S1E14: 1821 Founding Fathers: Kohlmann + Matthews

We all know the name Kohlmann. Kohlmann Hall, the Kohlmann Address at graduation, but who was Fr. Anthony Kohlmann, S.J., the man? Tim Nau'61 briefly wondered that question in 1957 on his way to JUG. But the thought passed. After attending his 50th reunion in 2011, Tim remembered the name Kohlmann, and again wondered who was Anthony Kohlmann? Soon Tim's personal search for answers was on. Nau ordered books, researched online, and even planned travel to Europe to meet with historians in the town where Kohlmann grew up.

What did answers did Tim find about Gonzaga's Founder? Kohlmann was a much more fascinating and prominent figure in American Catholicism than he thought.

In S1E14, Tim unpacks piece by piece Kohlmann, the man. From his formative days in Europe, and how the horror of the French Revolution impacted his worldview. What events led brought Kohlmann to America? And what massive American legal precedent belongs to Gonzaga’s Founder?

Gonzaga doesn't make it 20 years, let alone 200 years, without a second, lesser-celebrated, but just as important founding father: Fr. William Matthews. Matthews was pivotal shortly before, and after Kohlmann, but doesn't really get the credit in Gonzaga lore. Matthews’ personality was a big part of why The Washington Catholic Seminary survived to become Gonzaga, as Tim explains in spellbinding detail.

In 1821, two centuries ago, two very different men of God, in birthplace, motives, temperament, and vision, combined to lay the foundation that lives on in Gonzaga. Europe's Kohlmann and America's Matthews – Gonzaga’s Founding Fathers. Again special thanks to Tim Nau' 61 for sharing his research that he did simply because he "has the history gene." We look forward to hearing more from Tim in future episode on the unique lexicon of Gonzaga in later the Spring.

Next week is the last Episode before we take a break for the Holidays. So last call for Christmas greetings. Would love to hear from you where ever you listen around the world, even if it's around the beltway.

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