About Us
Founders Week
Founders Week is Lewis University’s annual celebration of its history,
Mission, and heritage. This very special week in April is a time to reflect
on our roots as a dynamic institution of higher education and to recognize
and honor our faculty, staff and students for their dedication to Lewis University
and our Catholic and Lasallian Mission.
The Founders
Founded in 1932 under the direction of the Chicago Archdiocese and Bishop
Bernard J. Sheil, Lewis began as Holy Name Technical School, a school for
boys which opened with 15 students. The school was established on a campus
of 170 acres of farmland that was donated to the Archdiocese by Michael
Fitzpatrick and his sister, Frances Fitzpatrick of Lockport. From the beginning,
Frank J. Lewis, the noted Chicago philanthropist and industrialist, took
an active interest in the institution. He provided funds to support student
scholarships and financed the construction of several buildings that became
the core of the campus. Brother Hildolph Caspar, FFSC, and the German-speaking
Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross from Springfield, Illinois played
a critical role in the daily operations of the school and in the spiritual
guidance of the students during the early days, serving in a variety of
key roles.
Each year during Founders Week, a special memorial Mass is held in honor
of Frank J. Lewis and his family, as well as the University’s other
founders. It is also at this Mass that the University Community remembers
faculty, staff, students, and other friends of the University who have passed
away in the last year.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle
In the year 1679, shortly after his ordination to the priesthood, De La
Salle began a new educational work in his city of birth, Rheims, France,
where he opened a school for poor children. The education was practical
and directed toward bringing Christian values into the workplace.
He opened other schools and brought his co-workers together as a religious
congregation, known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools (the De La Salle
Christian Brothers). The work of the Christian Schools flourished under his
guidance and continues today through the educational efforts of the Christian
Brothers and their dedicated partners in the Lasallian schools.
Recognition of Students, Faculty, and Staff
It is during Founders Week that the Lewis University Community recognizes
faculty, staff, and students for their marvelous dedication to teaching,
dedication, volunteerism, and years of service through a number of important
ceremonies and events.
| |
Faculty and staff are honored for their years of dedicated
service each year at A Celebration of Service. Employees are recognized for five, ten, fifteen,
twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five years and forty-five years of service.
In addition, those who are retiring from the University are recognized in a
special ceremony.
Of the many traditions associated with Founders Week, the presentation
of various Lasallian Awards is a one of the highlights of the week.
The University presents a series of awards in the spirit of our Catholic
and Lasallian Mission, including the prestigious De La Salle Medallions
for Exemplary Volunteer Service and the Distinguished Lasallian Educator
Award. Nominations for these awards are received from the members of
the University community and applications are reviewed and discussed
by the Mission Recognition and Awards Committee of
the Mission and Heritage Council.
Students are recognized for their dedicated volunteer service at the
annual President’s Recognition of Student Volunteers. Two students
will also receive the prestigious De La Salle Medallion for Exemplary
Volunteer Service at this special dinner and program hosted by Brother
James Gaffney, FSC, President.
Outstanding student athletes are recognized each year for their scholarly
achievements at the Brother David Delahanty Student Athlete
Awards.
This award ceremony is named in honor of Brother David Delahanty, President
of Lewis University from June 1982 until his death in October 1987.
A personal advocate of physical fitness, he encouraged Lewis students
to achieve excellence not only in the academic sphere, but also in the
athletic arena.
Student employees are recognized for their dedication and hard work at the
annual Student Employee Appreciation Luncheon. The “Student Employee
of the Year” Award also will be presented during the luncheon.
During the closing liturgy for Founders Week each year, a handful of
students are inducted into the Society of Lasallian Collegians. The
Society is an association of several dozen outstanding students who
have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the integration of their
faith with giving service and investing in a caring community. |
A Commitment to our Catholic Identity
In addition to the special liturgies, held throughout Founders Week, various
other expressions of our Catholic identity are also a part of this week
special celebratory week of activities.
| |
The Signum Fidei Lecture Series
The Signum Fidei Lecture Series is presented by Lewis University to celebrate
the University’s Catholic and Lasallian heritage, bringing to campus
men and women of vision and faith to illuminate issues affecting the Church
and its people, to reflect on spirituality in the Catholic tradition, and
to provide a forum for topics based on Church teaching. Signum Fidei means “Sign
of Faith.” The Signum Fidei Lecture Series is sponsored by the Mission
and Heritage Council and the Center for Ministry and Spirituality.
For additional information about the Signum Fide Lecture Series, please
visit: http://www.lewisu.edu/welcome/spirituality.htm
Annual Delta Epsilon Sigma Induction Ceremony
Students, staff, and faculty members will are inducted into one of Lewis University’s
oldest and most prestigious honors organizations, Delta Epsilon Sigma, the
national Catholic honor society each year during Founders Week. The Lewis chapter
of Delta Epsilon Sigma has held inductions on campus for over 40 years. |
Additional Programming
In addition to the traditional events mentioned above, Founders Week also
features a number of lectures, presentations, and various other activities
which promote, highlight, and educate about the history and Mission of Lewis
University.
To top
