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Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textFall 2003 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis UniversityT H E M AG A Z I N E O F S A I N T L O U I S U N I V E R S I T Y
F A L L 2 0 0 3
By Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
Saint Louis University President
I’m convinced that it must have been a SLU graduate who coined the phrase, “What a small
world.”
I’m sure you’ve all had a similar experience: you’re sitting in a restaurant, standing in line
to check out at a grocery store or even taking in a ball game, and someone around you says
something like, “Didn’t you go to SLU?”
Whatever the opening line, what almost always ensues is a brief conversation between two
people. They may have never met before, but it’s as if an instant connection has been made.
They begin talking like old friends.
Although I realize that this phenomenon frequently happens between
people who share a common identity, I often come away from such experi-ences
convinced that members of our SLU community transcend the
superficialities of just sharing an alma mater or even a fondness for a particu-lar
sports team.
I truly believe our mission and our Ignatian heritage unites us on a deep-er
level. The recent Homecoming festivities only reinforced my belief. As
all of you know, during Homecoming, we welcome thousands of former
students back to campus, putting them in contact once again with each
other and with our current students, faculty and staff.
There were tours of Grand Center, our own home in Midtown, as well as
the new and improved Busch Student Center. There were parties, outdoor
concerts, Billiken soccer, a parade and fireworks. There were golf outings,
class reunions and tailgates. And serving as an appropriate, intimate ending
to the weekend, there was the Golden Billiken Brunch for members of the
classes up to and including the class of 1953.
Alhtough all of these activities are entertaining and help to demonstrate
our appreciation for members of our SLU family, perhaps the most satisfy-ing
element of Homecoming is found in the personal interaction between
longtime friends. For Homecoming is one of the few times during the year
in which generations of Billikens come back to campus to celebrate and
commemorate their shared identity. Alumni reminisce about old times
while also introducing their former classmates to their personal families. We at SLU show off
our campus and introduce our current family of students, faculty and staff, who share their
own thoughts and feelings about the SLU experience.
Alumni often share their own success stories, but more importantly, their stories about fam-ily,
friends and faith. They tell me how the philosophy, ethics and theological components
they once grumbled about now serve them well in their everyday lives.
Conversely, we let alumni know that SLU remains committed to informing and transform-ing
our current students, who, in turn, will transform society in the spirit of the Gospels. I
give assurances that although the nature of higher education has changed, SLU remains true
to its Jesuit, Catholic heritage — just like it has for generations, all the way back to its found-ing
in 1818.
Yes, we truly see the spirit of Saint Louis University revealed and refreshed during our
Homecoming festivities. It gives me great joy to hear about the ways in which members of
the SLU community continue to make a difference for their families, for their communities,
for their professions, for their world. Though it is only one weekend during the year, there’s
undoubtedly an invisible bridge that links generations of Billiken alumni together. We can be
reassured that SLU continues to succeed in preparing its graduates for a lifetime of service to
humankind.
It’s wonderful to see that SLU is indeed “where the heart is” in so many people’s lives.
UNIVERSITAS
Volume 30, No. 1
Editor
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
Assistant Editor
Chris Waldvogel
Contributors
Clayton Berry
Jeff Fowler
Photo Credits
Steve Dolan, 3, 9, 30
Joe Finlay, 4
Kevin Lowder, 10
Dave Preston, 26
John Quinn, S.J., 20
James Visser, cover, 4, 12-15
Chris Waldvogel, 2, 3, 5
New Line Cinema, 18, 20-22
Design
AKA Design Inc.
Art Direction: Richie Murphy
Design: Stacy Lanier
UNIVERSITAS is published by Saint
Louis University. Opinions expressed
in UNIVERSITAS are those of the indi-vidual
authors and not necessarily
those of the University administra-tion.
Unsolicited manuscripts and
photographs are welcome but will be
returned only if accompanied by a
stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Letters to the editor must be signed,
and letters not intended for publica-tion
should indicate that fact. The
editor reserves the right to edit all
items. Please address all mail to
UNIVERSITAS, DuBourg Hall 39, 221
N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103. We
accept e-mail at [email protected] and fax
submissions at (314) 977-2249.
Address fax submissions to Editor,
UNIVERSITAS.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
UNIVERSITAS, Saint Louis University, 221
N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
World Wide Web address:
www.slu.edu/pr/universitas.html
UNIVERSITAS is printed by Universal
Printing Co. and mailed by Accurate
Business Mailers Inc.
Worldwide circulation: 109,611
© 2003, Saint Louis University.
All rights reserved.
On the Cover: The new Busch
Student Center courtyard. For
more photos of Busch Student
Center, see page 12.
IIN MEMORIIAM AALLUUMMNNII nnootteess
2
24 32
28 30
FALL 2003
6
Home-Court Advantage
Take a peek at the plans for
Saint Louis University’s proposed arena.
10
Remembering Father Ong
A look at the life of one of
SLU’s most noted scholars.
12
Center of Attention
The renovated and expanded
Busch Student Center is drawing raves.
16
Momentum
The Campaign for Saint Louis University
marks its first anniversary.
18
Lore of the Rings
A SLU professor is one of the world’s
foremost experts on J.R.R. Tolkien.
C O N T E N T S
2
SLU named a
‘Best Buy’ again
Saint Louis University is
the nation’s top educa-tional
buy among all Jesuit
institutions according to U.S.
News & World Report, which
again recognized Saint Louis
University as one of the
country’s best values in high-er
education. Overall, the
magazine also ranked SLU
among the top four Catholic
universities in the country.
In the publication’s
“America’s Best Colleges
2004” issue, SLU is No. 41
on the best values list among
all national doctoral universi-ties.
This is the sixth consecu-tive
year that U.S. News has
highlighted the University as
a leading educational value.
SLU is the top Jesuit institu-tion
on the best value list and
the No. 2 Catholic school,
second only to the University
of Notre Dame. U.S. News
determines best values by
measuring academic quality
with the net cost of atten-dance
for a student who
receives an average level of
financial aid.
U.S. News also named Saint
Louis University among the
top four Catholic institutions
on its ranking of best national
doctoral universities, a group
that includes nearly 250
schools. SLU is No. 78 on
the list, with only Notre
Dame, Georgetown
University and Boston
College ranking higher.
HOMELAND SECURITY: Hundreds of people attended
the first town hall meeting on homeland security featuring
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Oct. 7 at
Saint Louis University. An interactive event with high
audience participation, the forum included (from left) Frank
Sesno, host of Worldtalk and former CNN anchor; Steve
Rohleder, global chief executive for government, Accenture;
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (Law ’80); Ridge; Dr. Karen
Webb, chief medical officer for Saint Louis University
Hospital; and Col. Tim Daniel, director for the Missouri
Office of Homeland Security. University President
Lawrence Biondi, S.J., gave the opening remarks.
Sword award
to honor Westfall
Saint Louis University will
give its highest honor to
the late George R. “Buzz”
Westfall (A&S ’68, Law ’69).
SLU will recognize the late
political leader with its Sword
of Ignatius Loyola during the
DuBourg Society Dinner
Dec. 7. Mr. Westfall died
Oct. 27. He was 59.
One of the region’s most
influential public figures of
the last 20 years,
Mr. Westfall was
elected St. Louis
County executive
in 1990 and was
re-elected three
times. Noted for
his bipartisanship
and regional focus,
his accomplish-ments
included the establish-ment
of a shelter for battered
women and children.
The Sword of Ignatius
Loyola is named for the
founder of the Society of
Jesus. Symbolic of the
Ignatian vision of service,
sword recipients have given
themselves to humankind for
the greater glory of God.
Louis; Keith F. Muccino, S.J.,
assistant professor of internal
medicine and Catholic chap-lain
at Georgetown University
School of Medicine; and
Robert L. Niehoff, S.J., vice
president for budget and plan-ning
at the University of San
Francisco.
New trustees
join SLU board
Three new trustees have
joined the Saint Louis
University board: L.B.
Eckelkamp Jr., chairman of the
board and CEO of the Bank of
Washington (Mo.) and chair-man
and president of Cardinal
Bancorp and Cardinal Bancorp
II, which owns the United
Bank of Union and Citizens
National Bank of Greater St.
SLU JOINS A10 CONFERENCE
Saint Louis University is joining the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The Billikens will begin intercollegiate athletic competition
in the Atlantic 10 during the 2005-06 academic year.
The Atlantic 10 Conference is in its 28th year of NCAA
Division I competition. The league’s members include
Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, George Washington, LaSalle,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, St. Bonaventure,
Saint Joseph’s, Temple and Xavier.
Saint Louis University currently is a charter member of
Conference USA. In early November, five C-USA member
schools — Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette and
USF — accepted invitations to join the Big East Conference.
Five new schools — Central Florida, Marshall, Rice, SMU
and Tulsa — filled C-USA’s vacant positions.
For more details, visit www.slubillikens.com.
Three new deans
now on campus
Dr. Ellen Harshman (Grad
’78, Law ’92) is the new dean
of the John Cook School of
Business. She succeeds the
retiring Dr. Leroy Grossman,
who was interim dean for one
year. Harshman has served
SLU in several leadership roles
since 1972, including associate
dean of the business school,
director of the career planning
and placement center and assis-tant
to the vice president for
student development. She also
holds the rank of associate pro-fessor
of management and
most recently was SLU’s senior
vice provost. Among her many
responsibilities in this role,
Harshman administered com-
NEWS BRIEFS
By The Numbers
4 National rank of Parks College
of Engineering and Aviation’s
aerospace engineering program,
according to U.S. News and
World Report. Overall, Parks’
undergraduate engineering pro-grams
moved up three spots on
the U.S. News list to No. 27.
498 Residents sponsored by
SLU’s School of Medicine in 50
different residencies, subspecialty
residencies and fellowships rotat-ing
through eight affiliated teach-ing
hospitals and 18 affiliated
health care institutions.
8,742 Phone pledges made dur-ing
fiscal year 2003 for a total for
1 mil-lion
has been raised through
phoning.
In September, SLU sponsored a
two-evening gala event called
“Denim & Diamonds” to
benefit public education,
research and treatment of liver
disease. On Sept. 12, Willie
Nelson headlined “Denim,” a
concert to benefit the SLU Liver
Center and the Julia Spears
Foundation for Liver Disease.
On Sept. 13, “Diamonds” fea-tured
country music artist Naomi
Judd, who spoke at a black-tie
dinner to benefit SLU’s Liver
Center. … Dr. Robert B.
Belshe, Adorjan professor of
infectious diseases and director of
the Center for Vaccine
Development, received the
Clinical Virology Award for
2003 from the Pan American
Society for Clinical Virology. …
Sandra H. Johnson (A&S ’73),
the Tenet Endowed Chair in
Health Law and Ethics is one of
four winners of the 2003
Pellegrino Medal for contribu-tions
to health care ethics. …
Dr. Marla Berg-Weger, pro-fessor
and director of field service
education for the School for
Social Service since 1995, has
been named associate provost. …
Maria Whitehead, a member of
Wake Forest’s 2002 NCAA
Division I field hockey champi-onship
team, is SLU’s new head
field hockey coach. The appoint-ment
is her first head coaching
position. … Dr. Seung H.
Kim, professor of international
business and director of the
Boeing Institute of International
Business, has been appointed to
serve on the Presidential
Advisory Council for the
Peaceful Reunification of the
Republic of Korea.
RESEARCH PLANS: Preliminary plans are under way
for the design and site selection for a new research center at
the Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, part of
an 300 million “Campaign for Saint Louis
University: Where Knowledge Touches Lives.”
pliance with the University’s
accrediting agencies, served as
a liaison with state-wide edu-cational
agencies and oversaw
the libraries, Reinert Center
for Teaching Excellence and
office of institutional study.
Harshman has earned numer-ous
honors during her SLU
career and was named SLU’s
Woman of the Year in 1981.
Dr. Charlotte Royeen, a
national leader in her field of
occupational therapy, is the
new dean of the Doisy School
of Allied Health Professions.
Royeen most recently served
as associate dean for research at
Creighton’s School of
Pharmacy and Allied Health
Professions and professor of
occupational therapy. Prior to
that, she was the founding
chair and professor of occupa-tional
therapy at Shenandoah
University in Winchester, Va.,
and worked for several years
for the U.S. Department of
Education’s Office of Special
Education Programs. Royeen
holds a doctorate from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State
University in Blacksburg, Va.,
and a master’s degree in occu-pational
therapy from
Washington University School
of Medicine. At the confer-ence
of the American
Occupational Therapy
Association, Royeen received
the 2002 Eleanor Clarke Slagle
Lectureship Award, which is
the highest scholarly achieve-ment
bestowed in occupational
therapy.
Dr. Bjong Wolf Yeigh
joined the Saint Louis
University community July 1
as the dean for Parks College
of Engineering and Aviation.
