Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

Page 13 text:

 of EDUCATION and RELIGION villanem is As so many other institutions whose existences cover an entire century or more, Villanova has been characterized by many changes. Were any of the first graduates alive today, it is scarcely imaginable that they would recognize their alma mater. The changes, so noticeable in additional buildings and increased enrollment, give testimony to a fascinating growth about Villanova on the Main Line. When Fr. Patrick Moriarty of the Order of the Her- mits of St. Augustine bought an estate from John Rudolph over one hundred years ago and formulated plans for a college, it is doubtful he ever imagined what would develop from such crude resources. Yet the Belle Air Estate of John Rudolph was destined to grow finally into a college embracing several departments and two thousand stu- dents. Though purchased in 1841, Villanova was not opened until two years later, when thirteen students were admitted.

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6 THE MAIN ENTRANCE to Mendel Hall is passed by a high per- centage of Villanovans each day. Nerve center of the campus by reason of the administrative offices which it houses, Mendel Hall is also largo enough to accommodate the resident cafeteria, some dormitories, the science laboratories, and most of the en- gineering activity of the college. VILLANOVA IN 1856 was very small. To the left is the Monas- tery, in the center the Academy, now Alumni Hall, and at the right is a barn and residence combined. On the opposite page is the campus in 1872 and the college building completed in 1844 is to the right. In the center is St. Rita's Hall which had been the old Rudolph home, and to the left is the Cha pel and Gymnasium.

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'Jkrnqh the tjea is THE ABSTRACT IDEALS In the beginning the College had a curricu- lum much like that of the present School of Arts. Whether pupils pursue the general course of studies or confine themselves to par- ticular branches will be left to the option of Parents or Guardians. The particular branches refer to major courses such as Philosophy, Lan- guages and History. When the first catalogue was published in 1871, it listed a faculty of sixteen. Definite courses of study were offered including three years of preparatory work and a four-year college course in the Arts, with provision for more extensive work in scientific and commer- cial subjects. An outstanding link between the college in the 1870’s and Villanova today is Alumni Hall. Built in 1874, the new College Building housed the entire scholastic part of the school. Since then it has undergone many changes until to- day it is no longer the center of campus activity, but merely one of five student dormitories. In 1905 Villanova organized its engineering department. The courses offered at that time THE OLDEST of all the buildings on cam- pus, Alumni Hall, now serves as a dor- mitory. Situated near the center of campus. Alumni stands as a symbol of days gone by. FIRE broke out in the Monastery during the summer school in July, J932. Through the Grace of God there was no loss of life and the adjoining buildings were saved from the holocaust. DELUREY HALL, on the edge of the cam- pus at Spring Mill Road, was the year's winner of the Connelly Award, for their show of spirit prior to the Kentucky go mo.