Monsignor “Father Bill” Nolan
(1916-2000)

Founding Ecclesiastical Director

“We know that Jesus healed all ten lepers and, yet, only one returned to thank Him for His miraculous, life-saving cure.  The Healer’s poignant response was, "Where are the other nine?"  Even the greatest spiritual leader of all time appreciated being affirmed.  It is by a sweet and grateful heart that you will be known as a true disciple. ” 

Monsignor William Liguori Nolan, affectionately known to generations of Dartmouth students as “Father Bill” Nolan, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 3, 1916. The child of a concert pianist who graduated in both Voice and Piano from the Julliard School of Music, he performed as a child prodigy at age eight for the world class composer, Paderewski. William Nolan developed his musical talent throughout high school performing alongside such artists as his classmate, Leonard Bernstein. In 1935, he graduated from the Boston Latin School with highest honors having been elected Class President and Captain of the Debate Team.

William Nolan received his BA Degree in Philosophy and MA Degree in Religious Education from Saint Mary’s College in Pennsylvania. In 1943, he was ordained a priest in the Redemptorist Order at Mount Saint Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, NY. One year later, he was appointed Professor of Homiletics where he continued teaching until 1947. Like his younger brother, he became a Missionary Priest and preached throughout the United Stated until he was appointed Chaplain at Dartmouth College in 1950. 

Father Bill’s love for college students and admiration for Cardinal Henry Newman took form in what is now known as the Aquinas House at Dartmouth College.  He envisioned and then raised all of the funds for both the construction and endowment of the first Newman Apostolate Center on any Ivy League Campus in America. This Catholic Student Center at Dartmouth College remains a powerful witness to this priest’s dedication to the spiritual formation of all college students.

To commemorate his 25th anniversary as a priest, Father Bill Nolan was given the honorary title of Monsignor and appointed Prelate of Honor by Pope Paul VI.  He served as Province Chaplain for the National Newman Federation and Diocesan Director of the Newman Apostolate.  He was elected a member of the Board of Directors for the Diocesan Committee for Ecumenism, the New Hampshire Diocesan Senate of Priests, the Diocesan School Board, the Diocesan Vocation Board and The Commission for Christian Formation. 
 

In 1973, Father Bill Nolan was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree. By the time he retired as Chaplain in 1987, after 37 years of devoted service, he received countless honors and awards. None were more meaningful to him than the undying respect and gratitude of over fifty Dartmouth students who to this day attribute their own vocation to the priesthood to this beloved priest.

   Monsignor Nolan died on May 1, 2000.