Recognizing and honoring Brother Michael J. McGinniss on the occasion of his retirement from La Salle University.

WHEREAS, A native Philadelphian, Brother Michael J. McGinniss joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1965 and graduated

maxima cum laude

from La Salle in 1970 with a degree in English. He earned his master's degree and Ph.D. in theology from the University of Notre Dame. In 1984, Brother Michael joined the faculty at La Salle on a full-time basis, eventually reaching the rank of full professor in 1993. Recognized by the De La Salle Christian Brothers for his qualities as a leader, he attended

La session internationale des études lasalliennes

(a program of study of Lasallian spirituality) in Rome in 1991. He became Chair of La Salle's Religion Department that year, and the following year he received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching; and

WHEREAS, Also in 1992, Brother Michael was appointed Vice President of the La Salle University Corporation. In 1994, he became President of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn. In 1995, he became a member of La Salle's Board of Trustees. Brother Michael serves on the boards of the American University of Rome, Manhattan College, La Salle College High School, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, the Urban Affairs Coalition of Philadelphia, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he is a member of the District Council for the Christian Brothers District of Eastern North America. His professional memberships include the Catholic Theological Society of America, the American Academy of Religion, and the College Theology Society; and

WHEREAS, Brother Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., Ph.D., became La Salle University's 28th president on July 1, 1999; and

WHEREAS, Under Brother Michael's direction, the University developed a new strategic plan and significantly increased enrollment, giving, and alumni involvement in the life of the University. In addition, the University built and opened a new residence hall for 428 students and adjoining dining facility in 2005 and completed expansion of the Bucks County Center in Newtown; and

WHEREAS, In cooperation with the Board of Trustees, Brother Michael launched

Shoulder to Shoulder

, a fundraising initiative with a $25 million goal for the construction of a new science and technology center and the strengthening of the endowment for student scholarships. Completed in 2007, this major gift initiative not only raised more than $28 million for the specific goal but also a total of $84 million during the campaign; and

WHEREAS, At the same time, the University expanded its campus by approximately 30 acres with the purchase of the Germantown Hospital property and two adjoining lots. In addition, in 2008 the University opened a Montgomery County Center in Plymouth Meeting and launched its latest strategic plan,

The Will to Excel.

In 2009, La Salle celebrated the openings of both The Shoppes at La Salle, the shopping center on campus, and the renovated and expanded Holroyd Hall, featuring the Hugh and Nancy Devlin Center for Science and Technology. Recently, Brother Michael finalized planning for the development of a new School of Business; and

WHEREAS, Brother Michael has announced plans to step down at the end of his current term, which ends on May 31, 2014; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize, honor, and celebrate Brother Michael J. McGinniss, on the occasion of his retirement from La Salle University.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Brother Michael J. McGinniss as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End