De La Salle Christian Brothers at Lewis University
Lewis University is sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, a Roman Catholic congregation of Brothers dedicated to teaching. Founded by Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of educators, the Brothers have been transforming lives since 1680.
Sponsorship
In 1960, the Brothers of the Christian Schools became the sponsors of Lewis College at the invitation of Bishop Martin D. McNamara of the Diocese of Joliet. Continuing the vision of their founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, they brought a new tradition of Lasallian values to an active partnership with the dedicated faculty and administrators already on campus.
The first group of seven founding Brothers combined their enthusiastic 
efforts with those of the existing faculty at Lewis and inaugurated a comprehensive program of improvements. Among these initiatives were securing of accreditation and construction of new facilities which led to significant growth. Since those beginnings, more than 100 Brothers have served the students at Lewis University.
Today under the leadership of Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President, sixteen Christian Brothers serve the University in positions such as professor, administrator, librarian, counselor, university minister and archivist. The Brothers continue to dedicate themselves to all aspects of university life, thus enhancing the overall quality and the commitment to fidelity, service and social justice.
Institute News
The official name of the Brothers' Congregation is the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. To retain the connection with their founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the Brothers call themselves De La Salle Christian Brothers in ordinary conversation. The FSC following the Brothers' names stands for the Latin name of the congregation, Fratres Scholarum Christianarum. Pope Benedict XIII granted approval of the Institute in 1725. However, the influence of the Brothers began more than 330 years ago when De La Salle formed a religious community of educators to provide a human and Christian education to young people, especially the poor, developing a spirituality of teaching as a vocation to guide and encourage students in their overall development.
Brother Armand is in his fourth year at Lewis as an Associate Professor of Theology. He earned his B.A. in Theology from Christian Brothers University, an M.A. from the University of Memphis, an M.A. from Seattle University, an M.A. from Holy Names College, and a Ph.D. from the Union Institute. Brother Armand's leisurely interests include singing, golf, cooking, fitness and travel. |
Associate Professor in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department, Brother Thomas holds a B.A. from Christian Brothers University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He was born in Evanston, Ill., and has taught at Lewis for 27 years. Reading, camping, and working with STAND are among his interests. |
|
President of Lewis University since 1988, Brother James also chairs the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities. Earlier, Brother James taught theology at Lewis, and when he had the role as Provincial of the Chicago District of the De La Salle Christian Brothers (1975-1986), he also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Lewis University. A native Chicagoan, Brother James holds a B.A. and an M.Ed. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, an M.A. from Manhattan College, and a D.Min. in Pastoral Theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. In his leisure time, Brother James reads extensively; attends classical concerts, operas and theatrical performances; and enjoys travel, urban architecture and the diverse cultures of Chicago. |
Brother Jeffrey has returned to the University as the new Catholic Studies Scholar in Residence. He also is currently president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, consultant to the Archdiocese of Chicago office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, adjunct professor at Catholic Theological Union, and Dean of the Institute for Catholic Ecumenical Leadership. Brother Jeffrey earned a B.A. and M.A. at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, an M.A. from Marquette University and Ph.D. in Theology at Fordham University. His personal interests include cycling, opera, ballet and the theater. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Brother Jeffrey chaired the Theology Department at Lewis in 1967. |
The Director of University Ministry, Brother Philip has been at Lewis University for 22 years. He was born in Chicago and holds a B.A. from Christian Brothers University and an M.Ed. from Wayne State University. Brother Philip enjoys traveling to warm places with water, reading, walking and racquetball. |
A native of Waukon, Iowa, Brother Leo is the Special Assistant to the President and Coordinator of the President's Student Advisory Council. He earned a B.A. and an M.A. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He is now in his second year at Lewis. In his spare time Brother Leo enjoys traveling, genealogy and computers. |
A native of Lockport, Ill., Brother David is in his third year at Lewis as a Reference Librarian. He earned a B.A. from Christian Brothers University, and M.A. from the University of Memphis, and an M.A.L.S. from Dominican University. His leisure activities...friends. |
Brother Stephen served at the University in the early 1990s and has returned in Fall, 2011 as Associate to University Ministry as well as Associate for Mission and Identity at Lewis. He also currently serves as Director of Vocations Ministry for the Midwest District of Christian Brothers. A native of Dubuque, Iowa, he obtained a B.A and M.Ed. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota plus a Post Masters Diploma in Religious Studies and Ph.D. in Church Leadership from Fordham University in New York. Interests include walking, traveling, reading and sports. |
Brother Raphael was born in Chicago and has been at Lewis for 40 years. He is an Associate Professor in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department. He holds a B.A. from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and an M.A. from St. Louis University. In his leisure time Brother Raphael enjoys following sports, reading and classical music. |
One of the seven original Brothers to arrive at Lewis in 1960, Brother Raymond is a Professor in the Theology Department. He has served the university for 42 years, leaving occasionally for other assignments. A native of Waukegan, Ill., he obtained a B.A. and an M.A. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, an M.A. from Seattle University, a D.Min. from Aquinas Institute of Theology, and an S.T.D. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Brother Raymond enjoys reading, traveling and following Notre Dame football, the Chicago White Sox., and the Lewis athletic teams especially the baseball team. |
Brother Donald received an honorary doctoral degree in 2009 at Lewis University for his distinguished career at the College of Santa Fe, including a dynamic presidency from 1982 to 1987, and his success in formation and as a lecturer and prolific writer on Lasallian Studies. He now is a faculty member at Lewis University - Albuquerque. A native of Louisiana, he earned a B.A. from the College of Santa Fe and a doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of Paris. |
Brother Lawrence is a Professor of English and Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Born in Philadelphia, Penn., he has taught at Lewis for 19 years. He earned an A.B. from La Salle University, an M.A. from the University of Maryland, an M.A.T. from Villanova University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Among his other interests Brother Lawrence enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, traveling, doing research in literature and the Bible, and visiting museums and botanical gardens.
