Br. Daniel Fenton receives USLS Fides Award; urges graduates to advocate for the poor

The University of St. La Salle proudly conferred the prestigious Fides Award upon Br. Daniel Fenton FSC during the 2023 Graduation Rites for the Graduate School and the College of Medicine at the St. La Salle Coliseum on June 25.

The Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Edgar Chua, AFSC, and USLS President and Chancellor Br. Joaquin Severino Martinez FSC, DMin, recognized Br. Daniel’s unwavering faith, commitment to the Church, religious education, and pursuit of peace and justice through his dedicated work at the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Center (BPYC) in Bacolod City.

Br. Daniel, a California native, completed his high school education in Troy, Fullerton, and pursued higher education at California State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies.

He joined the De La Salle Christian Brothers’ Novitiate in 1985, making perpetual vows on May 15, 1992.

Throughout his service as a De La Salle Brother in various cities and countries, Br. Daniel demonstrated unwavering commitment and a genuine desire to positively impact the lives of others.

Notably, from 2004 to 2013, he organized and led volunteer trips to BPYC, providing hope and inspiration to both residents and volunteers.

From 2014 to 2023, as the Brother Animator of BPYC, Br. Daniel oversaw administration, finances, and government grants while ensuring the residents’ spiritual and religious well-being.

In his commencement speech Br. Daniel Fenton FSC thanked USLS for the recognition and urged the graduates to consider a covenant with God, emphasizing the importance of helping those in need.

He encouraged them to engage in pro bono work, become advocates for the marginalized, and work towards making healthcare accessible to all.

“If you do this, I have it on good authority that God will teach you the really important stuff—the stuff that sustains you through your extraordinary lives of professional achievement and generous service to those God holds most dear—and, in the end, you will discover who you really are. So, go do it,” Fenton said.