Dear Explorers and friends,
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the incredible strides our University has made and the tremendous energy felt across campus. We have a lot to be thankful for as we turn the page on 2024 and look ahead to 2025. It’s all thanks to the collective efforts of our faculty, students, alumni, Christian Brothers, and friends.
The University began the year by proudly launching its new ‘Be Known for More’ branding campaign, inviting current and future Explorers everywhere to reflect on what they stand for and how they want to be known. It all translated this fall into welcoming our largest incoming undergraduate class in four years—a testament to the growing recognition of La Salle’s outstanding education and results.
The recognition of the value of that La Salle education, could be felt in the rankings, awards, and results that we gathered throughout the year. A La Salle education was seen by leading publications and organizations for its exceptional education, return on investment, and social mobility, including:
Top 15% for salary earnings nationally Payscale (2024)
Top 20% for Best Universities for a Bachelor’s Degree Payscale (2024)
Top 25% for Social Mobility U.S. News & World Report (2025)
4 stars Best Colleges in America Money Magazine (2024)
Graduates from La Salle's School of Nursing and Health Sciences boasted impressive NCLEX pass rates, exceeding national and state first-time pass rates.
La Salle took home three top honors in Metro Philly’s Best of 2024 as well as gold in the Philadelphia Inquirer Philly Favorites Contest in the colleges and universities category.
This year marked a major milestone as we celebrated 30 years of the BUSCA Program, a beacon of opportunity that empowers students to strengthen their English skills and pursue their academic dreams. We also launched exciting initiatives, like the Sport Management major in fall 2024, providing students with an immersive, industry-focused curriculum.
La Salle's commitment to fostering global connections was reinforced by a new international agreement with our sister school, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, further enriching our Communication Sciences and Disorders program.
In philanthropy, the 11th Annual Day of Giving broke records with a one-day total of $1.4 million from more than 1,700 gifts from generous donors. This marked the fourth-consecutive year in which La Salle’s Day of Giving surpassed the philanthropic threshold of $1 million. Over the past four years, you have given this University more than $45 million which directly supports our mission and enable us to provide transformative opportunities for our students.
We were also thrilled to honor remarkable individuals, including Jerry Lezynski, ’82, recipient of the Lasallian Leadership Award at our 31st Annual Charter Dinner, and Lisa Abdul-Haqq, DNP, M.A. '09, MSN'21, recognized with the Women in Leadership Award. Their contributions to society inspire us all. Additionally, Stash Graham, ’05, MBA ’07, received the prestigious John J. Finley, ’24 Award at the Alumni Awards, demonstrating the excellence of our alumni.
Our faculty and staff continued to shine. Siobhan Conaty, Ph.D., was inducted as a fellow of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and Florence Ling. Ph.D., earned a Fulbright Scholarship for her meaningful environmental research. There are so many more who each day deliver an impactful teaching environment for our students.
Athletics and campus life are thriving as well. From the opening of the John Glaser Arena to the addition of four varsity sports programs, and the unveiling of Tom Gola Plaza and Tom Gola Way, La Salle is fostering a dynamic and engaging environment for students and fans alike.
We also celebrated our vibrant community during Homecoming Weekend 2024, welcoming thousands of Explorers back to campus to connect and share their La Salle spirit.
And, of course, we would not be here without our students. I invite you to read some of the top stories from the past year as noted below or to visit our news center where there are many more examples of inspirational profiles.
As we look ahead to 2025, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower our students and alumni to make compelling contributions to society. Together, we continue to uphold our Lasallian values and build a brighter future.
Good things are happening at 20th and Olney as La Salle continues to be known for its transformational, holistic, mission-focused student experience, and liberal arts education that prepares students their futures.
Sincerely,
Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D.
President
La Salle University
