Step into 1925, a year alive with discovery, debate, and cultural transformation. Fitzgerald charted the Jazz Age, Woolf reimagined the novel, and Hughes gave momentum to the Harlem Renaissance. Silent films flickered in theaters while jazz carried the pulse of an era in motion.
More than a cultural moment, it was a year of scientific revolutions and public milestones. Edwin Hubble revealed that the Andromeda nebula was its own galaxy, forever changing our view of the universe. In the courtroom, the Scopes Trial ignited a national debate over science and religion. And closer to home, Washington baseball fans cheered as the Senators entered the season as reigning World Series champions, with future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson on the mound.
This guide brings together fiction, film, and music that defined the year, alongside resources that place them in historical context. And because our own story is part of this larger narrative, we highlight two Catholic University alumni whose lives and legacies connect our campus to this extraordinary moment in history.
CatholicU in 1925
The year 1925 marked a period of growth and development at The Catholic University of America. Bishop Thomas J. Shahan remained a familiar and active member on campus, serving as rector and continuing to shape the university's spiritual and academic identity.
One of the year’s most significant milestones was the laying of the cornerstone of Mullen Library. When construction began, The Tower noted that "it will be one of the most beautiful buildings in a beautiful city. With the John K. Mullen Memorial Library on her campus, C. U. will be much more able to take her place among the universities of the world." Mullen Library became a cornerstone resource for students and faculty that continues to serve the university's community today.
Student life in 1925 reflected the same sense of momentum. The senior class of 1925 left its mark by establishing a trophy room in the gymnasium, highlighting the growth and importance of athletics and school pride. Meanwhile, the campus newspaper, The Tower, entered its third year of publication. Under the leadership of a new editor, the newspaper underwent structural changes that brought greater organization and professionalism to its operations. During this time, the publication saw significant improvements, including the addition of cartoons, photographs, and most importantly crossword puzzles! With this brought increased student engagement and readership.
Adding a touch of levity to campus life, the Glee Club became known for its spirited and frequent renditions of the song "Bullfrog." While the performances were memorable, they weren't always universally appreciated, becoming a frequent source of amusement for some and mild annoyance for others. As mentioned in the January 27 entry in the 1925 yearbook diary, "the Glee Club sings about the Bullfrog in spite of midyears, winter, colds and protests of the long-suffering residents of the Tower." It is traditions such as these that added character to the student experience, rounding out a year of both meaningful progress and enduring campus culture.
Spotlight on Alumni
Sister M. Inez Hilger, O.S.B. (1891–1977)
Sister Inez, as she was known, made history at Catholic University as the first woman granted full student privileges, earning her M.A. in sociology and social work in 1925. This milestone year not only marked her graduation but also set the stage for a groundbreaking career.
At the time, Catholic University resisted admitting women, directing them instead to neighboring Trinity College or Catholic Sisters College. With the support of her bishop, Sister Inez secured special permission to enroll in 1924, completing her degree the following year. Her success reignited debate on campus, and by the late 1920s religious sisters — and soon after, laywomen — gained broader access to graduate study.
After two decades of teaching, Sister Inez turned to anthropology, conducting influential fieldwork with Native American communities, the Araucanians of Chile, and later the Ainu of Japan. She returned to Catholic in the 1930s to pursue doctoral work, completing her Ph.D. in anthropology in 1939 before embarking on an extraordinary scholarly career. She authored eight books and more than seventy essays, becoming a respected scholar whose work bridged cultures and advanced understanding.
Her career spanned continents and decades, but her time at Catholic in 1925 remains a landmark: the year one determined woman changed the University’s future.
Edward J. Pryzbyla (1904–2000)
Born in 1904 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, "Eddie" Pryzbyla graduated with the Class of 1925 and went on to leave a lasting legacy at Catholic University.
As a student, Pryzbyla was known for his boundless energy and involvement. He managed the football team and served as Postmaster in his senior year, and took part in activities ranging from the Junior Prom Committee, the International Relations Club, and the “C” Club to The Tower newspaper staff. Even in his earliest days on campus he jumped into groups like the Shahan Debating Society and the Glee Club, earning a reputation as someone whose ambition was matched by his good humor. His classmates remembered him as "a man who could easily succeed with half his pep and ambition. But if that man had Ed’s winning personality to smile along with him, then his success would be assured."
After graduating, Pryzbyla remained closely tied to the University. In 1956, he nominated John F. Kennedy for the Gibbons Medal — an honor JFK accepted just a few years before becoming president. Pryzbyla himself received the medal in 1993. His generosity also reshaped the campus, culminating in the Pryzbyla Student Center, completed in 2003.
From a spirited student leader in 1925 to a lifelong supporter of Catholic University, Pryzbyla exemplifies the spirit of service, ambition, and dedication. His story continues to inspire generations of students.