Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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history of Villanooa College . . . Villanova 1842-1950! May the future reap the fruits of the efforts of its present administration, faculty, and students as we at this time enjoy the benefits of the toils of the founders and their successors. As we look upon our college in all its glory of stately buildings and beautiful campus we are apt to overlook the past ahd accept without reflection the essence of Villanova’s greatness, that is: God’s blessings; and undaunted spirit of the Augustinian Fathers. It is not our intention to elaborate but rather to set forth some highlights in Villanova’s history to familiarize the readers of the Belle Air with the growth of our college up to the present era. In the year 1841, Father Patrick E. Moriarty, O.S.A., pur- chased the Belle Air Estate from John Rudolph for the Order of St. Augustine upon which was to be established a college known as St. Thomas of Villanova. It was also to become the Mother House of the Order of St. Augustine in the United States. On August 18, 1843, Father O’Dwycr, first President of Villanova College, celebrated mass in the mansion house in dedication to the new Augus- tinian community and to the new college. One month later classes were begun with seven students on the registry; the faculty comprised three Augustinian priests, a secular priest and two laymen. The proximate problems solved, the college was destined to attain the goal of her founders, but not without difficulty. An anti-Catholic uprising swept through Philadelphia destroying the Augustinian Church there, violence carried to the college and necessi- tated closing its doors in 1844. The college reopened in the fall of 1845 only to be forced to close again the follow- ing February as a result of extensive losses suffered from the violence in Philadelphia. Sums of money were collected in

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They shared with us the riel Life and death are subjects which provoke little excitement unless they affect those near to us. During the course of their college careers, God took from our midst three fellow students. Our sympathy and prayers will be expended for their eternal comfort. As a tribute to their un-accomplishcd earthly objectives, the class of 1950 reverently dedicates its yearbook to the memory of these men who shared with us a century-old heritage and traditions of Villanova. Walter Morris was born January 23, 1928. He received his sec- ondary education at Garden City High School, Garden City, New York. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, and served in that branch of the armed forces for eighteen months, spend- ing part of this period on an aircraft carrier. Following his discharge, he enrolled at Villanova College, where he became a business student in the Commerce and Finance School. Walter passed away as a result of pneumonia on October 22, 1949. As the De Profundis Bell knolls in memory of bis absence, our prayers arc offered for bis eternal rest. Ernest Riccio was born December 31, 1921. He attended Saint Joseph’s Grammar School and received his secondary education at Collingdale High School, Collingdale, Pennsylvania. Ernest served three and one-half years in the Army Air Forces overseas during World War II, and saw action in the Guam campaign. Following his dis- charge, he enrolled at Villanova College, where he became a business student in the School of Commerce and Finance. A foot infection contracted during the second semester of his Sophomore year resulted in lockjaw. He passed away May 26, 1948. As the De Profundis Bell knolls in memory of bis absence, our prayers arc offered for bis eternal rest. Richard Tirrell was born October S, 1926. He received his elemen tary education at Saint Philip and Saint James Parochial School ir. Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Upon graduation from grammar school, he attended the Millard Preparatory School in Washington, D. C. His education was temporarily interrupted during World War II, having scrvtd two years in the Naval Amphibious Forces. Following his discharge, Richard enrolled at Villanova College, where he pursued the Chemical Engineering course. In the second semester of his Junior year, Richard was stricken with meningitis and passed away February 17, 1949. As tlx De Profundis Bell knolls in memory of his absence, our prayers are offered for his eternal rest.

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As it developed to its ALUMNI HALL, the only survivor of the early structures, remains a permanent landmark of days gone by. Having served as the Villanova Preparatory School, later the College, it has for many years.since been a dormitory for resident students. Europe as well as in the United States, flames of bigotry subsided, Villanova was able to reopen on September 16, 1846, this time with a student body of twenty-four. We can little imagine or appreciate the fortitude that exem- plifies the founders in conquering the difficulties that chal- lenged their very existence. On July 1, 1847, the first public commencement was held. The future appeared prosperous, three additional priests were brought from Italy to join the faculty and on March 10, 1848, Villanova was given legal existence. An act to incorporate the Augustinian College in the County of Delaware and the State of Pennsylvania” was signed by Governor Shunk, then Governor of Pennsylvania. Villanova was growing, it became necessary to expand the facilities, enlarge the curriculum and add to the fac- ulty. But again insufficient funds coming as a climax to the panic of 1857 forced another closing which was pro- longed by the Civil War. Though secular education was discontinued, the education of Clerics for the Order was not interrupted. In 1865, after the college had been closed for a period of eight years, national peace was restored and Villanova reopened with new vigor and a definite plan to build for the future. Since the post Civil War era physical expansion has been continuous, the curriculum has extended from the arts into fields of science, technology and business. The above is only a thumbnail sketch of why we arc proud of Villanova; proud' of the way she conquered the past; proud to be a part of Villanova today.