La Salle National Corp history

Initially known as the “Select School,” it eventually took the name “ Christian Brothers Academy.” In 1863, the Academy became the college preparatory division of what was then La Salle College.

In 1882, the Brothers acquired the mansion of Michael Bouvier -- a prominent Philadelphia banker -- located on Broad Street near Girard Avenue.

Thus, “Hometown National Bank” was unveiled to coincide with the opening of its impressive, newly constructed home office. It was even one of the few banks that managed to sustain itself following the stock market crash of October, 1929 and the Great Depression that ensued—without having to merge with another bank or resort to other drastic means for survival.

In November 1955, construction began on the School’s main building.

The new La Salle Catholic High School opened September 11, 1956 with 117 ninth grade students from fourteen nearby communities.

1957 Mark of Distinction La Salle’s first freshman class (now sophomores) achieved the distinction of winning the freshman division of the statewide Christian Brothers Academic Association.

1958 Athletics Strive Forward Athletic Facilities at La Salle continued to expand with the completion of the track curbing which encircles the athletic field.

From 1960 until the early nineties, La Salle College Preparatory continued to graduate young men instilled with the values and principles of the Christian Brothers tradition.

1962 A CIF Victory La Salle wins their first CIF Runner-Up Title in Basketball under the leadership of Coach Duffy Lewis.

1963 More Sports Teams La Salle becomes one of the first Catholic high schools in the CIF to embrace a comprehensive water polo program.

1967 Alumni Return Home For the first time, two members of La Salle’s faculty are alumni.

Since its founding in 1968, Nu Psi has inducted outstanding students who achieve the required history grade point average, and who have taken the requisite number of history classes.

1979 A CIF Championship

In 1982, the geographic separation between the college and the high school became formal, as the two entities legally separated and the high school formed its own Board of Trustees with responsibility for the school’s direction.

1986 Alumnus Rules the School Brother Robert Mizia, FSC ’71 becomes La Salle’s first alumni principal.

Chip Desnoyers began his career as the History Department’s specialist in Asian History in 1989.

The bank has continually seen strong growth and development ever since.In 1990, the bank expanded by adding its first separate branch on Venture Drive in Peru, Illinois, adjacent to the Peru Mall.

On September 14, 1991 La Salle kicked-off its football program with its first Junior Varsity “Home” Football game at La Canada High School.

In 1992, the school began construction on a new five-story addition to its academic wing.

1994 Christian Brothers make Strategic Decision Due to the declining number of Novices entering the Institute and the great number of Brothers retiring, the Christian Brothers decide to close the Brothers Residence in Pasadena and reassign those living there to schools in greater need.

The freshman class that year (the Class of 1995) was the first full coeducational class at La Salle.

Following the Legacy Campaign and the visible manifestation of its success in developing Saint Michael Hall, La Salle initiated the “Forever La Salle Campaign” in 1998.

2001 Mission Statement Clarification La Salle College Preparatory formed focus groups consisting of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and volunteers in order to assess the School’s Mission Statement.

The ten million dollar campaign, completed in 2002, focused on increasing the endowment of the school for financial aid, an expanded athletic and music facility called the West Wing, and substantial additional support for the La Salle Annual Fund.

In September of 2005, La Salle National Bank announced its plans to open a second branch in Joliet, Illinois.

In 2006, the school launched Fulfilling The Promise, a $25 million capital campaign, which is the largest fundraising initiative in the school’s history.

2007 Friday Night Lights The La Salle Lancers celebrate their first football season after dark on Friday nights courtesy of the lights that were installed to illuminate Lancer Field.

After graduating from La Salle University with a B.A. in History in 2010, Victoria embarked on a year of service with the Lasallian Volunteers program at St Frances Academy, an inner-city high school in Baltimore, Md.