The Fordham community, along with its supporters agreed that building a new library would be an essential addition to the university, to the Rose Hill campus and to the Bronx for three main reasons:
The "Groundbreaking Ceremony" of the new Walsh Library took place on October 29th, 1994. Joining the Fordham community in celebrating the start of the construction were Fordham trustee and author Mary Higgins Clark, area high school principals and students and local dignitaries.
Walsh Library first opened to the public on May 27th, 1997. Though the building was inaugurated with formal festivities the following October, this soft launch open on the first day of the summer semester provided for a smoother transition process into the new building.
The official opening ceremony took place on October 17th, 1997. Among those who spoke were Father Joseph O'Hare, President of Fordham University; Dr. William Baumgarth, President of the Faculty Senate; Dr. Anne Mannion, Vice President of the Faculty Senate; Dr. Robert Carrubba, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of the New York Public Library; and Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California. Additionally, Archbishop of New York, Cardinal O'Connor, was on hand and said that Walsh Library was "one of the most enriching facilities that at least I have seen since I have been Archbishop of New York."
William "Bill" Walsh graduated from Fordham in 1951. In 1997 Bill, along with his wife Jane and their six children, donated $10.5 million to Fordham marking the largest gift received by the university at that time. In order to recognize their extraordinary generosity, the university named the new library after them.
