William Patrick Power
Rev. William P. Power, C.S.Sp. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Rector of the Pittsburgh Catholic College | |
| In office 1878–1885 | |
| Succeeded by | Rev. John Willms |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1843 Ireland |
| Died | 1919 (aged 75–76) |
William Patrick Power,
First rector of Pittsburgh Catholic College
Father Joseph Strub, the founder of the College, was not happy with the Spiritan Superior General's choice of Father Power as the first rector of the Pittsburgh Catholic College, since he believed Pittsburgh's immigrant Catholics would perceive a German rector as more industrious and disciplined than an Irish one.[1] In fact, he specifically requested that the rector not be Power, but he was selected nonetheless.[1]
While the German Holy Ghost Father John Bernard Graff served in Power's capacity as he traveled from Ireland, the Irish-born bishop of Pittsburgh,
Power was rector during an essential and formative stage of Duquesne University's history: he was in office when the College received its state charter on July 7, 1882, and as the Old Main administration building was built on
Father Power's tenure was brief. Only two months after the administration building was dedicated in April 1884, Power was assigned to St. Mary College in Trinidad.[6] He was succeeded by the German-born Father John Willms.
Power Center
On 14 March 2006 Duquesne University began construction on a 130,000-square-foot (12,000 m2) facility named in honor of Father Power.[7] The building dedicates 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2) to fitness facilities, and also includes a Barnes & Noble branch and a casual dining restaurant.[7] The Power Center officially opened at the beginning of the Spring 2008 semester.
Notes and references
- References
- ^ a b c Rishel & Demilio 1997, p. 2.
- ^ Duquesne University 2008.
- ^ a b Rishel & Demilio 1997, p. 3.
- ^ Rishel & Demilio 1997, p. 3–4.
- ^ Rishel & Demilio 1997, p. 4.
- ^ Rishel & Demilio 1997, p. 5.
- ^ a b Duquesne University 2010.
- Works cited
- "Fitness Facilities, Restaurants and Retail", Power Center, Duquesne University, 2010, retrieved 18 June 2010
- Rishel, Joseph F.; Demilio, Paul (1997), "The Spirit That Gives Life": The History of Duquesne University, 1878–1996, ISBN 0-8207-0268-4
- Spiritan Campus Ministry bulletin, Duquesne University, 28 January 2008