Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

Page 13 text:

WE PAY TRIBUTE TO FATHER HIEKEY This yeor, for the first time in the centuries-old history of the Order of Saint Augustine, an American Father was elected Prior General. On April 26. the Very Reverend Joseph A. Hickey, O.S.A., J.C.D., S.T.M., was chosen to succeed Reverend Charles Pasquini, O.S.A., for a six-year term in the highest office of the Order. Ordained in Rome in 1906, Father Hickey returned to Villanova a few years later and filled various offices here during the following years: teacher, director of the preparatory seminary, Prior of Corr Hall, Regent of Studies, and President of the College. Previous to his recent election, he had served for twenty-two years as Assistant General of the Order and had resided at the Villanova Monastery during the last six years of his term. It seems especially fitting that, during this year which marks the beginning of a new era of expansion and development of the school, a man who for so many years has been sincerely interested in the problems of Villanova should be honored with the office of Prior General. As students of Villanova. we offer words of praise and congratulations ond add a fervent prayer that he will receive the necessary spiritual guidance and aid. 9

Page 12 text:

CONTENTS UF THE TWENTY-FIFTH EU1TIUN UF THE HELLE AIH THE COLLEGE HISTORY................. 10 THE CAMPUS.............. 22 ADMINISTRATION.......... 38 FACULTY................. 44 THE SCHOOLS............. 64 THE CLASSES SENIORS................ 88 JUNIORS............... 123 SOPHOMORES............ 126 FRESHMEN.............. 128 THE ACTIVITIES ORGANIZATIONS.......... 134 DANCES ................ 148 SOCIETIES.............. 152 VARSITY SPORTS......... 162 INTRA-MURAL SPORTS..... 188 8

Page 14 text:

•V- VIIMNOVA By 1872 Villonovo hod grown from th« singlt building which hod comprised the Rudolph home to the four structures shown above. St. Rita's Hall, center, was the original building. On the right is the college building, which now forms port of Alumni Hall. At the extreme left is the Gymnasium, and next to it the Chapel. Lancaster Turnpike was then little more than a dirt rood olong which the stage coaches travelled, but it was nevertheless an important thoroughfare for the day. Any analysis of the founding and growth of Villa- novol College will, of necessity, reflect the story of ex- pansion, prosperity, and disaster in the history of our notion. So inextricably has the development of Villa- nova been bound to the progress of this country for over one hundred years that every period of notional change has been mirrored in some woy. however small, in the history of the school. But unmistolcenly through both, shine high ideals of improvement and the deter- mined will to forge ahead as the needs of time de- mand. Villonovo stands ready for the future secure in the knowledge of her glorious post and of her accom- plishments in fulfilling the high standards of Catholic and American education she has always nurtured. Classes began formally ot Villonovo in September. 1843, in a smoll group of buildings purchased by Rev. Patrick E. Moriority. O.S.A., from John Rudolph, owner of the land which hod constituted the Belle Air Estate. With o limited number of classrooms, a faculty of six. and ten students, Villonovo very unimpressively began its first Fall term. During the next one hundred years, however, it was the fortune of students and professors to know intoler- ance. to cope with depression, and to shore in the na- tional emergencies of four wars. It was due to onti- Cotholic demonstrations which swept this area in 1844 that Villonovo was forced to close in February. 1846. These outbursts were of short duration, however, and in September. 1846. with a total enrollment of 24 students, the college was able to re-open its doors. The faculty, students, and college continued on this basis until March 10. 1848, when Villonovo was incorporated in the County of Delaware in the State of Pennsylvania. Thus assured of her lego! existence. Villonovo prepared for the futrue. The future was not immediately bright. A few years later the panic of 1857 and its resultant depression forced the college to suspend operation once again. The Civil War. in its course, extended this period of inac- tivity until 1865. when the school was again able to re-open. From its very beginning Villonovo had been con- cerned with survival, but with the erection of its first gymnasium in 1869 the promise of expansion began. This promise was continued in the issuance of the first college catalogue in 1871. The book described the col- lege and explained the educotionol organization, which then consisted of three years of preparatory work and o four years Arts course. At this time Villonovo was pri- marily an Arts College. Shortly after this the Villanova Alumni Society was formed and began the active work which has since proved extremely beneficial to the school. When Villanova’s golden jubilee was celebrated in 1893. the college boasted a faculty of 31 and a student body of 90. The physical increments of half a century had indeed been small, but what was there had the firm foundations of a permanent institution. The next 10