Let There Be Light: The Jansen Family’s Lasting Legacy at De La Salle’s Learning Center

By Dan Murphy ’09, De La Salle High School Director of Admissions

If you walk through the doors of De La Salle High School’s Learning Center, the bustle of students, tutors, and the familiar hum of ‘Spartan Scholarship’ are sure to greet you. Occupying its space on the second story of the 400 Wing since 2017, the Learning Center is a space that’s become integral to the De La Salle student experience. Upon entering, a plaque at the door reads “Let There Be Light,” a testament not only to the physical transformation of two former classrooms but also to the vision and generosity of Deb and Paul Jansen, alumni parents whose commitment has helped shape generations of Spartans.

For the Jansen family, the story of the Learning Center began not with grand plans, but with a simple recognition: students need a space to get the help they need. “Some students need more help and we wanted to give those students a place to get what they need to be successful,” Deb reflected. At De La Salle, Deb noted, “you’ll be challenged, but you will have support. That’s the legacy of the Learning Center.” Their philanthropy, combined with Deb’s role as a tutor, created a lasting resource where De La Salle’s mission–to help every young man reach his best self–found tangible roots.

Initially, Deb and Paul feared that seeking academic support could carry a stigma. Deb recalled how quickly that changed at De La Salle, sharing that the realization of “you don’t have to be good at everything” quickly permeated campus. “Needing help and soliciting it is really a strength,” she said. Coaches, faculty, and students embraced this new ethos immediately. Today, visiting the Learning Center is seen as a mark of academic seriousness and self-respect. “Our hope was to create a place where every student, regardless of background, could access the help they needed- a true democracy in learning,” said Paul.

Reflecting on how the Learning Center strengthens De La Salle’s commitment to supporting every Spartan’s potential, Deb and Paul recalled many stories of the students who felt lost and ready to give up until a tutor shed light, guiding them towards confidence and new possibilities. One parent’s comments struck Deb a few years after the Learning Center opened, hearing that “my son would never have graduated and gotten into college if it was not for the Learning Center.” Underscoring the deeply personal impact the center has had on her family and countless others, the outpouring of gratitude from students, parents, and teachers, they say, “is the true legacy.”

Deb’s perspective as a tutor was especially formative. “Kids sometimes were overwhelmed and felt like giving up and we helped them see the light. For these kids, the Learning Center gave them a safe community, self-confidence, and the support they needed to thrive.” Her biggest takeaway? The relationships and the moments when a student realized someone truly cared about their success. These moments, repeated across years and students, are the heart of the Learning Center’s value.

As the fabric of education changes, the Jansens look to the future with hope and aspiration. Paul, who now teaches at UC Berkeley, believes every De La Salle graduate should leave fluent in using new tools, with the Learning Center continuing as both a tech-forward and deeply personal anchor. “What matters most is that it remains a safe space for everyone. Some people don’t like to ask for help, but if it can always be safe, they’ll become their best selves.” Grit, determination, and human connection: these, they believe, are the qualities De La Salle and the Learning Center instill and create leaders ready for the future. 

For sixty years, De La Salle has thrived on the generosity and vision of its families. The “Let There Be Light” plaque isn’t just a decorative addition to the 400 Wing’s brick walls, it’s a promise and a legacy, one that shines forward thanks to the Jansens’ enduring dedication. As new generations of Spartans step into the Learning Center, their path is a little brighter, their opportunities a little greater, showing, once again, how every space, and every generous heart, continues the mission of De La Salle.