Explorer Fall 2009 EXP LO R E R from the Hip the Official Magazine of La Salle College High School

Fall 2009 EXP LO R E R The Official Magazine of La Salle College High School EXPThe OfficialL MagazineO of LaR Salle CollegeE HighR School Fulfilling pageT 3 he Promise EXP LO R E R The Official Magazine of La Salle College High School Annual Report Of Giving 2008/2009 what’s inside Features Report of Annual Giving Fulfilling The Promise 2008/2009 Page 3 Page 15 Remaining Naming Opportunities Letter from the Chairman of the Page 6 Board of Trustees Page 17 Donors to Fulfilling The Promise Honor Roll of Donors Page 8 Page 18 Endowment Funds Redefining Leadership Page 50 Page 10 New Members of the Board of Trustees Page 12 Departments Board of Trustees 2009/2010 From The Hip Page 2 Page 13 Letter from the President Highlights Page 14 Legacy Photos Page 52 inside Class Notes Front Cover Page 53 Al J. Gabriele, Chairman of Fulfilling The Promise, Brother Richard Kestler ‘60, President, Births, Deaths, and and Charles E. Dunleavy, Jr. ‘61, Chairman Emeritus of Fulfilling The Promise Honorees Page 60 Pictured The Whalen Courtyard made possible through the generosity of Mr. John J. Whalan ‘67 and Mrs. Linda Rabbitt 2 Explorer Fall 2009 EXP LO R E R From The Hip The Official Magazine of La Salle College High School One of my favorite titles is “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”, the award-winning short story by Joyce Carol Oates. Although the plot has no President Address connection or correlation to La Salle College High School, the title certainly Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ‘60 Explorer La Salle College High School applies to changes and developments at the school over the last few years. Principal 8605 Cheltenham Avenue Joseph L. Marchese I remember my father telling me stories about La College High School students Wyndmoor, PA 19038 Vice President of Institutional who occupied the second and third floors of Wister Hall on the campus of Advancement 215 233 2350 Phone La Salle College in the late 1950’s. In 1960, the school made the historic move Daniel L. McGowan 215 836 4502 Fax to a new building located in the rolling hills of Wyndmoor. As a student in the [email protected] late 1970’s and early 1980’s, I experienced firsthand a school that was head and Editor shoulders above the rest; however, never could I have imagined the La Salle Christopher M. Carabello ’82 College High School of today. Editorial and Production Assistance The Explorer is published by Barbara Franks La Salle College High School. Over the last twenty years, the school has acquired adjoining properties and Cathleen P. Winning The Explorer welcomes let- homes – Alumni House, Dunleavy Center, and Allinson House – have created a ters to the Editor concerning Contributing Writers bona fide campus. In September of 1993, St. Michael Hall opened. The five-level alumni, school, and topics Christopher M. Carabello ‘82 published in the magazine. addition featuring the McShain Library and state-of-the-art classrooms brought Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60 The Editor of the Explorer art and technology to the forefront of the school’s curriculum. Nine years Benjamin J. Ventresca, Jr. ’70 reserves the right to make later, the West Wing was built and provided much needed space for music all decisions regarding the and athletics. Photography content and information Greg Bobowski published in the magazine. In 2004, the Board of Trustees adopted a Strategic Plan that identified the key Braden J. Bonner ’07 John J. Burns needs and priorities of the school over the next five years. The Board’s vision and Christopher M. Carabello ’82 overall commitment to the school’s mission launched Fulfilling The Promise, a Gary Donnelly $25 million capital campaign for land acquisition, construction, renovations, and Drexel University financial aid. Mike Maicher Brother James Rieck, FSC ’57 In 2007, the school acquired the 34-acres adjacent to Route 309 and Paper Mill Road. Shortly thereafter, the land was developed into Ward Field, a baseball Artwork and Design complex that rivals some minor league ballparks, along with McCarthy Trail, the John Burns Graphic Design Brother Gratian of Jesus Environmental Center, and two additional practice fields for football, soccer, and/or lacrosse. In the spring of 2007, construction began on a 40,000 square foot, four-level academic wing that houses a counseling center, campus ministry area, study commons, two laboratories, six classrooms, and a technology center. At the center of the new addition is the Marian Chapel, which for the first time, provides a dedicated place of worship within the school. Upon completion of the new wing, renovations began to McLean Hall. All of the original academic areas were sequentially renovated as were the administrative areas. New walls, ceil- ings, floors/carpeting, windows, HVAC, etc. brought new life to