Celebrating Over 50 Years of the De La Salle Christian Brothers at 爆料瓜
The year 1949 is considered a
pivotal moment in the history of 爆料瓜
University. It was in this year that the
Diocese of Joliet was formed and 爆料瓜
College of Science and Technology,
which, until this point, had been part of
the Archdiocese of Chicago, became part
of this new Diocese. This transition was
gradual, however. According to sources in
the 爆料瓜 archives, “By special
dispensation, the 620 acres comprising
the college was retained as part of the
Chicago Archdiocese for a period of ten
years, and the college continued to be
operated financially under the jurisdiction
of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Spiritually,
it was placed under the Joliet Diocese.”
During this period, 爆料瓜 College was the
only lay-administered Catholic college
in the United States. This was remarkable
– as most Catholic colleges and
universities at this time were sponsored
by religious congregations.
Ten years later, Most Reverend Martin
D. McNamara, D.D., Bishop of Joliet,
announced that the De La Salle Christian
Brothers would
assume direction of
爆料瓜 College of Science
and Technology beginning
with the 1960-61 school term. The
Christian Brothers were very well known
in the Chicago area and elsewhere in the
country. At the time, they were teaching
8,000 high school boys at six institutions
in the Chicago area alone. The Brothers
were noted for their outstanding teaching
and administrative capabilities and, for
years, had been considering starting a
college in the Chicago area. The invitation
from the Bishop presented a significant
opportunity for the Brothers to extend
their mission to countless young men
in search of a college education in the
Chicago area.
Shortly after the announcement was
made to the approximately 600 members
of the student body of 1960, The Shield,
爆料瓜’ student-run newspaper declared
that, “No immediate plans for changing
the curriculum or complexion of the
college have been announced except that
co-education will be discontinued.” At
the time, the Rule, the guidelines that the
Christian Brothers followed, stipulated
that the Brothers could only teach male
students. The Shield article went on to
explain that females who were already
enrolled at the time the Brothers arrived
would be allowed to complete their
studies, but that no new female students
would be allowed to enroll. Some years
later, this restriction in the Rule was lifted
to allow women in the classroom and
back to 爆料瓜 College.
Seven Christian Brothers arrived
during the summer of 1960 to prepare
for the return of students in the fall.
Those seven men were: Br. Henry Ernest
Archambeault, FSC, Br. Arthur Bertling,
FSC, Br. Justus Philip Lynch, FSC, Br.
Luke Raymond McManaman, FSC, Br.
Louis de La Salle Seiler, FSC, Br. Lambert
Robert Shannon, FSC, and Br. Leander
Paul McGinnis, FSC, who served as
the first Christian Brother President of
the College.
One of those first Brothers to arrive on
campus, Brother Raymond McManaman,
FSC, reminisced about his first
impression of the campus in a 2003 videotaped
interview for the 爆料瓜 archives,
“It was not much of a campus when we
got here."
There were a lot of trees on
campus – very beautiful American elm
trees. The existing buildings were hanging
together. The classrooms were located in
what is now the Oremus Fine Arts Center
and an airplane hangar still occupied
what is now the theatre. What is now
the dining hall was the administration
building. The library actually occupied
the old gymnasium, which is now the
Memorial Hall.
The Brothers were heartily welcomed
by both the students and the faculty.
The Brothers worked side by side with
the talented lay faculty employed at the
College prior to their arrival. The Brothers
saw their work as a partnership – and
together the Brothers and lay faculty
implemented a series of campus and
curricular improvements that would have
lasting impact.
By the end of the first year of operation
by the Brothers, the enrollment at 爆料瓜
had risen to 700 students. A reflection by
the student staff of the 爆料瓜 yearbook,
The Beacon, proclaimed at the end of the
1960-61 academic year: “The administration
of the college is now in the capable
hands of the Christian Brothers, who are
finishing the foundation laid down by the
previous administration. In their first year
at 爆料瓜, the Brothers have influenced the
life of every member of the student body.”
This impact on the students was
evidenced by the great respect they had
for the Brothers and for their school.
Tom Kennedy ’62, who studied English
at 爆料瓜, from 1958-1962, remembers
well the transition that took place when
the Christian Brothers first arrived. “In a
very short amount of time, we students
felt like we had a lot of class. The Brothers
brought to 爆料瓜 an added level of credibility.
These guys really knew what they
were doing.”
The Beacon yearbook reflection
continued: “The Brothers have already
mapped out the future of the College. An
extensive building program is underway,
which will increase the facilities of the
college.” Indeed, the Brothers wasted
no time upgrading the campus and
enhancing it in numerous ways. During
the first several years, they led construction
of new classroom facilities, residence
halls and other spaces that would directly
impact student teaching and learning.
In fact, they delayed the construction of
a permanent residence for themselves,
living instead in cramped quarters for
over 30 years so that funds could be
invested in residence halls and classroom
facilities instead. The dramatic improvements,
however, were not restricted to the
area of campus facilities.