|
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Brother Bernard is the University Archivist. He is a Professor Emeritus in Chemistry and has been at Lewis for 38 years. He has a B.S. and an M.Ed. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, an M.S. from Loyola University Chicago, and a Ph.D. from the University of Windsor. Brother Bernard's leisure activities include family history research, and physical exercise.
|
Brother Pierre is a Professor of Chemistry and a native of New Orleans, La. He has taught in the Chemistry Department for 17 years and currently chairs the department. He has a B.S. from the College of Santa Fe and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. For his leisure times, Brother Pierre likes to attend current movies.
|
In his tenth year at Lewis University, Brother John is a native of Joliet. He holds a B.A. from Lewis University and an M.A. from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from Marquette University. He is an Associate Professor of History and chair of the History Department. Brother John's personal interests include hiking, skiing, reading, travel, classical music and opera. |
President Emeritus of Lewis University
Brother Paul French, FSC
President Emeritus of Lewis University, Brother Paul served forty years as a highly regarded faculty member at Lewis, as an academic administrator in many capacities and as the President who guided the University during the trying times of the late sixties and early seventies. He retired in 2003. A native of Grafton, North Dakota, Brother Paul earned his B.A. and M.Ed. degrees at Saint Mary's College (now University) of Minnesota and a Ph.D. from Loyola University. He came to Lewis in 1963 and served as president from 1967-71. Creator of the Culture and Civilization program, he was named the first Distinguished Senior Professor at Lewis University. Brother Paul's interests include opera, theatre, and classical music.
Additional Brothers on Campus
Brother Joel Dolan, FSC
A native of Chicago, Brother Joel is a retired librarian and archivist. He holds a B.S.S. and an M.A. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, a B.S.L.S. from the College of St. Catherine, and an M.A.L.S. from Dominican University. In the 1970s, he served as Acting Librarian, Acting Supervisor, and Assistant Law Librarian at different times. From 1985-1998, he was a Reference Librarian. He also served as a volunteer Archivist until 2007. Brother Joel enjoys walking, following current events and learning about Irish culture.
Brother Peter Hannon, FSC
Brother Peter teaches History during the summer session. He has a B.A. from Lewis University, an M.A. from De Paul University and an M.A. from Catholic University of America. A native of Chicago, he teaches at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis. Among his interests Brother Peter includes photography, sports, world travel, history and international politics.
Brother Augustine Kossuth, FSC
Brother Augustine started at Lewis in 1985 as the Bursar and was named Supervisor of Grounds in 1988. He was appointed Grounds Foreman in 1993 and retired in 1996. A native of Chicago, he holds a B.A. and an M.Ed. from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. In his spare time, Brother Augustine enjoys golf and gardening, and his hobby is making model airplanes.
Brother Joseph Martin, FSC
Brother Joseph served at Lewis from 1999 to 2010, in the capacity of Assistant to the President. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he earned a B.A. from Walsh University, an M.Ed. from St. Michael's College, an M.A. from Holy Names College, and a D.Min. from Graduate Theological Foundation in Donaldson, Indiana. He is now Director of Senior Brothers for the Midwest District and continues to live on campus.
Christian Brothers Who Serve as Members of the Lewis University Board of Trustees:
- Brother Milton Barker, FSC, President (Retired), Totino-Grace High School
- Brother Michael Collins, FSC, President, De La Salle High School (Minneapolis)
- Brother Kevin Convey, FSC, Director of Mission and Education, Christian Brothers of the Midwest (Retired)
- Brother Patrick Conway, FSC, Director of Lasallian Teacher Immersion Program and Professor, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
- Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University
- Brother David Galinski, FSC, Director of Student Services, Saint Patrick High School (Chicago)
- Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, Provincial, Christian Brothers of the Midwest
