Now that we have such a big stable of talented authors, we're going to take some time this year to re-introduce them to you. This week it's Andrew C. Langert, who wrote the book A Man, A Mission, A Miracle: Brother James Gaffney F.S.C, and the Transformation of Lewis Univerity just as the pandemic hit in 2020.
Andrew C. Langert
Andrew C. Langert is a financial executive in Chicago. He has been associated with Lewis University and Brother James Gaffney ever since he was a student at Lewis in the 1970s. This is his debut as an author.
Brother James Gaffney, F.S.C., was the President of Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, from 1988 until his retirement in 2016. This 28- year period is the longest tenure ever of any President at any Lasallian Christian Brothers college or university in the United States. Guided by the Mission of the Lasallian Christian Brothers and supported by an outstanding group of men and women, Lewis University has become one of the top Catholic universities in the Midwest. When Brother James first became associated with Lewis in the mid-1970s, the University was struggling in many ways. From that shaky foundation, some have said that what Lewis has become is a miracle. This is the story of what happened to transform Lewis University and how Brother James Gaffney led the way.
The book resonated with me very much. I attended a Lasallian Christian Brothers high school in Detroit. While I had a general understanding of the education mission, I found the deeper information here added color to my own experience.
Brother James is certainly a fascinating leader and role model. Even your listing of his personal interests was insightful. I have never experienced someone that would list prayer, meditation and reflection as a personal interest (more often someone states it as “their practice”). It is also telling about someone that states building a friend and relationship network as a personal interest too. How human, and essential for a quality life.
In all, it is clear in the text this was a labor of love for you. I admire the manner in which you integrated the Lewis University information and story with the biographical aspects of Brother James.
Very readable all the way though.
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