Born in Baltimore on September 10, 1916, James N. Kelly entered the novitiate of the Christian Brothers in 1934 and became known as Brother Daniel Bernian. His teaching assignments were West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys, 1938-1940 and 1941-1947; College St. Patrice, Riviere du Loup (Quebec), 1940-1941; La Salle College High School in Philadelphia, 1947-1949; Ammendale (MD), 1949-1950; and La Salle College/University (1951-1952; 1953-1958; and 1970-1990).

A scholar of both the French and Spanish languages, Brother Bernian studied at Laval University in Quebec (1950-1951) and received a doctorate from Laval in 1952. He attended at the Christian Brothers’ Second Novitiate in Rome (1952-1953), was an exchange professor in Spain in 1953, and had a sabbatical in Barcelona (1969-1970).

Upon returning to La Salle in 1953, he was designated the first Director of Housing and—simultaneously—Dean of Men. The next year he left these posts and became the Vice President. As Vice President (1954-1958) he oversaw Student Affairs; some sources refer to him during these years as Dean of Students. In 1958 he was appointed La Salle’s 24th president. Milestones during his eleven year presidency included the new Student Union (opened in 1959); the founding of La Salle-in-Europe (1960), the opening of the Summer Music Theatre (1962), the creation of the Faculty Senate (1966); and the opening of evening classes to female students (1967). He also served as the director of the Christian Brothers’ community at La Salle (1961-1969 and 1971-1973). After serving as president, Brother Bernian continued to teach French and Spanish at La Salle until his retirement in 1987.

Brother Bernian was visible on the civic level as well. He was a highly respected member of the educational community of Greater Philadelphia and was one of the founders of the Community College of Philadelphia. He received honorary degrees from Villanova (1959), St. Joseph’s (1961), Temple (1963), and La Salle (1969).