an aging building. The final pieces of equipment moved out in late August and 1,069 boys moved in on September 9, 2009. The facilities that these boys occupy are nothing short of magnificent. Visitors stand in awe of new buildings and the technology operating within. Nothing is outdated and everything shines, including the faces of the faculty and students. I walk the hallways and grounds and marvel at our accomplishments. La Salle College High School has a long and storied history – one that makes us proud of what we have and where we have been. Where are we going? Let’s just say that the vision is clear and the future is bright. More importantly, it is a future in which everyone will want to have a part. Christopher M. Carabello ’82 Editor 3 Explorer Fall 2009 Fulfilling by ChristopherT M.h Carabelloe ’82 page P3 romise At the inaugural Founder’s Gala held in April of 2006, La Salle College High School launched one of the most ambitious initiatives the school has ever undertaken. The $25 million capital campaign, Fulfilling the Promise, is the largest fundraising effort in the history of the school. The campaign is aptly named after our founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, and his promise to educate young men of various backgrounds. The success of the campaign would rely on support from the entire La Salle community and the results of these efforts would benefit the school’s greatest asset – our students as a commitment to provide the best possible education and facilities for these young men continues to be at the forefront of the school’s mission and vision. Pictured Above Seated (left to right): Joe Marchese, Principal, Susan Bilotta, President of the Mothers’ Club, and Andy Malone ‘78, President of the Alumni Association Standing (left to right): Brother Ernest Miller, FSC, Assistant Director of Education and Lasallian Mission Formation, Ben Ventresca ‘70, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Will Begley ‘10, Student Council President 4 Explorer Fall 2009 Campaign Leadership La Salle College High School is an institution rich in Al recognized that like the first $10 million, raising the Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ‘60 history and tradition. The “promise” is not limited remaining $15 million would require focused leader- President to the mission of our Founder and, in fact, is evident ship and the efforts of a dedicated group of individu- every day. The dedication of our faculty and their als. Over the course of the last eighteen months, A. J. Gabriele promise to develop each student’s unique God-given the capital campaign has raised $20 million, which Campaign Chairman talents. The commitment of the school administra- includes a major estate gift for endowment that rep- Campaign Cabinet tion and their promise to foster academic excellence, resents the largest gift in the history of the school and James F. Basile, Esq. ‘82 service, and leadership. The faithfulness of our parents two seven figure gifts from alumni that provide nam- Ernest M. Behr ‘73 and their promise to provide their son(s) with the best ing opportunities for the new baseball field as well as Catherine A. Cassidy possible education. The loyalty of our alumni and their the Sacred Heart Courtyard. Joseph J. Colistra, Jr. ‘64 promise to take ownership in the school’s future. Paul D. Colistra ’00 James D. Danella One of the most remarkable achievements of the campaign is that the $20 million The “promise” is at the core our very being. In the Domenic M. DiPiero ‘63 151 years since our founding at St. Michael Parish in has been raised Charles E. Dunleavy, Jr. ‘61 John E. Glaser ‘58 North Philadelphia, our greatest resource has been our from only two hundred gifts. S. John Gorman IV ‘67 mission and vision and our willingness and commit- The $20 million that has already been raised secures Christopher P. Haley ‘86 ment to share it with the entire La Salle community. the land acquisition and development along with Timothy P. Hughes ‘72 Today, La Salle College High School continues to fulfill the construction of the new academic building and Rev. Anthony W. Janton ‘69 its promise by providing an education that consists of renovations to McLean Hall. Not only have the initial Anthony J. Maginnis ‘76 academic challenge, intellectual openness, emotional phases of construction been completed, but the Robert F. McAnespey ‘66 security, and environmental safety. It was fitting that projects are within the original budget. The remaining Michael D. McCarthy ‘65 Fulfilling The Promise be chosen as the name of this $5 million represents the funds that are needed to Daniel L. McGowan $25 million capital campaign. “fulfill” the endowment commitment to the Frank J. McLaughlin ‘67 campaign, which will provide financial aid and allow James T. McLaughlin ‘57 Charlie Dunleavy ’61 assumed the helm as the initial Robert P.

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