History: Highlights 1947-1964

1947: The Slavin Era

College inaugurates a Marriage Forum Lecture Series.
Robert Joseph Slavin, O.P., begins term as the 6th President of Providence College.
Effective date of the Draft Resolution spelling out the Retirement Plan for Lay Employees.
Science Building (Albertus Magnus Hall) groundbreaking ceremony.
PC joins the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

1948

Albertus Magnus Hall opening.
War Memorial Grotto is dedicated.
PC is admitted into the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Students vote to accept the proposed PC Student Congress Constitution.

1949

PC radio-WDOM-AM-begins broadcasting from Albertus Magnus Hall.
PC becomes the first Catholic men’s college in New England admitted to the College Entrance Examination Board.

1950

First Summer School of Theology for Religious Women Commencement.

1951

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit established.

1952

College holds its first Military Ball.

1953

College holds first U.S. Army commissioning exercises as part of its 35th commencement.

1954

President welcomes the first members of Alpha Epsilon Delta, Rhode Island Chapter, the College’s Pre-Medical Honor Society, the first Honor Society based on a field of concentration.

1955

Alumni Hall (Gymnasium) Blessing.
The Cowl announces the 1st PC recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship for foreign study.
College purchases the House of the Good Shepard property.
First Homecoming Weekend begins.

1956

Gordie Holmes makes a dramatic shot at the buzzer, giving PC an upset win over the University of Notre Dame, 85-83.

1957

Freshman and Sophomores are no longer required to enroll in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program courses.
College establishes the Liberal Arts Honors Program.

1959

Approval of PC’s National Institute of Health Training Grants Program.

1960

College confers its first Veritas Medal on Congressman John E. Fogarty.

1961

PC wins their first National Invitation Tournament.

1961: The Dore Era

Vincent Cyril Dore, O.P., begins his term as the 7th President of Providence College.

1962

1st Ring Dance.

1963

PC captures its second National Invitation Tournament trophy.
Fans welcome the National Invitation Tournament Champions by lining Route 6 from the state line into Providence, and a crowd of 8,000 cheer the players, coaches and College officials.

1964

PC makes its first appearance in an NCAA basketball tournament.
The Graduate School opens with 120 students offering courses in History, Education, Religious Education and Guidance, and the Sciences.
First President’s Council meeting.
North Dormitory (Meagher Hall) opening.