De La Salle Award Ceremony
Brother James Gaffney, FSC
University Chapel
11 March 2005 @ 10:30 am

Your Excellency, Archbishop Sambi, Chancellor of the University,
Brother James, Trustees, Colleagues, Students, Friends All,

It is with consummate pride that I welcome you to the De La Salle Award Ceremony honoring our confrère Brother James Gaffney, President of Lewis University. The presence of each of you here today gives great joy to our university family.

“This is a day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it” for we have waited a long time. We are not only pleased to finally have the opportunity to honor Brother James in person for his invaluable contributions to our University, we are delighted that in the midst of an extremely busy schedule, he has found time to come to Bethlehem to visit us once again since he was not able to be present at our 30th Anniversary Celebration last year.

In the history of academic institutions there are certain persons, circumstances and events which play strategic roles in the development of the institution. Bethlehem University is no exception. This institution has not only survived but continues to develop thanks to the influence of particular persons and events, one of the most significant being the person we honor today, Brother James. In recognizing Brother James and his unique association with our University, we do so on the strength of his influence as educational leader, his generosity to many students, his fidelity to the institution and his fraternal concern for the university family.

Without detailing comprehensive contributions which will be covered later in the program, permit me to simply highlight two or three specific areas which I believe deserve special mention. In addition to making possible graduate studies for an impressive number of Bethlehem University graduates, Brother James has added a fraternal dimension by maintaining contact with many of the graduates long after their time at Lewis University. Many of them are in this chapel today. And in a wider institutional context over the past twenty-some years, he has evidenced an extraordinary personal interest in the growth and development of this University – in our academic programs, in physical facilities and campus enhancement, and in the community of Christian Brothers and family of Lasallian colleagues and students. Brother James has encouraged, challenged and given us hope -- from a distance and on site -- in normal times and in very difficult moments. The Psalmist tells us: “Brothers helped by Brothers are a strong city.” Unquestionably, Bethlehem University and its family of brothers and sisters, young and old, have been strengthened by the friend and Brother we honor today.

Brother James, the expression of gratitude we offer today, this simple recognition of the De La Salle Award comes from our hearts. We thank you and we thank our loving God for the blessing you are to this University and our Lasallian family. On this happy occasion we also ask God to bless you and your University, Lewis University, for sharing so abundantly your gifts with us. In the spirit of our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, in whose name we carry out our educational mission, we recommit ourselves to the people of Palestine, especially to the young people of this land. With God’s continued blessing, and with the friendship and support of wonderful friends like you, we will endeavor to be faithful to the trust you have placed in us. Tasharrafna. We are honored by your presence.

Brother Vincent Malham, FSC
President-Vice Chancellor, Bethlehem University