1st Advertisement for Saint Bonaventure
College (1860)
Catholic higher education in United States developed in much the same way as higher education in general. In the mid-19th century, many Catholic colleges served as preparatory seminaries. Although many schools were established, most did not survive. From 1850-1866, 55 institutions were established, but only 18 survive. The land for these early colleges was usually donated, and early campuses typically consisted of only one building.
There were very few admission requirements for these early colleges. Students usually needed a reference letter from their pastor or some other respectable person. If a student was transferring from another school, he needed a letter signed by the president of that institution. An entrance exam was usually required as well. The first advertisement (left) for the school does not list any entrance requirements.
Most Catholic colleges offered a classical and scientific course. Students were able to choose between the two, and extra courses were usually offered at an additional charge. Other courses taught at Catholic colleges included French, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science, Philosophy and Latin and Greek. Religion was considered the most important subject of study.
A letter to the Boston Pilot described the first commencement ceremony of Saint Bonaventure College on June 29, 1860. The letter states that the courses studied that year were Latin, Greek, Geography, Algebra, Geometry, Globes, Arithmetic, Declamation and Music. History, Spelling and English Grammar were studied as well.
The daily schedule of students in the mid 1800's was very different than that of students today. Students woke at 5:30am and went to bed at 9pm. Classes began at 8 or 8:30am. Following morning classes, students had a supervised study session until around noon. At 1pm, they began classes again until 4 or 5pm.
Students could be expelled for refusing to obey, using alcohol and leaving campus at night without permission. Students who did not have satisfactory work in the classroom were usually given detention and extra work to do. For the list of rules at St. Bonaventure College in 1878, click here.
Bibliography
Angelo, Mark V, O.F.M., Ph. D. The History of St. Bonaventure University.
Saint
Bonaventure, NY: Franciscan Institute, 1961.
Hammon, Walter, O.F.M. The First Bonaventure
Men. St. Bonaventure: St. Anthony
Guild Press, 1958.
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This site was created by
Cathy Lapp for History 419, Fall 2006.
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Last edited: 03/26/2007 08:31:53 AM