He came to SLU from Yale
University, where he was assis-tant
provost of science and
technology since 1999. He
succeeds Dr. Charles
Kirkpatrick, who was dean of
Parks College for nine years
and is on the department of
chemistry faculty. Yeigh
received a bachelor’s degree in
engineering science from
Dartmouth College, a master’s
degree in mechanical engi-neering
from Stanford and a
doctorate in civil engineering
and operations research from
Princeton. A former tactical air
intelligence officer assigned to
Fighter Squadron 74, Yeigh
served in the U.S. Navy dur-ing
the Gulf War and for a
total of eight years in active
and reserve duties, leaving with
a rank of lieutenant.
Yeigh
Royeen
Harshman
New technology
VP on board
Ellen Watson is Saint Louis
University’s new vice
president for information
technology services.
Although Watson may be
new to SLU, she is familiar
with the Jesuit mission.
Before coming to SLU, she
was the vice president of
information service at Loyola
University Chicago, a post
she had held since 1999.
Watson boasts 19 years of
experience in her field, hav-ing
served as associate vice
president for information ser-vices
and dean of library ser-vices
at Indiana State
University for four years and
associate provost for informa-tion
resources and technology
at Bradley University for two
years. She received her bach-elor’s
degree from Wellesley
College and her master’s from
the University of Maryland.
Drabble wins
Literary Award
Saint Louis University
Library Associates pre-sented
English author
Margaret Drabble with the
2003 Saint Louis Literary
Award at a ceremony Oct.
21. Drabble, a novelist, biog-rapher,
critic and short story
writer, is the author of The
Seven Sisters, The Peppered
Moth, The Witch of Exmoor
and The Millstone. She is also
editor of The Oxford
Companion to English
Literature. Drabble joins a dis-tinguished
group of authors
honored with this award dur-ing
the past 36 years.
Recipients include such
luminaries as Arthur Miller,
Joyce Carol Oates and
Seamus Heaney. Last year’s
winner was Joan Didion.
Biodefense
research brings
schools together
Anew research center based
in St. Louis will play a
major role in protecting the
American public against
bioterrorism and emerging
infectious diseases. Washington
University School of Medicine
and Saint Louis University
School of Medicine will be
part of a multi-institutional
Midwest Regional Center for
Excellence in Biodefense and
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Research (MRCE). The cen-ter
will be funded by a five-year,
35 million grant from
the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The founding members of the
MRCE also include Case
Western Reserve University,
the University of Missouri-
Columbia and the Midwest
Research Institute of Kansas
City. The new center will
concentrate on expanding cur-rent
research efforts in biode-fense.
For example, the team’s
initial research effort will focus
on poxvirus infections, which
include diseases such as small-pox.
The ultimate goals are to
improve the safety of vaccines
and to develop new therapies.
Kavanaugh wins
press award
Saint Louis University phi-losophy
professor and mag-azine
columnist John
Kavanaugh, S.J., (A&S ’65,
Grad ’66, ’71) received top
honors from the National
Catholic Press Association. His
“Ethics Notebook,” which
regularly appears in America
magazine, earned the Best
Regular Column Award from
Kavanaugh
MIXING IT UP: What’s cooking in the department of
nutrition and dietetics in the Doisy School of Allied Health
Professions? Mark E. Miller, a certified executive chef,
shown here supervising students Christina Bologna (left)
and Diana Kingston, has joined the Saint Louis University
faculty and is teaching future dietitians how healthy foods
can be prepared to taste great. Miller, most recently a chef
at Westborough Country Club, is sold on the University’s
new, one-of-a-kind degree program that prepares students
to become registered dietitians while they receive training for
their culinary arts credential. “Our degree is perfect for stu-dents
who want to work as personal chefs, among other spe-cializations,”
Miller said.
International HIV
trial led by SLU
Saint Louis University is
leading an international
vaccine trial to study a
promising HIV prevention
vaccine in humans. The trial
is being conducted through
the HIV Vaccine Trials
Network (HVTN) of the
National Institutes of Health.
This is the first HVTN trial
to be conducted simultane-ously
in the United States and
abroad — in St. Louis,
Boston (through Harvard
University) and Gaborone,
Botswana — and it signifies a
dedication to transcending
borders in the fight against
HIV. This vaccine has never
been tested in humans. The
trial is looking at the safety
and immune response of an
experimental HIV vaccine
the association, which repre-sents
640 publications with a
combined circulation of nearly
27 million in the United States
and Canada. In honoring him,
the National Catholic Press
Association said: “Father
Kavanaugh examines public
issues through a moral lens and
discusses them thoughtfully
and powerfully.”
4
The December 1963 issue of Saint
Louis University Magazine featured a
cover photo of the new Griesedieck
Memorial Hall, which was dedicat-ed
Nov. 30, 1963.
A news item mentioned that
fund raising for Busch Memorial
Center was under way — .1.5 mil-lion
had been raised, and a 3.25 million.
The issue also highlighted the
Midwest Assembly on Outer Space,
a conference co-sponsored by SLU
and held that September. The
assembly brought together a cross
section of leaders in education, gov-ernment,
labor, business, industry,
law, medicine, military and commu-nications
from a 14-state area to
consider the topic, “Outer Space:
Prospects for Man and Society.”
Participants included James E.
Webb, the head of NASA, and U.S.
Sen. Stuart Symington of Missouri.
Another article featured an alum-nus,
Robert Burns (Parks ’59), who
was the first Missourian to join the
Peace Corps. Burns was a land irri-gation
specialist in Pakistan.
Quotable UTAS: “It would be
tragic if we were able to pinpoint
rockets in space but unable to deter-mine
where we were going as
human beings.” — Charles A.
Sheehan, Missouri state representa-tive
and speaker at the Midwest
Assembly on Outer Space
Sign of the times: It was reported
that tuition for the 1964-65 school
year for full-time undergraduates
and law students would be 100 over 1963-64 rates. School of
Medicine students were slated to
pay $700 per semester.
SLU nabs C-USA
GPA award again
Conference USA has
named Saint Louis
University as the recipient of
the Institutional Excellence
Award for the eighth
consecutive year. The
award is given to the
member school
with the highest
SLU listed as ‘Best
Place to Work’
For the second time since
2000, Saint Louis
University has made the St.
Louis Business Journal’s “Best
Places to Work” list. This year,
SLU was honored in the “Best
Practice” category — the only
institution so recognized — for
the development of
Hometown SLU, which is
designed to spur development
near the St. Louis campus
while assisting SLU employees
looking to purchase a home in
certain areas near campus.
Since Hometown SLU was
unveiled Feb. 5, 19 people
have applied to the program
and been approved. Full-time,
eligible employees may receive
f
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textFall 2006 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis UniversityCatching up with SLU’s
Madrid Campus page 8
Not Your Typical College Cafeteria page 14 Shimmy Gray-Miller: Off Court, On the Record page 18
E d i t o r
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
C o n t r i b u t o r s
Jeff Fowler
Nancy Solomon
“ O n C a m p u s ” n e w s s t o r i e s
University Communications
Medical Center Media Relations
Billiken Media Relations
De s i g n
Art Direction: Matthew Krob
Universitas is published by Saint Louis University. Opin-ions
expressed in Universitas are those of the individual
authors and not necessarily those of the University admin-istration.
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are
welcome but will be returned only if accompanied by a
stamped, self-addressed envelope. Letters to the editor
must be signed, and letters not intended for publication
should indicate that fact. The editor reserves the right to
edit all items. Address all mail to Universitas, DuBourg Hall
39, 221 N. Grand, St. Louis, Mo. 63103. We accept e-mail
at [email protected] and fax submissions at (314) 977-2249.
Address fax submissions to Editor, Universitas.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Universitas, Saint Louis University,
221 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
World Wide Web address:
www.slu.edu/pr/universitas.html
Universitas is printed by Universal Printing Co.
and mailed by Specialty Mailing.
Worldwide circulation: 111,720
© 2006, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Volume 3 3 , I ssue 1
I was having dinner in Beirut with the presi-dent
of Notre Dame University of Lebanon
on July 12 when he got the call: Hezbollah
militants had just abducted two Israeli soldiers.
At that point, I had no idea just how harrowing
the next week would be.
When I left for Lebanon just two days ear-lier
to deliver Notre Dame’s commencement ad-dress,
I had no indication a crisis was brewing.
But by July 13 all hell broke loose. From my
hotel in northern Beirut, I heard Israeli jets at-tacking
the Hezbollah section of the city. From
my balcony I could see clouds of black smoke
rise into the air, and at night I could see fires on
the horizon. When the airport and major roads
were bombed, I began to wonder when — if
— I would get back to St. Louis.
For the most part, I felt safe. Because the ho-tel
was in the so-called Christian area of greater
Beirut, we were told it was unlikely to be a tar-get.
Even so, the fighting grew more intense ev-ery
day. Occasional black-outs
and media warnings
to stay in the hotel kept
me on edge. Even more
unnerving, days passed
with no word from the
staff at the U.S. embassy,
even though I had taken
care to register my pres-ence
with them several
times. Literally waiting
by the phone in my hotel
room, I began to feel like
a hostage.
Finally — at 3 a.m.
on July 19 — Saint Louis
University’s general counsel called to say he had
received word from the State Department that
I would be leaving on the cruise ship the Orient
Queen that day and would be permitted only
one 30-pound bag.
I rounded up my essential documents, left
my other luggage behind and headed to the des-ignated
staging area. Waiting in line, I heard
bombs exploding, sounding like thunderclaps
reverberating in every direction.
After showing my passport to the embassy
staff, I boarded a bus to the Beirut seaport. I
joined about 200 men, women and children
gathered there, all of us anxious to be cleared
to board ship. Bombs were dropping just a few
miles away; it was the closest I had been to the
fighting.
We finally left port at 4 p.m. with an Ameri-can
warship, the U.S.S. Gonzalez, following us
in a corridor only half a mile wide. The Gonza-lez
accompanied us all the way to Cyprus. We
arrived just after midnight, but a ship bearing
French national evacuees from Beirut had ar-rived
before us, so we had to stay on the Orient
Queen for three more hours.
Tension was high. Everyone was anxious to
get off the ship, find a place to stay and begin
making their necessary travel arrangements.
Some people fainted; some got angry. There was
some pushing and shoving and even a fistfight.
When more than 1,000 of us were told we could
disembark, the exodus process became chaotic.
Eventually, I got off the ship and to a taxi
that took me to a hotel about 50 miles away.
I was able to catch a chartered plane the next
evening, and I finally arrived in St. Louis at 1
p.m. July 21. It had taken me about 12 hours to
get from the United States to Lebanon by plane.
It took me nearly 52 hours — by bus, ship, taxi
and plane — to get home.
Although I was relieved to be out of war-torn
Lebanon, I must
confess that my experi-ences
there were among
the most memorable of
my life. I’m not saying I’d
willingly do it again, but
I am genuinely grateful
that I had an opportunity
to get to know and appre-ciate
the Lebanese people
and see how resiliently
they handled this crisis.
I also am genuinely
grateful for the sober-ing
moments I spent in
my hotel room thinking
about my life, my relationships and my work at
SLU. I know I have a reputation for being some-what
tough and business-minded at times. But I
came to realize how fortunate I am — with the
help of my God — that so many people were
thinking of and praying for me.
Even several months later, I continue to re-flect
on my life-changing experiences in Leba-non.
I am not a politician, but I know that
what’s most important is to settle this conflict
for the long term. If not, the Lebanese and Is-raeli
people — especially the children — will
continue to suffer. And unlike me, they won’t
get a call at three in the morning to board the
Orient Queen and get out.
— Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
A version of this essay appeared July 30 on the Com-mentary
page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
President’s Message
photo by Jim Visser
U N I V E R S I T A S F A L L 2 0 0 6
F E AT U R E S
Universidad
de San Luis
SLU’s Madrid campus
offers students the world.
By Laura Geiser
A landmark campus gateway framed by fall foliage.
Photo by Kevin Lowder
DE PA R TMEN T S
2 On Campus
Arena groundbreaking Update on
SLU’s national rankings Lincoln
exhibit brings visitors to campus
6 Billiken News
Soccer stadium readies for the College
Cup Forward pass marks its 100th
7 Campaign Update
Campaign already exceeds 80.5 million
multipurpose Arena Aug. 28 at the Arena site near Compton
and Laclede avenues. University officials, coaches and student
athletes as well as St. Louis dignitaries were in attendance to celebrate
the new facility, which includes a 10,600-seat Arena, a practice facil-ity,
athletics offices, locker rooms and training facilities.
“It has taken us a long time to get here,” said University President
Lawrence Biondi, S.J. “While I am not known as the most patient
man in St. Louis, I never lost faith that we would get to this day. And,
thankfully, there were many others who believed as I did.”
The new Arena will be home to Billikens men’s and women’s bas-ketball
and will host a variety of other events such as concerts, confer-ences,
trade shows and commencements. It is expected to bring more
than 400,000 people to Midtown St. Louis each year. St. Louis-based
Clayco will build the Arena, with an expected opening in March
2008.
“There are few institutions in St. Louis that have done more to
enhance life in the city than Saint Louis University,” said Barry H.
Beracha, chairman of the SLU board of trustees. “I ask our friends
from throughout the region to help us complete the fundraising for
this wonderful facility.”
Arena donors were recognized at the event, which also brought out
hundreds of faculty, staff, students and Billiken fans to witness the
beginning of the long-awaited project.
