Corpus Christi College Academy gets historic marker

“The best thing that parents can possibly leave to their children is an education, for wealth, property and other things can be taken away,” Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina said as he dedicated the cornerstone of the administration building of Corpus Christi College on Dec. 11, 1927. “An education, however once gained can never be lost stolen or taken away, and is possessed to the person’s dying day.”

Nueces County officials, members of the Nueces County Historical Commission and representatives from the Diocese of Corpus Christi gathered July 8 on the grounds of Our Lady of Corpus Christi Evangelical Center to dedicate a Texas Historical Marker honoring Corpus Christi College Academy, founded by Bishop Ledvina on the grounds that today house the Our Lady of Corpus Christi.

“Today we recognize not only the man who spoke those words but also the dedicated teachers and Benedictine priests who contributed to the shaping of the whole man—intellectual, moral, physical and spiritual,” Dr. Norman Delaney, who researched and wrote the history of the school used to secure the marker from the Texas Historical Commission, said.

“Though I am unable to tell you the number of students who attended the Academy during its 44 year history, we do know with certainty that many of those who attended the Corpus Christi Academy became outstanding citizens and leaders in our community just as Bishop Ledvina intended,” Delaney said.

Texas Historical markers are placed at locations that meet criteria set by the Texas Historical Commission. A key component in this criterion is that the subject of the marker made important contributions to its community or region.

“The county purchases and installs these markers to commemorate those subjects that we wish to remember as being significant to the growth and development of Nueces County,” County Judge Lloyd Neal said as he unveiled the marker. “Corpus Christi College Academy is certainly one of those.”

In 1927, the Benedictine Monks of the New Subiaco Monastery in Arkansas accepted an invitation from Bishop Ledvina to establish a Catholic boys school in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Eager for such a school that his grandsons could attend, John Dunn offered the diocese 40 acres of the Dunn family homestead on which to build the school.

The school was named Corpus Christi College and the first students enrolled in grades seven through 12.  In the fall of 1928, a five-story building was completed in time for the start of classes. The following year, the first graduating class consisted of three students.

The school soon became known as Corpus Christi College Academy. As enrollment increased, a band, a choir and sports teams were established for students.

Michael Meaney, one of Dunn’s grandsons, was the guest speaker for the marker’s dedication ceremony. He is the last of four sons of William and Mary Dunn Meany. He recounted how John Dunn recited the rosary on the land that became the campus of the academy.

“He didn’t want just a school, he wanted a Catholic high school where faith and reason would be taught; he wanted to promote understanding of the natural and supernatural and a love that is sacrificial,” Meany said.

Meany chose Academy graduate Cliff Zarsky of the class of 1946 to illustrate what Catholic education strives to achieve by educating the whole person.

Zarsky, a prominent local attorney and civic leader, embraced the pro-life movement after the passage of Roe v. Wade, challenging the issue both in the legal and civic arenas wherever possible. He was arrested and jailed several times for his activities.

Later though gravely ill, he continued with his fight to protect human life through the courts until his death earlier this year.

“Cliff Zarsky exhibited inspired understanding, heroic leadership and sacrificial love throughout his life,” Meaney said.

Two years after Zarsky’s graduation, the Academy enrollment peaked with a school population of 200 students. Additions to the campus continued. Budgetary shortfalls and the departure of the Benedictine’s in 1967, however, left the oversight of the school to the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Despite efforts to raise funds to save the school, a decision was made to close it in 1972.

County Commissioner Chuck Cazales, a graduate of the Academy, thanked Commission Chairman Anita Eisenhauer and member Dr. Delaney for the recognition of the school.

“You all did a terrific job. Mayors, judges and many levels of community leaders graduated from this school. They should be remembered,” Cazalas said.