Andrew Gonzalez
2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Writers and critics
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1955-2006 |
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De La Salle University 2005-2006 |
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1998-2001 |
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De La Salle University System 1987-1991 • 1994-1998 |
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De La Salle University 1978-1991 • 1994-1998 |
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| Born: | February 29, 1940 Manila |
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| Died: | January 29, 2006 Dasmariñas, Cavite |
Brother Andrew Benjamin Gonzalez FSC ( February 29, 1940 - January 29, 2006) was a linguist, writer, educator, and a Lasallian Brother. He served as president of De La Salle University from from 1979 to 1991 and from 1994 to 1998. From 1998 to 2001 he served as Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. After his term ended, he returned to De La Salle University as Vice President for Academics and Research from 2001 to 2003 and as Presidential Adviser for Academics and Research from 2003 to 2005.
Br. Andrew conceptualized the De La Salle University System and helped expand the range of Lasallian education in the Philippines. During his first term, Br. Andrew established the College of Career Development of DLSU-Manila which became the College of Saint Benilde and took over a medical school in Dasmariñas which became DLSU-Dasmariñas.
Early life
Br. Andrew was born as Macario Diosdado Arnedo Gonzalez in Manila to Augusto Gonzalez, a prominent businessman and wealthy landowner and Rosario Arnedo, daughter of Pampanga Governor Macario Arnedo.
Macario attended and completed grammar school at De La Salle College in Manila. He was a consistent honour student and graduated as salutatorian. His love for teaching made him decide to become a Lasallian Brother. He finished his novitate at the De La Salle Retreat House in Baguio City on November 20, 1955 and made his initial vows the year after. He joined the scholasticate of the Brothers in Winona, Minnesota on December 10, 1956. He studied at Saint Mary's College in Winona and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the top of his class at the age of 19. He obtained his Master of Arts in English Literature from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. the year after.
He returned to the Philippines in 1960 and began teaching English Language and Literature at the high school department of La Salle College in Bacolod City. He served in several administrative positions at De La Salle College from 1964 to 1967 and made his final vows as a Lasallian Brother on May 30, 1965. He took up graduate courses in linguistics in the Philippine Normal College and at the Ateneo de Manila University. He was admitted to the doctoral program in linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley as a Regent's Fellow in Linguistics and as a Stanley Tasheira Scholar in 1967 and completed the degree in 1970.
Return to the Philippines
Br. Andrew returned to the Philippines in 1971 where he was chosen to become the chairman of the Humanities Department of De La Salle College and was promoted to Academic Vice President from 1971 to 1978. In recognition of his exceptional management ability, he was elected as the president of De La Salle University in 1979 and served until 1991. After his term as university president, he was designated as president of Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, and in 1994 he was elected to his second term as president of De La Salle University where he served until 1998. He was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports during the term of President Joseph Estrada on July 1998 and served until January 2001. He rejoined De La Salle University as Vice President for Academics and Research from 2001 to 2003 and as Presidential Adviser for Academics and Research from 2003 to 2005. Manila Bulletin gave him the title of President Emeritus in January 26, 2006.
As President
As president of De La Salle University, he conceptualized the De La Salle University System and helped expand the range of Lasallian education in the Philippines. Br. Andrew established the College of Career Development of DLSU-Manila which became the College of Saint Benilde and took over a medical school in Dasmariñas which became DLSU-Dasmariñas. He prioritized graduate education by creating new masteral and doctoral degree programs. He also wrote many books in linguistics and education. Under his term, De La Salle University underwent significant developments as an institution of higher learning, particularly in the areas of research and faculty and program development. He also promoted alumni and alumni activities, and boosted scholarly activities on campus.
As Education Secretary
He initiated the revision of the Basic Education Curriculum and placed a corruption-free procurement system which significantly reduced the costs of textbooks and supplies purchased by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. He intiated the changing of language of instruction to the lingua franca for the first three grades.
Recognition
In recognition of Br. Andrew's achievements, he received awards from the City of Manila, National Press Club, Adamson University and from San Beda College. He received honorary doctorate degrees from Waseda University and Soka University in Japan, St. Paul University in Canada and from St. Mary's College of California. De La Salle University granted him the title of President Emeritus on September 28, 2005 and the General Education/College of Education/and Asia Pacific Centre for Teachers' Education (ACTED) building named after him.
Death
Br. Andrew died due to complications of diabetes on January 29, 2006 at the University Medical Centre of De La Salle-Health Sciences Campus in Dasmariñas, Cavite. His remains were brought to the Brothers' Mausoleum at Lipa, Batangas.