Student Activities at
St. Bonaventure University

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1859-1949
The 1950's
The 1960's
JDLA
Bona Radio
Sectional Clubs
Fraternities at SBU
Knights of Columbus
Theater

Student Activities at St. Bonaventure have been going on since its founding.  Athletics was a popular activity that many of the male students participated in (especially since female students were not admitted as day students until 1942).  Especially during the post World War I era, athletics were emphasized, notably baseball, football and basketball.  Also out of the post- WWI era came an increase in the size of the student body, which triggered the founding of student government.  Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities multiplied.  Here is a list of many of the earliest activities that existed at St. Bonaventure:

Fraternities at St. Bonaventure

Sectional Clubs at St. Bonaventure  

Theater at St. Bonaventure                        

                                                                                    

1861: St. Bonaventure's 1st entertainment

1875: St. Francis Silver Concert Band

          St. Anthony Debating Society

          Duns Scotus Debating Society

          St. Cecilia’s Orchestra

          St. Bonaventure Philharmonic and Dramatic Society

1877: Third Order of St. Francis

1880: St. Joseph’s Glee Club

Music group between 1890-1910

1882: 1st recorded baseball game against another school

1883: Athletic Society established to promote physical activity

1885: Junior Athletic Society for prep students

1893: James Dolan Literary Association (JDLA)

1899: The Laurel 

1901: Basketball

1903: Full swing of athletics 

1909: Indoor soccer

1916: 1st Radio Station (WSBC)

          Wrestling

1921: Student Government organized

1926: The St. Bonaventure

 

Dramatic Presentation group in 1918

1928: 1st yearbook The Laurel Annual

1929: Roger Bacon Mathematical Club (later reorganized and called Physics and Math Club in 1940)

1932: The Laurel dedicated entirely to literary articles

         1st sound picture to play Donovan Kid

1933: George Skelley History Club

1934: Glee Club makes first radio appearance on a national broadcast 

1935: 105 Club

1936: Camera Club

1937: Intramural leagues for swimming and bowling formed

         Bus trips to football games at Niagara and St. Thomas 

1938: Discussion about forming Swim Team

         Menéndez y Pelayo

1940: Aviation Club

         St. Bonaventure Community Symphony Orchestra

1946: National Student Association

         Ski Club

1949: National Federation of Catholic College Students

         The Debating Society

Activities from the 1950's

Activities from the 1960's

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 Friedsam Memorial Library Home Page

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For more information about Student Activities at SBU contact:

Archivist
(archives@sbu.edu)
telephone: 716.375.2322

Friedsam Memorial Library
St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure, NY 14778 USA
Telephone: 716.375.2323
Fax: 716.375.2389
Information Desk: 716.375.2164; ref@sbu.edu