1920-1945

• 1920

  • In 1920, the "committee for the preparation of a business school" was set up, consisting of representatives of the Roman Catholic College (RK Leergangen) and local dignitaries.

• 1925

  • In April, the board of trustees of the Leergangen decides 'to proceed as soon as possible to the establishment of a complete R.KJ. Handelshoogeschool in Tilburg as part of the R.K. Leergangen'.

Image: dr. Hendrik Moller, founder of the 'Leergangen' 

• 1927
  • Establishment of Roomsch Katholieke Handelshoogeschool with 5 full professors, 8 lecturers, and 28 students. Location Tivolistraat, downtown Tilburg (until 1962).
  • Founders: Dr. Hendrik Moller,, Prof. Martinus Cobbenhagen, endowed professor of General Theory and History of Economics, Prof. Th. J.A.J. Goossens,  the first Rector Magnificus.
  • Oprichting studentenvereniging TSC St. Olof.
• 1932
  • Author of the educational program and hence founding father named Cobbenhagen becomes the 4th Rector Magnificus. He would continue in that role in the period 1937–1938 and 1945–1946.

Image: Martinus Joseph Hubertus Cobbenhagen (1893- 1954)

• 1936
  • The RK Handelshoogeschool becomes the Katholieke Economische Hoogeschool (KEH, RC School of Economics). This is mainly to emphasize its academic character.
• 1940
  • Early in World War II, the Hogeschool remains open.
• 1943
  • Nazi raid in February of that year; Hogeschool is crippled.
• 1944
  • Tilburg is liberated in October. Hogeschool starts up again.
• 1945
  • As far as is known, at least 19 of the 100 students died during bombings, resistance activities, in concentration camps, or from the effects of forced labor.

Portrait of student after the war: 
Fons Pennartz's inspiring conversations with Cobbenhagen