The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-02

BISHOP KEANE, RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY
central portion OF the building contains
spacious halls for reunions, public lee
lures, the comforting of degrees and
other functions concerning the univer-
sity at large Later on an amphitheater
will be erected to the rear of the present
building for the holding of these gath
erings. The remainder of the present
building Is occupied by the school Of
jurisprudence aud social science, the
philological section. the school Of phi
losophy and the psychological institute
The faculty has been selected with
discrimination, the head being the Rev.
DR.. Pace, who viii hold the chair Of
psychology and be the dean. DR.. Pace
is only SO years old, but his scholarly
achievements have been many and distin-
guished. Professor William c. Robin
son, for years connected with the law
department. of Yale, viii be dean of the
school of social sciences and occupy the
chair Of law. DR.. Griffin, formerly Of
Johns Hopkins, and DR. Cameron, fer
merly of Cornell university, viii be pro-
fessors of chemistry. Charles Warren
Stoddard will lecture on English litera-
ture, and the other members Of the fac
ulty are all men either Of assured repu-
tation or great promise. McMahon hall
was presented to the university by tie
Rev. James Il. Meditation, reputed to be
the richest priest in America, at az ex-
penditure Of about 81, 900, 600.
1t was in 1856 that the project for a
Catholic university at Washington was
first mooted, but it was many years after
that before the university was founded
When the third plenary council was held
in Baltimore in 1884, Miss Mary Gwen
doline Caldwell contributed the sum Of
$500, 900 for the purpose of founding
the university. Of this sum $4,000
was used for the purchase Of the site
and the erection of the first building of
the institution, now known as Divinity
hall, which was formally dedicated on
Nov. 10, 1889. Since then the endow-
ment has increased until it is now up
ward of 81 900, 900, and an endowment
raised by subscription. A chapel, even
tually to be used exclusively by the
faculty and students of the divinity
school, has been erected by Miss Cald-
well at a cost of $50, 900. and larger
one, for the use of all attending the uni
versity, will be erected at some future
time
The rector of the university is the
Right Rev. J. j. Keane. titular bishop
OF Ajasso, who was born at Ballyshan-
non, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1889.
He came to this country with his parents
when bit years of age, and received
his education in Baltimore at st.
Charles college and St. Mary's semi
nary. He was ordained priest in 1866
and appointed assistant pastor Of St.
Patrick's church, Washington. When
the see of Richmond became vacant he
was appointed bishop. and for 4 years
was head of the diocese. There were but
% Catholic churches in his jurisdiction
at the beginning of his term. When he
quilted the see, there were SO churches,
80 chapels, converts, 3 academies,
with 43O students, 80 parochial schools,
with 1900 pupils, and IS, 900 commu-
nicants. He was one Of the leading
members Of the third plenary council,
and was SO much impressed by the
scheme Of the Catholic university that
he offered to resign his post as bishop of
Richmond to become rector Of the uni
versity. This offer was accepted, and his
service as rector began in August, 1888.
Sine then he has been the foremost fig
urs in the conduct Of the institution.