Fr. Tom continued to better himself, and St. Bonaventure
College, in the 1940's. He was praised for his two books, The Priests
Way to God and Seven Words of Mary. Fr. Tom also received his LL.D. from Canisius
College and was elected to the College Board of Regents. Then, in 1943, he was appointed as Vicar
of St. Bonaventure Monastery.
In 1942, Fr. Tom and St. Bonaventure were asked to
build a junior college elsewhere in New York State. Plassmann chose the site,
Loudenville, NY, 5 miles outside of Albany. Fr. Tom decided the college should
operate itself rather then be operated by St Bonaventure College. The college
would be named Siena and would be dedicated March 20, 1942. Siena
became tremendously popular and within a few years its enrollment would exceed
that of St. Bonaventure.
| During WWII Fr. Tom was very supportive of his
Bonaventure men in service. He wrote many
poems and held many vigils for them. Following the war he was given the honor to
go to Germany as a Visitor General. He also served as Auxiliary Chaplain to U.S.
forces in Germany and helped with German repatriation. Although not
recommended, Fr.
Tom arrived in Germany dressed in uniform. He visited many Franciscan areas of
Germany during his trip, including
his hometown of Avenwedde. Fr. Tom was also named Visitor
General to Canada and Mexico, but his visit to Germany received the most press.
Upon his return to the United States in 1949, Fr. Tom had another book
published called Sunday to Sunday. 1949 was the same year Fr. Tom gave up his
presidency to Fr. Juvenal Lalor, OFM. |
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During all these years Fr. Tom’s pride and joy
was being constructed-- Christ the King Seminary (now Francis
Hall). The Seminary
would cost more than three and a quarter million dollars and would consist of
housing facilities, a gym, dining hall, and chapel. There were
also be many conference rooms within the building. The building was completely
finished in 1951, a year after the St. Bonaventure went from college to
university status. The building added even more prestige to the University. A campus
that had lain in ashes now had a three million dollar seminary which Pope Pius
XI
personally named. Fr. Tom was honored by being named Rector to Christ the King
Seminary, but there was more to come. |
|
In April of 1956, Fr. Tom was honored with a
Golden Jubilee to celebrate his 50 years as a Franciscan. There were fourteen
Archbishops in attendance and over 500 priests from all over. Those who could
not be present sent their regrets and congratulations to Fr. Tom. During
the ceremony Fr. Tom was given a rare Papal honor, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
Medal.
|
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In October of 1958 a living memorial was
announced, to be
constructed in honor of Fr. Tom. Plassmann Hall is a 40 classroom building
in honor of 40 years devoted to St. Bonaventure. Designed by architect Cajetan
Baumann, O.F.M., the building stands south west of
Friedsam Memorial Library. Fr. Tom did not live to see the building finished.
Fr. Thomas Plassmann passed away February 13th 1959.
Fr. Thomas Bernard Plassmann was a man. He was
a Bonaventure man.
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Last updated: 06/20/05
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