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 educators .
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, St. 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 seven founding 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, twelve Christian Brothers serve the University 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 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. Armand Alcazar
Brother Armand is in his third year at Lewis as an Associate Professor of Theology. He earned his B.A. in Theology from Christian Brothers University, an M.A. from the University of Memphis, an M.A. from Seattle University, an M.A. from Holy Names College, and a Ph.D. from the Union Institute. Brother Armand's leisurely interests include singing, golf, cooking, fitness and travel. |
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Br.
Thomas Dupré
Associate Professor in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department, 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 25 years. Reading, camping, and working with STAND are among his interests. |
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Br.
James Gaffney
Since 1988 Brother James has been the President of Lewis, but he has been at Lewis for 39 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 the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. In his leisure time Brother James reads extensively, attends classical concerts, opera and theatrical performances, and explores urban architecture. |
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Br.
Philip Johnson
The Director of University Ministry, Brother Philip has been at Lewis University for 20 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 tenth year at Lewis, Brother Joseph is Assistant to the President. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he earned 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, Indiana. Besides reading and traveling, Brother Joseph enjoys researching his family history and publishing articles on genealogy. |
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Br.
Raphael Mascari
Brother Raphael was born in Chicago and has been at Lewis for 37 years. He is an Associate Professor in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department. He 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 and classical music. |
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Br. Raymond McManaman
Professor in the Theology Department, 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 39 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, the Chicago White Sox., and the Lewis athletic teams especially the baseball team. |
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Br.
Lawrence Oelschlegel
Brother Lawrence is a Professor of English and Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Born in Philadelphia, Penn., he has taught at Lewis for 18 years. He earned an A.B. from LaSalle 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, doing research in literature and the Bible, 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 35 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, 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 Chemistry Department for 15 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 seventh 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 a Ph.D. from Marquette University. He is an Assistant Professor of History and chair of the History Department. Brother John’s personal interests include hiking, skiing, reading, travel, classical music and opera. |
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Br.
Robert Wilsbach
Brother Robert was born and raised in Philadelphia, Penn., and is a Reference and Bibliographic Instruction Librarian. He has been at Lewis for 15 years. 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 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 was an Adjunct Professor of Culture and Civilization. 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 taught at De La Salle Institute in Chicago. Brother Paul’s interests include opera, theatre, and classical music.
Br. Peter Hannon
Brother Peter teaches History during the summer session. He has a B.A. from Lewis University, an M.A. from De Paul University and an M.A. from Catholic University of America. A native of Chicago, he teaches at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis. Among his interests Brother Peter includes photography, sports, world travel, history and international politics.
Br. Leo Jones
A native of Waukon, Iowa, Brother Leo Jones is a former Principal and English teacher at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Ill., where he is currently the Associate Director of Development. He earned a B.A. and an M.Ed. from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In his spare time Brother Leo enjoys traveling, genealogy and computers.
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 1992 from his position as Associate Professor in Mathematics and Computer Science. Brother Regis enjoys golf and photography.
Br. William Walz
In 2007 Brother William retired after 22 years as 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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