Evening star., 1939-05-21
Founder Was
Made Leader
In Church
Father Carroll Had
Washington's
Friendship
By John CIagen Proctor.

During the week of May % to
June 8, which is near at hand,
Georgetown University is going to
observe its sesquicentennial ami
versary and Special Centennial
Committee has been formed to in
terest the alumni nationally. There
Is every reason to believe that the
attendance at the incidental cere-
monies planned will reach upward
of 10000 or more of its honored
graduates.
This is not the first time that this
university has celebrated one of Its
anniversary dates, but this is the
first time it will do SO with native
Washingtonian, Father Arthur A.
OLeary, as its president, though its
founder, Archbishop John Carroll,
was naturally very closely associated
with Georgetown and other parts of
what is now the District OF Co.
lumbia.
The people of Washington have
every reason to feel that they are
not treated justly in being denied
their full rights as American cit
liens, and yet we as natives and
residents see much in our beautiful
Capital to admire and to refer to
feelingly whenever the opportun-
ity presents itself, and one OF the
things of which we are most proud
is our educational institutions, OF
which there is none better in the
land. and among these Georgetown
University stands shoulder to shoul-
der with the best.
OF course, we as Washingtonians
have fond recollections OF this
great institution, though we all may
not have been blessed with its
instruction, for even as children we
recall seeing it when we were ex-
cursioning on the Potomac or along
the old canal, in the vicinity OF
Georgetown, for the sight Of the old
buildings, principally the one with
the lofty castle-like towers, was such
as would impress itself upon any
Youngsters mind, and though some
of us may now be on the shady side
of life, yet we still recall those early
DAYS and think of this old land
mark with sentiment as endearing
as though it were some early child
hood friend.
50 Years Growth.
The original building of the uni
versity is no longer standing, though
1t can still be visualized by those
who knew it in bygone days and who
can even appreciate the strides the
university has made in the last
half century and more, until today
It is one of Americas greatest edu-
cational institutions
Who is it who has not heard of
that noted divine, John Carroll, who
made Georgetown University pos
sible? Or, perhaps, we might say,
who did more to make the uni
versity possible than any one else.
"Convinced of the necessity for es-
tablishing a school for higher STU
dies" it is said, "he wrote in 1785
to his friend, Father Charles PloW-
den, in England:
1.-THE object nearest my heart,
and the only one that can give con-
sistency to our religious views in
this country, is the establishment
Of school and afterward of a
seminary for young clergymen.'
His plan for an academy was laid
before meeting of the clergy held
: at White Marsh, Prince Georges
County, in 1786, when he recon-
mended the site which had so favor
Ah1x, fv>oy 1iyIo un w fo-
miliar with this neighborhood, which
at that time was a part of Mary
: land, and is said to have consid-
cred, at one time, placing the COL
lege on top of jenkins Hill, which
Is now adorned by our beautiful
Capitol But this is probably not
F.. true, for this ground belonged to
Daniel Carroll, relative, and if
he had desired it for church pur-
poses, he no doubt could have had
1t for the asking.
Selection of Site.
Whatever his object or reasons
, were for placing the college build
Ing on the heights of Georgetown,
1t can truthfully be said that Bishop
Carroll showed wonderful judgment
and forethought in selecting the
present site, for there is none more
attractive around Washington. Here,
from the extreme south end of the
: grounds, the eye can see up the
picturesque, winding Potomac, and
also for miles down the river, and
undoubtedly the view from some Of