Of that sum, $100,000 will be allocated right away toward the establishment of an endowed scholarship in honor of Brother Charles Gresh. 

A mentee of Brother Charles Gresh, FSC, ’55, wants to honor the Christian Brother who made his La Salle University experience an exceptional one.

The graduate plans to bequeath to La Salle half of his estate, valued between $2 million and $4 million. Of that sum, $100,000 will be allocated right away to establish an endowed scholarship in honor of Br. Charles. The Br. Charles E. Gresh, F.S.C., ’55, Endowed Scholarship will provide a partial-tuition scholarship award every year to La Salle students or prospective La Salle students with strong academic credentials and demonstrated financial need.

The scholarship will be offered beginning in Fall 2024. The benefactor encouraged other alumni who have been impacted by Br. Charles to contribute to the scholarship.

Donations may be made online at lasalle.edu/give with a note of “Br. Charles E. Gresh, F.S.C., ’55, Endowed Scholarship” in the memo or by sending a check to La Salle University, Development Office, 1900 W. Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141.

The Pittsburgh native, who asked to remain anonymous, worked closely with Br. Charles as a resident assistant, which enabled the alumnus to stay at La Salle through the assistance of free room and board.

“I just had the best life at La Salle,” the graduate said. “It was an excellent education with wonderful people. Br. Charles represents the care that the University has for the people who go to school there. It’s not just the financial help. … La Salle has always had lots of good people who—when I went to somebody and asked for help or suggestions—would steer me in the right direction.”

La Salle created a lifelong foundation for the alumnus, who later served in the U.S. Army and worked professionally in the finance industry.

“I picked La Salle because I liked the people and I liked the Brothers,” he said. “I went to a Lasallian high school. It’s a great educational experience that got me where I’ve been, and I thank God for La Salle.”

“I just had the best life at La Salle,” the graduate said. “It was an excellent education with wonderful people. Br. Charles represents the care that the University has for the people who go to school there. It’s not just the financial help. … La Salle has always had lots of good people who—when I went to somebody and asked for help or suggestions—would steer me in the right direction.”

But there was a period when the alumnus was unsure if he could stay at La Salle. In a financial bind, he began working in an administrative assistant role for the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences to make ends meet.

It was this job, he said, that helped him land a role working for Br. Charles, as the Arts and Sciences dean connected them. At first, the two did not know each other very well. As the then-student began monitoring the residence halls, they formed a bond that has lasted more than 50 years.

“Br. Charles provided an excellent role model and mentor, which served me well in my graduate school, and in military and civilian life,” he said.

Br. Charles, who celebrated his 90th birthday in June, continues to maintain contact with the alumnus. That lifelong friendship is one of the reasons the graduate decided to give back to his alma mater.

“La Salle was wonderful to me,” he said. “…I am certain there will be opportunities for La Salle to financially support other students and provide them the opportunity to continue their required studies that will benefit them in their later career and personal lives.”

—Meg Ryan