The college was founded by
Utica, New York, financier
Nicholas Devereux, one of the first to gain land grants in newly surveyed Cattaraugus County from the
Holland Land Company. Devereux founded the town of Allegany on the grant, hoping to build a new city. Devereux approached
John Timon, the bishop of
Buffalo, for assistance. The two invited the
Franciscan order to Western New York, and a small group under
Pamfilo da Magliano arrived in 1855. The school graduated its first class in 1858. St. Bonaventure's College was granted university status by New York State in 1950. The largest residence hall on campus, Devereux Hall, is named for the founder.
Franciscan connection The university is named after
Bonaventure, born John of Fidenza, who became a cardinal and Doctor of the Church. A theologian and contemporary of
Thomas Aquinas at the University of Paris, he became head of the Franciscan order. Bonaventure was canonized in 1482 by
Sixtus IV. The Franciscan friars at the St. Bonaventure Friary belong to the Holy Name Province and are members of the
Order of Friars Minor, one of the orders of Franciscans. The university is also home to the Franciscan Institute. Founded in 1939 by Thomas Plassmann, then president of St. Bonaventure's College, and led by its first director,
Philotheus Boehner. ==Campus==