FEATURE STORY
“Dinks” were worn by Villanova freshmen after WWI through the 1960s.
This survey from January 8, 1793, is of the spot where Villanova University stands today.
1842
1920s
1940s
Founded in 1842, Villanova College was named for its patron saint, St. Thomas of Villanova, a 16th-century Augustinian saint, writer, educator and bishop.
In the early 1900s, there was a trend to specialize collegiate studies in specific fields. Thus, the Division of Commerce and Finance was established in 1922.
The inaugural 13 students followed a traditional liberal arts curriculum, supervised by the College’s first president, the Rev. John P. O’Dwyer, OSA.
The Rev. Joseph Bartley, OSA, served as the founding dean for 40 years until his death in 1962.1
The division grew each year until the Second World War curtailed enrollment. Following the war, the influx of students into the division was enormous; in 1945 the enrollment was 130, and four years later it was 1,084. Thus, in 1949, it included almost half the students who were attending Villanova College. “At the conclusion of the war, men were eager to complete their interrupted education, and many had the opportunity to go to college because of the ‘G.I. Bill.’ Consequently, the Villanova campus was inundated with a large number of men seeking an education.” 1
You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones.” –St. Augustine
1. “Villanova: Yesterday and Today” (1972) by the Rev. Richard D. Breslin, OSA, PhD.
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The first Commerce and Finance building (seen in the background) was erected in 1930. Today it is known as Vasey Hall.
Villanova Business Fall 2022
