Christian Brothers Academy celebrated a special occasion on Saturday afternoon: the Installation Mass of the fourth president in school history, Mr. R. Ross Fales.

The Mass was celebrated by Father John Folchetti at St. Leo the Great in Lincroft, with Brothers, trustees, faculty, students, family and friends in attendance.

“It is with profound humility, yet great enthusiasm that I accept this special call to stewardship of Christian Brothers Academy,” Fales said in his address to the audience. “I stand before you today in a spirit of deep gratitude.”

Brother Robert Shaefer, Provincial of the Brothers’ District of Eastern North America, guided Fales in reciting the presidential oath of office and presented him with a medallion engraved with the school seal.

Fales follows in the footsteps of three Brothers of the Christian Schools who have served as CBA president: Brother Andrew O’Gara, Brother Frank Byrne ’75, and Brother Thomas Gerrow.

CBA’s new president is no stranger to the Academy, as Fales has been an administrator since 2006 and most recently served as the school’s ninth principal for seven years. During his time at CBA, he has also been the Associate Principal for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, as well as a member of the science faculty.

As principal, Fales guided CBA to several accomplishments, most notably earning the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2017. It was the second time in school history that CBA earned the award and was one of just 50 high schools nationally to receive the accommodation that year.

In his role as president, Fales is the Academy’s “institution builder,” serving as the chief administrator during an important time in the school’s history. The 157-acre campus is undergoing an exciting transformation, with multiple new facilities being constructed and additional projects scheduled to be completed in the coming years. Fales has a deep understanding of the importance of fundraising, enrollment management, and strategic growth for private, Catholic schools.

Fales has long been a champion of educating the “whole person,” something that has been a hallmark of the Brothers since the order’s founding by St. John Baptist De La Salle over 300 years ago. He served as a member of the Brothers’ District Mission Executive Council, working with the Brothers to support the Lasallian educational initiatives. Fales has directed CBA’s curriculum which puts emphasis on strong academics, supplemented by impactful experiences in faith, service, extracurricular activities, and athletics.

“As president of CBA, I will strive to uphold the great legacy built by the Brothers and lay faculty & staff before me, while also guiding CBA in the progress necessary to continue delivering a mission-driven, high quality, character focused, holistic and Catholic education in this 21^st century,” Fales concluded.