Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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O'Dwyer Hall, along with its adjoining lot, was acquired in 1941 by Villanovo. The building was Formerly a private resi- dence located on Lancaster Pike. All the available space in the building, as in all the other residence halls on the campus, is being used to provide the most comfort- able accommodations possible for twenty- five students. This smaller group in O'Dwyer Hall permits a more homelike atmosphere than is possible in the larger buildings. A meeting room and place for limited free time recreation is provided by a parlor. During the year 1941 Villanovo acquired O'Dwyer Hall to meet it growing demandi. All the avail- able «pace in thi dormitory it utiliied to afford comfortable accommodation for the ttudent . SIMPSON HALL Mr. William Simpson, a trustee of the college, bestowed the property of Villa Manor Gables upon Villanovo in 1939. It consisted of a two-ond-o-half acre triangu- lar plot and a three-story, twenty-room residence. The school authorities originally equipped it for seminar purposes only, and many clubs and societies took advantage of its pleasant atmosphere. The Doyle collection of pointings, saved from the Villanovo fire of 1932, was used to adorn its rooms. But the changing economic conditions of the following years brought about the transformation of Simpson into a dormi- tory. exclusively, where 40 students live a rather comfortable club-like life. O’UWYER HALL Simp on Hall became an integral parf of the Villanovo Campus when Mr. William Simpson, o member of the Board of Trustees and on inval- uable friend of the College, presented it to the College.

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ST. RITA’S HALL One of the smaller buildings at Villanovo, St. Rita's Hall serves as an annex to St. Mary's in the seminary department. Its location close by the main building allows free and easy access to the seminary classrooms and other facilities, and yet the private rooms provided for the seminarians allows the solitude and quiet neces- sary for study and contemplation. It is in the passage back and forth between St. Rita's and St. Mary's that the seminarians come into ot least visual contact with the student body of the college. An early rising student may see the block-habited seminarians on their way to daily Mass and Office at the chapel in St. Mary's Hall. During the war. St. Rita's wos pressed into service to house some of tho civilian students but in 1946 it was returned to its original use. The Daughters of the Most Holy Redeomer. a community of Sisters who have the core of the seminary kitchen are also quartered in St. Rita's. Thor it olwayt o moment of relaxation in the life of the neophyte Auguttinian. The above it olwayt. to the outtider, a typical scene.

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Middleton Holl hot the distinction of not being o dormitory. The infirmory for oil students is located in this building. It has the facilities of a small hospital, a mole nurse, doctor, ond resident priest Father Francis Boyle. O.S.A. MIllDLETDN HALL Middleton Holl, a combination stone and shingled wood building, is located on tho southwest corner of the campus. Since the completion of an extensive renovation program, the hall, once used os on infirm- ory for the naval students, is now a well- run. well-equipped small hospital. Middle- ton Hall is geared to serve all the medical needs of the students. It has a dispensary, diet kitchen, ond a twenty-three bed ca- pacity incuding an isolotion ward. The hall was nomed for Rev. Thomas J. Middleton, O.S.A.. one-time President of Villanova. former librarian as well as his- torical researcher of the College. DELUREY HALL Delurey Hall, located on the western edge of the compus across the field from Fedigon Holl. is one of the smaller dormi- tories. Formerly a private residence, it was bought by the college administration in 1943. It now houses 30 students, ond like its counterparts. O'Dwyor and Simpson Halls, furnishes its residents with a more restful and homelike atmosphere thon can be had in the larger formal dormitories. Like most buildings. Delurey Hall derives its name from on outstanding Augustinian priest. Father Laurence Delurey. who occu- pied a prominent position in the history of Villanova os president of the college from 1895 to 1910. Delurey Holl moy be one of the smoller dormi- torie» on the camput. but it offord» o more home- like ond restful atmosphere thon the larger holl».