Saint Mary’s Hosts IALU Executive Board
Leaders of the International Association of La Salle Universities from around the globe took part in the full Gael experience, living in residence halls while strengthening connections between Lasallian institutions.
Cementing its position as a global leader among Lasallian institutions, Saint Mary’s hosted the Executive Board of the International Association of La Salle Universities (IALU) for its spring meeting in late April. IALU is the leading organization across the 65 Lasallian colleges and universities around the world.
The seeds for the IALU Board’s visit were planted last November, when Frances M. Sweeney, PhD, Vice President of Mission at Saint Mary’s, was elected to the IALU Board. While leading the College’s efforts in developing this year’s Lasallian Heritage Days and its "One LaSalle ~ Global Inspirations" theme, she invited the IALU Executive Board to Saint Mary’s to further nurture the relationship.
In addition to Brother Carlos Gómez, Vicar General of the Institute in Rome, the IALU Board is composed of 12 Lasallian leaders representing every region of the globe, including:
- Brother Andrés Gutierrez (Mexico), President
- Carlos Coelho (Brazil), Executive Director
- Ms. Diana Loera (Mexico) Associate Director
- Dr. David Livingston (US President of Lewis University)
- Dr. Dan Allen (US President of La Salle University)
- Dr. Lourdes Lavaniegos (Mexico)
- Brother Manual Orozco (Nicaragua )
- Dr. Josep Santos (Spain)
- Brother Kenneth Martinez (Philippines)
- Dr. Carmelita Quebengco (Philippines)
- Dr. Philippe Choquet (France)
- Dr. Joan Landeros (Mexico)
- Dr. Frances Sweeney, Saint Mary’s College
During its time at Saint Mary’s, the Board held sessions to identify its priorities following the 2022 IALU Encuentro held last fall in Beauvais, France and Barcelona, Spain. These priorities include:
- Strengthening aspects of the One La Salle reciprocal agreement whereby institutions share resources and host exchanges for students, staff, and faculty;
- Expanding the shared research programs on topics such as ecological and social sustainability;
- Reaffirming the global formation program for institutional leaders in Rome; and
- Prioritizing efforts to respond to needs and support schools in the African continent.
One LaSalle, Global Inspirations
The IALU Board meets virtually throughout the year and has two in-person sessions in different regions. Every three years it hosts Encuentro, a gathering of all Lasallian presidents, mission officers, and senior academic officers.
“Saint Mary’s has the mindset and can contribute great things to the collective, international efforts of the Lasallian network.”
Board members took in the full “Gael experience” during their visit, utilizing the College’s residence halls for their accommodations, enjoying a reception with members of the campus community, and dining each evening with students, campus leaders, faculty, staff members, and Christian Brothers.
Dr. Joan Landeros, a member of the IALU Board who received an honorary doctorate as a Distinguished Lasallian Educator, noted that Saint Mary’s has had a historic role in bringing together the Lasallian University family.
“In the early 1980s, a decade after the first Encuentro in Mexico, Saint Mary’s hosted the second Encuentro of Lasallian Presidents and Rectors,” said Dr. Landeros. “The international response was outstanding, and the change of mindset of the Institute toward higher education, and of the Lasallian Higher Education institutions themselves, began during these first Encuentros which Saint Mary’s helped incubate.
“Saint Mary’s has the mindset,” said Dr. Landeros, “and can contribute great things to the collective, international efforts of the Lasallian network.”
LEARN MORE about the IALU and its decades-long history.