“This is one of the greatest days in Billiken
athletics history, and I’m overjoyed to be here
and be part of it,” said director of athletics
Cheryl L. Levick. “This building is a product
of a tremendous grass roots fundraising effort
because this is a privately funded facility that
did not tap into student fees or tuition dol-lars.
No matter the size of the gift, everyone
involved in contributing to this building has
the right to be extremely proud today.”
“I want to thank Father Biondi and the
board of trustees for giving our program the
opportunity to compete on a national level,”
said men’s basketball head coach Brad Soder-berg.
“When we bring recruits to campus, they now will know that we
are serious about competing with the best programs in the country.”
“The University administration has done its job in bringing this
building to life,” said women’s basketball head coach Shimmy Gray-
Miller. “Now I promise that I will do my job, my staff will do its job, and
our student-athletes will do their job to produce winning basketball.”
The Arena complex will be built on University-owned property
on the eastern end of campus and will be visible from Interstate 64/
Highway 40. It will be funded through fundraising, 1 million for the Arena, moving the University
closer to the project fundraising goal.
For others who would like to make a gift, there still is time to be
part of the Arena project. To make a donation online, go to arena.slu.
edu or call (314) 977-2499. — JF
Arena construction under way;
opening planned for March 2008
Top: The official groundbreakers: (from left) Dan Mitchell, partner, Mackey Mitchell
Associates; L.B. Eckelkamp, SLU trustee; Joe Imbs, president, St. Louis market, U.S.
Bank; Thomas Brouster Sr., SLU trustee; Soderberg; Levick; Dr. Joe Weixlmann, SLU
provost; Biondi; St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; Kathleen Brady, SLU vice president for
facilities management and civic affairs; Gray-Miller; 19th Ward Alderman Michael
McMillan; Beracha, Vince Schoemehl, president, Grand Center; Bob Clark, Clayco
chairman and chief executive officer; and Evan Krauss, president, SLU Student
Government Association. Middle: St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (Law ’80) addresses
the crowd. Above: Gray-Miller, Biondi, Soderberg and Levick throw the dirt.
U.S.News keeps SLU
on its ‘Best Buy’ list
For the ninth consecutive year, U.S.News & World
Report has recognized Saint Louis University as one
of the nation’s best values in higher education. In
its special “America’s Best Colleges” issue, U.S.
News lists SLU among the top 50 national, doctoral
universities on its coveted “Great Schools, Great
Prices” list. SLU joins Georgetown and Boston College
among the Catholic institutions on the best values list.
In addition, SLU climbed to No. 77 on U.S. News’ rankings of the
nearly 250 national universities in the country — a list topped by
Princeton and Harvard. It’s the third straight year that SLU has risen in
these rankings. Once again, SLU ranked among the top five Catholic
institutions in the country on this overall list.
Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology’s aerospace
engineering program was ranked No. 5, and undergraduate engineering
programs overall were ranked 29th among engineering schools whose
highest degree is a master’s.
SLU’s undergraduate business programs in the John Cook School of
Business again were ranked among the top 100 of the nation.
Princeton Review
also honors SLU
The Princeton Review has named Saint Louis University one of the top
institutions in the country for undergraduate education. SLU also was
listed as one of the best universities in the Midwest in the 2007 edition
of Princeton Review’s annual book, The Best 361 Colleges. Only about
15 percent of four-year colleges in America and two Canadian colleges
made the publication. The book does not rank the colleges 1 to 361 in
any single category.
The book’s rankings are based on a survey
of 110,000 students attending the
colleges in the book. In the survey,
SLU students spoke highly of the
University’s business, pre-med and
pre-law programs as well as unique
programs in aviation and nutrition.
Survey respondents also noted that
SLU students are friendly and that
the University offers a great library.
Doisy College of health
sciences adds new programs
Already experiencing an enroll-ment
boom, Saint Louis Uni-versity’s
Edward and Margaret
Doisy College of Health Sciences an-ticipates
even more growth in the future
as it prepares to assume responsibility
for three programs that will be discon-tinued
at the Barnes-Jewish College of
Nursing and Allied Health in St. Louis
next year.
Dr. Charlotte Royeen, dean of Doisy
College, said next fall SLU plans to offer
the following new options for SLU stu-dents,
pending approval by the board of
trustees: A new bachelor of science pro-gram
in radiation therapy; a new bache-lor
of science program in cytotechnology;
and a proposed expansion of the graduate
program in the department of nutrition
and dietetics.
SLU and Barnes-Jewish officials are
working to make sure that the transition
for both students and employees goes
smoothly. Some faculty at Barnes-Jew-ish
College will join the faculty of SLU’s
Doisy College, and students enrolled in
SLU programs still will have the option
of participating in clinical training on-site
at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
SLU honors Maronite patriarch
Saint Louis University bestowed its highest honor, the Sword of Ignatius Loyola, on
the patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church June 30. His Beatitude and Eminence
Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, visited St. Louis
as part of a pastoral visit to America. He was the most significant religious figure to visit St.
Louis since Pope John Paul II in 1999, and his visit marked only the fourth time a Maronite
patriarch has journeyed to the United States. Sfeir also received an honorary doctorate of laws
from Saint Louis University.
En route to the award ceremony, University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., (right) shares a light moment with Maronite
Bishop Robert J. Shaheen (far left) and Cardinal Sfeir (second from left).
Photos by Steve Dolan
Photo by Kevin Lowder
U N I V E R S I T A S w w w . s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I T A S F A L L 2 0 0 6
Gilsinan
to accept
professorship,
step down
as dean
Saint Louis University’s College of
Public Service has reached a new
milestone: the establishment of its
first named professorship. Civic leader E.
Desmond “Des” Lee provided funding to
support the E. Desmond Lee Professor-ship
in Collaborative Regional Education.
Dr. James Gilsinan, dean of the Col-lege
of Public Service, has been named
the first holder of the professorship. Be-cause
the professorship requires teaching,
research and service, Gilsinan will step
down as dean and rejoin the faculty on
a full-time basis at the end of December.
The honor recognizes Gilsinan’s decades
of service to St. Louis area schools, local
governments and non-profit organiza-tions.
As a Des Lee Professor, Gilsinan
will join scholars from Washington Uni-versity
in St. Louis and the University of
Missouri-St. Louis in researching ways to
help schools and communities improve
the lives of young people.
Michael Frayn wins Literary Award
The Saint Louis University Library Associates will pres-ent
the Saint Louis Literary Award to Tony Award-winning
playwright, novelist and translator Michael
Frayn at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the Anheuser-Busch
Auditorium of SLU’s John and Lucy Cook Hall. The pro-gram
is free and open to the public.
Frayn is the author of several plays, including Noises Off,
Democracy and Copenhagen, which won the 2000 Tony Award
for Best Play. He has written several novels including The Tin
Men, The Russian Interpreter and Spies. He also has translated
several plays by Chekov and Tolstoy from Russian.
In receiving the award, Frayn joins a select group of previous
recipients, including Robert Penn Warren, Arthur Miller and
Tom Wolfe. The award has been presented annually since 1967.
Researchers tackle
mold removal
Armed with a $408,000 grant from
the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, a team from
Saint Louis University School of Public
Health hopes to create universal stan-dards
for getting rid of mold in homes and
buildings. Dr. Anu Dixit, assistant profes-sor
of environmental and occupational
health and principal investigator, said that
the team will review existing, inconsistent
guidelines for mold removal from homes
and buildings by surveying about 400
mold assessment and remediation profes-sionals.
The team will then use the re-sponses
to develop a single comprehensive,
scientifically sound plan for homeowners
and mold remediation experts to follow.
“The timing couldn’t be better for Hur-ricane
Katrina and Rita victims, some of
whom are still battling mold problems in
their homes and businesses,” Dixit said.
News Briefs
Saint Louis University has appointed Karla Gable director of undergraduate admission. She
most recently was assistant vice president of business development at the Missouri Higher
Education Loan Authority (MOHELA), where she oversaw all marketing and public relations
efforts. Prior to joining MOHELA in 2000, Gable was associate dean of enrollment and director
of financial aid at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
Dr. Neil Seitz has stepped down as interim dean of Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and
Technology. Dr. Manoj Patankar (Parks ’92), associate professor and chairman of aviation
science, has been named interim dean. A committee has been formed to begin the search for a
new dean for Parks.
Covering more than three-dozen specialties, 112 SLUCare doctors have been selected for
St. Louis Magazine’s 2006 “Best Doctors” list. The list is based on the annual “Best Doctors
in America” database, which considers more than one million peer evaluations to create a
directory of approximately 30,000 doctors. A total of 104 SLUCare physicians were chosen for
last year’s list.
Dr. Teri Murray (Nurs ’79, Grad ’93, ’97) has been named the new director of the School of
Nursing in the Doisy College of Health Sciences. Murray, previously the associate director,
succeeds interim director Dr. Margie Edel. Murray, also an associate professor of nursing,
recently was named to the prestigious 2006 Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows
Program, which provides individual leadership development for nurses who aspire to lead
and shape the U.S. health care system. She is also the president of the Missouri State Board
of Nursing.
Dr. Jennifer Kohler (A&S ’93, Grad ’97, ’99) is the new director of the School for Professional
Studies. She is the first director of the school in a new position created as a result of the recent
merger with the College of Public Service. Kohler previously served as director of organizational
studies, interim associate dean and associate dean in the School for Professional Studies.
The National Defense Transportation Association has named Saint Louis University’s Dr. Ik-
Whan Kwon (Grad ’90), professor of decision sciences and management information systems,
as the 2006 recipient of the NDTA Educator Distinguished Service Award. Kwon is recognized
internationally for his specialization in supply chain design and management and is director of
the Consortium for Supply Chain Management Studies at the John Cook School of Business.
Campus goes wireless
This summer, Saint Louis Uni-versity’s
information technology
staffers and subcontractors pulled
150,000 feet of wire throughout campus
to make SLU completely wireless. Now
the University’s wireless network includes
the entire campus — including residence
halls and academic buildings.
Campus Kitchen marks its fifth
anniversary and serves its 125,000th meal
In September, Saint Louis University’s Campus Kitchen cel-ebrated
its fifth anniversary and served its 125,000th meal. In
2001, SLU served as the pilot school for the Campus Kitchens
Project, a growing network of Campus Kitchens that are hosted by
universities across the country.
Each Campus Kitchen shares dining hall kitchen space with
host universities; partners with campus dining to recycle safe, us-able
food that would normally go to waste; and mobilizes college
students and community volunteers to make and deliver meals to
the community.
Each month, SLU Campus Kitchen volunteers deliver more
than 2,000 meals and snacks to local residents, community cen-ters
and after-school programs. Volunteers prepare meals in an on-campus
cafeteria and then deliver them to individual families and
group service centers.
SLU’s success has paved the way for the Campus Kitchens Proj-ect
to schedule three new site openings this fall, bringing the net-work
to 10 Campus Kitchens nationwide.
Sobrino returns to
SLU after 15 years
One of Saint Louis University’s
most famous alumni was back
on campus in September for
the first time in 15 years. SLU’s Great Is-sues
Committee welcomed Jon Sobrino,
S.J. (A&S ’62, Grad ’65), who discussed
“Being Christian in a World of Poor
and Victims.” Sobrino’s contributions to
theology have been recognized with nu-merous
awards, includin
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textFall 2008 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis UniversityINSIDE:
A Q&A with
John Kavanaugh, S.J.
page 12
Emergency Preparedness
page 16
First Class of Presidential
Scholars
page 19
16
2
Volume 35, Issue 1
Editor
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
Contributors
Clayton Berry
David Chilenski (Cook ’98)
Marie Dilg (Grad SW ’94)
Nick Sargent
“On Campus” news stories
University Communications
Medical Center Communications
Billiken Media Relations
Design
Art Direction: Matt Krob
Universitas is published by Saint Louis University.
Opinions expressed in Universitas are those of the
individual authors and not necessarily those of the
University administration. Unsolicited manuscripts and
photographs are welcome but will be returned only if
accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Letters to the editor must be signed, and letters not
intended for publication should indicate that fact. The
editor reserves the right to edit all items. Address all
mail to Universitas, DuBourg Hall 39, 221 N. Grand,
St. Louis, Mo. 63103. We accept e-mail at utas@
slu.edu and fax submissions at (314) 977-2249.
Address fax submissions to Editor, Universitas.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Universitas, Saint Louis University,
221 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
World Wide Web address:
www.slu.edu/pr/universitas.html
Universitas is printed by Universal Printing Co.
and mailed by Specialty Mailing.
Worldwide circulation: 118,600
© 2008, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
FALL 2004 WINTER 2005
Twenty years ago, I had just begun to
settle in for my first year here at Saint
Louis University when I challenged
our board of trustees and administration team
to create new ways for us to fulfill our mission
of forming women and men for others. We
knew that the Saint Louis University educa-tional
experience was a unique opportunity,
and we were striving to find a new way to
attract students who not only were high-caliber
academic scholars but also had the potential to
become the type of leaders needed to improve
our communities.
