The Entrance to St. Bonaventure University

In 1964 the University decided it was time to redesign the entrance, and plans were put forth to do so.  The design of the new entrance was left to Brother Cajetan Baumann, O.F.M who was also the architect of Hopkins Hall, and other structures on campus.  Baumann designed a 60 foot high steel cross with a combination of stainless steel and brown colored "weathering" steel set off by a V-shaped brick wall opening out backwards down the center of the main entrance roadway divider.  Construction of the new entrance began in 1964;  Jack Rowe contractors from Olean did the brickwork, and Bethlehem Steel Co. handled the steel work.  Construction of the new tower was completed in 1965.  

New features have recently been added to the main entrance of St. Bonaventure.  On October 1st, 2004 the University dedicated two walls on either side of the main entrance roadway, made of the signature variegated red brick that many of our university buildings are made of.  These walls feature a tower on each which bear the seals of two Franciscan provinces.  The left tower bears the seal of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and the right tower bears the seal of the Province of the Immaculate Conception.  These seals are made of terra cotta tiles by Boston Valley terra cotta of Orchard Park, New York.  The significance of these seals has to do with the early history of the university.  When St. Bonaventure was founded, it was originally part of the Custody of the Immaculate Conception, founded in 1861.  In 1901, however, due to substantial new European immigration to the United States, a new American Province was created, and St. Bonaventure became part of the new Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 

The new entrance walls were donated by the class of 1953 in memory of Brother Ferdinand Woerle, O.F.M, a groundskeeper at St. Bonaventure for 60 years.  Brother Ferdinand had a respiratory condition, and due to this preferred working outside in the fresh air.  A plaque dedicated to his memory is located on the right wall facing the entrance roadway.  It reads, " In Gratitude, The Class of 1953 dedicates this entrance in loving memory of Br. Ferdinand Woerle, O.F.M, who for nearly 60 years showed his love for St. Bonaventure University by helping to make this campus a more beautiful and welcome place."   

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"60 - Foot Brick, Steel Tower to rise from New Entrance." The Bona Venture 13 November 1964: 8.
English, Suzanne Wilcox. "St. Bonaventure's New Entrance dedicated to Br. Ferdinand Woerle O.F.M" St. Bonaventure press release. 1 October 2004.
English, Suzanne Wilcox. "Provincial Seals added to SBU's New Entrance" St. Bonaventure Press release 16 December 2004.