, Villa' nova took up the task of fitting young men for their life's work. On September 18, 1843, classes opened with an attendance of six students, which increased 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. Expansion became necessary as the name of Villanova began to spread far and wide. Her reputation as a “teacher of distine' tion’’ became established. Thus it was in the year 1844 that the first new college building was completed, classes being transferred to it immediately. Shortly after, the first prospectus of the College was issued. That same summer a new chapel was erected and blessed on September 1st. The First Class 1847 THE FIRST FIRE The first stroke of misfortune to the Augustinian Fathers occurred about this time when the Know'Nothing uprising was at its height in Philadelphia. St. Augustine's Church of that city was burned and its reconstruction involved such an expense to the Order that classes were ordered suspended until the following year. Reopening in 1846, the first public commencement was held during July of the next year. Father O'Dwyer was president and with him were associated Fathers Ashe, Hartnett and Kyle. Messrs. Ainsley and Gibney were retained as lay professors. RECOGNITION In 1848 petition for a charter was made to the State Legis' lature and on March 10th of the same year the governor, Francis R. Shunk, signed “An Act to incorporate the Augustinian College Thirteen