The Collegian

Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Alex Branch Saint Mary's President Brother Ronald Gallagher and Dean of Mission and Faculty Development Carole Swain present Brother Gerard Rummery with an honorary degree at last Wednesday's Convocation during De La Salle Week.

Clandestine service was the theme of Wednesday's Convocation, where an honorary degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership was bestowed upon Brother Gerard Rummery, FSC.

Rummery used his talented speaking skills to tell stories of entering the Eastern Bloc while concealing thousands of American dollars, of sitting in the back of a church while a Brother pretended to pray behind him so they could talk, and of fearing to speak inside houses because of "bugs." "He almost sounded like he was part of the CIA or the FBI or something," said Associated Students of Saint Mary's College (ASSMC) President Shane Keane '07.

Of course, clandestine operations in countries with unfriendly governments were not the main point of Br. Rummery's speech. His repeated litany was, "What have I done?" as he met with Brother after Brother who had risked his freedom and his life to teach in the tradition of De La Salle. He recounted a story of going to Bucharest, Romania, to give money to a Brother. When the Brother learned of Rummery's intention to give him American dollars, he said, "They're very dangerous."

But Rummery was determined to give him money, so the Brother asked for $18. Rummery's reply was, "Eighteen! You can have 800 if you like." But the brother replied, "No, just give me 18. With $18 I can buy a bicycle, and then I can teach in two families each year."

Moments like this made Rummery ask himself, "What have I done?" and made him work even harder in service of God and in service of De La Salle. His Lasallian service over the last 60 years has earned him an honorary Doctorate degree. A native Australian, his work as a Brother has taken him all over the world. "Whatever it is that De La Salle and that first generation of Brothers set up 300 years ago, it has traveled very well. I've been privileged to see it working in all the continents," he said.

Of the Convocation, Brother Mel Anderson said, "I thought it was quite elegant. The music was superb, and Gerard himself has a knack for story-telling. He wove his speech together rather well, and finished it rather elegantly, I thought. The whole thing…the presentation of gifts, was short, sweet, pleasant. Some people said it was inspirational."

Sara Jo Kendrick, '08, said, "I know of Br. Gerard, and I think he's a really fantastic Brother, so I think that he does deserve this award. I'm also really glad to see the turnout, how a lot of the athletes came, and all of the different clubs came as well." Groups in attendance included the women's basketball team, women's lacrosse, men's soccer, Habitat for Humanity club, Student Ambassadors, members of the Lasallian Community, and ASSMC representatives, as well as others.

In addition to the presentation of Rummery's honorary degree, the Convocation involved a procession of Saint Mary's student leaders and faculty presenting Rummery with gifts of appreciation for the work he has done. The school's choir sang, and a brass quintet with organ played for the opening and closing of the ceremony.

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