Brother Curran, Troy native and La Salle grad, returns to serve Bethlehem University

Institution is the only Catholic University in the Holy Land

Brother Curran

TROY — La Salle Institute is proud to announce that Brother Jack Curran, FSC, PhD, has been re-appointed as Vice President for Advancement at Bethlehem University in the Holy Land. For the Troy native and La Salle Institute graduate from the class of 1976, this is a particularly exciting, and familiar, experience as he previously served in a similar role at the university from 2003-13. His responsibilities will include strategic planning, alumni engagement and fundraising efforts across multiple regions.

“We are very proud and grateful for Brother Jack’s guidance as a member of La Salle Institute’s Board of Trustees for the past 11 years, particularly as he helped us navigate our co-educational mission expansion, and notably for his outreach and efforts in connecting with La Salle alums across the globe,” said LTC Joseph B. Raczkowski ‘72, president of La Salle Institute. “His leadership is sure to be a wonderful asset to the Bethlehem University community, and we congratulate him and wish him the very best as he returns to this role during such challenging times.”

Brother Curran, reflecting on his decision to join Bethlehem University’s administrative team at the invitation of Brother Hernan Santos, FSC, PhD, vice chancellor and president, emphasized the university’s mission to “open doors for students to enter professions with proficiency, confidence and character by fostering the ethical development of students as committed citizens in the pursuit of the common good.” Amidst escalating tensions in the region and beyond, Brother Curran underscored the critical importance of Bethlehem University’s Lasallian Catholic educational mission.

“The outstanding academic, ethical and leadership programs I had at La Salle Institute have served me well through the years,” Brother Curran said. “Now, at this pivotal moment in history in the Holy Land, I consider myself honored and blessed to serve at Bethlehem University where we remain resolute in our commitment to cultivate peace and mutual respect in Palestine, Israel and across the Middle East, working toward a brighter future for all.”

Upon graduation from La Salle Institute, Brother Curran studied at Manhattan College and the University of Albany. His academic achievements include a doctorate and a master’s in Social Work and degrees in physics and religious studies. Before this re-appointment, he served as Vice President for Mission at Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY.

Bethlehem University is the only Catholic University in the Holy Land and is the first established institution of higher education in Palestine. At the request of Pope Paul VI, the university was founded in 1973 as a joint mission of the Vatican and the De La Salle Christian Brothers.