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Think
back to your days as a college student. At a time when you
were searching for direction and guidance, there was one teacher
who stood out from the rest and made a difference in your
life.
For many students at La Salle University, Brother Gerald Fitzgerald
is that teacher.
At
this year's commencement ceremony, when La Salle's Provost,
Dr.Richard Nigro, announced Fitzgerald, Associate Professor
of Accounting, as the 2002 Lindback recipient for teaching
excellence,
both faculty and students shouted their approval. It was a
heartfelt out pouring of thanks and recognition for the professor
who not only cares about them as students, but as individuals
with a life outside the classroom.
"My
relationship with my students is one of being a 'Brother'
with a capital B and a small b," said Fitzgerald.
"I treat each student as a unique individual and
with the utmost of respect."
As
described by Nigro, the Lindback award is a highly valued
honor because it is a carefully examined |
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judgment
of exceptional achievement. The selection committee is comprised
of students, faculty, and administrative representatives.
His nominations from colleagues and students reveal countless
reasons why Fitzgerald deserves this recognition. One testament
says it all by stating, "He is one of the University's
greatest assets."
One example of Fitzgerald's dedication to his students is his
living quarters and his perpetual availability.
"When I first came to La Salle there wasn't any room in
the Brothers' House, so I was placed in St. Albert's Residence
Hall. I decided I liked living in the dorms with the students
and have been there ever since," he said. "I have
an open door policy. Students can come to me to talk about anything
whether it be a paper they are working on, or any kind of problem
they are having."
In 1965, Fitzgerald joined the Christian Brothers for several
reasons, but chiefly because he felt a calling to go further
with teaching. The Brothers of the Christian Schools are a religious
order dedicated to teaching. St. John Baptiste de La Salle founded
the order in 17th century France where he started schools that
taught poor children in their native language of French, as
opposed to Latin which most other schools used. The Catholic
Church named the Patron Saint of Teachers of Young Children
in 1901. La Salle University is one of seven Christian Brothers'
colleges in the United States.
Fitzgerald, a Mount Airy native, knew he wanted to be a teacher
since his high school days at Cardinal Dougherty. That desire
was reinforced when he entered La Salle as a member of the Class
of 1970.
"I am the youngest of eight and there are a lot of teachers
in my family, so it was a natural thing for me to want to do,"
said Fitzgerald. "But I really felt a calling to go further
with teaching."
"It was Dr. Jack Reardon's Principles of Accounting class
at La Salle where I fell in love with accounting and knew I
wanted to teach on the university level," he added.
Fitzgerald says he is both humbled and honored at being selected
this year's Lindback recipient and he will continue to go above
and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in students'
lives.
"It is a wonderful experience to see a student's eyes opening
and appreciating both the academics and values that are ingrained
in La Salle's mission," he said.
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