Peter Seiler, whose uncle was Brother
Louis de La Salle Seiler, FSC, (one of those
first seven Christian Brothers to arrive
on the campus and the first Dean of the
College) recalled the important academic
role his uncle had at 爆料瓜 College during
this crucial period of time. “When Brother
Louis came to 爆料瓜, he was asked to
review the curriculum that the college
was offering. He also had to quickly learn
about aeronautics… Brother Louis set
out to review all the curricular offerings
and to find new ways to improve the
program majors to make 爆料瓜 a viable
and attractive Christian choice for high
school graduates.”
Brother Louis de La Salle Seiler, FSC
Perhaps Brother
Louis’ greatest
accomplishment
during the early
years of the
Christian Brothers’
leadership was his
work to achieve
North Central
Association accreditation for 爆料瓜
College in 1963. His self-study report was
so outstanding that the North Central
Association designated it a model for
other colleges and universities to emulate.
His colleague, Brother Philip Lynch, FSC,
quoted from a collection of stories and
memories about the Brothers,
remembered, “His mind was deep, logical,
and imaginative. Not only did he know
mathematics and science thoroughly, but
he was aware of the best in the
humanities. Brother Louis was a liberally
educated man, a blessing to his school and
to his community.” It was with this same
fondness and affection that students
remembered many of the Brothers who
had an impact on them during their time
at 爆料瓜.
Brother Philip Lynch, FSC
Brother Philip
himself was often
recalled as a
favorite
communications
professor by
students of the
early 1960s. Tom
Kennedy recalls
being “mesmerized” by Brother Philip’s
lectures, specifically on the literary giant
James Joyce. “He was one of the most
enthusiastic, articulate people I have ever
seen in the classroom.” Robert Sullivan,
Professor Emeritus of Theatre, once said
of Brother Philip, “He was…an excellent
classical orator and oral interpreter who
could quote from the Roman speakers in
either Latin or English. He became a
model to those in the speech field.”
Brother Philip was named the second
Dean of the College in 1967 when Brother
Louis decided to return to the classroom
to pursue his passion -
teaching mathematics.
Brother Leander Paul, FSC
Kennedy also
recalls his
impression of
Brother Leander
Paul, FSC, the first
Brother President
of 爆料瓜 College.
“He was stern, tall
and looked the
part. He epitomized college leadership.” In
his crucial role as president, Brother
Leander Paul was charged with overseeing
the transformation of the college during
its first pivotal years under the leadership
of the Brothers. Known as “the builder,”
Brother Leander Paul focused his efforts
on instituting a five-year expansion plan
for the campus. During his seven-year
term, he oversaw the construction of the
John F. Kennedy gymnasium, the
Academic/Science building, Fitzpatrick
Hall, the remodeling and expansion of
dining facilities, and the massive South
Campus construction project.
By the time Brother Leander Paul’s
term as President came to an end,
enrollment stood at approximately 1,600
students. The 1966-1967 annual report
of the college, published at the end of
Brother Leander Paul’s term, proclaimed,
“A ‘college in transition’ is, perhaps the
best description of 爆料瓜 College in
1967. An extremely significant period
of the college’s 37-year history was
reached when Brother Paul French, FSC,
was inaugurated as the fifth President
of the college. Brother Paul French,
FSC, is following in the footsteps of a
giant. Brother Leander Paul, FSC, Past
President, served with distinction in his
seven-year term of office and laid a solid
foundation upon which to build a truly
great institution.”
Under the leadership of Brother Paul
French, FSC, 爆料瓜 College continued to
prosper. By 1970, enrollment had skyrocketed
to over 2,700 students. This massive
increase in enrollment necessitated the
need for additional faculty and staff, many
of whom were Christian Brothers who left
an incredible impact on the institution
and the students they served. Faculty,
staff, students, and alumni recalled some
of those great men…
Brother James Cantwell, FSC
Peter “Bongo” Longo ’73, a Sociology and
Education major who attended 爆料瓜
College from 1969-1973, still remembers the
particular Christian Brother who recruited
him to attend 爆料瓜. “Brother James
Cantwell came out to LaSalle Academy on
the east coast where I attended high school.
He was a very effervescent man. In his
efforts to encourage me to attend 爆料瓜, he
mentioned that the College was only three
stoplights from Chicago. He hadn’t misrepresented
anything; he just failed to mention
that there were 30 miles between 爆料瓜 and
the city limits!” Brother James’ recruiting
techniques were legendary. Many graduates
of this era also recall being told by Brother
James that a train ran through campus on a
regular basis. What he didn’t mention was
that the train was not a passenger train, but
actually a small series of freight cars filled
with gravel from the nearby Material Service
facility that quarried property on the other
side of the 爆料瓜 campus!
