Founder’s Week
Each year, Founder’s Week at CBU honors the Legacy of our Founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, who founded an Institute in the Catholic Church for the purpose of teaching, particularly the young and the poor. The De La Salle Christian Brothers were first founded in the 17th century, and almost 350 years later the Teaching Methods of the first Brothers live on in some 80 countries around the world.
Lasallian Brothers, affiliated members, and Lasallian Partners (lay men and women) around the world have embraced the Lasallian traditions of “Faith, Service, and Community” and “Together by Association.” Christian Brothers University is one of around 70 colleges and universities around the world (one of which, Bethlehem University, is actually in the Holy Land). In the North American Region, we have six universities.
Founder’s Week 2023 Schedule
Tuesday, April 11
Day of Giving
Monday – Friday | Online | Hosted by the Office of Advancement
All throughout Founder’s Week, join fellow Bucs, faculty, staff, and friends of the university in Day of Giving as we raise money for the Fund for CBU to improve every corner of campus for our Buccaneer family.
Founder’s Week Donuts and Coffee
Tuesday, 8:00 am – 10:00 am | St. Joseph Breezeway | Hosted by the Office of Mission & Identity & the Office of Student Development & Campus Life
Kick off Founder’s Week by grabbing a coffee, orange juice, and donut, as well as find out more information about the upcoming events that are celebrating our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle.
Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award Celebration | Tuesday, 12:30 pm | Rozier Gazebo | Hosted by the Office of the President
Join us in celebrating our two recipients for the 2022-2023 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award during Founder’s Week. Each year, Christian Brothers University honors an educator whose professional life exudes the foundational pillars of Lasallian education: Educating Minds, Touching Hearts, Remembering the Presence of God, Inclusive Community, and Commitment to Social Justice. Recognizing that education happens both in and out of classrooms, the university honors both a faculty and a staff recipient for this prestigious distinction.
Wednesday, April 12
Lasallian Links | Wednesday, 11:30 – 1:00 pm | Alfonso Dining Hall | Hosted by Campus Ministry
Students will have the opportunity to write on a post-it note to share what being Lasallian means to them during Founder’s Week. This will be posted outside the cafeteria with other post-it notes to signify the shared but unique bond we each have at CBU.
What Mission Means to Me | Wednesday, 12:00 – 12:45 pm | Sabbatini Lounge | Hosted by the Office of Mission & Identity
Join us for a lunch and learn as Dr. Tracie Burke shares about the impact the Lasallian mission has had on her time at CBU. Laughter, joy, and a touching moment or two will be shared. Pizza and soda will be provided for all participants.
PB&J Service Opportunity | Wednesday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm | Alfonso Dining Hall | Hosted by Campus Ministry
Join us as we make sandwiches that we donate to St. Mart’s Soup Kitchen in downtown Memphis. This is one of CBU’s longest service opportunities, as we have been preparing sandwiches for over 25 years.
Thursday, April 13
Eucharistic Adoration | Thursday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Stritch Chapel (St. John’s Chapel) | Hosted by Campus Ministry
We invite those in attendance to pray for those who suffer from injustice and poverty in their community, society, and world. As well as fellow Lasallians and for vocations to Brothers of The Christian Schools.
Lasallian Community Prayer Service | Thursday, 1:30 pm | Buckman Quad | Hosted by the Office of Mission & Identity
Join us as we gather as a community of faith to celebrate and honor St. John Baptist de La Salle during Founder’s Week.
Follow Your Path Retreat | Thursday, 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Stritch Chapel (St. John’s Chapel) | Hosted by Campus Ministry
Follow Your Path is an evening retreat for students who would like to learn more about the different life paths open to them– single, consecrated religious, married, priesthood, or diaconate. Led by Br. Alan Parham and Sr. Julita Bele Bau, this will be a wonderful opportunity to discuss the hopes, fears, and in-between moments that come with discerning any vocation. Contact Sr. Julita or Br. Alan, if you are interested or have any questions. abelebau@cbu.edu or aparham@cbu.edu
Honors Lasallian Advocacy Colloquium | Thursday, 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Spain Auditorium | Hosted by CBU Honors Program
Join us for this exciting evening of hearing from your fellow students and their passionate ideas on real-world solutions! The Honors Lasallian Advocacy Project creates space for each student to pursue an opportunity to identify a real-world problem that they would like to tackle. Through the course of a semester, students are given a chance to propose a project solution and are given space to develop a presentation to then share said presentation at this colloquium. All students will have a chance to win monetary funds towards their project solutions through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! Join us for the second annual – Honors Lasallian Advocacy Project!
Friday, April 14
Lasallian Thank You Cards | Friday, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Alfonso Dining Hall | Hosted by Campus Ministry
We all know that a thank you can go a long way. Students are invited to stop by and write a note of thanks or gratitude to a faculty or staff member who has positively influenced their Lasallian journey here at CBU.
Founder’s Week Trivia Night | Friday, 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Alfonso Dining Hall | Hosted by the National Alumni Board & the Office of Advancement
CBU Alumni Trivia Night is coming to Alfonso, and everyone is invited. Teams can have up to six people who will compete to win prizes. Doors open at 6:15 pm with the first question at 7:00 pm. With light refreshments provided, feel free to BYO food and drinks. The pre-registration price is $15/per person, with a price increase of $20/per person after March 30. Students are welcomed and encouraged to attend for a special rate of $5/person.