Due to the generosity of alumni and SLU
supporters, we were able to establish the Presi-dential
Scholars program, which back in 1988,
awarded the first 10 recipients with full schol-arships
to Saint Louis University. In this issue
of Universitas you will see how that investment
continues to pay dividends for these 10 men
and women and for the communities in which
they live.
I am blessed to have been at SLU long
enough not only to witness the growth of this
first class of Presidential Scholars during their
years at SLU, but also now to see how they
have grown and fulfilled the promise we saw in
them two decades ago. Starting on page 19, you
can read about this “first-class” group — an
emergency room physician, owner of a social
service agency, corporate lawyer, business
analyst, piano teacher, researcher, pediatrician,
manager for a home health care company and
two alumnae serving their families as full-time
mothers.
Although they have settled on careers and
homes that literally are all over the map, the
members of the initial class of Presidential
Scholars — much like the more than 300
Presidential Scholars who have followed them
— show a commitment to service to others as
well as an appreciation for the opportunities
they received here at SLU. Their continued
success is one of the best endorsements for the
next generation of students who apply to Saint
Louis University.
And that’s one of the most important ways
our original scholars are returning the invest-ment
many SLU alumni and supporters made
in them 20 years ago. We have great faculty,
staff, researchers and alumni at Saint Louis
University, but to keep SLU a great university,
we need to continue to attract great students.
All of you already are doing a wonderful job
promoting Saint Louis University as you
achieve success in your professional, personal
and service lives. But I ask you to join your
alma mater’s efforts to attract even more of
tomorrow’s leaders to SLU.
During the last academic year, SLU’s total
enrollment increased 3 percent, and our goal is
to continue to provide more opportunities for
students who are eager to study at SLU. Even
outside of St. Louis, many of you will see in
movie theaters and hear on the radio a new
SLU recruitment campaign, that encourages
students to “Be a Billiken.” Using our Univer-sity’s
unique mascot, the campaign highlights
SLU’s equally unique attributes, which sepa-rate
SLU from other top national schools.
But your help, whether setting up one-on-one
meetings with prospective students in
your city or joining SLU recruiters at a college
fair in your area, can make the difference in
whether a student seriously considers SLU. If
you’re interested in lending some of your valu-able
time to the SLU recruitment cause, please
contact our alumni relations office at alumni@
slu.edu for more information.
I hope you enjoy reading about our 20th
anniversary class of Presidential Scholars as
much as I have enjoyed catching up with these
10 alumni.
Lawrence Biondi, S.J.,
President
SLU’s Presidential Scholarship celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Photo by Jim Visser
{ president’s message } { contents }
8 | The Billiken: From Fad to Icon
Learn how the Billiken came to be
and how he came to SLU in this
article celebrating the unique mascot’s
100 years. — By Nick Sargent
12 | Life, Hope and Homilies
Philosophy professor John
Kavanaugh, S.J., has been raising
tough questions for more than 30
years. Now he gives some answers.
— By Laura Geiser
16 | In Case of Emergency
How well is SLU prepared for a crisis?
A new emergency preparedness team
is making sure the University is ready
for anything. — By Clayton Berry
19 | Primary Scholars
SLU’s inaugural class of Presidential
Scholars arrived on campus 20 years
ago. Find out where these 10 alumni
are today. — By Marie Dilg
2 | On Campus
Homecoming marks the Billiken’s
birthday • New rankings released •
Avian flu research • Heritage Hall •
Art exhibits • Convocation
6 | Billiken News
Basketball schedules • Trost on all-
NCAA team • Volleyball wins big
7 | Advancement News
A conversation with David
Suwalsky, S.J., director of SLU’s
museums and galleries.
24 | class notes
Catch up with classmates.
28 | In Memoriam
Remembering those members of the
SLU community who recently died.
30 | alumni events
Find SLU alumni activities wherever
you live.
32 | Perspective
A recent alumnus discusses the
criminal justice system.
33 | the last word
Letters to the editor.
8 19
12
features depar tments
6
2 U NI V E R S I T A S w w w. s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I T A S F A L L 2 0 0 8 3
{ on campus }
To celebrate the Billiken’s 100th year, the University
threw two birthday celebrations to coincide with
Homecoming and Family Weekend, which drew
thousands of graduates and parents to campus Sept. 26-28.
In all, more than 2,500 alumni and friends and 1,200 par-ents
and family members made their way to SLU’s campus.
The schedule of events included class reunions, jazz socials,
campus tours and a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.
The birthday celebration kicked off in the Family Fun
Area on Saturday, where alumni, parents and students
turned out to make birthday hats, enjoy birthday-themed
activities and eat cupcakes. The Billiken had only one wish
for his birthday party: that all of his friends bring new
children’s books, later donated to a special program at SSM
Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Almost 200
books were collected.
The birthday celebration continued that night, as the
men’s soccer team won its game against in-state rival Mis-souri
State University by a 3-0 margin, with almost 5,800
in attendance. It was the second largest crowd in Hermann
Stadium history.
During halftime, the stadium lights dropped, and a three-tier
cake was brought onto the field. The capacity crowd
sang “Happy Birthday” to the Billiken. As soon as the song
ended, a fireworks display erupted over the stadium.
Homecoming Weekend also featured tours of the new
Chaifetz Arena, the annual golf cart parade, a barbecue,
Mass, brunch and a concert.
“With wonderful events and spectacular weather, we
really celebrated the Billiken’s birthday in style, and we are
already looking forward to next year,” said Meg Connolly
(A&S ’90, Grad ’92), associate vice president for alumni
relations and annual giving.
The 2009 Homecoming Weekend is scheduled for Sept. 25-
27. Call the office of alumni relations at (314) 977-2250 to help
with reunion planning.
Homecoming celebrates 100 years of the Billiken
Scenes from
this year’s
homecoming
This summer, two national
publications recognized
Saint Louis University as
one of the best schools
in the country for under-graduate
education. U.S.
News & World Report’s
“America’s Best Colleges”
ranks SLU 80th out of
more than 260 national
universities in the United States. The ranking placed
SLU among the top five Jesuit universities in the
country for the sixth consecutive year. U.S. News
also gave high marks to the University’s undergrad-uate
engineering and business programs.
The Princeton Review’s 2009 edition of The Best
368 Colleges places SLU in the top 15 percent of
America’s 2,500 four-year colleges. Listings in book
are based on institutional data, school visits and
feedback from students, independent college coun-selors
and parents. However schools are chosen
primarily for their outstanding academics.
SLU earns
U.S. News,
Princeton
Review
honors
Researchers
study avian flu
Saint Louis University School of
Medicine has begun one of the larg-est
avian flu clinical trials in the United
States to test a new vaccine approach to
prevent the disease.
The study tests whether an injection
of an FDA-approved avian flu vaccine
created in 2004 can prime the body’s
immune system so a second shot of a
different avian flu vaccine can protect
against avian flu infection.
Public health experts are concerned
that the avian flu could become the
next influenza pandemic because bird
viruses have started previous outbreaks.
The study will examine the vigor of the
body’s antibody response and the safety
of the vaccines.
SLU is the lead site of the research,
which is sponsored by the National In-stitute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,
part of the National Institutes of Health,
and will include up to five study sites.
SLU named a great
place to work
In its “2008 Great Colleges to Work For”
issue, The Chronicle of Higher Education
recognized Saint Louis University as one of
the best universities to work for in the nation.
SLU was one of five institutions of higher
education with 2,500 or more employees
recognized in the following categories:
Teaching
Environment:
Faculty members
say the institution
recognizes innova-tive
and high-quali-ty
teaching.
Tenure Clarity
and Process:
Requirements for
tenure are clear,
faculty members
say.
Housing
Assistance
Programs:
The “Hometown
SLU” program
provides forgiv-able
loans toward
homes purchased
in neighborhoods
near the University.
403(b) or 401(k):
Saint Louis
University offers
an award-winning
retirement plan.
New endowed
chair benefits
ophthalmolo g y
Dr. Anwar Shah, a former
SLU faculty member, has
established an endowed chair
in ophthalmology. Shah began
his relationship with SLU as an
intern and resident in ophthal-mology,
after coming to the
United States from Pakistan as a
Fulbright Scholar in 1955.
After completing fellowships
at Washington University in St. Louis and Harvard Medical School,
Shah became director of retina services in SLU’s department of
ophthalmology. He was a member of the SLU faculty for years,
training numerous ophthalmology residents. In 1980, he built the St.
Louis Eye Hospital, a 160,000.
4 U NI V E R S I T A S w w w. s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I T A S F A L L 2 0 0 8 5
CONVOCATION
CELEBRATION
For the first time, in August Saint
Louis University’s annual convocation
to welcome new students and their
families to the SLU community was
held at Chaifetz Arena. Previously
held in St. Francis Xavier College
Church, convocation moved to the
arena this year to allow more faculty
and staff to participate in the event.
{ on campus } Viewing Heritage Hall on the day of its dedication are (from left): Dr. Patricia
Demuth, former coordinator of gerontological nursing at the School of
Nursing; Sister Noreen McGowan (seated), former faculty member and director
of nursing at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital; and Virginia Patton Spe-noga,
former faculty member.
Nursing School marks anniversary
with Heritage Hall installation
When Saint Louis University School of Nursing marked its
80th anniversary by unveiling its Heritage Hall, one sec-tion
was left empty by design.
“Visitors to Heritage Hall will learn of the many greats we have
achieved as an innovator in nursing education. But the best is yet
to come,” said Dr. Teri Murray (Nurs ’79, Grad ’93, ’97), dean of
the School of Nursing.
Located on the second floor of the School of Nursing Building,
Heritage Hall is a three-dimensional timeline of the School of
Nursing’s milestones. It was dedicated Sept. 27.
A seed donation for Heritage Hall was made in honor of Dr.
Joan Carter (Nurs ’58, Grad ’62), associate dean emerita of the
School of Nursing. Alumni and other friends of the School of
Nursing contributed to the historical remembrance.
Faculty from Saint
Louis University’s
Doisy College of
Health Sciences and
the department of
nutrition and dietetics’
Fresh Gatherings
cafeteria are featured
in a book by author
Patricia Corrigan called Eating St. Louis: The Gate-way
City’s Unique Food Culture. The hardcover book
serves up stories and photos of the places, people
and foods that have
come to define and feed
St. Louis. It also features
little-known tales about
local restaurants, food
manufacturers, groceries
and specialty food shops.
Eating St. Louis can be
ordered online at: www.
eatingstlouis.com.
Doisy
College
featured
in book
Rec Center reminder
Whether you’re a member of SLU’s
Simon Recreation Center or
not, alumni may enroll in most of the
center’s fitness classes, including Pilates,
yoga, aerobics, spinning, kickboxing,
bouldering and swimming. Several
dance classes also are offered. There is
a moderate fee for class enrollment, and
all skill levels are welcomed. Classes and
schedules vary, so visit www.slu.edu/
organizations/crcisc for details or call
(314) 977-3969.
As the Billiken
celebrates
his 100th
birthday
Issues of Universitas that feature the
Billiken on the cover (including this one)
NCAA Division I Billiken
teams at SLU
Billiken statues on campus
(plus, there’s a Billiken-shaped
topiary)
Individuals inducted
into SLU’s athletic
Billiken Hall of Fame
Pageviews of SLU’s “What’s a Billiken?”
page (www.slu.edu/billiken.xml) during
the last three months 8 18 2 227 5,397
t h e A R T S a t S L U
SLUMA shows
‘Diebenkorn,
Hockney and
Dine’ works
The Saint Louis University
Museum of Art is present-ing
“Diebenkorn, Hockney
and Dine: Selected Prints
from the Bank of America
Collection.” This iconic trio
of contemporary artists
is represented by more
than 100 of their respec-tive
prints spanning the
period between 1950 and
1986. The works on paper
reveal explorations into the
aesthetics of line, color and
formal complexity. SLUMA’s
hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Wednesday through Sun-day.
For more information,
visit sluma.slu.edu.
MOCRA’s
‘Pursuit of the
Spirit’ marks
15 years
This fall, visitors to SLU’s
Museum of Contemporary
Religious Art can view the
exhibition “Pursuit of the
Spirit,” which draws on art-ists
and artworks selected
from the museum’s first 35
exhibitions. As the museum
celebrates its 15th an-niversary,
the selections are
dedicated to the ongoing
dialogue between con-temporary
artists and the
world’s faith traditions. The
museum is open 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Tuesday through
Sunday. For more informa-tion,
call (314) 977-7170 or
visit mocra.slu.edu.
Campaign
memorabilia
on display at
SLUMA
The Saint Louis University
Museum of Art is exhibit-ing
“Persuasive Politics:
Presidential Campaign
Memorabilia.” Centuries of
presidential memorabilia are
showcased in the collec-tion:
a George Washington
coat button, an “I Like Ike”
cigarette pack and an 1860
Abraham Lincoln campaign
coin are among the more
than 700 campaign items,
ranging from the historic and
stoic to the contemporary
and whimsical. SLUMA’s
hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Wednesday through Sun-day.
For more information,
visit sluma.slu.edu.
Madonna and Child. Frederick
J. Brown (1994-95), oil and
mixed media on canvas.
