Brother Scanlan Honored With Father Hesburgh Award

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Brother Thomas Scanlan, F.S.C., president emeritus of Manhattan College, was honored Jan. 30 with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Award.

Named in honor of the late president of the University of Notre Dame, the award is given to a former college president who has made outstanding contributions to Catholic higher education through service and academic work.

The award was presented to Brother Scanlan at the annual meeting of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

“Being a Catholic college president is one of the most complex and challenging roles in our nation. To succeed takes a true team effort and my most critical ability was to say ‘I need your help.’ And I was gratified, both at Bethlehem University and at Manhattan College, by the extremely positive response of so many talented individuals,” Brother Scanlan said during his acceptance speech.

“I accept this award in the name of all of the members of those teams.”

Brother Scanlan served as the 18th president of Manhattan College, 1987-2009. During his tenure, he helped increase enrollment by 120 percent. The college saw a 100-point increase in SAT scores and gained accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

Expansions under his leadership included the opening of Horan Hall, Lee Hall and the Mary Alice and Thomas O’Malley Library.

Brother Scanlan came to Manhattan College from Bethlehem University in Palestine, where he was vice chancellor and chief executive officer. He earlier was director of finance and education for the New York Province of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He also served as principal, vice principal and teacher at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, N.J.