An edifice for Bro. Andrew....

Noted educator, Bro. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC was recently conferred the title of President Emeritus by the De La Salle University (DLSU) in recognition of his various achievements, contributions, and vision in transforming De La Salle University into a premiere university in the Philippines. At the same time, the school also named the new General Education building as "Bro. Andrew Gonzalez Hall" as a reaffirmation of its boundless gratitude to Bro. Andrew.

A man of great vision, Bro. Andrew was president of the DLSU from 1979 to 1991 and from 1994-1998. He served as Education Secretary from July 1998 to January 2001.

Upon returning to DLSU, he was appointed as vice president for academics and research from 2001-2003 and was presidential adviser for academics and research of the DLSU system from 2003-2005.

During his tenure at the university, the institution underwent significant developments as an institution of higher learning, particularly in the areas of research and faculty and program development.

Designed by top architect Philip Recto, the Bro. Andrew Gonzalez Hall is a 20-storey school building located at Taft Ave. in Manila. Rising to a height of 90 meters, it is the tallest school building in the country today. The building houses the General Education Department, the College of Education and the Asia-Pacific Center for Teachers’ Education and Development (ACTED).

With a total floor area of 28,000 square meters, the new Bro. Andrew building will have the admission office, institutional testing and evaluation office and a community counseling center at the ground floor; a library with cybernook at the 2nd floor; parking for 120 cars on the 3rd to 6th floors; and more than 100 air-conditioned classrooms and faculty rooms on the upper floors. A cafeteria is also located on the 6th floor and a chapel on the 15th floor.

The College of Education will occupy the 17th and 18th floors while the ACTED the 19th to 20th floors. The system offices, where the university president holds office, will occupy the topmost floor. There will also be an auditorium on the 19th floor and a high-ceilinged, multi-purpose hall on the topmost floor.

Now under full-blast construction, the building will be completed by June 2006 in time for the new school year. No less than DLSU president Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, and EVP Dr. Carmelita Quebengco led top university officials in pouring the last batch of concrete during the topping-off ceremonies held recently; and DLSU students, especially freshmen and sophomores, can now look forward to studying in a state-of-the-art 21st century learning institution soon, and be inspired by the exemplary leadership and achievements of Bro. Andrew Gonzalez — an intellectual giant of our time.