Bill Durham is Named
La Salle University’s New Community Liaison

Even though the cold weather has set in, Bill Durham, in his trademark black fedora, can be seen walking around the neighborhoods surrounding La Salle University’s campus. As the University’s new community liaison, Durham’s mission is simple—to meet as many neighbors as possible.

“La Salle has a lot of things going on right now in the neighborhood concerning economic development and changes at the University,” said Durham. “It is important that people have correct information about what is happening in their neighborhood. I want people to know who I am, and that they can come to me for answers concerning those changes.”

The community liaison position which brought Durham to La Salle is funded by a grant from the William Penn Foundation intended to build a stronger partnership and to exchange information between the area residents and the University. Durham hopes to keep community members up-to-date on what is happening with La Salle’s developments in their neighborhood by maintaining a high profile in the surrounding community and through direct contact with neighbors.

Durham, a Mount Airy resident, joins La Salle at an unprecedented time in its history. Construction will soon begin on the Shoppes at La Salle, a 50,000-square-foot shopping center located on the University’s Good Shepherd property. La Salle also purchased Germantown Hospital, which is the new home of the University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as the Manna Bible Institute property, and the former Presbyterian Church at Chew and Wister Streets.

“Bill is a great asset to La Salle and to the community. He helps people connect with one another—he loves everyone, and everyone loves him,” said Andrew Davis, a life-long La Salle neighbor. “We’re happy to have him to go to for information or to address our concerns.”

Born and raised in Roxborough, Durham is no stranger to the La Salle neighborhood, having been a community activist in Philadelphia for over 20 years. He has served as director of field services for U.S. Congressmen Bob Brady and Joe Hoeffel, and as a community liaison officer for State Representative John Myers. In each of these positions, Durham has reached out to the community, meeting people, and encouraging them to vote. In addition, he was elected to serve as a member of the 13th Division Democratic Pennsylvania Executive Committee (10th ward) and as the Chairman of Pennsylvania’s 4th Senatorial District Democratic Committee. Prior to working for the local officials, Durham served as Community Relations Manager for New Courtland Elder Services in Philadelphia.

“Bill Durham is a well-respected, long-time civic organizer in ventures throughout the Northwest portion of the City of Philadelphia,” said Edward Turzanski, Counsel to the President and Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations for La Salle.  “His wealth of personal experiences and contacts is a welcome supplement to La Salle's record of interaction with its surrounding community. We look forward to the benefit of his hard work on behalf of the University's goals of greater interaction with its neighbors and other stakeholders for the purpose of improving the learning, working, and living environment of our area of the City.”