A History of Xavier University and Victory Parkway

Xavier University, a private Jesuit university in Cincinnati, Ohio, has a rich history deeply intertwined with the city. From its humble beginnings as a men's college in downtown Cincinnati to its current location on Victory Parkway, Xavier has evolved into a comprehensive institution rooted in the Jesuit tradition of learning, service, and ethical engagement.

Early Beginnings and Transformation

Founded in 1831 as The Athenaeum, the institution was dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier by Bishop Edward Fenwick. In 1840, the Society of Jesus assumed control, renaming it St. Xavier College in honor of the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit missionary. The "original" Athenaeum now serves as the seminary for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

In 1912, St. Xavier College relocated to its present Evanston location, approximately 5 miles north of downtown Cincinnati, after acquiring 26 acres from the Avondale Athletic Club. St. Xavier College and St. Xavier High School officially separated in 1919, achieving financial independence by 1934.

Academic Growth and Development

Xavier University offers over 90 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Professional Sciences, the College of Nursing, and the Williams College of Business. The Core Curriculum requires undergraduate students to complete a significant number of distribution requirements.

Campus Expansion and Facilities

The campus spans approximately 205 acres in Cincinnati's Evanston neighborhood. Key campus landmarks include the Gallagher Student Center, Bellarmine Chapel, and Our Lady of Peace Chapel, which was relocated to the Academic Mall in 2018. The Academic Quad, also known as the Hoff Quad, is located east of the Academic Mall.

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Athletic facilities include J. Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse and the Cintas Center, home to the Musketeers basketball team. The Cintas Center also houses the Schiff Conference Center and the James and Caroline Duff Banquet Center. A residential complex, Justice Hall (formerly Fenwick Place), opened in 2011 south of the Residential Mall. West campus is situated on the west side of Victory Parkway.

Victory Parkway: A Road with a Story

Victory Parkway, the road running from Walnut Hills to Reading Road, has a history as intriguing as the university it borders. According to Anne Ryckbost, Xavier's University Archives & Special Collections Librarian, the road was often called Bloody Run due to its connections to the slaughterhouse. Other accounts suggest the name originated from attacks on white settlers by Native Americans or a gruesome incident in 1794 when two men were killed by Native Americans near the beginning of the creek at St. Xavier. The road was known as Bloody Run Boulevard until 1921, when it was renamed Victory Parkway.

Additionally, Victory Parkway Fields are located on Victory Parkway between Ledgewood and Hopkins Avenues in North Avondale. These grounds were dedicated and opened on June 16, 2001. Under an agreement signed by Xavier University and the Cincinnati Park Board and unanimously approved by Cincinnati City Council, the city leased this land to Xavier for $1.00 per year for 98 years. Xavier provided the entire cost of the $ 2,000,000.00 renovation and will maintain the land at no cost to taxpayers.

Edgecliff College: A Chapter in Xavier's History

In 1935, the Sisters of Mercy established Our Lady of Cincinnati College, later known as Edgecliff College, in the leased Walnut Hills Edgecliffe estate, formerly the home of Mary Emery. This institution served as a replacement for Clifton’s Sacred Heart and aimed to provide a local college option for Cincinnati girls.

Edgecliff operated with the Sisters of Mercy as the primary staff, absorbing any operating losses. Tuition was competitive with the University of Cincinnati, and the curriculum focused on liberal and fine arts, particularly music and teaching. The college experienced success and growth, with a peak enrollment of around 1200 students.

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The college purchased the Emery Mansion and nearby houses, later constructing an administration building and a library. As cultural changes swept through the era, Edgecliff responded to the post-war baby boom with a two-year teaching certificate program. The curriculum expanded to include social work and a cooperative arrangement with the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Eventually, Edgecliff became part of Xavier University.

Athletics

Xavier competes in the NCAA Division I level in the Big East Conference, with D'Artagnan the Musketeer as their mascot. The university sponsors eight intercollegiate sports for men and eight for women. Xavier's graduation rate of 94% is among the highest for athletes in the nation.

Xavier was a founding member of the Midwestern City Conference in 1979, later renamed the Midwestern Collegiate Conference and now known as the Horizon League. From 1995 to 2013, Xavier was a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, achieving considerable success in basketball.

The Xavier men's basketball team has reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament in 2004, 2008, and 2017. The baseball team won the 2014 Big East Championship and participated in the Nashville Regional. The club sports program offers various sports and recreational activities for students, faculty, and staff.

Mascots: The Musketeer and the Blue Blob

Xavier is unique in having two mascots. D'Artagnan, the Musketeer, is the official mascot and the origin of the school's nickname. The Blue Blob, a furry creature introduced in 1985, serves as a more audience-friendly mascot. The Blue Blob has appeared in television and magazines and is celebrated with an annual Blue Blob Appreciation Night.

Community Engagement and Service

Xavier emphasizes community service through programs like the Nexus community garden, X-CHANGE, Community Action Day, and service opportunities at St. Francis Seraph Ministries. The university also provides resources for non-profit internships and post-graduate service opportunities through organizations like the Peace Corps and Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Student Life and Media

The Xavier Newswire is an independent student newspaper published weekly during the academic year. Founded in 1915 as The Xavierian News, the paper covers campus news and events.

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