McGinniss discusses developments

By Liz Wagner
Collegian Editor
August 28, 2008

As Brother Michael McGinniss begins the last year of his second term as president of La Salle University, one can simply glance across campus to see the changes that have taken place during his tenure.

The campus itself has grown to approximately 130 acres with the acquisition of West Campus. The sports fields have been improved; new faculty have joined the ranks of the La Salle teaching staff and the Lasallian spirit continues to be felt University-wide. Enrollment this year is up approximately 11 percent from last year’s class.

Holroyd Hall will now have the added title of The Hugh and Nancy Devlin Center for Science nd Technology. The Devlins were the largest donors towards the new building, which is scheduled to be open for classes by August 2009. Controls for overall power usage, floor-by-floor climate control, a green roof and even the type of glass used in the renovation are all environmentally sound enhancements that are being taken into account during the construction

The university is also practicing its conservation skills in other parts of campus. New recycling containers have been installed around the various living areas. McGinniss challenges the students to take a more proactive response toward environmental consciousness.

“I’m hoping that the students prove these are not enough, and we have to put out more,” McGinniss said.

This year will also feature a new strategic plan for the university that will be unveiled in the fall. The plan will contain strategies concerning program development, fundraising, an emphasis on maintaining Lasallian heritage in an ever-changing world and the aim to continue being environmentally conscious.

This summer was a busy time for La Salle in other ways. During the last week in

June, Christian Brothers from across the East coast gathered for a retreat as they began the process of combining three separate administrative districts of the Christian Brothers in the Eastern U.S. and Canada into one. “It was a terrific week,” said McGinniss. “The Brothers love La Salle.”

But the university still has challenges to overcome from last year.

La Salle is still dealing with the discontinuation of the football program. Approximately 25 former students left La Salle after the program had to be eliminated. “The football players were a very well-respected group of La Salle students. We didn’t drop the program because of them, but because our league had dissolved.” McGinniss remains positive that school spirit will not be hindered by the dissolution of the program. He mentioned the various other fall sports La Salle offers, such as cross country, soccer and field hockey, and said that they could always use more fans at their games.

The Japanese Tea House controversy from last year has been resolved. The foundation that ran the tea ceremonies at La Salle relocated to a tea house in Fairmount Park, and when asked about the dispute, McGinniss stated, “We probably could have communicated better on our side and, I think, on the foundation’s side.” The tea house is not being refurbished at the moment, but La Salle plans to maintain it for its cultural significance.

In addition, the university is still mourning the loss of Honors Program Director John Grady, who passed away in July. “You can’t replace the person,” McGinniss said, referring to the drive and excitement Grady brought to his students on campus.

James Butler, the former chair of the English Department, will be serving as Honors Director during this transition period. McGinniss is satisfied with the decision. “Jim is a 100 percent La Salle guy himself.”

McGinniss also offers some safety advice helpful to any student living in a city environment. “In saying that the city is a big and complicated place, there are people in the city who have bad intentions.” He strongly encourages students to use the blue light phones, shuttles and security escorts. He believes that students should exercise caution but still reap the benefits of living in Philadelphia. “I don’t want people to be so fearful that they don’t enjoy the city.”

A native Philadelphian himself, McGinniss maintains a keen interest in the city life. He sees the new political heads of the city as a hopeful sign of improvement. “There is tremendous excitement about Mayor Nutter. I think it is well-deserved excitement. He is, in many ways, very inspiring.”

McGinniss is also regularly reminding others, particularly civic and political leaders, that Philadelphia does not just mean the business district. “The neighborhoods are as much the heart of Philadelphia as is Center City.” McGinniss hopes the opening of the Shoppes at La Salle will help foster a community spirit to be shared by the university and its neighbors.

The opening of the Shoppes is projected to be in stages—from November for Rite Aid, to January for most others and April for the Fresh Grocer market.

This past April, McGinniss, along with other Catholic educators from across the country, received an encouraging talk from Pope Benedict XVI, “There was a big recognition of the role that Catholic education plays in the life of the Church. He was very complimentary of the contribution that colleges and universities have made.” The Pope reminded the various Catholic schools to stay accessible to the inner cities, a task that is no stranger to La Salle.

McGinniss has some inspiring advice for La Salle students, new and old, this year: “Commit yourself completely to your education. It’s a great time in your life to have the freedom to learn and to be in an environment where you are surrounded by all these people who are doing the same thing.”

He has already been chosen to serve a third five-year term as president beginning next year, but he remains focused on the upcoming semesters.

“Enjoy what you’re doing. La Salle’s a great place because we have great people who make it up.”

wagnere1@lasalle.edu