Br. Henry Chaya, F.S.C.
Br. Henry Chaya, F.S.C.
Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Br. Henry was born in Newburgh, NY in 1951 and grew up in nearby Beacon, NY. He attended the Brothers’ school at St. Patrick’s in Newburgh. He graduated from Manhattan College with his B.S. in 1973 and returned in 1981 as a member of the faculty. Br. Henry has been with the Manhattan College Singers since 1970, both as a student and faculty member. He enjoys hiking, camping, and canoeing. Br. Henry is currently on leave to be chairman of the Computer Information Systems Department at Bethlehem University in Palestine.
Educational Background
B.S. Physics, Manhattan College, 1973
M.A. Princeton University, 1975
Ph.D. Princeton University, 1981
Area of Expertise
Electrical and Computer Engineering
On becoming a Christian Brother:
My first serious consideration of the Brothers was in May 1977. My education was finishing, so it was time to make a career decision. I was interested in teaching and knew the Brothers well from High School and College. So I tried it and it “fit.”
On teaching:
The best experience in teaching is when students finally understand a difficult concept.
Recalling a significant life experience:
Being under 24-hour military curfew for weeks at Bethlehem University.
On his various assignments as a Brother:
Manhattan has been my primary assignment so it has been the major influence on my life as a Brother. However, my experiences at Bethlehem have been powerful too. Facing your fears will do that.
Other Brothers who have influenced him:
Br. Peter Henderson
Br. Austin Bernabei
On his greatest contributions to the College:
My presence and example affirming the importance of the spiritual dimension in the lives of faculty, staff, and students.
On the future of Manhattan College:
Eventually it will come under lay leadership. I hope it will maintain its Catholic identity. We have done what we can to help that happen, but there are no guarantees.
More About Br. Henry:
I pray a lot for discernment about where God is calling me. I encourage all our students to do the same and have the courage to follow through with your calling.
Career at Manhattan
Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, 1996-2000
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, 1983 –
Assistant to the Acting Dean of Engineering, 1982-83
Physics Department, 1981-83
While currently serving as chair of the Computer Information Systems department at Bethlehem University, this is not Br. Henry’s first assignment at the university. He visited the college in 2003-04 when he served as coordinator of the Computer Information Systems Program. Br. Henry also served as a visiting professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY from 1991-92. While earning his Ph.D. at Princeton, Br. Henry taught at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ (1978-80).
