Bellarmine Preparatory School history

1929 First Bellarmine graduating class of 19 students received diplomas.

1930 Jesuit faculty residence and athletic fields created on campus.

1943 Second major fund drive conducted, raising $40,000 to retire initial indebtedness.

1945 Following World War II, poplar trees were planted near Memorial Field to commemorate former Bellarmine students who died in the war.

1947 Bellarmine wins its first Tacoma City League football championship.

1949 Bellarmine wins its first Tacoma City League basketball championship.

In 1953, the Mothers’ Guild joined with the Dads’ Club to co-sponsor the precursor to the Golden Bell Auction, which was originally a dinner dance.

1958 Booster Gym completed and dedicated.

1963 Orton Hall was remodeled to provide housing, including a kitchen and dining room, for a growing number of Jesuits and offices for key administrators.

1971 The Lions win their first City League football championship in 25 years.

1972 Bellarmine's first Board of Directors was established, signaling a new era of lay involvement.

1974 Bellarmine became the first Jesuit high school in the country to become co-ed, merging with Aquinas and St Leo's schools on the Bellarmine campus.

1985 Newly created Orell Library was dedicated.

1986 Exemplary Teacher Award introduced to honor a single faculty member each year for his or her outstanding contribution to students and incorporating Jesuit ideals in his or her life and teaching.

1987 "Old Main", now called Bellarmine Hall, was upgraded to include earthquake safety reinforcement and renovation of McAstocker Theater (the original gym).

1991 A new 10-year plan began, including proposals for additional classrooms, upgrading and creation of new athletic fields and the increase of the endowment fund.

1992 The annual auction returned to the Bellarmine campus as P.R.I.D.E. (Private Resources In Developing Education).

1993 Heritage II, a capital campaign, implemented to raise funds for two baseball fields, two softball fields, six tennis courts, a commons area in the center of campus and increase endowment.

1996 The E. L. Wiegand Greenhouse for Scientific Study was added to the west side of campus, dedicated to the growing and research of native and endangered plant species.

2002 Construction began for the remodeling and addition of 18,000 sq. ft. to Snyder Hall, the science and math building.

2003 Completion of the addition to Snyder Hall.

2008 It's Game Time Capital Campaign begins to raise money for a new gym complex.

2010 Construction begins on a new Booster Gym and remodeled Names Gym.

2012 Bellarmine's financial aid program reaches over a third of the students, the school wins its first state volleyball championship and state-of-the-art home bleachers are built for Memorial Field.

2016 A state-of-the-art Connelly Campus Center opens in August in time for the start of the 2016-17 school year.

2017 Bellarmine opens a Learning Resource Center in the Orell Library, implementing a more comprehensive program to support students in their academic programs.