People on the Move: La Salle Names Kavanagh President

People on the Move: La Salle Names Kavanagh President

The Board of Trustees of La Salle Academy announced Tuesday that Donald J. Kavanagh, AFSC'69 ’69 will continue in the official capacity of President. This decision became official following approval by the Brothers of the Christian Schools’ District of Eastern North America. He will serve a three-year term concluding on June 30, 2028.

Kavanagh, who assumed the role of Interim President of La Salle Academy on July 1, 2025, has a long history at La Salle Academy. Having graduated from La Salle in 1969, he went on to teach Anatomy/Physiology, Biology, Health, and Physical Education. During his time as an educator, Kavanagh also coached cross country and track and field. He then went on to serve as Assistant Principal and Senior Class Dean from 1999 to 2000 before taking on the role of Principal of La Salle Academy, a position he held through June of 2022.

“Mr. Kavanagh has a reverence to our school’s history and Lasallian mission coupled with the vision to continue moving La Salle forward with respect for our virtues of academic excellence, faith, and service,” said David Miele ’78, Board Chair. “There is no one with more history and knowledge of the mission and inner workings of La Salle Academy. We are grateful to Mr. Kavanagh for his continued service.” 

While Kavanagh was Principal, La Salle enjoyed tremendous growth as a school and revitalized its campus. In the role of President, Mr. Kavanagh will seek to continue this upward trajectory as La Salle Academy continues to provide an exceptional Catholic, college-preparatory education in the Lasallian tradition. 

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Based on Kavanagh’s outstanding performance in the role of Interim President, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its meeting on Friday, October 3, 2025, to remove his interim status and extend Don’s term to conclude on June 30, 2028. The District of Eastern North America (DENA), also offered their approval of Kavanagh’s extension.

Kavanagh is the first official lay President of La Salle Academy in its 154-year history. 

La Salle will also benefit from the continued presence of former President, Brother Dennis Malloy (now President Emeritus), on campus to greet students and staff each morning with his friendly handshake and conversation, enhancing the spiritual fabric of the school.

La Salle Academy, a Catholic, independent co-educational college preparatory school for grades 9 -12, along with the De La Salle Middle School for grades 6 – 8 provides a rigorous and holistic education to students with special concern for the working class and the poor, faithful to St. John Baptist de La Salle’s enduring ideals of faith, service, and community.