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| Center History |
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Catholic students at UNI have studied and witnessed to their
faith for 100 datable years (1897-1997). With the school
originally being heavily influenced by Congregationalists, and
over half the students enrolled in a Sunday Bible Study program,
this group provided Catholic students an identity and the
opportunity to study church history, theology and the Bible
through programs that were planned and directed by the
students themselves. In the seventeen to twenty years prior
to 1897, the group appears to have been organized by Anna E.
Uncovers and meeting, but no specific dates are documented.
William Lang, in his Century of Leadership & Service: A
Centennial History of the University of Northern Iowa writes:
'While the Normal School Catalog made no mention of other
religious organizations up to 1903, an organization of Roman
Catholic students and staff had existed for over fifteen years.
Just when the group adopted the name 'The Newman Club' cannot be
accurately ascertained, but certainly not later than 1897.' This
places the organization's informal development by Miss McGovern
prior to 1888.
Anna McGovern was a member of the first class at ISNS in 1876
and was an 1880 graduate of the four year program with a Bachelor
of Didactics. She became the first ISNS graduate
offered a teaching position at the school as well as the school's
first full-time female faculty member. McGovern initially taught
a class in geography and moved through multiple teaching
assignments from 1880 until her retirement in 1919. The 1918 Old
Gold Yearbook states: "The Catholic Students' Association was
founded by Miss McGovern when she was a student here." It could
be accurate, therefore, to place the founding of the earliest
Catholic group in the first four years of Iowa State Normal
School's existence.
The group was formally organized as a club in 1897 and soon
boasted a library of 300 volumes, most of which were provided
by Miss McGovern. In 1903, it was chartered as the Newman
Catholic Association and assigned the Fullerton room in the
basement of the Auditorium building by President Seerley.
Incorporation papers were drawn Feb. 22, 1904. A pattern of
weekly study groups, interspersed with fellowship activities,
dominated the group's activities. Beginning in 19 1 0, there
are numerous references in the early Newman Association Old
Gold Yearbook pages to the fact that the various denominations
got along well, but differences in dogma required separate
groups.
During these early years the organization was known as the
Newman Catholic Association. It affiliated with the Catholic
Students' Association of America and hosted the National
Convention in 1917. At that time the name was changed to
Catholic Students' Association and 'Lead Thou Me On' became
the motto in order to conform with the national organization.
Throughout the 1940's and until 1966 the name Newman Club was
used. A 1966 yearbook article states emphatically that although
Newman
is a coordinating group for the religious, educational, social
and service programs of the Catholic Student Center, it is not
a club.
The first priest to serve the group was Fr. Luke Donlon, who
was pastor at St. Patricks Church in Cedar Falls from 1901-1904.
Fr. John C. Wieneke 1914-1932, Monsignor Stephen Mauer
1938-1952 and Fr. William C. Michael 1947-1950 followed Fr.
Donlon in serving the campus from the downtown church. Early
students walked from campus in groups to Mass at St. Patrick's.
Later, cars were obtained to take the students downtown for
Mass. In 195 1, Fr. Robert J. Spahn was appointed the first
resident Chaplain. Fathers John Gregory 1956-68, Jack Kissling
1968-83, Don Klein 1983-93 and John Haugen, who arrived in 1993,
have followed Fr. Spahn in the Chaplain's position. Fr. Bob
Beck was also associated with the Student Center from 1972-74,
during the time of Fr. Kissling.
Through the years, faculty, alumni, parents, Knights of
Columbus chapters, St. Patrick's Parish in Cedar Falls,
the Archdiocese of Dubuque and many friends have contributed
to the ongoing work of the Catholic Student Center in many
selfless ways. To our founders and many benefactors, we offer
our heartfelt thanks and prayers.
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St. Stephen the Witness History Links
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