McKinley campaign pin
with flag ribbon.
Clubs-Blue Ground. Richard
Diebenkorn (1982), etching,
spitbite aquatint, drypoint.
Public Health receives 26.3 million contract from
the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The new contract is in addition to last year’s $26.8
million, five-year contract to the School of Public Health to follow the health of children
from St. Louis City and Macoupin County in Illinois.
FIRST CLASS
This fall, Saint Louis
University debuted a new
classroom building at 3721
Laclede Ave. The building,
which was the former home
of Forest Pharmaceuticals,
was completely gutted and
renovated this summer.
Now known as the Laclede
Classroom Building, the fa-cility
boasts 15 classrooms,
a new forensics/anthropol-ogy
lab and several seminar
rooms.
Photo by Steve Dolan
Photo by Steve Dolan
Photo by Kevin Lowder
date opponent place time
Nov. 05 vs. Harris-Stowe State St. Louis 7 p.m.
(ExhIBITION)
Nov. 14 vs. Missouri-St. Louis St. Louis 7 p.m.
Nov. 19 vs. Kent State St. Louis 7 p.m.
Nov. 22 vs. Boston College St. Louis 1 p.m.
Nov. 25 at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Detroit Mercy Detroit 1 p.m.
Dec. 02 at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7 p.m.
Dec. 06 vs. Savannah State St. Louis 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 vs. Samford St. Louis 4 p.m.
Las Vegas Classic
Dec. 17 vs. USC Upstate St. Louis 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 vs. Liberty St. Louis 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 vs. DePaul Las Vegas 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 Las Vegas Classic Las Vegas 6:30 or
Championship 9 p.m.
Dec. 30 vs. UMBC St. Louis 8 p.m.
Jan. 02 vs. North Carolina A&T St. Louis 7 p.m.
Jan. 08 at Xavier Cincinnati 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 vs. Massachusetts St. Louis 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 vs. George Washington St. Louis TBA
Jan. 22 at Temple Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 vs. Richmond St. Louis 2 p.m.
Jan. 29 at Dayton Dayton, Ohio 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 at Fordham Bronx, N.Y. 6 p.m.
Feb. 04 vs. Duquesne St. Louis TBA
Feb. 08 at Richmond Richmond, Va. 1 p.m.
Feb. 11 vs. Charlotte St. Louis 7 p.m.
Feb. 14 at Rhode Island Kingston, R.I. 1 p.m.
Feb. 1
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textWinter 2014 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis Universitywinter 2014
Oriflamme
Marks 50 Years
Page 12
Center for
Global Citizenship
Page 16
Alumnus Jimmie
Edwards
Page 18
Art Exhibit with
Local Roots
Page 22
Page 8
C O N T E N T S
f e a t u r e s d e p a r tme n t s
8 | SLU Downtown
The School of Law has moved into its new home in the
heart of St. Louis’ legal community.
— By Lauren Brucker
12 | Warm Welcome
Oriflamme, the student welcome organization, celebrated
its 50th anniversary this fall.
— By Amy Garland
16 | Going Global
The new Center for Global Citizenship has transformed
the former West Pine Gym.
— By Danielle Lacey
18 | The Power of Education
Alumnus Judge Jimmie Edwards is redefining education
for troubled youth in St. Louis.
— By Laura Geiser
22 | No Place Like Home
The latest exhibition at the Saint Louis University
Museum of Art has local ties.
— By Andrew Walker
2 | On Campus
San Ignacio Hall ///
Presidential search update
/// SLU’s latest honors ///
NASA collaboration ///
Health clinic relocation
6 | Biliken News
Basketball schedules
/// Baseball coach
recognized
7 | Advancement News
The impact of
scholarship gifts
23 | Clas Notes
Catch up with classmates.
28 | In Memoriam
Remembering those
members of the SLU
community who recently
died
30 | Al u mni Events
SLU alumni activities
across the country
32 | Perspective
A homily by the late
SLU professor John
Kavanaugh, S.J.
33 | The Last Word
Letters to the editor
Photo by JAMES VISSER
Law students in the
Louis Riethmann Pavilion on
the 12th floor of Scott Hall.
Volume 40, Issue 1
Editor
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
contributors
Lauren Brucker
Amy Garland (A&S ’97)
Danielle Lacey
Katie O’Connor (A&S ’97)
Andrew Walker
On Campus news stories
University Communications
Medical Center Communications
Billiken Media Relations
ON THE Cover
Joe and Loretta Scott Hall, the new home of
the School of Law, in downtown St. Louis.
Photo by James Visser
Design
Art Direction: Matt Krob
Universitas is published by Saint Louis University.
Opinions expressed in Universitas are those of the
individual authors and not necessarily those of the
University administration. Unsolicited manuscripts
and photographs are welcome but will be returned
only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed
envelope. Letters to the editor must be signed,
and letters not intended for publication should
indicate that fact. The editor reserves the right
to edit all items. Address all mail to Universitas,
DuBourg Hall 39, One N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis,
Mo. 63103. We accept email at universitas@
slu.edu and fax submissions at 314-977-2249.
Address fax submissions to Editor, Universitas.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Universitas, Saint Louis University,
One N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
World Wide Web address:
universitas.slu.edu
Universitas is printed by Universal Printing Co.
Worldwide circulation: 121,150
© 2014, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without permission is prohibited.
F A L L 2 0 0 4 W I N T E R 2 0 0 5
It is a pleasure to take this
opportunity to address
Saint Louis University
alumni via Universitas. As a
longtime reader of this maga-zine,
it is certainly a different
experience to be writing a mes-sage
for it.
As you may know, I have spent
the past 18 years of my career at
SLU serving as the University’s
general counsel. So in August I
did not anticipate being asked
to become SLU’s interim pres-ident.
Though the request was
unexpected and I had been perfectly content in
my position as a university attorney, I could not
say no. Saint Louis University is an institution
I truly love and have been honored to serve, so
taking on this new role was the right thing to
do.
Since my appointment became effective on
Sept. 2, I have gained an even greater appre-ciation
for the importance and impact of this
outstanding institution. As general counsel, I
met and worked with many people across the
University, but as interim president I have got-ten
to know so many more who are equally as
passionate about Saint Louis University and
about Jesuit education as I am.
In October I had the privilege of attending
a historic meeting with the superior general of
the Society of Jesus, Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., who
was visiting from Rome. Held in Chicago and
hosted by the Association of Jesuit Colleges
and Universities, the gathering included the
presidents and board chairs from all 28 U.S.
Jesuit colleges and universities. It truly was an
honor for me to join this august group of lead-ers
at this first-ever meeting of its kind.
During his remarks Father Nicolás reminded
us of how the spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola,
founder of the Jesuits, can inspire us today. He
said: “In the understanding of St. Ignatius, the
principal function of a leader is to help the
members of a community grow to become the
living presence of God in the world.”
Perhaps it was the timing, but that statement
struck a chord with me. I always had been aware
of the University’s efforts to encourage growth
and transformation. But as interim president I
know I am seeing Saint Louis University in an
entirely new light.
I am meeting students who
truly embrace our Catholic,
Jesuit values. Whether serving
their fellow students, tutoring
young people or serving meals
to the poor, they truly live our
mission.
I also am meeting faculty
who fully embrace their roles
as leaders and show our stu-dents
how “to become the living
presence of God in the world.”
Our professors teach at prisons,
create healthier school lunches
for local districts and travel the
world to aid indigent communities, assisting
with everything from health care to clean water
wells.
Finally, I am meeting alumni who are living
the lessons they learned at Saint Louis Uni-versity.
In November I started gathering with
alumni groups to provide an update on all of
the great things happening at the University
and to answer questions about SLU. The first
event was held in St. Louis, and in December
I met with alumni in Chicago. In the spring I
plan to travel to even more cities to hold these
information-sharing sessions.
For me, the best parts of these meetings come
before and after my remarks, when I have time
to talk one-on-one with our alumni. I have met
so many SLU graduates who are making a dif-ference
in our world in big and small ways. They
truly illustrate for me the power and promise of
a Saint Louis University education.
I also have enjoyed experiencing the enthu-siasm
our alumni have for their alma mater.
Indeed, Saint Louis University is a wonderful
place, and I am humbled to be at the helm, at
least for a little while.
Please know I am always interested in hear-ing
from alumni. If you would like to reach
out to me, please send an email message to
[email protected].
William R. Kauffman
Interim President
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E
2 | U N I V E R S I T A S | w w w. s l u . e d u wi n t e r ’ 1 4 | U N I V E R S I T A S | 3
Presidential
Search Underway
In September, the Sa int L oui s
University board of trustees officially
launched the search for a new university
president by establishing a search com-mittee
and by engaging the consulting
firm AGB Search. The search commit-tee
is chaired by trustee Jim Smith, and its members are:
James Burshek, S.J. (A&S ’69), trustee
Anne Gagen (Cook ’72, Grad Cook ’76), trustee
Dr. Jeffrey Gfeller, professor and chairman, psychology
department, College of Arts and Sciences
John Griesbach, professor, School of Law
Al Litteken, trustee
Dr. Teri Murray (Nurs ’79, Grad Nurs ’93, E&PS ’97),
dean, School of Nursing
Dr. Frank O’Donnell, trustee
Vidur Sharma, president, Student Government Association
Patrick Sly (Grad Cook ’77), vice chairman of the board
and trustee
Dr. Jane Turner (A&S ’85, Grad ’91, Med ’92), president,
Faculty Senate
This fall, Smith and AGB Search’s managing partner, Dr.
Jamie Ferrare, met with various University groups to discuss the
presidential search and to learn about the characteristics and
qualities that the SLU community seeks in its next president.
They received input from hundreds of people via direct meet-ings
and emails.
In October, the committee released the presidential position
description, which was approved by the board. This description
can be found online at slu.edu/presidential-search.
The committee is now in the next phase of the search, which
includes identifying prospective candidates and discussing
SLU’s presidential position with them. In January, the search
committee will work to narrow the candidate list to approx-imately
two or three candidates who can be proposed to the
board for review.
“We are very enthused about all the advantages that Saint
Louis University has to offer a prospective president,” Smith
said. “And speaking for the search committee, I can assure you
we will do everything possible to find a great new leader for
Saint Louis University.”
Accolades for SL U ’s
Academics, Service and Value
Ranked among the top Jesuit universities in the coun-try,
Saint Louis University continues to earn praise from
new sources as well as established ones. Here are some of the
University’s most recent honors.
University Dedicates
San Ignacio Hall
in Madrid
Saint Louis University’s Spanish presence
continues to grow. In September, the
University celebrated the opening of its
newest building in Madrid, San Ignacio Hall.
The recently renovated, 26,000-square-foot
building nearly doubles the size
of SLU-Madrid and adds a new library,
classroom space, art and dance studios,
and a restaurant. Photo by Ángel García López
o n c a m p u s
Princeton Review
best college
Saint Louis University made
the Princeton Review’s The
Best 378 Colleges: 2014
Edition. Only about 15 percent
of America’s 2,500 four-year
colleges are profiled in the book.
The profile of SLU highlights
its “solid academic programs”
and sustainability efforts. The
Princeton Review also called
SLU a place where “service,
social justice and political
awareness are stressed at
every level of education.”
Top Marks for Commitment to Service
For the third year in a row, Washington Monthly ranked SLU
among the top five universities in the nation for community
service. The publication looks at schools’ contributions to
the public good in three categories: social mobility, research
and service. SLU was No. 4. The University also earned list-ings
as “Top Jesuit School” and “Top Faith-Based School,”
as well as second place on the list of top private institutions.
In addition, SLU was one of a handful of institutions rec-ognized
at the President’s Interfaith and Community Service
Campus Challenge National Gathering in September.
Started by President Barack Obama in 2011, the chal-lenge
calls for campuses to increase interfaith service and
engagement over the course of one year. The University was
honored for hosting nearly 100 interfaith events.
Finally, SLU placed fifth on Hercampus.com’s 2013 list of
“The Most Charitable Schools.” Hercampus.com is a colle-giate
guide and news network for women college students.
Kiplinger’s
best values in
private colleges
The University was recognized
for affordability and academic
quality among Kiplinger’s “Best
Values in Private Colleges.”
The 2014 list includes the
top 200 private colleges
in the country. Saint Louis
University has appeared on
the list multiple times.
Sierra Club
cool school
SLU was named one of
Sierra Club’s “Cool Schools,”
an honor given by the
environmental organization
to colleges and universities
around the country that are
committed to sustainability.
The list recognizes green
accomplishments and
efforts, such as faculty
and departments engaged
in sustainability research,
and sustainability-themed
courses or curricula.
CollegesofDistinction.com
college of
distinction
One of six Missouri schools —
and the only institution from St.
Louis — to make the 2013-14
list, the University was selected
for its commitment to four
areas: engaged students, great
teaching, vibrant community
and successful outcomes.
SLU was also selected as a
“Catholic College of Distinction.”
