De La Salle University (DLSU) President Br. Bernard Oca FSC was awarded by the New York (NY) State Assembly at the New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott.

"As a dedicated Lasallian, he has exemplified an unwavering commitment to the mission and values of the Lasallian educational tradition," part of the citation, which was signed by NY Assembly member Steven Raga, read.

The citation also furthered that Oca "has shown leadership qualities and a dedication to his community."

"He truly represents what serving a community is all about, and we know he will continue to lead in all his future endeavors."

Oca was also recently elected as new president of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and University (PAASCU).

PAASCU’s 15-person Board of Trustees and nine Commissions aim at supporting member schools in their journey toward quality improvement that is grounded in their educational philosophy and vision-mission. The association accredits academic programs and institutions.

Oca finished his grade school at De La Salle College, the former name of DLSU, and his high school at La Salle Green Hills. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree of Bachelor Arts in Literature at DLSU, where he also earned his Master of Arts in Language and Literature and Doctor of Education in Religious and Values Education.

Oca entered the postulancy in 1971, took the habit of the Brothers in 1974, and made his final vows at La Salle Green Hills in 1980.

He was president of La Salle Green Hills from 1997 to 2006. One of the founding Brothers of Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle in Bagac, Bataan, he served as its president from 2006 to 2007. In Academic Year 2007-2008, he returned to the Manila campus to serve as president of the DLSU Professional Schools, Inc., which managed the University’s graduate business programs.

When he was appointed as DLSU Chancellor in August 2018, where he vowed to continue advancing DLSU’s vision mission and to find innovative ways to harness the University’s potential.

The DLSU Board of Trustees named him as the 24th president of De La Salle University effective in 2021.