La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Defying the Laws of Physics: Undiminished Kinetic Energy By Maureen Ryan Remember all those questions Broth- er Gerald Fitzgerald posed to you dur- ing your pre-college interview with the Admissions Office? Perhaps the most difficult one was What can you bring to La Salle? If Br. Gerry were respond- ing to the question, he would be able to give quite a few answers. Most people know Br. Gerry in the administrative position of Director of Admissions, or as a faculty member in the Accounting Department. Residents may also recognize him as a member of first floor Albert ' s. Greeks know him as advisor to Alpha Theta Alpha and Pi Kappa Phi. Asked which role is his favor- ite, Br. Gerry is quick to respond, From early on, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. As anyone from his accounting classes would know, Br. Gerry ' s idea of teaching consists of much more than lecturing and testing. His goal is to get students enjoy learning, because, If you can get students to start liking something, they take off and fly. He declines to give any kind of advice to students, but, rather, he wants to instill in them the motivation to be aware that they have the ability to do tre- mendous things for themselves, the world, and La Salle. And why ac- counting as his chosen field? Solving many of the social problems of the world comes down to dollars and cents, and Br. Gerry sees his role as a teacher as making sure that people dealing with the economy have a con- science towards those less fortunate. It is not surprising that teaching is Br. Gerry ' s favorite role, since the students Bro. Gerry Fitzgerald are his favorite part of La Salle. Seeing them progress through college life an d their career development is what he finds rewarding about his relationship with La Salle students. Br. Gerry enjoys his home in Albert ' s with its revolving door because he is among students day by day. A La Salle graduate himself, Br. Gerry describes his college years as the unique times of the Vietnam War. His freshman year at La Salle also marked his entrance into the Christian Brothers Community. He says of that time, I felt I knew what I wanted to be: Christian Brother and teacher. The biggest challenge of his college career was justifying that goal to other students around here. Br. Gerry faces another unique chal- lenge. As those around him can attest, his high energy level and enthusiasm seem to remain undiminished, even after a long day of Discover the Differ- ence or high school visits. Occasionally, this presents a difficulty for him. I tend to be very kinetic and nervous. I always have things done yesterday that are due next week. The task is learning how to control my kineticism. Even Br. Gerry has a need to get off campus now and then. During the win- ter, he frequents the ski slopes, Spring Mountain in particular. In the summer, he takes off to the Chesapeake or the Jersey Shore to sail. When the frustra- tions of normal life attack, he says, I run out to the water where there is no telephone! It is difficult to imagine Br. Gerry re- charged; however, that is what he is like after one of his vacations. Perhaps it is his ability to maintain such a high energy level that prompts his col- leagues to tease him about being per- fect to teach the third grade. He does not rule out the possibility. He says that I ' ve taught on every level except the elementary. I ' d like to try that before I retire.

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Mr. Harry McManus. Administrative Assistant, Arts and Sciences Bro. John Owens, Chairman, Roster Committee

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Mr. John King, Director, Admissions, Evening and Summer Sessions