Smith
4 | U N I V E R S I T A S | w w w. s l u . e d u wi n t e r ’ 1 4 | U N I V E R S I T A S | 5
SL U ’s Free Medical
Clinic Relocates
in North St. Louis
Sa int Louis Univer s it y’s Hea lth
Resource Center, a free clinic oper-ated
by medical school students under the
guidance of SLU faculty physicians, cele-brated
its 20th anniversary of caring for
the underserved and underinsured with
a move to a newer, larger facility in north St. Louis. The new site is known as
the Jesuit Health Resource Center.
Dr. Eva Frazer, a former member of SLU’s board of trustees, and her hus-band
Steven Roberts donated the space.
The new clinic has a large patient waiting room, six patient exam rooms, a
social work room, a conference room, multipurpose rooms, expanded lab space
and a classroom. With the additional space, SLU is exploring the possibility of
offering other services.
Last year the Health Resource Center served more than 1,000 patients at
primary care, well women and pediatrics clinics. About 73 percent lacked
insurance.
Students began seeing patients in the new space during their regular
Saturday morning session late this summer.
NIH Taps SL U to Bid on Nearly
1 billion in projects to study
infectious diseases, including emerging threats.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the NIH,
has funded vaccine research at SLU since 1989. The new contract represents
what likely is the largest research contract or grant in the University’s history.
SLU received an “Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity” contract with
an estimated value of up to 951
million for the contract duration. Only centers accepted as VTEUs can bid
on specific projects. This is a change in the federal funding mechanism for
vaccine research, said Dr. Robert Belshe, director of the Center for Vaccine
Development and principal investigator on the project.
Business EnDowed
Professor Named
The John Cook School of Business has
appointed Dr. Bidisha Chakrabarty,
associate professor of finance, to the Edward
Jones Endowed Professorship in Finance.
Edward Jones created the endowed pro-fessorship
in 2007 to recognize an expert in
finance who provides academic leadership
through teaching, research and service.
Chakrabarty joined the business school
facult y in 2003. She has received the
Outstanding Faculty Award given by the
John Cook School of Business Alumni
Board, the Kwak Research Award for the
best research productive faculty, the ICRIER
policy paper grant and the National Stock
Exchange of India Research Initiative Grant.
Chakrabarty is a lso a consultant to
Beyond Housing, an organization that
helps families facing foreclosure. She is an
author and researcher on the topics of mar-ket
microstructure, securities regulation,
disclosure and market reaction, and market
design and price discovery.
Parks
Students,
NASA
Launch
Camera
into Space
COPPER (SLU-
01), Saint Louis
Univer s i t y ’s f i r s t
spacecraft designed,
bui l t , t e s t e d and
operated by students
at Parks College of
Engineering, Aviation
and Technology, launched Nov. 19 from the Mid-Atlantic
Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, Va. The Air Force
Research Laboratory and NASA Missouri Space Grant
funded the project development, and the launch of
COPPER was sponsored by NASA.
COPPER is a one kilogram, 10-centimeter cube and is
made of commercially available spacecraft parts and stu-dent-
developed electronics.
The mission tests the effectiveness of a commercial infra-red
camera for in-space navigation and object detection, as
well as observes the Earth in the infrared spectrum.
For the next 12 months, Parks College students
will operate COPPER from a radio control station in
McDonnell Douglas Hall on the SLU campus. The space-craft
will de-orbit naturally in less than four years.
COPPER is a product of the Space Systems Research
Laboratory, which is led by Dr. Michael Swartwout and
Dr. Sanjay Jayaram of the department of aerospace and
mechanical engineering, and Dr. Kyle Mitchell of the
department of electrical and computer engineering. More
than 50 undergraduate and graduate students worked to
create COPPER during the past three years.
Class
of 2017
boasts
high
marks
This fall, SLU
welcomed one
of the largest and
most academically
gifted freshman
classes in University
history. The Class of
2017’s credentials
include a mean high
school GPA of 3.81
and an average
ACT score of 27.6.
Geographically,
44 states and
24 countries are
represented in this
year’s freshman
class, and nearly 75
percent of SLU��s
new students
hail from outside
the St. Louis
metropolitan area.
By The Numbers
2013 Make A Difference Day:
SLU’s 16th annual day of
service in October was one of
the largest in University history.
TIAA-CREF was the primary
financial sponsor for the event.
3,691 participants
91% of the volunteers were students.
312 faculty, staff, alumni and
parents participated.
197 Kappa Delta sorority sisters made
the largest volunteer team.
140 community organizations, schools,
churches and homes benefited —
the most sites in the event’s history.
News Bri e fs
University President Emeritus Lawrence Biondi,
S.J., received the 2013 Mayor’s Award for his influence
on economic development in the city of St. Louis.
During Biondi’s tenure, the University had a major
impact on the region’s economy; an independent
study found that SLU generated $715.5 million in
economic impact during 2011 alone. St. Louis Mayor
Francis G. Slay (Law ’80) presented the award in
October.
J. Joe Adorjan (Cook ’63, Grad Cook ’67), chairman
of the University’s board of trustees, was awarded the
Hungarian Order of Merit-Knight’s Cross, Hungary’s
highest state honor. Adorjan is the honorary general
consul of Hungary as well as the founder of the
Hungarian-Missouri Educational Partnership, which
links four Missouri universities, including SLU, with five
Hungarian universities to enhance the education of
emerging leaders who will help create a lasting bond
between the two countries.
Dr. Alexander Garza (PH ’03), the former assistant
secretary for health affairs and chief medical officer
for the Department of Homeland Security, has joined
the faculty of the College for Public Health and Social
Justice. Garza is associate dean for public health
practice and associate professor of epidemiology.
David Cassens is the new dean for University
Libraries. He has served as interim University librarian
since June 2012. Previously he served as assistant
university librarian for administration and director of
Pius XII Memorial Library. He has worked at SLU for
nearly 15 years.
In October, Dr. Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman (Grad E&PS
’92), chair of the department of nutrition and dietetics,
received a Medallion Award from the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics for guiding her department
to national prominence. Mattfeldt-Beman has built
a program that is a community resource — advising
congressmen, creating healthier school lunches and
promoting business in the region.
Dr. Mike Shaner, professor at the John Cook School
of Business, has been named the “Best Management
Professor” by the World Education Congress in
Mumbai. Shaner was recognized as a thinker and doer
who served as a “role model and a believer in change.”
He joined the SLU faculty in 1974.
Dr. Diana Carlin, associate vice president for graduate
education and international initiatives, was one of 11
U.S. administrators selected by the U.S. and French
Fulbright commissions to participate in a two-week
seminar in France in October. The purpose was to help
both the Americans and French better understand
the other’s higher education and research areas,
and to explain partnership opportunities with French
universities.
o n c a m p u s
HOMECOMING 2013:
Saint Louis University’s 2013 Homecoming
and Family Weekend drew nearly 2,500 people
to campus Sept. 27-29. The celebration
included the popular golf cart parade, with
the theme “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and
celebrations of SLU’s Golden Billikens,
members of the class of 1963 and earlier.
The weekend was capped off with a win by
the men’s soccer team and a spectacular
fireworks display. The 2014 Homecoming
will be Sept. 25-28. Photo by Steve Dolan
Olivia Johnson gets her ears examined
at the clinic by faculty volunteer
Dr. Marilyn Maxwell, professor of
internal medicine and pediatrics.
A student building COPPER (SLU-01).
From left: Dr. Scott Safranski, interim business dean;
Chakrabarty; Robert J. Ciapciak (Grad Cook ’82) of
Edward Jones; and Interim President William Kauffman.
pictured: Students packing meals for Feed My Starving Children on Make A Difference Day. Photo by Kevin Lowder
Photo by Kevin Lowder
Photo by Katie O’Connor
6 | U N I V E R S I T A S | w w w. s l u . e d u wi n t e r ’ 1 4 | U N I V E R S I T A S | 7
When Saint Louis University freshman Michael Milek got
a call with scholarship news last spring, he wasn’t imme-diately
sure the news was good. “At first I didn’t think I got it
because of the tone of the caller,” said Milek, an athletic training
major in Doisy College of Health Sciences. “However, he told me
that I received it, and I was really happy.”
The Philadelphia native had been awarded the Martin Luther
King Jr. Scholarship, a merit-based University scholarship granted
to students with a mix of academic achievement, demonstrated
leadership and commitment to service. The scholarship w
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textSummer 2018 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University. This is a special Bicentennial issue, celebrating the University's 200th anniversaryUNIVERSI TAS 2 SUMMER 2018 SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y 1 BICENTENNIAL
P R E S I D E N T ’ S
M E S S A G E
VOLUME 4 4, ISSUE 2
EDITOR
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Amy Garland (A&S ’97)
ART DIRECTOR
Matt Krob
CONTRIBUTORS
Anne Marie Apollo-Noel
Dr. Dolores Byrnes
Molly Daily (Grad A&S ’18)
Marie Dilg (Grad SW ’94)
Sarah Hilgendorf
ON CAMPUS NEWS STORIES
University Public Relations
Billiken Media Relations
ON THE COVER
Detail of a window in St. Francis
Xavier College Church depicting
the north entry of DuBourg Hall
flanked by graduates. The word
“Christocracy” in red letters
above the entry indicates Christ’s
influence on education. The
window was designed by Emil Frei
Jr. and installed in the 1930s.
Photo by J.J. Mueller, S.J.
(A&S ’69, Grad A&S ’70)
Universitas is published by Saint Louis
University. Opinions expressed in
Universitas are those of the individual
authors and not necessarily those of the
University administration. Unsolicited
manuscripts and photographs are welcome
but will be returned only if accompanied
by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Letters to the editor must be signed, and
letters not intended for publication should
indicate that fact. The editor reserves
the right to edit all items. Address all mail
to Universitas, DuBourg Hall 39, One N.
Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. We
accept email at [email protected].
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Universitas, Saint Louis University,
One N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
Website: slu.edu/universitas
Universitas is printed by Henry Wurst Inc.
Worldwide circulation: 116,500
© 2018, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without permission is prohibited.
Detail of two windows in St. Francis Xavier College Church
that spotlight academic disciplines and sit on each side of the
window on this issue’s cover. On the left, painting and music are
depicted. On the right, mathematics and science are shown.
PHOTOS BY J.J. MUELLER, S.J.
PHOTO BY JAY FRAM
F E ATU R E S
D E PARTME NTS
10
The First Two Centuries
A 200-year timeline of Saint Louis University
— By Molly Daily
16
Always at the Frontier
An excerpt from the official bicentennial book
— By Dr. Dolores Byrnes
20
Exhibiting History
The Saint Louis University Museum of Art’s new
exhibition — Photos by Steve Dolan
24
Talking About My Generation
Campus activities and hangouts since the 1940s
— By Amy Garland
29
The Bicentennial Logo
The hidden details of SLU’s 200-year mark
— Designed by Matt Krob
30
More Than a Job
Reflections from 10 longtime faculty and staff
— By Marie Dilg
36
Cover Story
Telling SLU’s history through its alumni
magazines — By Laura Geiser
40
Making Good Time
An update on the bicentennial service challenge
— By Anne Marie Apollo-Noel
2 On Campus
Major gift to the business school ///
Madrid’s 50-year celebration /// 2018
commencement /// Climate Summit
/// Prospect Yards /// Gift for nursing
scholarships /// Literary Award to Sondheim
42 Class Notes
43 Alumni Spotlight
Eric Moraczewski (CSB ’04)
46 In Memoriam
48 Feedback
49 The Last Look
Our beloved University is worthy of celebration —
both for the memorable achievements of our shared
past and for the many impressive ways in which we
live our mission today.
We began this past academic year with the
bicentennial Mass. As we planned it, I believed that it would be
remembered as one of the very best moments in our history. An
email I received from a parent of one of our students confirmed that
to me. He said, “As I sat at the 200th anniversary Mass, with its
gorgeous backdrop and significant history, I was brought to
tears by the humbling appreciation that my daughter could
attend a university like SLU.” This gratitude for SLU and our his-tory
set the tone.
More recently, as part of our bicentennial celebration, we hosted
the Saint Louis Climate Summit and brought together world-re-nowned
speakers Cardinal Peter Turkson, Dr. Mario Molina, Carl
Pope and Bill Nye to examine a path forward for our planet. (Read
more on page 5.)
The Climate Summit was born out of the desire to respond to
Pope Francis’ call to care for all of creation, especially our environ-ment,
in his encyclical Laudato Si’. Chaired by SLU’s own Dr. Jack
Fishman (Grad A&S ’74, ’77) and David Webb (A&S, CSB ’97, Grad
’12), and planned with support from Dr. Peter Raven and trustee
Trudy Busch Valentine (Nurs ’80), the summit attracted meteorol-ogists;
government leaders; experts in climate science, ecology and
sustainable development; students; and engaged St. Louisans for
three days of discussion.
In affirmation of this summit, I received a letter from Cardinal
Pietro Parolin, who is the secretary of state for the Vatican. In the
letter, Cardinal Parolin quotes Pope Francis’ prayer that, “This gath-ering
may serve to inform society more effectively on the issue of
climate change and encourage the University community ‘to pro-mote
best practice, to stimulate creativity in seeking new solutions
and to encourage individual or group initiatives.’”
