Dear Explorers,

Faith is the untethered leap that propels us from our comfort zones toward the greatness that we imagine.

Faith is the leap famously taken by our University’s namesake, St. John Baptist de La Salle, when he renounced his personal wealth and family status to gather together a small company of men, the earliest Brothers of the Christian Schools, and open the first schools intended to provide education to the poorest boys on the margins of 17th century France. In closing out the Lasallian world’s yearlong Jubilee celebration of Saint La Salle’s legacy, we are repeatedly reminded of where his leaps of faith have led—to schools, universities, and other ministries across the world, with over one million students currently benefiting from the Lasallian commitments of faith, service, and community.

This edition of the La Salle Magazine recognizes Saint La Salle’s footprint, not only here in Philadelphia, but around the world. As we marked the 300th anniversary of Saint La Salle’s passing into his eternal reward, we often looked around our campus and saw multiple examples of faith rooted, faith growing, and faith blossoming.

Last May, I had the bittersweet experience of bidding farewell to the graduating Class of 2019. While commencement is an annual exercise of taking leave, the students in this class held personal significance for me. Four years ago, as I was welcomed to La Salle, I joined this class in launching our La Salle adventures together—learning what it means to be Lasallian and embracing all that this identity offers. And what a journey it has been.

While our graduates have now spread to the corners of the globe, hurtling toward a future largely unwritten, I am confident that they hold the tools necessary to navigate whatever uncertainty they may encounter. In the same way that Saint La Salle left his life of comforts and clarity, to embrace a new life with a small band of men committed to teaching the sons of society’s poor, he was blessed in having all that he needed to succeed. His capacity to bring justice to his world was as real 300 years ago as it is today for our students and graduates.

I hope that you enjoy this edition of the magazine, replete with profound testimonials to the value of a Lasallian education. Our work over the last five years to build a new vision for this storied University is coming to life, and the path is clearer than ever.

As we enter the new year, I would like to recognize your support for our students, support that has taken countless forms. It’s my hope that you and your families celebrated a joyous Christmas season, with continued blessings as we embrace the possibilities to come.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

Warmly,

Colleen M. Hanycz, Ph.D
President