[OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND CHANCELLOR] New Year’s Message

TO : The Academic Community

FR : Br. Ricky P. Laguda FSC
President and Chancellor

RE : New Year’s Message

Happy New Year to everyone!

Welcome back to the third term of AY 2012-2013. As we begin the new year, let us look back with gratitude with the way God has been good to us and look forward to what God has in store for us.

For me 2012 was a year of adjustments and getting to know the DLSU community again. I would like to offer my thanks for all the efforts and hard work that you have shown in making DLSU more relevant and responsive to the 21st century.

What DLSU is today is a result of how the various Lasallian stakeholders share their gifts to shape the future and ensure excellence in our University: students and faculty who excel in whatever field they wish to pursue; staff and administration who try their best to attend to the different needs and multiple requirements of the University; parents, alumni, trustees, and partner institutions who bring their complementary expertise to guide the University in its role in transforming society and serving as a resource for the Church and the nation; and the Brothers who continue to animate the University in promoting and living the Lasallian Mission.

That is how we have been and how we will always be— “together and by association”.

We all play a part in making DLSU a leading learner-centered research university, bridging faith and scholarship in the service of society, especially the poor. Every single day in prayer, I thank everyone for sharing the Mission. It has delighted me and warmed me more than I can say.

As we anticipate what 2013 will be, I invite every Lasallian stakeholder in DLSU to demonstrate confidence in the future. In DLSU, every generation has always added a stone to the foundation that was built by the first 9 Brothers in 1911–a foundation that spells excellence in the Lasallian Mission no matter what happens.

At the same time, Pope Benedict XVI declared this year to be a “Year of Faith”. As a Catholic University, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Lasallians to experience a conversion – a return to our roots, to enter into a deeper relationship with our Founder, St.

John Baptist de La Salle, whom Jesus Christ and the Church have shared with us. The “door of faith” was opened to us during our baptism. This year, Lasallians are called to open it again, walk through it, and rediscover and renew our relationship with our Founder, as well as with Christ and his Church.

My dear Lasallians, let us embrace the new year with confidence and faith, that we may take on the challenges and opportunities that come our way. Let us continue to work “together and by association” and to be animated by excellence in our every action, in pursuit of the Lasallian Mission.

May we have a faith-filled new year and Animo La Salle.

Posted on: 01/03/2013 at http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/announcements/default.asp?id=4742