About Us
De La Salle Christian Brothers at Lewis University
Lewis
University is sponsored by the De
La Salle Christian Brothers,
a Roman Catholic congregation of Brothers dedicated to teaching.
The order was founded more than 325 years ago by Saint
John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers.
Sponsorship
In 1960 the Brothers of the Christian Schools became the sponsors
of Lewis College at the invitation of Bishop Martin D. McNamara of the
Joliet Diocese. Continuing the vision of their founder, Saint John Baptist
de La Salle, they brought a new tradition of Lasallian values to an active
partnership with the dedicated faculty and administrators already on
campus.
The first group of eight Brothers combined their enthusiastic efforts
with those of the existing faculty and inaugurated a comprehensive program
of improvements. Since those beginnings, more than 100 Brothers have served
the students at Lewis University.
Today under the leadership of Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President, 16
Christian Brothers serve the University in roles such as professor,
administrator, librarian, counselor, university minister or archivist.
The Brothers continue
to dedicate themselves to all aspects of University life, thus
enhancing the overall quality and the
commitment to teaching, service and
social
justice.
The Official Name
The name of the Brothers’ Institute is the Brothers of the Christian
Schools. To retain the connection with their founder, Saint John Baptist
de La Salle, the Brothers call themselves De La Salle Christian Brothers
in ordinary conversation. The FSC following the Brothers’ names stands
for the Latin name of the congregation, Fratres Scholarum Christianarum.
Pope Benedict XIII granted approval of the Institute in 1725.


Br.
Thomas Dupré
Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics/Computer Science,
Brother Thomas holds a B.A. from Christian Brothers University and
an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He was born in
Evanston, Ill., and has taught at Lewis for twenty years. Reading,
camping, and working with Amnesty International are among his interests.
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Br.
James Gaffney
Since 1988 Brother James has served as President of Lewis, but
he has been at the University for 35 years. A native of Chicago,
he holds a B.A. and an M.Ed. from St. Mary’s University of
Minnesota, an M.A. from Manhattan College, and a D.Min. from University
of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. In his leisure time, Brother
James reads extensively, attends classical concerts, opera and theatre,
and explores urban architecture.
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Br.
Philip Johnson
The Director of University Ministry, Brother Philip has been at
Lewis University for 14 years. He was born in Chicago and holds a
B.A. from Christian Brothers University and an M.Ed. from Wayne State
University. Brother Philip enjoys traveling to warm places with water,
reading, walking and racquetball.
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Br.
Joseph Martin
In his sixth year at Lewis, Brother Joseph is Assistant to the President.
Born and raised in Detroit, Mich., he obtained a B.A. from Walsh
University, an M.Ed. from St. Michael’s College, an M.A. from
Holy Names College, and a D.Min. from Graduate Theological Foundation
in Donaldson, Ind. Besides reading and traveling, Brother Joseph
researches his family history and offers lectures on genealogy in
the greater Chicago area.
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Br.
Raphael Mascari
Brother Raphael was born in Chicago and has been at Lewis for 33
years. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics/Computer
Science, and holds a B.A. from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
and an M.A. from St. Louis University. In his leisure time, Brother
Raphael enjoys following sports, reading novels and nurturing houseplants.
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Br. Raymond McManaman
A Professor in the Department of Theology, Brother
Raymond is a native of Waukegan, Ill., and one of the original Brothers
to arrive
at Lewis in 1960. He has served the University for 35
years. He obtained a B.A. and an M.A. from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota,
an M.A. from Seattle University, a D.Min. from Aquinas Institute
of Theology, and an S.T.D. from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Brother Raymond enjoys reading, traveling and following Notre Dame
football and the Chicago White Sox. |
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Br.