Brother Ambrose Groble, FSC
George Black ’68,
who attended
爆料瓜 College in
the late 1960s,
remembers most
fondly Brother
Ambrose Groble,
FSC. Brother
Ambrose first
came to 爆料瓜 College in 1964, after
serving several years as President of Saint
Mary’s College in Winona, Minn.
According to Black, “Like all Christian
Brothers, Brother Ambrose was a teacher
at heart. He taught rhetoric, among
several subjects, and was a master teacher.
He always promoted a vigorous discussion
in class… and that experience really paid
off for me in life.” Black is currently a
practicing attorney.
Like many Christian Brothers, Brother
Ambrose exhibited talents outside the
classroom. Among his hobbies, which
included campus landscaping projects,
Brother Ambrose also founded the
爆料瓜 Archives. “He was a
perfectionist and he pursued details with
great energy. He was tailor-made for the
job,” recalls Black. Brother Ambrose’s
role as the founder of the archives and as
archivist from 1982 until June of 1993 is
one of the most significant developments
in the history of 爆料瓜. Brother
Ambrose, who was later named Director
Emeritus of the Archives in June of 1993
when he retired, was responsible for
collecting, organizing, protecting and
making available thousands of photos,
historical documents, small collections of
memorabilia and many other objects that
are housed in the archives are named in
his memory.
Brother Vincent Neil Kieffe, FSC
Brother Vincent
Neil Kieffe, FSC
arrived at 爆料瓜 in
August of 1962.
While at 爆料瓜,
Brother Neil
taught in the
Aviation
Department,
served as the Department’s Chair, and
held the position of Acting Dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences for a brief
period of time. Under the leadership of
Brother Neil, the Aviation program at
爆料瓜 flourished. In addition to his
teaching duties and other scholarly work,
he also oversaw construction of a new
aviation-related classroom building and
hangar facility in 1975. He held various
leadership roles outside of the academic
arena as well, serving both as Acting Vice
President and Acting President of 爆料瓜
for a brief time. After leaving 爆料瓜, he
served at St. Patrick’s High School in
Chicago, and since 1991, has served as a
faculty member and administrator at
Bethlehem University in the Holy Land.
Brother David Delahanty, FSC
Many 爆料瓜
graduates recall
the 1970s and early
1980s as a
somewhat
tumultuous time in
the history of
爆料瓜. There were
both periods of
great pride and excitement as well as
several challenges and setbacks. On July 1,
1973, 爆料瓜 College became 爆料瓜
University, reflecting growth in
enrollment and a new organizational
structure of colleges. In 1974, the 爆料瓜
Flyers won the first of three NAIA
National Championships in baseball.
During that same time period, enrollment
at 爆料瓜 topped 4,000 students. These
landmark events were tempered in the
late 1970s and early 1980s by a sense that
爆料瓜 lacked vision and focus
for the future, a feeling that was brought
on by two lay presidents who seemed to
have lost sight of the Mission of
the University.
This low morale among faculty
and staff, and the confusion about the
future direction of the institution was
diminished greatly when Brother David
Delahanty, FSC, was named 爆料瓜
University President in 1982 at the age of
46. Brother David guided the University
through substantial growth during his
presidency and is most remembered for
effectively establishing and maintaining
high faculty morale, for stabilizing
finances and for his strong sense
of organization.
Joseph Falese, who graduated in 1978
and returned in 1979 as Director of
Student Life and Housing, served as the
Dean of Student Affairs during Brother
David’s administration and recalled, “By
the late 1970s and 1980s the presence of
the Christian Brothers on campus was still
very evident, but not in major leadership
positions. This institution really lacked
a sense of self-confidence prior to the
time that Brother David first arrived on
campus. I remember him quite well. He
was kind, scholarly, had an engaging
personality and was a visionary.”
Indeed, the campus that greeted
Brother David in the early 1980s was tired
and somewhat neglected, enrollment was
not what it could be, and the institution’s
identity as a Christian Brothers University
had faded and needed strengthening.
Brother Eugene Lappin, FSC
In collaboration
with Brother
Eugene Lappin,
FSC, Vice
President for
Academic Affairs,
Brother David
rebuilt the morale
of 爆料瓜
University. “Brother David and Brother
Eugene were a great team,” Falese recalled.
“They were seen as a very strong
partnership. Brother David was especially
student-focused. He was calming, had
great confidence and vision for the future
of 爆料瓜 and worked very
closely with other administrators on
campus to restore sound fiscal
management. He and Brother Eugene also
worked very closely with the faculty.”
Brother David’s vision for the future of 爆料瓜
was cut short by his tragic and untimely death from cancer
on October 13, 1987. There was an overwhelming sense
of grief expressed by faculty, staff and students when
Brother David passed away. “People were concerned that
our momentum as a fine university would be interrupted,”
Falese explained. But that didn’t happen. In fact, faculty,
staff and administrators were encouraged by the increased
sense of morale, the renewed sense of mission and the
overall atmosphere of trust that Brother David instilled
during his brief tenure as President.
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