In addition to these and other impressive events and academic
programs, our bicentennial has inspired an outpouring of support
from our community. Our stakeholders are demonstrating their
belief in the importance of our work by investing in SLU. We are
in the midst of the single greatest fundraising year in SLU history.
Further, we are confident we will end this year at more than twice
our previous all-time total.
This February, trustee Dr. Richard Chaifetz (A&S ’75) and Jill
Chaifetz made a transformational gift of 27 million.
Their latest gift is intended to grow SLU’s nationally ranked entre-preneurship
center and provide resources for other programs in the
newly named Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. (Read more
on page 2.)
Thank you to each of our alumni who have contributed to this
historic fundraising year. Your gifts support innovation, academic
excellence, scholarship and informed medicine. They will invigo-rate
Saint Louis University, and reflect your confidence in our plan
for the future.
The very near future holds two outstanding opportunities for
all of us to come together to celebrate SLU’s first two centuries. I
hope you will join us for a Grand Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 29,
during our special bicentennial Homecoming and Family Weekend.
This evening will feature live music, food and fun activities for all
ages. And on Thursday, Nov. 15, I invite you to a 200th birthday
celebration featuring a private concert by the St. Louis Symphony
Orchestra at Chaifetz Arena.
As we all celebrate this historic milestone, our University is part-nering
in shaping the direction of our region, and we are doing
wonderful work in the classroom, in the laboratory, in the hospi-tal
and in the community. Your support during our past and in the
present is vital to our future. While you read, I hope you’ll learn
new facts about your alma mater, reminisce about your time here and
be inspired by the stories of those who shaped our beloved institu-tion.
I would be delighted to hear your reflections.
May God bless you, and may God continue to bless Saint Louis
University.
Dr. Fred P. Pestello
President
This special issue of Universitas takes you on a journey though Saint Louis
University’s past. The timeline, book excerpt, faculty memories and photos that you
will find on the following pages all serve to remind you of SLU’s noble history.
UNIVERSI TAS 2 SUMMER 2018 SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y 3 BICENTENNIAL
Chaifetz Family Gift Leads to
Business School’s New Name
In February, SLU trustee Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz (A&S ’75)
and his wife, Jill Chaifetz, increased their giving to Saint
Louis University to 15 million to the
business school. In 2007, the couple provided the lead gift
of 12 million that enabled the construction of Chaifetz
Arena.
To honor this new, generous contribution, the University
has renamed its business school the Richard A. Chaifetz
School of Business and the school’s entrepreneurship
center the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship.
SLU students, faculty and staff members turned out to
thank Chaifetz during a special reception on Feb. 22.
In his remarks, Chaifetz briefly told the story of how former
SLU President Paul Reinert, S.J., allowed him to remain
at SLU when financial issues threatened his ability to stay.
Chaifetz promised Reinert that he would pay back his
tuition — and that he would pay back the University in an
even bigger way in the future.
“This allows me to give back to a school I love, am
passionate about and want to make even greater,” Chaifetz
told the large crowd. “I want to hear the Chaifetz School
of Business mentioned in the same breath as other great
business schools.”
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business has seven
programs nationally ranked by U.S. News and World
Report — three undergraduate and four graduate —
including the country’s No. 9-ranked undergraduate
entrepreneurship program.
Chaifetz is a world-renowned entrepreneur and business
leader, who in 1984 founded ComPsych Corp., today the
world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs,
behavioral health and wellness services. The company, of
which he remains founder, chairman and CEO, provides
services to more than 100 million individuals and 45,000
organizations in more than 160 countries. He also is
founder and chairman of the private investment firm
Chaifetz Group. He has been a member of SLU’s board of
trustees since 2007 and was an inaugural member of the
business school’s Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.
ON C AMPUS
PHOTOS BY STEVE DOLAN
Chaifetz addresses the crowd.
Chaifetz (left) and SLU President Dr. Fred P. Pestello
talk with students at the February event.
Guests gathered in the in the Shanahan
Atrium of Cook Hall listen to Chaifetz.
UNIVERSI TAS 4 SUMMER 2018 SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y 5 BICENTENNIAL
2018 Commencement
Celebrates the Bicentennial
With SLU’s bicentennial in mind, the University
began a new tradition at the May 19 com-mencement
ceremony at Chaifetz Arena as members
of its Class of 1968 — now called Golden Billikens
— led the entry procession and received special
recognition. Golden Billikens will be honored at
University commencements going forward.
In another nod to the bicentennial, SLU reintro-duced
its “Varsity Song,” which was written in 1909
and had not been performed at commencement
since the 1960s. (See the original on page 19.) It was
updated by Dr. Aaron Johnson, assistant professor of
music, and sung by the University’s Mastersingers.
More than 2,100 students graduated this spring.
This year’s commencement speaker was Ronald
Mercier, S.J., provincial of the Jesuits’ U.S. Central
and Southern Province. He received an honorary
doctor of divinity from the University. Also honored
with honorary degrees during the ceremony were
two SLU alumni, former U.S. Congressman William
“Bill” Lacy Clay Sr. (A&S ’53) and former St. Louis
Mayor Francis G. Slay (Law ’80).
The student speaker from the graduating class was
new law alumna Sarah Tomlinson. University archi-vist
emeritus John Waide (A&S ’73) was the mace
bearer.
Climate
Summit Draws
Thousands
Saint Louis University
brought toge t her
some of the most author-itative
minds in climate
science, ecology and sus-tainable
development
for the 2018 Saint Louis
Cl imate Summi t thi s
April.
A highlight of SLU’s
yearlong bicentennial
celebration, the three-day summit was inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical
Laudato Si’ that called attention to humankind’s responsibility to care for the earth
in the wake of climate change.
Nearly 2,300 students, faculty and members of the St. Louis community attended
the summit’s keynote address at Chaifetz Arena. The speakers were Carl Pope,
former executive director of the Sierra Club and co-author of Climate of Hope: How
Cities, Businesses and Citizens Can Save the Planet, and Bill Nye “The Science Guy,”
well-known science educator and advocate.
The summit featured experts from around the world, including Cardinal Peter
Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Dr.
Mario Molina, 1995 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry; recipients of various
United Nations Environmental Awards; and members of the Pontifical Academy of
Sciences, the primary scientific advisory council to the pope.
Panelists presented about food security, water availability, rising sea levels, busi-ness
issues related to climate change and more. More than 220 people attended the
academic portion of the summit, which was shared worldwide online.
The summit was organized by
Dr. Jack Fishman (Grad A&S ’74, ’77),
professor of earth and atmospheric
sciences and director of SLU’s Center
for Environmental Sciences, and David
Webb (A&S, CSB ’97, Grad ’12), director
of SLU’s Emerson Leadership Business
Institute. Dr. Peter Raven, president
emeritus of the Missouri Botanical
Garden, and Trudy Busch Valentine
(Nurs ’80), a SLU trustee, were key
members of the planning team.
During February and March, SLU competed in the annual
nationwide RecycleMania competition, an eight-week
event that raises awareness about campus sustainability.
8th year
participating in RecycleMania
331,762 lbs.
of single-stream recycling collected by SLU
86,267 lbs.
of electronics collected during
the E-Waste Drive
4th place
in the national electronic
recycling competition
25,721 lbs.
of old documents shredded and
recycled during ShredMania event
443,750 lbs.
total diverted from landfills
by SLU this RecycleMania
IN ADDITION TO THE CLIMATE SUMMIT, HERE ARE A FEW
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS SPRING’S BICENTENNIAL EVENTS:
O N C A M P U S
BY THE NUMBERS
RecycleMania
Students volunteer at March’s
E-Waste Drive, part of the national
RecycleMania competition.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Nye (left) and Pope give the keynote address at Chaifetz Arena.
PHOTO BY SIMON NGUYEN
INTERCULTURAL ORIGINS
OF ST. LOUIS AND THE
TRANS-MISSISSIPPI WEST,
1800-1840
This conference examined
themes including the
international influences
present in early St. Louis,
and the expansion of the
St. Louis region.
WOMEN AT SLU:
THE STRUGGLE FOR
KNOWLEDGE, POWER AND
LEGACY
This symposium discussed
both the challenges and
opportunities women
confront as female
students, staff and faculty
at SLU.
FROM SELMA TO ST. LOUIS:
THEOLOGY OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR., AND THE
PURSUIT OF JUSTICE 50
YEARS LATER
This public symposium
offered performances and
reflections on King’s legacy
of liberation and justice.
PHOTO BY SIMON NGUYEN
Turkson (left) and Molina
Confetti and streamers were released at the
end of the ceremony in Chaifetz Arena.
Graduates’ caps Honorary degree recipients (from left) Slay, Mercier and Clay
Doisy College of Health Sciences graduates
PHOTOS BY STEVE DOLAN
UNIVERSI TAS 6 SUMMER 2018 SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y 7 BICENTENNIAL
SLU, St. Louis
Archdiocese
Sign Agreement
to Enrich
Seminarian
Education
St. Louis Archbishop
Robert J. Carlson and
SLU President Dr. Fred P.
Pestello signed an agree-ment
in April that brings
the Kenr ick-Glennon
Seminary undergraduate
program fully into SLU’s College of Philosophy and Letters, which oversees pro-grams
for students training for the priesthood and ministry.
Currently, seminarians take their first two years of undergraduate classes at
SLU and finish their education at the seminary, receiving a degree from Kenrick-
Glennon Seminary. Under the new agreement, seminarians will receive a Bachelor
of Arts degree in philosophy from SLU, taking classes taught both at SLU and at the
seminary. The program changes will be implemented for the 2018-19 school year.
The seminarians will be able to explore other disciplines while at SLU. Carlson
said he hoped that many would take advantage of the language arts and minor in
Spanish, as the archdiocese has a growing Spanish-speaking population.
Graduate Programs Earn High
U.S. News Rankings
The health law program in the Saint Louis
University School of Law has been named the
best in the nation by health law scholars for the
14th year, according to the 2019 U.S. News &
World Report “Best Graduate School” rankings.
The Center for Health Law Studies has been
listed as a top program since the rankings were
first published.
Four programs in the Richard A. Chaifetz
School of Business were ranked in the top
30 this year, including entrepreneurship,
international business, supply chain
management and accounting.
SLU School of Nursing’s master’s program
ranked among the top 50 out of more than 500
nursing graduate programs in the country.
1 Health Law
12 Entrepreneurship
13 International Business
15 Supply Chain Management
28 Accounting
28 Part-time Law
50 Best Nursing Programs – Master’s
51 Best Medical Programs – Primary Care
66 Best Nursing Programs – Doctor of Nursing Practice
70 Best Medical Programs – Research
88 Best Law Programs
163 Part-time MBA
194 Top Education Programs
Atlas Week Celebrates SLU’s Global Connections
The 2018 Sam and Marilyn Fox Atlas Week — “From Broken Walls,
We Build Bridges: Out of Conflict Rises Community” — paid special
attention to the ways that SLU students, faculty and staff members have
forged connections beyond campus to improve the world.
The week featured panels, presentations, film screenings, a soccer
tournament, and other opportunities to experience the myriad cultures
that make up the SLU community.
A highlight was the keynote address by brothers Fred and Milton
Ochieng’. Fred is pursuing cardiovascular medicine fellowship training
at Saint Louis University; Milton is a gastroenterologist with the BJC
Medical Group at Progress West Hospital. They spoke of their paths
from their Kenyan community Lwala to medical school in the United
States and beyond. The pair was orphaned and has used their medical
educations to give back to Lwala through the creation of a community
health clinic network.
The week culminated with the traditional Parade of Nations and the
Billiken World Festival.
Ring Award Winner Dr. Lauren Arnold,
associate professor of epidemiology in the College for Public
Health and Social Justice, is the most recent recipient of the
Nancy McNeir Ring Award, given by SLU’s chapter of Alpha
Sigma Nu to a faculty member who has displayed a special
dedication to students. Arnold addressed graduates during
Midyear Commencement in December. In her address, she
reminded the graduates to find joy in their decisions and to
find good mentors
Newly Named “Prospect Yards” District Connects SLU’s
North and South Campuses
In March, members of the Saint Louis University family, SSM Health and the
community cast nearly 6,000 votes to name St. Louis’ newest district. The win-ning
name? Prospect Yards.
The 150-acre district connects SLU’s north and south campuses and is bordered
by Laclede Avenue, Chouteau Avenue, Grand Boulevard and Vandeventer and Spring
avenues. The district lies within Midtown in the same way that Cortex is part of
St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood and the Loop is part of University City.
Prospect Yards includes projects such as the construction of the City Foundry STL
and an Element by Westin hotel, as well as redevelopment of the Armory building.
The name reflects the area’s early 20th-century roots, when the area west of
Grand was known as the “Prospect Industrial District,” one of 17 industrial districts
in the city and home to an extensive rail yard and many businesses.
The umbrella developer for the larger, 400-acre area is St. Louis Midtown
Redevelopment Corporation, which is owned by Saint Louis University and
SSM Health.
Stephen Sondheim Named 2018
St. Louis Literary Award Recipient
The Saint Louis University Library Associates
selected Stephen Sondheim, one of the most
eminent lyricists and composers of the modern era,
to receive the 2018 St. Louis Literary Award. He is
the first musical lyricist to win the award since its
inception in 1967. Sondheim will come to SLU in
October to accept the award.
