Superior General of Christian Brothers Urges Unity in Lasallian Ministry

(L to R) Brother James Gaffney, FSC, presents Brother Robert
Schieler, FSC, with an honorary doctorate degree. Russ
Smyth, Board Chair, and Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, Visitor
of the Midwest District present the hood.

Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, Superior General of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, received an honorary doctoral degree during an April Spring Convocation at Lewis University.

The degree was awarded to Br. Robert for his many accomplishments and effective leadership for the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the largest order of Religious Brothers in the Catholic Church, as well as for the global Lasallian Family. The honor was presented on Thursday, April 7, the feast day of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools who sponsor Lewis University.

“Brother Robert, as Superior General, is exceptional in his work with the global Lasallian Movement to ‘find and experience God together’ as proposed by Saint John Baptist de La Salle,” said Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University.

Brother Robert encouraged the audience of Lewis University students, faculty, and staff to follow the Lasallian mission in their studies and work. “You are doing the work. You are keeping the mission alive. Thank you for what you do,” he said.

In his address, Brother Robert discussed the Lasallian Legacy, the mission, priorities and the partnership of the International Association of Lasallian Universities, the International Association of Former Students (UMAEL) and the Signum Fidei (“Sign of Faith”) Movement.

Brother Robert served for seven years as General Councilor for the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) in Washington, D.C., prior to his election as Superior General. He is the third American to serve as Superior General.

In prior years, he served as Director of Education for the Christian Brothers’ United States-Toronto Region. A Philadelphia native, Brother Robert is a LaSalle University alumnus and member of their Board of Trustees. His experience includes leadership as Executive Secretary of the Regional Education Board and the Lasallian Association of College and University Presidents. He also was the Provincial Visitor for the Baltimore District for seven years. Earlier, he served for eleven years in the Philippines in a variety of administrative positions.

Brother Robert joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1968. Along with his undergraduate degree from LaSalle University, Brother Robert holds a master’s degree in European History from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 7,000 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.