Message From VP

With your help, we can continue our extraordinary legacy of helping students.

In the past, I have worked with the Brothers in Papua New Guinea for 20 years, and most recently spent 6 years in South Sudan. When I informed friends that I was now posted to Palestine, their response was mostly along the lines of: “What have you done wrong. Another tough place!” I quickly learnt to say I was appointed to Bethlehem instead, and the reaction was immediately more positive: “Wow, aren’t you fortunate.”

Bethlehem, for Christians, has always been associated with good news, peace, and joy. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation, proclaims, “Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope! (#86).”  Bethlehem gives us that hope, albeit amidst a difficult situation at times.

Bethlehem brings to mind images of peace and joy, because Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem University, a vision of Pope Paul VI, was established in 1973 precisely to promote hope and peace for all Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim.  In this sense, Bethlehem University is an investment in hope.

In a few years, we will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Bethlehem University’s inception. I am delighted to be part of a team that has big plans for a future well beyond that milestone.  The immediate plans include state-of-the-art facilities for the departments of Nursing Sciences and Hotel Management and Tourism, as well as a new Visitors and Student Fitness Center.

In 1893, when the De La Salle Brothers purchased a sizeable plot of land on a hill just out of Bethlehem village, they never could have dreamed of a University with over 3,300 students.  Yet, with time, needs have outgrown the original plot, and there have consequently been numerous projects, buildings and acquisitions.  One present goal is to realize a longer-term Master Plan for the main campus.  We rely on the support of good and generous friends to keep these dreams alive in a place chosen by God as his birthplace here on Earth.

Brother Denis Loft, FSC.
Vice President for Advancement

Mission Statement

The Advancement Office promotes a positive image of Bethlehem University and raises awareness of University programs and achievements. The Office assists faculty and staff in raising funds to enable the University to maintain and further enhance its mission of quality teaching, research and community service.

The Advancement Office include Development, Communications, Guest Relations, German Development and Alumni Relations. Together, they are responsible for broad areas of communication and capital development, coordinating the networking of the University with donors, funding agencies, alumni, and corporations and foundations.

In order to enhance the positive impact of Bethlehem University within the Palestinian society, funding support from external persons, foundations, and organizations is necessary.  To successfully seek funding support from external persons, foundations, and organizations, it is helpful to promote the achievements and positive impacts of Bethlehem University, especially those of the faculty, staff, students and graduates.

Consequently, to fulfill their responsibilities, the staff of the Advancement Office must be in communication and coordination with administrators, deans, chairpersons, faculty, and staff of the University to know their funding needs and plans for future growth as well as with alumni, funding organizations, and individuals who are in Palestine and around the globe who may be able to these needs.