About Manhattan
Lasallian Catholic Heritage
Manhattan University is a Lasallian Catholic institution founded in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a teaching order started by Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers. The word “Lasallian” is derived from De La Salle’s name, but is much more than just a label. The Lasallian mission drives everything we do. It’s an integral part of who we are and how we live.
We are a Lasallian Catholic university offering a transformative education that touches your mind and heart. We strive to promote faith, respect, education, community and social justice.
Manhattan University is a Lasallian Catholic institution founded in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a teaching order started by Saint John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers. The word “Lasallian” is derived from De La Salle’s name, but is much more than just a label. The Lasallian mission drives everything we do. It’s an integral part of who we are and how we live.
How it Started
Saint John Baptist de La Salle was born into a wealthy family in Reims, France during the 17th century. He was well-educated, held a doctoral degree and was an ordained priest at the Cathedral of Reims. However, De La Salle found himself called to serve the poor and disadvantaged, specifically children, whose lack of access to education was perpetuating poverty.
Responding to these needs, he began to establish schools. He lived the remainder of his life among the poor, ministering to his teachers (his Brothers) and touching the minds and hearts of his students so that they might lead more purposeful lives.
De La Salle’s commitment to education as a means to lift the disadvantaged out of poverty has impacted generations of students around the world. Our Lasallian community is built on this commitment to education, to generosity of spirit, and of the power of education to change lives.
What This Means Today
Hundreds of years later, De La Salle's mission inspires us today. We continue to live out the five core Lasallian principles:
Faith in the presence of God
We believe in the living presence of God within each individual. We also believe that everyone has valuable gifts to contribute to our world, and that education is the best way to foster these gifts. Along with the Brothers, who still actively teach and work at Manhattan, our faculty and staff see it as their vocation to faithfully serve and educate the next generation.
Excellence in Teaching
Education is at the core of who we are as a University community. Following in the footsteps of our founder, we strive to make education accessible to as many people as possible by supporting first-generation students, minority students, and financially disadvantaged families. Through dedicated teaching, personalized instruction, and close mentorship, we are committed to providing the highest quality education so that our students can live fruitful lives and make a positive impact on the world.
Respect for Human Dignity and Inclusive Community
We believe that every human being deserves dignity and respect. Our Jasper community is comprised of people who have different opinions and ways of thinking, who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we value good conversation, debate, and learning from one another. While we are a Catholic institution, we work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to worship as they please, offering Mass, Jummah prayer for our Muslim students, and transportation to local synagogues in Riverdale. Open-mindedness and acceptance are integral to our work, building a community where all are welcomed and known
An Emphasis on Ethical Conduct
We are called to act with integrity in all that we do. Rooted in De La Salle's enduring ideals of civility, charity, and respect for our neighbor, we form students to make principled decisions, take responsibility for their choices, and carry honesty and moral courage into their work and their relationships. Ethical conduct shapes how we live and learn together as a community.
Concern for the Poor and Social Justice
We stand in solidarity with the poor and advocate for those suffering from social injustices. Rather than just giving charity, we strive to create lasting social change by working to fix the root causes of poverty and injustice. Our Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience (L.O.V.E.) is our flagship service-immersion and social action experience for students.
On Campus and Beyond
The Lasallian community extends well beyond our campus. When you attend Manhattan University, you become affiliated with an international network of Lasallian institutions that span the globe. Our students take advantage of this network in a number of ways:
- Study abroad programs hosted at foreign Lasallian universities
- Funded research projects that focus on specific Lasallian topics
- Service trips to work at Lasallian schools and communities
- Post-graduate opportunities to serve in Lasallian communities
(Pictured left) Last August, Brother Augustine (Gus) Nicoletti, FSC, D.Min., Ed.D., vice president for mission, traveled to Kenya for a friends and family service trip in support of a Lasallian charitable organization, The Centre of Love Foundation (TCOLF). TCOLF works to assist underserved communities in Nairobi by providing education and access to clean water.
During the weeklong trip, Brother Gus and six other volunteers conducted outreach at several sites near Nairobi, including an orphanage, a school for impoverished children run by the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, and Cheshire Home, as well as a shelter operated by Catholic sisters for unhoused elderly people.
