Thomas I. Gasson

Shortly thereafter, he entered the Society of Jesus on November 7, 1875. While preparing to be ordained a priest, he was sent to teach at St. Francis Xavier College in New York City. He then returned to Europe to study theology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. He was ordained a priest on July 26, 1891, by Simon Aichner, the Prince-Bishop of Brixen, in the university church.[1] The following year, he continued his theological studies, and also served as chaplain at a charitable institution in the city of Innsbruck.[4]

Gasson returned to the United States in the summer of 1892. He taught poetry to students in Frederick, Maryland, for two years, before beginning his study of ascetical theology for one year. Upon completion of his studies, he was made a professor of ethics and economics at Boston College in August 1895.[4]

Gasson was appointed President of Boston College on January 6, 1907, succeeding William F. Gannon.[5] He simultaneously served as pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the South End of Boston.[6] Just two months after his inauguration, he suggested to the Jesuit provincial superior that Boston College might inquire into purchasing a tract of land, including the farm of Amos Adams Lawrence, on Commonwealth Avenue near the Brighton neighborhood of Boston and relocate the school from the South End.[4] In furtherance of this goal, he announced to alumni in May 1907 that he aimed to relocate the college and construct a new campus; this would require $10 million.[7] On November 11, 1907, the Boston College board of trustees settled on a specific parcel of land in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and voted to purchase it. This was quickly followed by purchases of adjacent lands.[8]

On January 25, 1909, he convened a competition of architects to design new buildings for the site. The winning design called for 15 buildings in the English Gothic style and sports fields.[9] Gasson broke ground on the centerpiece of the plan, the recitation building, on June 19, 1909.[10] Construction of the building was slow and inhibited by lack of funds; as a result, Gasson sold a portion of the land previously purchased, to finance the building.[11] The recitation building finally opened for class on March 28, 1913.[12] That year, he purchased the bells to hang in the building's tower.[13] The recitation building later came to be known as Gasson Hall.[14] For his establishment of the college in its new location, Gasson became known as Boston College's "second founder."[15]

Thomas Gasson circa 1910

Several Catholic laymen sought to establish a graduate night school in Catholic philosophy. In response, Gasson opened a graduate department in December 1912, which provided lectures on philosophy, literature, and professional ethics. The following year, it began granting master's degrees.[16] This program was disestablished shortly after the end of his presidency in 1914.[12] Gasson's term as president came to an end on January 11, 1914, and he was succeeded by Charles W. Lyons.[14]