Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 221, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1916 — OPENING OF ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE [ARTICLE]

OPENING OF ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

College Retrospect Tells of Opening of SL Joseph’s and of First Year’s Work.

It required little effort to have the college ready for occupancy. There was so much to be done to make the building habitable and to provide it with necessary furnishings for the use of the professors and sisters, and students. The grounds had to be cleared of debris, and the ridges of sand, which extended to the very front of the college, had to be removed and a few gravel walks laid down. Wednesday, Sept. 2, must forever remain prominent in the annals as marking the day which inaugurated its real work, the beginning of studies. The faculty comprised the following Fathers of the Community of Precious Blood: Rev. Augustine Seifert, president; Rev. Benedict Boebner, vice president; Revs. John Nageleisen, Paulinus T«ost, Stanilas Neiberg, Leopold Linder and Rev. Mr. Sailer, then in deacon’s orders. A lay professor of music, Prof. Haas, completed the list. Father Augustine had been a valued member of the seminary faculty at Carthagena, Ohio, whence he was spared only because of the greater need of Rensselaer. A priest of solid piety and scholarly attainments, a man of great business and executive ability, it was felt that the fortunes of the new institution could not be placed in better hands. As noted before, a group of Collegiates from Carthagena had arrived some months before to assist the brothers in the work of preparing for the opening. Classes were started, as noted before, on Sept. 3. Barring the special class for the advanced Community students, which was private, there were but two others, a first latin class and a preparatory one for those who were not sufficiently advanced to begin the academic course. The students for the Community had their study hall on the second floor of the basement on the east side of the corridor. Father Paulinus became prefect and spiritual director for the Nocices. Father Benedict acted in/ a like capacity over the Seculars; and as his room opened into theirs, and the door was always open, there were but few moments when they were not under his observation and kindly guidance. The association was very intimate and to the most beneficial. It has been remarked that several existing organizations at the college today had their inception in these first years and tflat it was through Father Benedict’s good offices that they became a possibility and success. Under such conditions as these pictured with manifest limitations on the one hand, and beneficial influences on the other, the college began its existence and its work. Excerpts from a letter from Father Augustine sums up the situation: “As adverse conditions of the first years may be mentioned the absence of traditions for the student body, the difficulty of securing competent professors as the college grew; the ‘empty dinner bucket’ of the lean years following the Chicago Exposition. These conditions were offset by having a band ot hard-working, sacrificing men as professors; by the good will of the bishop and clergy of the diocese, by the prayers and financial support of the Congregation of the Precious Blood.” There is little that b eventful to be recorded of the first scholastic year. Professors and students met at the beginning of each day in the tiny chapel where the Precious Blood was offered on the altar for the intentions which however diverse in the individual mind, were* ultimately convergent in a common aim—to seek advancement for their jingle selves and for the infant college to grow “in wisdom and age and grace before God and man.” Mass over, breakfast served and the classes begun. The daily routine provided for work, with intermissions, until half pas! eight, when the community students were sent back to the chapel for their last exercises, and the Secular were in the study halls reciting th(. evening prayers. By nine o’clock tv house was in darkness and silence. The day was over.

Earle Reynolds and Helen Donegan, drove through to Chicago today, and will begin their engagement at the North American Case Saturday. Mre. Reynolds went to Lafayette today to see her brother, Jimmie Donegan, who is filling a week’s engagement in vaudeville at the Family Theatre. She will go to Chicago this evening by train and join Mr. Reynolds.

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Chas. Rihsling went to Hammond today on a business trip. ‘

Miss Emma Rishling went to Monon today to spend a few days.

Cut down the high cost of living by using Moxley’s Special High Grade Oleomargarine, sold only by Rowlas & Parker.