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Villanova Becomes a University

1950-1960

"A Christian must be one who does not set themselves up over other human beings...If you surpass someone in wisdom, you ought to want that one to be wise too."

St. Augustine
Commentary on the 1st Epistle of John, 8:4-5

Villanova's unprecedented growth continued into the 1950s.The new residence halls went up on the East Campus, complemented by a new student center (Dougherty Hall) and a new Commerce and Finance Building (Bartley Hall). By the end of the decade total enrollment stood around 7000.At the same time two new programs were inaugurated, the Villanova School of Nursing and the Villanova School of Law, both in 1953.the nursing program opened full-time undergraduate study to women for the first time. With these new programs in place, it seemed logical to proclaim that Villanova was in fact a university. Following a special act of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, Villanova became a university in 1953.

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