McNamara's Blog
The University of Dayton’s history is one of perseverance, tenacity, ingenuity and transformation. The school began with an act of faith – and no cash – more than 150 years ago.
In the middle of a cholera epidemic, the Rev. Leo Meyer, S.M., gave landowner John Stuart a medal of St. Joseph and a promise of $12,000 at 6 percent interest in return for Dewberry Farm, 125 acres of vineyards, orchards, a mansion and various farm buildings. On July 1, 1850, St. Mary’s School for Boys, a frame building that not long before had housed farm hands, opened its doors to 14 primary students from Dayton. Known at various times as St. Mary’s School, St. Mary’s Institute and St. Mary’s College, the school assumed its present identity in 1920.
Today, the University of Dayton is recognized as a top-tier national university and one of the 10 best Catholic universities in the nation. It’s the largest private university in Ohio.
In the middle of a cholera epidemic, the Rev. Leo Meyer, S.M., gave landowner John Stuart a medal of St. Joseph and a promise of $12,000 at 6 percent interest in return for Dewberry Farm, 125 acres of vineyards, orchards, a mansion and various farm buildings. On July 1, 1850, St. Mary’s School for Boys, a frame building that not long before had housed farm hands, opened its doors to 14 primary students from Dayton. Known at various times as St. Mary’s School, St. Mary’s Institute and St. Mary’s College, the school assumed its present identity in 1920.
Today, the University of Dayton is recognized as a top-tier national university and one of the 10 best Catholic universities in the nation. It’s the largest private university in Ohio.
(From the University website)
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