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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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