Lawrence Oelschlegel
Brother Lawrence is a Professor in the Department of English and
Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was born in
Philadelphia, Pa., and has taught at Lewis for 14 years. He obtained
a B.A. from La Salle University, an M.A. from the University of Maryland,
an M.A.T. from Villanova University, and a Ph.D. from the University
of Maryland. Among his other interests Brother Lawrence enjoys cooking,
reading, traveling, and visiting museums and botanical gardens.
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Br.
Bernard Rapp
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Brother Bernard is the University Archivist.
He is a Professor Emeritus in Chemistry and has been at Lewis for
31 years. He has a B.S. and an M.Ed. from St. Mary’s University
of Minnesota, an M.S. from Loyola University Chicago, and a Ph.D.
from the University of Windsor. Brother Bernard’s leisure activities
include family history research, travel and physical exercise.
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Br.
Pierre St. Raymond
Brother Pierre is a Professor of Chemistry and a native of New
Orleans, La. He has taught in the Department of Chemistry for ten
years. He has a B.S. from the College of Santa Fe and a Ph.D. from
the University of Maryland. For his leisure times, Brother Pierre
likes to attend current movies.
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Br.
John Vietoris
In his third year at Lewis University, Brother John is a native
of Joliet. He holds a B.A. from Lewis University and an M.A. from
the University of Notre Dame, and is a Ph.D. candidate at Marquette
University. He is an Assistant Professor of History. Brother John’s
personal interests include hiking, skiing, reading, classical music
and opera.
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Br.
Robert Wilsbach
Brother Robert was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., and is
the Reference and Bibliographic Instruction Librarian. He has been
at Lewis for ten years and is an Assistant Professor. He holds a
B.A. and an M.A. from La Salle University and an M.S. from Drexel
University. Brother Robert’s leisure activities include playing
the recorder, choral singing and cross-stitching.
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Additional Brothers on Campus
Br. Joel Dolan
A native of Chicago, Brother Joel is retired and helps in the
University Archives. He holds a B.S.S. and an M.A. from St. Mary’s
University of Minnesota, a B.S.L.S. from the College of St. Catherine,
and an M.A.L.S. from Dominican University. In the 1970s he served as
Acting Librarian, Acting Supervisor, and Assistant Law Librarian at different
times. Brother Joel enjoys walking, following current events and learning
about Irish culture.
Br. Paul French
Brother Paul is an Adjunct Professor of Culture and Civilization
and is in his forty-second year at Lewis. A native of Grafton, N.D.,
he obtained a B.A. and an M.Ed. from Saint Mary’s University of
Minnesota and a Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago. President Emeritus
of Lewis University, he teaches at De La Salle Institute in Chicago.
Brother Paul’s interests include opera, theatre, and classical
music.
Br. Peter Hannon
Brother Peter teaches history part time at the Hickory Hills
campus. He has a B.A. from Lewis University, an M.A. from DePaul University
and an M.A. from Catholic University of America. A native of Chicago,
he teaches at St. Joseph High School in Westchester. Among his interests,
Brother Peter includes photography, sports, world travel, history and
international politics.
Br. Augustine Kossuth
Brother Augustine started at Lewis in 1985 as the Bursar and
was named Supervisor of Grounds in 1988. He was appointed
Grounds Foreman in 1993 and retired in 1996. A native of Chicago, he holds
a B.A. and
an M.Ed. from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. In his spare
time, Brother Augustine enjoys golf and gardening, and his
hobby is making model airplanes.
Br. Regis Morgan
Brother Regis holds a B.S. from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
and an M.S. from St. Louis University. At Lewis he taught physics
from 1962 to 1970 and in 1973 he became Assistant Professor
in the College of
Business. A native of Chicago, he retired in May of 1992 from
his position as Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer
Science. Brother Regis
enjoys golf and photography.
Br. William Walz
In 1985 Brother William became the President of Christian
Brothers Services in Romeoville. Before that he was the Bursar at Lewis
for four years. A native of Cincinnati, Oh., he holds a B.A.
from St. Ambrose College,
an M.A. from Michigan State University, and an M.B.A. from Lewis
University.
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