History: Highlights 1936-1946

1936: The Dillon Era

  • Corporation election of John Jordan Dillon, O.P., as the 4th President of Providence College.

1938

  • Judy Garland visits campus, bringing a donation to the Building Fund.

1939

  • Glenn Miller and his orchestra perform at the PC Junior Promenade.
  • Opening of Aquinas Hall, the first residence hall available to the general student population.
  • Mal Brown, a beloved trainer and PC alumnus, dies of typhoid during an outbreak on campus.  The Mal Brown Club, the local chapter of the Alumni Association, is organized in 1956.

1940

  • The National Catholic Honor Society establishes a chapter at PC.

1942

  • Due to WWII, PC inaugurates a year-round schedule.

1943

  • Activation of the Army Specialized Training Program Unit for Basic Engineering.

1944

  • Approximately 380-man Army Specialized Training Program Unit marches off campus.

1945: The Foley Era

  • Corporation election of Frederick Clement Foley, O.P., as the 5th President of Providence College.
  • Civilian resident students return to Aquinas Hall.

1946

  • Business Administration Department Building (later named Antoninus and Moore Hall) groundbreaking ceremony.
  • Groundbreaking for Business Administration Department building.
  • College resumes traditional Pre-War calendar.