The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-07-26
COLLEGE OF ST. THOMAS.

The day of the little red school
house has passed. The little red
school house was a big factor in
it's. time, for there the future lead
ers of the nation imbibed their
early lessons Of education, crude
and simple as it was. With in
creased wealth and expansion of
activities this humble abode of
learning was succeeded by the
more pretentious school, which in
it's turn gave way to the palatial
academy, institute and college.
When the great Northwest of
our country was in the throes of
pioneer endeavor little time was
there for higher education, little
money to acquire the higher
things Of mental life. With the
growth Of the country the North
west has ably marched forward
until today it stands for the
highest there is in all the branches
Of learning, education, and refine
ment. 1t will not be content with
anything less than the best. The
sturdy pioneers laid the founda-
tions, deep and solid, for the
stately structure that was to rear
it's lofty form into the atmosphere
Of higher educational freedom
The Catholic Church, ever the
jealous guardian of the true and
the beautiful in life, enlisted her
faithful ministers in the cause Of
greater and broader education for
her children in this mighty sweep
of territory. The faith of the
pioneers was true to the old
standard, and readily did they CO.
operate, financially and morally,
in the great work which the
Church here undertook.
Realizing as they did the bene-
fits of scientific training, these
noble men and women determined
that their children should have the
benefits of all that education had
to offer. The combination was
complete: Church and people
united for the common veal, and
the demand for higher education
was answered by the establish
ment Of the College Of st. Thomas,
in st. Paul, an institution where
the sons Of the Northwest might
drink in copious draughts from
the Pierian spring of knowledge.
The College of st. Thomas be-
gan in an humble way, but it has
served as a gauge of the educa-
tional progress of this territory
until it now numbers nearly seven
hundred students drawn from
many states from coast to coast
Education in it's higher sense has
ever been the aim of this institu-
ton, and it's alumni are to be
found in we'll nigh every state in
the Union, a proof that it has
endeavored to foster the highest
ideals in education. The Catho.
lies of the Northwest have been
quick to appreciate the oppor.
tunities offered in this great cen.
ter, and every year sees increased
interest in the college and in its
work. A well trained staff OF
professors is maintained to pre-.
sent all that college is expected
to give to it's pupils. In order tC
serve every reasonable demand, g
commercial department was added
to train young men for the bust
ness career which so many desire
To prepare the younger boys fol-
the serious work of a college
course a preparatory department
was opened, wherein those who
aspire to higher education may
begin early to imbibe the college
spirit and to profit by the added
advantages which college
atmosphere naturally diffuses.
With the Increase in attendance
the college facilities kept pace, IN
til the single college building has
been surrounded by a group OF
imposing structures that form
the center Of large and beautiful
grounds. The military system has
been inaugurated here with most
gratifying results, since it is car.
ried out with all the precision
peculiar to military exactness
A United States Army officer, de.
tailed here on special and exclu.
sive service, keeps the standard Of
discipline up to the highest re.
quirement, and the college enjoys
the distinction of "Class A
among the military schools of the
country. The effect for good
which this training has upon the
youthful mind can scarcely be
exaggerated. Athletic training is
entirely subservient to scholastic
efficiency, and the magnificent In
closed athletic field, one of the
finest in the country, serves as the
arena where Young America may
develop himself physically.
The greater diffusion of afflu
ence and the increased amount OF