Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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Some of (he Pioneering Father» associated with (he reopen- ing of Villanova in 1865. Sealed, Left to Right: Pacifico Ncno. Louis Edge. William Harnett. Patrick Stanton. M. Gallagher, Thoma Galberry. Philip Iz o. Second Ron: James Waldron. Michael Collins. P. Crane. Ambrose Mullen. Edward Donnelly. Third Ron : Thomas Middleton. James Darragh, Francis Sheeran. Edward Daily. Six former presidents are in the group: Fathers Harnett. Stanton. Mullen. Middleton. Sheeran and Galberry. Later Fr. Galberry became Bishop of Ffartford. Connecticut. Father William Harnett, Villa- nova's second president, was a Philadelphian. He studied in Italy under the direction of Stephen Belle- sini, who has since been raised to Blessed. Fr. Harnett taught and officiated from 1845 to 1857. First Reopening With the passing of the troubles in Philadelphia, the Fathers determined to reopen the college. Classes were resumed on September 6, 1846. At the close of the school term the first public commencement was held at Villanova. Such exercises had been held before, at the close of the first and second years of the college, but those were private affairs, consisting merely of the awarding of prizes. In the Spring of 1848, a petition was made to the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania, asking for a charter for the college. On March 10, 1848, Hon. Francis R. Shunk, Governor of the State, signed “An act to incorporate the Augustinian College of Villanova, in the County of Delaware, and the State of Pennsylvania. It is interesting to note that between 1789 and 1850, thirty-eight Catholic Colleges for men were established in the United States. Eleven have survived as colleges or universities to the present time. Villanova was established for the dual purpose of educating candidates for the Church and for the world. Up to this year all cleric members of the province, with only one exception, had been sent to Europe to make their studies. Now they were to be kept at home to pursue their ecclesiastical course. Mr. Charles Egan, a native of Cork, Ireland, was received into the novitiate on May 18th of the year 1848, be- corning the first cleric novice at Villanova. Fr. Harnett, prior, was also novice-master. The ecclesiastical department has always been a distinct branch of the college. Gradual expansion was evident until 1857. The Fathers were helping to carry the nirden of attending the outlying missions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. This was causing a shortage of men at the college. After long delibera- non, the Fathers concluded that the interests of the Catholic Church in America would he best served by closing the college department, and devoting their zeal and energies wholly to the missions.

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Institution Is situated in a moat lthy and beautiful part of Delaware yt between the Lancaster Turnpike mud the Columbia Rail-Road, both of which past through its extensive grounds. The regular course of study requisite forgrad uation,comprises the Greek, Latin and English languages, History, Geogra, phy, the Mathematics, Logio, Rhetoric, Poetry, Natural and Moral Philosophy and Chemistry. When, however, the student is destined to commercial pursuits, or intended to pur- sue a particular profession, the course of instruction will be so modified as tq suit the wishes of Parents and Guardians. As instruction in the principles of the Catholic Religion, and a strict observance of the duties it enjoins, form a part of the system of education, Catholic patronage alone is solicited. The Collegiate year begins on the first Monday of September, and ends on the third Wednesday of July. — TER MS:— L L COLLEGE. County, Pa. TTie annual pension for Board and Tui- tion, payable half yearly in advance. is...............................|125 00 The modern languages form a se- parate charge; each, per annum, 15 00 Music, per annum, . . . 40 00 Books, Stationery and Physician’s fees will form extra charges. At the close of each session, a Bulletin will be forwarded to Parents and Guar- dians, informing them of the health, pro- Sress, general conduct, dtc., of their cliil- ren or wards. All communications. c.. for the College, should be directed to the Post Office, West Haverford, Delaware County, Pa. P. K. MUK1AKTY. I) l O.S.A, President. G. A. MEAOIIKK. O 8 A Vice-President. An announcement indicating develop- ment and organiza- tion after nine year of existence. Rev. John P. O'Dwycr, O.S.A., was the first presi- dent of Villanova. ... In the last Provincial Coun- cil held in Baltimore in May. 1849, Fr. O’Dwyer, by the most unanimous vote ever given by the Bishops, was elected to fill the Bishopric of Savannah.” Be- fore consecration his health failed and he died in 1850 at the age of 54. With the Mass said by Fr. O'Dwycr and dedication ceremonies of the 28th of August, 1845, Villanova, no longer to he known as Belle-Air, was launched on its religious and educational career. Classes were begun on September 18th. Seven students were enrolled on the first day. Within a few days three more were added. Such was the modest begin- ning of Villanova College. In the same year, Fr. Philip Angelucci. Vicar General of the order, in a petition to the then reigning Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Gregory XVI, supplicated His Holiness for leave to establish a novice-house of the Order at Villanova. By a brief issued on December 22, His Holiness acceded to the prayers of the Fathers and the new American Province became self-sufficient in the training of its members. During the troubled time of 1844, the infamous “Hogan Schism.” climaxing a period of anti-Catholicism in Phila- delphia, resulted in the burning of St. Augustine's Church and had its repercussions at Villanova. The brothers did sentry duty on the grounds while younger lads were housed during the nights away from the premises. A year of college passed amid frequent alarms. In consequence of the losses sustained during the riots, the members of the Order were compelled to close the college lately opened. With less than two years of chequered existence, its portals were closed until the Fall of 1S46. Twenty'five

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% a® WW; COMMK C0T3»T«. PE ;SCV ESt, J' -r w‘1'5 8 M O 1 Father Ambrose Mullen, third president of the college. Educated in Italy and ordained in Philadelphia, he served both as Prior and President from 1865 to 1869. The College Commencement Pro- gram for 1856, shown at left, is a cherished relic of Villanova » earlier days. Apparently the procedure of commencement has changed very lit- tle through the decades. Musical recitals, student valedictories and the distribution of diplomas and awards were the order of the day. Second Reopening The Fathers hoped that classes would he resumed at least within two years. For various reasons, chief of which were a lack of sufficient finances caused by the De- pression of '57 and the uncertain times of the Civil War, the college was not re- opened until 1865, upon the restoration of peace and after a suspension of eight years. Earlier studies were the traditional liberal arts courses. In a prospectus issued in 1850, the regular courses of studies at Villanova comprised Latin, Greek, English, history, geography, mathematics, logic, rhetoric, poetry, natural and moral philosophy, and chemistry. Modern languages were offered as special courses. With the resump- tion of class work in 1865 the course of studies remained much the same with the addition of bookkeeping and music. The next year, 1866, drawing was added. In 1866, M. Pierre Amu, a graduate of Heidelberg, was placed on the teaching staff. M. Amu remained at Villanova as professor of French and German for more than fifty years. Thus, in 1867, we arrive to the end of the first quarter century of Villanova's history. We leave to our successors the continuation of the history in detailed quarterly installments in order that the complete pictorial history will he available when the Centennial Year of 1943 arrives. Thanking God for the self-sacrifices and keen judgment of the early Fathers, we close this belated celebration of the Silver Jubilee. Twenty-seven