District Council Member

mcguinessNow in his second term as President of La Salle University, Brother Michael J. McGinniss, F.S.C., Ph.D., became the University’s 28th president in 1999. He previously had been a member of the school’s Religion Department and for five years was president of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn.

Under Br. Michael’s direction, the university has developed a new strategic plan and significantly increased enrollment, giving, and alumni involvement in the life of the University. In cooperation with the Board of Trustees, Br. Michael has launched “Shoulder to Shoulder,” a fundraising initiative whose goal is to raise $25 million for the construction of a new science and technology center and the strengthening of the endowment for student scholarships.

A native Philadelphian, Br. Michael 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 obtained his master’s degree and Ph.D. in theology from the University of Notre Dame.

In 1994, he became president of Christian Brothers University. Under his leadership, undergraduate enrollment and retention rates were increased; a graduate education program was established; the athletic department joined the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference; new residence halls were constructed; enhancements were made to science labs and facilities; the school’s engineering departments were re-accredited; an upgrade of information technology systems throughout the campus was implemented; and the Center for Global Enterprise was founded. He also played a key role in the school’s 125th anniversary celebration.

Br. Michael’s academic areas of expertise are pastoral theology, history and theology of ministry, methods and models of theological reflection, ecclesiology, and Lasallian spirituality. He serves on the Boards of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, American University of Rome, Manhattan College, Calvert Hall College High School (Baltimore, MD), and the District Council for DENA.