Brother Michael Collins, who was principal at Saint Mary’s College High School from 1980 to 1987, passed away suddenly on January 8th due to complications from lung cancer. He was 74 years old. A member of the Midwest District, Brother Michael was in his 21st year as president of his alma mater, De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the time of his death.

Nationally recognized for his work on multicultural educational issues, Brother Michael served on numerous boards including the National Catholic Education Association, Lewis University in Illinois, and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He carried many leadership roles, was in demand as a speaker, and was appointed to the Council on Black Minnesotans by Governor Tim Pawlenty. In 2007, he was recognized with an NCEA award for his efforts in promoting diversity in Catholic education.

A native of Minneapolis, Brother Michael attended school there before matriculating to Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, where he received his BA in religious studies and music. While at Winona, he joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers and made his first vows in 1957. His first assignments were teaching and administrative positions in the Midwest.

Shortly after coming to the San Francisco District in 1980, Brother Michael was named principal of Saint Mary's College High School in Berkeley. Gery Short, Director of Education for the De La Salle Institute and a teacher at the high school during Brother Michael’s administration, recalls that "it was inspiring to see him stand up in front of the student body in the gym at the beginning of a liturgy, five or six hundred boys, widely diverse and street smart, call them to attention, watch them quiet, and tell them ‘gentlemen, our opening song is….’ and they sang. Only Br. Michael Collins could pull this off." Brother Michael’s term saw the formation of a Board of Regents, renovation of many campus facilities, construction of Harold Murphy Hall, and invigoration of the performing arts program. He was also instrumental in strengthening institutional development at the school.

On returning to the Midwest, he completed his Ed.D. in private school leadership from the University of San Francisco and was the graduation speaker for the School of Education at the commencement ceremony in 1991.

Brother Michael is warmly remembered by both his Midwestern and West Coast colleagues and students. Jim Segredo, President of Montini Catholic High School in Illinois, noted that Brother Michael’s “educational leadership and foresight as well as [his] commitment to providing Catholic education to all has inspired Lasallian educational leaders throughout the United States.” Ricardo Gressel, a 1983 graduate of Saint Mary’s College High School, recalled, “…he breathed in us a life of innovation, creativity, companionship, passion and discipline. His tenure on the Peralta Park campus in the 80s was priceless. His dedication to the development . . .of young boys aspiring to be men was made evident by his intelligent leadership while at St. Mary's College High School.“

More information about Brother Michael can be found on the Christian Brothers Conference website. To read or post memorials, go to the Caring Bridge site created just for Brother Michael.