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Aquinas Hall at BCCHS dedicated as an international boarding school

Cultural perspective will benefit both BCCHS and Ebensburg, northern Cambria County

 A “win, win” for the town and the school is how Ebensburg Mayor Charlie Moyer described the Aug. 21 dedication of Aquinas Hall at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School as an international boarding school.

“This is a win, win if ever there was one,” Mayor Moyer said in his remarks. “This is good for Bishop Carroll and good for Ebensburg.”

On Aug. 21, Ebensburg’s Catholic co-educational high school welcomed a broad range of guests, from local and state government, to regional parishes and parochial schools, and area businesses, for the dedication and blessing of its recently renovated boarding school for international students.

Differing from exchange students who stay a single year, these international students — three from Korea and three from China — bring their cultural perspective and academic proficiencies to BCCHS for two or more years.

Brother Shamus J. McGrenra, T.O.R., Director of International Admissions and Student Services at Saint Francis University, who also addressed those in attendance, echoed Mayor Moyer’s sentiments.

“The cross-cultural values, the exposure to customs the residents of Ebensburg will experience as they meet and talk with these students is so very important,” Brother Shamus said. “There are many positive attributes of this program.”

Along with the Asian students, discussions are underway with students in Mexico and Venezuela, and room may be available for additional students as early as January 2010.

Bishop Carroll Principal Kristie L. Wolfe, who garnered praise from each of the afternoon’s speakers for her vision and drive to see the program to fruition, said the program benefits both the international and local students.

“This program not only provides our local students with unprecedented exposure to foreign cultures and customs, but also gives them a glimpse of what will someday be their competition on the world stage,” Wolfe said. “Learning how international students study, prepare, learn and work will better prepare our local student to be successful in a global marketplace.” 

Guests at the event included Sr. Donna Marie Leiden, S.C., Director of Education for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Brother Shamus J. McGrenra, T.O.R., Director of International Admissions and Student Services at Saint Francis University; the Honorable Charlie Moyer, mayor of Ebensburg; state Rep. Frank Burns, 72nd Legislative District; Francis C. Crouse, Jr., Vice President for Enrollment Management at Mount Aloysius College, Monsignor Arnold L. Gaus, pastor of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church in Ebensburg, and various representatives of local Catholic parishes and area businesses.

Following a blessing by BC faculty member Fr. Matthew Russick, T.O.R., those in attendance toured the historic building, and met the host family, who will live in Aquinas Hall to watch over and advise the students, helping them get acclimated. 

Aquinas Hall Timeline

1892 — The building known today as Aquinas Hall was built by David E. Park, a Pittsburgh philanthropist, and successful banking and steel magnate linked to the Crucible Steel and Park Steel companies.

1920 — The D.E. Park Mansion, which served as the family’s summer home, was sold along with the property’s more than 50 acres.

Early 1930s — The home was converted into the Ebensburg Inn. One of many historical structures known locally as “Ebensburg Inn,” the D.E. Park Mansion is often referred to as the “Old Ebensburg Inn.”

1941 — The building was purchased by Elmore Daley, who operated the hotel.

1959 — The building was purchased by the Diocese of Altoona for a reported price of $85,000. Seeking to expand opportunities for secondary Catholic education in central and northern Cambria County, the Diocese converted the hotel into Aquinas Hall and in the fall of 1959 enrolled 151 boys in the school. The 147 girls of the inaugural class attended St. Joseph Academy on Horner Street in the building that was formerly St. Joseph Infant Home. The building is now apartment property.

1961 — On March 8, ground was broken for a new-joint high school to be named in honor of the fourth Bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, Howard J. Carroll.

1962 — On June 10, Bishop Carroll High School was dedicated. Since the opening of the main high school building, Aquinas Hall has been home to the Sisters of the Carmelite Community of the Word who taught at the school, and has served as classroom space for Cambria County’s community college and Nulton Diagnostics.

2009 — On Aug. 21, the historic structure was dedicated as the Aquinas Hall International Boarding School at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, lodging six international students, three from Korea and three from China, as well as a host family.  

Compiled with assistance from the Cambria County Historical Society.

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2009-2010SchoolCalendar[1].pdf

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