Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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ALUMNI HALL, oldest building, pro- vides architectural link with early days of Villanova. It was known over a hundred years ago as The Academy,” site of Villanova Prep. Today it is a residence hall. SIMPSON HALL, in ivy-covered seclu- sion with the other Dorns,” provides peaceful atmosphere for the studious endeavors of a fortunate few resident upperclassmen. AUSTIN HALL, dedicated by its name to the founder of the Augustinian Order. Largest residence hall, its east wing houses the newly redecorated lounge for students living on campus. Philadelphia’s Main Line Like the rest of the world in 1917, Villanova went to war. Though her campus was transformed to a military reservation, and her students became Army trainees, Villanova did not stop in the struggle toward improvement. It was during the military tenure that influenza struck the campus. Classes and military drill were suspended; yet, be- cause of great vigilance and efficiency on the part of the nurses and administration, death cartie to only one cf the more than a hundred smitten. In 1918 the Summer School was started, and the following year the Extension School was established. The School of Commerce and Finance was added to the curriculum in 1920, followed shortly afterward by the establishment of the Depart- ment cf Education. During these difficult years Villanova never slackened in her efforts—pro Deo et patria. With the return to normality, the Army reserve unit was dis- banded. Once again new structures began to rise. Austin Hall, named after the founder cf the order, St. Augustine, was completed in 1924, while Goodreau Stadium was completed three years later.

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Stands as the Landmark of But the growth of Villanova was not merely structural. While the material facilities increased, so also did the curriculum expand. In 1905. realiz- ing that these who desired a technical training should not be excluded from receiving a Catholic education, Father Delurey inaugurated the School of Engineer- ing. including in it courses leading to degrees in either Civil. Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering. Villanova thus became the first eastern Catholic col- lege to confer engineering degrees. Though a fire in 1912 burned St. Rita's Hall to the ground, and inflicted damages estimated at $100,000. Villanova’s advancement was not to be stalled. The college recovered from the loss, and only two years later, under the leadership of Father Dohan. a pre-medical course was established. At first only a one-year course was required for entrance into medical school; now this requirement has since been increased to four years. O’DWYER HALL, top, located on the campus periphery, is one of the Dorns’ ” smaller residence buildings which were private homes before 1934, converted for use by upperclassmen. DELUREY HALL, another of the 'Dorns,” provides a more casual home- like atmosphere and spirit of fraternity than do the ordinary residence halls. FEDIGAN HALL, left, another upper- classmen residence, provides newest and roost modern student living quarters. Named after Rev. John J. Fedigan, O.S.A., Villanova president, 1878-1890, who gave impetus to Villanova expan- sion. ?ti Title.

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ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD, the Library has become the center of intellectual activity on the campus. The modern facilities provide the student with every opportunity for research, study, or intellectual relaxation. Equipped to handle up to 400,000 volumes, the Library contains spacious reference rooms, com- fortable browsing rooms, and several seminar rooms. BEAUTIFUL AND PRACTICAL, the water spray outside the Chemical En- gineering Building, right, is part of their large cooling system. The building itself features three laboratories, several classrooms, and a drafting room, to enable the student to keep abreast of the constantly advancing methods of Engineering. Dedicated to the Education of Catholic In January, 1928. the first really great physical disaster hit the campus. Beginning suddenly on the upper floors, flames deccndcd throughout Mendel Hall in an uncontrollable fire, and despite heroic efforts the building was completely gutted. The loss was great, but funds were solicited throughout the East so that, by 1929, the buildings were restored. Following that, first Fedigan Hall, and then the Commerce and Finance Building, sec- ond largest building on campus, were completed. No sooner had Villanova recovered from the stag- gering losses of the Mendel Hall fire, when in 1932 a second great fire completely destroyed the mon- astery. Yet even this heartbreaking loss could not dash the hopes of Villancva’s leaders. Though it took two years, the monastery was completely re- built by 1934. With Father Stanford as President, Villanova ac- quired successively four private dwellings as dormi- tories on the southwest end cf the campus. These buildings were named Simpson, O’Dwyer, Dclurey, and Middleton. OMMODORE JOHN BARRY HALL, commonly called the Naval Science Building, is the permanent ocat.on of the Naval ROTC unit. Providing a ship- b LT atmosP erc f°r the student-midshipman, the u »ng contains rifle ranges, drill halls, classrooms, a d a,mo“ every detail of naval life.