The Brother Rene’ Demers

Division of International Student Recruitment

Supporting Seton Catholic and Walsh University

The World United Division of International Student Recruitment, Study Abroad and Internship Programs is Proudly dedicated to Brother Rene’ Demers

 

In 1989 Brother Rene was appointed Director of Foreign Students for the newly created Seton Catholic Central. Brother Rene was a teacher, mentor and close friend to World United Founder Manny Dume. During the decade of the 1990’s Manny assisted Brother Rene’ with the recruitment of International students in Mexico for Seton Catholic. Manny was by Brother Rene’s side at the Champlain Valley Medical Center in Plattsburgh, New York in 2011 during his final hours. We celebrate Brother Rene’s legacy with naming World United’s Division of International Student Recruitment in his honor.

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Brother Rene’s History

He was born in New Bedford, MA on August 31, 1931, the son of Charles and Dora (Dubois) Demers. He entered the Brothers of Christian Instruction in 1949 in Alfred. He made his novitiate in Oka, QC in 1950-1951. Br. Rene manifested a great devotion to the founder of the Brothers, Venerable John-Mary de La Mennais.

Brother Rene completed his Bachelor's degree at St. Francis College in Biddeford. In 1952, he started his teaching career with a brief stint at St. Peter's in Plattsburgh, NY. He then taught in the following schools: St. Joseph's School in Waterville, for 10 years at St. Louis High School in Biddeford, at Denis Hall Junior High School in Alfred and three years at Msgr. Prevost High School in Fall River, MA. He was known to be a very devoted teacher, close to his students.

In 1969 Brother Rene arrived in Plattsburgh where he taught accounting courses at Mount Assumption Institute. He took charge of the Alumni Association taking great pride in updating addresses of the alumni with whom he kept in touch via "The Bridge," the school alumni newspaper. He faithfully clipped from newspapers anything dealing with the school and its alumni. These 35 scrapbooks are of great historical value. He also enjoyed running a concession stand after school and at basketball games.