Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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▼ the 1935 BELLE AIR chair was occupied in turn by Fathers Middleton, Fcdigan, and Coleman. The Fathers now concentrated their efforts upon a new and fitting chapel. So, on July 3, 1887, the present chapel of St. Thomas of Villanova was dedicated after four years were spent in its construction. Its architectural beauty and attractive design are outstanding. It reechoes the traditions of those many students who have daily gathered under her pinnacled towers to do homage to God. The college, presided over by the successors of Father Cole' man—Fathers Sheeran and McEvoy—celebrated on Wednesday, June 21, 1893, her golden jubilee. Progress TWENTIETH CENTURY PROGRESS With the dawn of the twentieth century Villanova started to take rapid strides in progress. In 1901 the new twin buildings. College Hall and Monastery, were dedicated. This addition per mitted the establishment, in 1903, of the Engineering Department, which has since been ranked among the foremost in the country. These commendable achievements occurred under the leadership of Father Delury, who occupied the presidency for fifteen years. He was succeeded in turn by Fathers Dean, Driscoll, Hickey, and Sullivan. In 1912 St. Rita's Hall, the original Monastery, was com' pletely destroyed by fire. But again the authorities courageously combated the misfortune and set out to rebuild. As a result of their efforts, the present St. Rita's Hall arose. Corr Hall was begun and the School of Science was augmented. Thus equipped, the Augustinian Fathers were prepared to extend further their influence into the field of education and Catholic action. THE WORLD WAR Once again was Fate destined to intervene with the successful activities of the Order. War had been declared, and with our country's entrance into the struggle Villanova became the site of 1912

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▼ THE 9 3 5 BELLE A I R ▼ Two Graduates of Villanova in the County of Delaware and State of Pennsyl' vania.” By virtue of this charter the president and faculty were empowered to grant degrees. At the same time the college seal was adopted and the ecclesiastical school inaugurated. FIRST DEGREES The years from 1848 to 1855 were uneventful, with the exception of the completion of the present east wing of Alumni Hall and the sorrowful death of Father O'Dwyer. Father Hart' nett was the president next chosen, but was succeeded the follow' ing year by Father Moriarity. At that year's commencement the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon James F. Dooley and Henry C. Alexander. This was the first time that the college had exercised its power to grant degrees. The following year Father Hartnett returned as president of the college. The Order faced its second great crisis when three missions demanded immediate attention. The authori' ties decided that their interests would be best served by temporarily closing the college. So, on Commencement Day in 1857, the students were told of this decision and bid farewell. The fathers, however, never abandoned their hope and idea of educating Catholic youth. Eight long years passed. In the meantime, the Augustinians had seen their missionary efforts crowned with success, and, with Father Mullen as president, classes were resumed in September, 1865. In the years following, the institution prospered greatly under the supervision of Fathers Mullen, Galbery, and Staton as presidents. NEW BUILDINGS A long'contemplated college building was begun on April 1, 1873. This structure was completed on February 3, 1874, and named Alumni Hall. At the same time a new post'oflice was opened, the nearest one heretofore having been at Haverford. Dur ing the succeeding years, not particularly eventful, the president's Fourteen

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▼ THE 1935 BELLE A I R ▼ Ravaged By Fire one of the many training quarters which were established through' out the East. Only after the war clouds had passed, leaving the world stagnated and millions of humans maimed and homeless, did the college once more resume its normal atmosphere. In 1922 the Commerce and Finance School was inaugurated and the rapid increase in enrollment necessitated, in 1925, the con' struction of Austin Hall. A library containing over 30,000 books was incorporated in its east wing. FIRE AND RECONSTRUCTION 1932 Following the election of Father Griffin an intensive program of development was initiated in 1926. But a ruinous fire coni' pletely leveled College Hall in January, 1928, destroying student quarters, classrooms, and nearly all of the offices and records. Within a short time, however, the stately walls of the present Mendel Hall arose. Housing student quarters, classrooms, office and laboratories for the Engineering and Science Department, this structure presents an impressive piece of architecture to the eye. About the same time Fedigan Hall, our latest dormitory, was added to the fast'increasing number of campus buildings. A cherished plan of the Augustinian Fathers was consunv mated on April 1, 1932, when the newly erected $350,000 Audi' toriunvGymnasium was formally opened by the glamorous Intepfraternity Ball. But the following summer saw a severe blow again dealt to the Order. The Monastery and part of Good Counsel Hall fell prey to the ravages of another fire. A $500,000 loss greeted the newly appointed administration, headed by Very Rev. Edward V. Stanford, president; Rev. Bernard M. Albers, vice'president, and Rev. Charles A. Melchior, procurator. Under their guidance, however, reconstruction made rapid progress and improvements were numerous. Over the ashes of the old Monas' tery arose a collegiate Gothic building, three stories in height, which is a credit to modern architecture. Facing the Lancaster highway, it spreads out its 208 feet in length and is enhanced by welharranged shrubbery and floral arrangements. Sixteen