The Marian Library’s exhibit Forever Marianist traces Marianist presence at the University of Dayton from the Marianists’ arrival in the United States to the present. The exhibit, which closes on Oct. 31, is a companion to Honoring Our History: UD at 175, curated by University Archives and Special Collections and on display in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery in Roesch Library.
Forever Marianist highlights UD’s institutional history at a personal level. The exhibit profiles Marianist life on campus and key figures, including Brother Stanley Mathews, S.M. ’43 (1922-2008), who embodied Marianist presence for many on campus. From his appointment as the Marian Library’s first full-time librarian in 1952 to his work as the University’s first rector from 1982 to 1994, Mathews saw the University change dramatically during his lifetime.
“My own contact with UD over the years somewhat illustrates the changes in Marianist presence at UD,” he said in a 1987 speech. “I often think back to my first visit to UD when I was 9 years old. My uncle, who was a great Xavier University sports fan, had driven with me from Cincinnati for a Xavier-UD basketball game ... and Xavier won 20-10. I remember thinking what a dumpy little place UD was, how bad the basketball team was and how much better the facilities were in Cincinnati. Little did I guess where I would finally land ... or for whom I would be cheering.”
Campus Changes; Spirit Does Not
Change at UD was driven in part by a growing student population. In the spring of 1931, in the wake of a 5-15 basketball season, 87 students graduated from the all-male school. In June 1943, Mathews himself numbered among 159 graduates of a newly coeducational UD. Shortly after he joined the Marian Library in spring 1952, 379 students graduated; the men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA Tournament; and the Marian Library was publishing a monthly newsletter and supporting a student Mariology Club on campus. Another source of Marianist presence was growing as well: In 1949, the Marianist Sisters arrived in the U.S.; after establishing a presence in San Antonio, they formed a community in Dayton in 1962.
UD’s graduating class had expanded to 1,333 degrees granted by spring 1982 under a majority lay faculty. The shift reflected the range of expertise needed across academic units in the the arts, sciences and professional studies and informed the development of what is now the Office for Mission and Rector. As rector, Mathews said in 1987, “The change in the proportion of Marianists on a rapidly expanding campus was less important than the always present collaboration between Marianists and the lay faculty and staff. This partnership has always been there; the change required only that the partnership be renewed and intensified.”
‘Where the Action Is’
UD’s 175th anniversary arrives at another time of change on campus and in the world. For Marianist founders William Joseph Chaminade, Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Marie-Thérèse de Lamourous, Mary’s “yes” to bringing Christ into the world was a source of hope as they formed communities in the wake of the French Revolution. Educating for adaptation and change emerged as a key characteristic of Marianist education alongside educating for formation in faith; providing an integral, quality education; educating in the family spirit; and educating for service, justice and peace.
Though much has changed in the last 175 years, Marianists remain central to the University of Dayton’s identity and to the Marian Library — sometimes called the “Marianist Library” as a result of the Society of Mary’s deep commitment and visible presence in its spaces, services and collections. As Mathews articulated in his 1987 speech, UD is also central to the Marianist story.
“If Father Chaminade were alive today,” Mathews said, “I think he would find the University apostolate a very important place for his Marianist priests, brothers, sisters and laity to be. He might even think it is a place ‘where the action is’ since it offers so much opportunity for the development of his inspirations.”
— Written by Henry Handley, an associate professor and the assistant director of the Marian Library and Special Collections.
A version of this article originally appeared in Volume 3 of Tidings: An Annual Communiqué from the Marian Library.
