Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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Thr Campus in 1896 Villanova continued to advance in the field of education under the direction of Presidents Dohan, Dean, Driscoll, Hickey and Sullivan. June, 1893, the Monastery and College Hall were erected. Then the Schtxils of Engineering and Science were inaugurated. This great accom- plishment was achieved under the presidency of Father Delurey. death of Father O'Dwyer and the completion of the cast wing of the new college building. The presidency was then filled by Father Hartnett, who was succeeded by Father Moriarity the fol- lowing year. At the graduation exercises of 1S55, the first degrees of Bachelor of Arts were conferred upon James F. Dooley and Henry C. Alexander. The following year Father Hartnett returned as Pres- ident of the College. But due to the missionary activities of the Augustinian fathers, authorities temporarily closed the college at the end of the session in the year 1837. Filled with the profound desire to educate Catholic youth, the Fathers, after successfully filling their missionary efforts, resumed classes in September of the year 1S65, under the leader- ship of Father Mullen. The college prospered under the supervision of Fathers Mullen, Gal- bery, Stanton, Middleton. Fedigan, and Coleman. On February 3, 1874, the long-contemplated college building was completed, today Alumni Hall. At the same time a new post-office was opened, the nearest one being at Havcrford. In 1912, after fire had completely destroyed the Rudolph mansion, the present St. Rita's Hall was constructed. In the same year St. Mary’s Hall, which now houses the Seminarians, was begun. Upon our country's entrance into the World War, Villanova became one of the student train- ing quarters established in the East. With the signing of the Armistice regular collegiate activ- ities were once more resumed on the campus. In 1922, the School of Commerce and Finance was inaugurated. And in 1925, a sudden increase in enrollment necessitated the erection of a new dormitory, Austin Hall. A library containing over 35,000 volumes was incorporated into its east wing. In January, 1928, two years after the election of Reverend James H. Griffin, O.S.A., to the presidency, College Hall was leveled to the ground by a ruinous fire, destroying student liv- ing quarters, class rixims and nearly all the offices and records. Within a very short time, how- ever. the stately walls of Mendel Hall arose Fourteen After four years of construction the present chapel of St. Thomas of Villanova was dedicated on July 3, 1887. The college chapel still retains its architectural beauty and attractiveness, and seems to re-echo the traditions of those many students who gathered daily under her pinnacled towers to do homage to God. Following the Golden Jubilee of the College in The Monastery 1920

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am Alumni Hall opened with an enrollment of six students. The faculty consisted of seven professors, who con- ducted classes on the first floor of the Belle-Air mansion. In the short period of two years the student body increased to forty-five. Soon Villanova's reputation spread far and wide and it was necessary to expand. Thus it was in the year 1S44 that the first new college building was constructed, classes being trans- ferred to it immediately. The first College pros- pectus was soon issued and during that same summer a new chapel was completed and dedi- cated. Due to the Know-Nothing” uprising, which was at its height in Philadelphia during this period, the Church of St. Augustine in that city was burned and its reconstruction involved such a tremendous expense to the Augustinian Order that it was necessary to suspend classes until the following year. Reopening in 1S46, the first public commence- ment was held during the July of the next year. Father O'Dwyer officiated as president of the College and associated with him were Fathers Ashe, Hartnett and Kyle. Also Messrs. Ainslcy and Gibncy, who were retained as lay professors. In the year 1848 the State Legislature granted a charter and on March 10th of the same year. Governor Francis R. Shunk signed “An Act to incorporate the Augustinian College of Villa- nova in the County of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania. 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 School of Theology inaugurated. The years prior to 1855 were marked by the Villanova College 1922

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Monastery Fire August. 1932 housing freshman student quarters, class rooms, offices and laboratories for the Engineering, Arts and Science Departments. Soon after the com- pletum of Mendel Hall, Fedigan Hall, our new- est dormitory was erected. Keeping pace with the ever-increasing demands Monastery Chapel After the Fire of progress, two more magnificent structures were erected—the Commerce and Finance building in 1930 and the Auditorium-Gymnasium in 1931. During the summer of 1932, the Reverend Edward V. Stanford, O.S.A., was elected presi- dent of the college. Hardly had the new admin- istration entered upon its duties when it was called upon to cope with one of the most heart- rending misfortunes that had ever struck the campus. In August the Monastery of the Augus- tinian Fathers was totally destroyed by fire. Temporarily disp »ssessed of practically every be- longing, the Fathers with characteristic patience and fortitude took up temporary quarters in the student dormitories. Immediately work was begun on the erection of the new Monastery which was completed in 1934. The beautiful Gothic structure is well indicative of the spirit and determination of the Augustinian Fathers. In the summer of 1935 Reverend Edward V. Stanford, O.S.A., and his able colleagues. Rev- erend Bernard M. Albers, O.S.A., and Reverend Charles C. Melchior, O.S.A., were again elected to head the administration of the college and continue the progress they initiated in 1932. Villanova has told its tale. Its story in time has been found to have been a truly glorious one; the more absorbing by reason of the mani- fold struggles from which Villanova has emerged the victor. The efforts of our beloved Fathers haw not been in vain. Villanova can now be compared favorably with any of the leading col- leges in the country. It is our sincere hope and wish that our Alma Mater will succeed in her every undertaking so that Catholic Youth may be served in the best interests of Hun to Whom we owe all true success. Monastery Before the Fire