School of Leadership and Education Sciences

On February 3, 1937, Bishop Charles Francis Buddy embarked on his mission to secure the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. This was a dark time in American history since the Great Depression was at its peak. Even so, the bishop’s charisma assured Americans that the hazy days they were experiencing would soon end. Around March 1, the bishop went to San Francisco to meet Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill from the Society of the Sacred Heart. He hoped that Mother Hill would accompany him to San Diego as a partner to establish a Catholic College for Women. Bishop Buddy was also interested in establishing a Catholic College for Men. At that time, they could not envision what was coming to the world. Numerous challenges were likely to come their way. World War II came to hamper whatever the pioneers had planned, but it should be noted that these were pioneers, and their struggle continued without fear or favor.