In a career spanning 70 years, Sondheim has writ-ten
the lyrics, music or both for some of the most
iconic plays in the history of American theater,
including West Side Story, Into the Woods, Sunday in the
Park with George, Sweeney Todd and Gypsy.
The award ceremony and conversation with the
author, who will be interviewed by Muny artistic
director Michael Isaacson (A&S ’86, Grad CSB ’96),
is planned for Oct. 4. For more information, visit
lib.slu.edu/about/associates.
Med School Residency
Program Receives Highest
Accreditation Status
The Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education, the accrediting body for
medical residencies and fellowships, granted the
School of Medicine continued accreditation, its high-est
accreditation status. The status took effect Jan.
24, after a site visit earlier in the month.
SLU is the sponsoring institution for 65 residency
and fellowship programs at six area hospitals and
many other clinical sites.
8.4 Million Gift to Nursing School
Abequest gift totaling $8.4 million will allow the
School of Nursing to create the Dr. and Mrs.
Robert C. Hoppe Endowed Scholarship. The gift
— the largest in the School of Nursing’s history and
among the largest in SLU’s history — was made by the
estate of Mary K. Hoppe (Nurs ’51, Grad Nurs ’59).
“The Hoppes’ generosity in providing educational
assistance for students will live eternally through the
lives of the scholarship recipients and the countless
numbers of patients each student touches,” Nursing
Dean Dr. Teri Murray (Nurs ’79, Grad Nurs ’93, Grad
Ed ’97) said.
The nursing school plans to honor Hoppe and her
husband, Dr. Robert Hoppe (Med ’51), at its 90th
anniversary celebration this fall.
Dois
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textFall 2024 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University.FA
LL 2024THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITAS THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITYFALL 22
Three of a Klein
Billiken men’s soccer has
relied on the Klein family for
generations. — by Joe Barker
24
SLU Goes Hollywood
A movie based on alum John
O’Leary’s life brought a film
crew to campus.
— by Joe Barker, photos
by Sarah Conroy
28
Under One Roof
The Catholic Studies Program
offers more than a major; it
offers community.
— by Catherine
Kraemer
’
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6
Paralympic Mettle
Dr. Sarah Adam won silver as
the first woman on the U.S.
Paralympic wheelchair rugby
team. — by Bridjes O’Neil
10
Lost and Found
Dr. Douglas Boin’s
discovery of an ancient
Roman temple is making
headlines. — by Marie Dilg
14
Join the Club
SLU’s sport clubs go beyond
traditional collegiate athletics.
— by Amy Garland,
photos by Sarah Conroy
18
Lighting the Spark
Ignite Seminars allow faculty
to share their passions with
students. — by Amy Garland
Members of SLU's
rowing club practice
on Creve Coeur Lake.
PHOTO BY SARAH CONROY
FEATURES
DEPARTMENT S
2
ON CAMPUS
Jon Hamm speaks at commencement
Literary Award
Campus dog
New men s basketball coach
Billiken Hall of Fame
31
CLASS NOTES
33 Alumni Spotlight: Sharee (Brown)
Silerio (A&S ’09) — by Amy Garland
34 Alumni Merit Awards
37
IN MEMORIAM
41
THE LAST LOOK
VOLUME 51, ISSUE 1
EDITOR
Laura Geiser
{A&S ’90, Grad ’92}
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Amy Garland {A&S ’97}
ART DIRECTOR
Matt Krob
ON CAMPUS NEWS
STORIES
University Public Relations
Billiken Media Relations
ON THE COVER
Dr. Sarah Adam, SLU
assistant professor and
Paralympic silver medalist
Photo by Sarah Conroy
Universitas is published by
Saint Louis University.
Opinions expressed in
Universitas are those of the
individual authors and not
necessarily those of the
University administration.
Unsolicited manuscripts and
photographs are welcome
but will be returned only if
accompanied by a stamped,
self addressed envelope.
Letters to the editor must
be signed, and letters not
intended for publication
should indicate that fact.
The editor reserves the
right to edit all items.
Address:
Universitas
DuBourg Hall 39
1 N. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Email address:
[email protected]
Website: slu.edu/universitas
Universitas is printed by
Cummings Printing
Worldwide circulation:
127,000
©2024, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole
or in part without
permission is prohibited.
President’s message
Stories that reveal the heart of SLU
ASLU faculty member in occu-pational
therapy is the first
woman in history to compete
on the U.S. Paralympic wheel-chair
rugby team (page 6).
A history professor has made a major dis-covery
of an ancient Roman temple (page 10).
Numerous faculty members have created
new courses designed to ignite a lifelong pro-cess
of curiosity and learning in the Ignatian
tradition (page 18).
And our club sports program offers every
student a path to continue — or to discover —
an engagement with athletics that supports
their well-being, sense of community and con-nection
to the natural world (page 14).
When I talk to students about why they
love Saint Louis University, they often tell me
that it is because our commitment to mission
is real — that “higher purpose, greater good”
is more than a tagline.
This issue of Universitas highlights many of
the ways that we are delivering on our com-mitment
to pursue truth, to re-imagine what
is possible and to foster communities where
all people thrive.
SLU’s Catholic Studies Program is one
distinctive example of our Catholic, Jesuit
identity in action (page 28). It is a place where
students are centered in their spiritual lives,
integrating insights from across academic
domains as they seek the presence of God in
all things. Through numerous gatherings, dis-cussions
and events, students can experience
what it means to be part of a community that
is expressly committed to seeking wholeness.
As Billiken alumni, you know well: A SLU
education expands our students’ worldviews,
the opportunities they will find after gradu-ation
and the sense of purpose they will bring
to all aspects of their lives.
Indeed, our University’s talented alumni
continue to tell powerful stories that reflect
t he exper iences and t he exper t ise they
acquired in their years at SLU. Graduate
Sharee (Brown) Silerio (A&S ’09), who worked
on the Academy Award-winning documentary
short film The Last Repair Shop, is dedicated to
creating films that expand representation of
Black women and girls (page 33). And alum
John O’Leary’s (CSB ’99) story will soon be
released asa motion picture filmed in part on
our St. Louis campus (page 24).
Not all of us will make movies, but we all
have an essential role in the Billiken story. In
the multiple ways that you contribute to your
families, communities and professions —
each one of your stories reflects the profound
potential of our University’s noble mission.
Thank you for continuing to bring SLU’s
story to life.
Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
President
-
-
On campus
SARAH CONROY
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A graduate prepares
for commencement; graduates celebrate
after the ceremony; a group selfe before the
ceremony begins in Chaifetz Arena; and the
2024 honorary degree recipients (from left)
William and Susan Klepper, Hamm and Christie.
SARAH CONROY
SARAH CONROY
FROM TOP: Hamm (center) receives his
honorary degree from Board of Trustees
Chair Joseph Conran (left) and SLU
He reminded the graduates that they are now for the Society of Jesus; Dr. Susan E. Klepper
part of a shared community. (DCHS ’66), emeritus professor at Columbia
President Dr. Fred P. Pestello; Hamm poses
for a selfe with student speaker Sky Carroll.
University; and Dr. William M. Klepper (A&S
’66), academic director at Columbia University.
SARAH CONROY
2 UNIVERSITAS / THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y FALL 2024 3
SARAH CONROY
KABANCE PHOTO
‘Resilient’ Class of 2024 Celebrated at Commencement
For many of Saint Louis University’s newest “Be proud sons and daughters of St Louis,” he
alumni — who started college during the said. “Be proud of where you’re from, knowing
COVID 19 pandemic — the 2024 spring that it made you. Be at peace with where you
commencement was their frst chance to are, knowing it’s transitory and is leading
experience a proper graduation. to something else on the path. But most
importantly, be excited f St. Louis native and Emmy award-winning or where you’re going actor Jon Hamm congratulated the nearly — the future is endless, it is ripe with possibility, 1,600 students on their ability to thrive. and it is all yours to make of what you wish.”
“Your resilience in the face of continued In addition to delivering the main address, discomfort and distraction is impressive,” Hamm joined three SLU alumni in receiving Hamm said. honorary degrees: P. Maria Joseph Christie, S.J. (CSB ’99), secretary of higher education
4 UNIVERSITAS / THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
On campus
’ ’
’
’
’
’
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-
-
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- -
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ATHLETICS
SARAH CONROY
DISTINCTION Class of 2024 University Names
New Leadership
William
Johnson
RECTOR AND
VICE PRESIDENT,
SLU-MADRID
Johnson was
dean of the
SLU School of
Law for more
than seven years. He served
over four years as the director
of both the law school’s
Center for International
and Comparative Law and
its Summer Law Program in
Madrid.
Dr. Twinette
Johnson
(A&S ’96, GRAD ’19)
DEAN, SCHOOL
OF LAW
Johnson began
her academic
career as an
associate
professor at the SLU School
of Law over 20 years ago.
Most recently, she was dean
and professor of law at the
University of the District of
Columbia David A. Clarke
School of Law.
Dr. Jackson
Nickerson
EDWARD JONES
DEAN, RICHARD
A. CHAIFETZ
SCHOOL OF
BUSINESS
Nickerson was
a professor of
organization
and strategy at the Olin
School of Business at
Washington University in St.
Louis, where he’d been since
2007.
JOE BARKER WYLIE AGENCY
Hot Diggity! SLU Welcomes
Campus Facility Dog
The SLU community welcomed a new
member to campus this spring: Duo
Facility Dog Woody.
Unlike a service dog, a facility dog is
trained to work with multiple handlers in
homes, clinics or organizations and carry
out specific,skilled taskswith multiple cli-ents.
Facility dogs do not have public access
rights and are authorized to work within
the assigned facility only.
The first Duo Facility Dog to ever go to
college, Woody is a two-year-old English
Labrador retriever who has been training
his entire life for his role: decreasing stress,
improving moods and promoting well-be-ing
through interactions with students,
faculty and staff.
KINCAID RECEIVES LITERARY AWARD; WHITEHEAD TAPPED FOR 2025 HONOR
Renowned Antigua- Pulitzer Prize-winning author
CHRIS CLOSE
born author Jamaica Colson Whitehead will come to
Kincaid received St. Louis next April to accept the
the 2024 St. Louis 2025 St. Louis Literary Award.
SLU EARNS
NATIONAL
FOR
ENGAGEMENT
The Carnegie
Foundation for
the Advancement
of Teaching
announced
that Saint Louis
University
earned the 2024
Community
Engagement
Classifcation.
The elective
designation
is awarded by
Carnegie and the
American Council
on Education.
SLU is one of
Billiken Hall of Fame
CAMERON NEISLER
COMMUNITY The Department of Athletics inducted
new members into the Billiken Hall of
Fame in February.
BILLIKEN GREAT: CONTEMPORARY
Honoring student-athletes who
competed in the past 30 years
Aspen Cervin Ryan McCoy
(CSB 17), tennis (CSB 18), swimming
Miller Hogan, Alex Nickel (PH 17),
baseball softball
Jackie Kemph Tim Ream (CSB 10),
(CSB ’17, GRAD CSB ’18),
basketball soccer
Rick Majerus, Jenny (Kehl)
men’s basketball Wallace (A&S ’03),
head coach soccer
head coach for Bi l l iken
men’s basketball.
S che r t z c ame f rom
Indiana State, where he
finished his third season
with the Sycamores last
spring and led them to a
32 7 record and a run to the NIT championship game.
Prior to ISU, he spent 13 seasons at Lincoln Memorial,
where he led the Railsplitters to 10 NCAA Division II
national tournaments, including an appearance in the
2016 NCAA Division II national championship game.
Schertz is 403 109 in 16 seasons as a collegiate head
coach. His .787 winning percentage ranks in the top 10
among all active coaches in the NCAA. Schertz was named
the 2024 MVC Coach of the Year and the Hugh Durham
Schertz Heads Up
Men’s Basketball
J osh Schertz has started
his first season as the
National Coach of the Year, which is presented annually to
the top mid major head coach in college basketball.
Literary Award on Whitehead is the author of many 368 campuses DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD nationwide holding
novels, including The Underground the classifcation. Honoring former student-athletes for
April 25.
Soccer’s Schulte Makes Olympic Team
Former Saint Louis University men’s soccer standout
Patrick Schulte (CSB ’24) made it to the 2024 Paris
Olympic Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic men’s
Kincaid’s work Railroad, The Nickel Boys and their contributions to SLU athletics and
explores themes of colonialism, Harlem Shufe. In addition to the Pulitzer, he The report distinguished careers
gender and sexuality, racism, class won the National Book Award and the Carnegie highlighted SLU’s
and family. She wrote the novels Medal for Fiction, among other awards. He work on issues like Tom Strunk (CSB 89), soccer, is chief
Annie John, Lucy and See Now Then, has received a MacArthur Fellowship and a food insecurity fnancial ofcer of World Wide
and several other books. Guggenheim Fellowship. through Campus Technology Inc. He was instrumental in soccer team. The team advanced to the quarterfinals,
Kitchen and bringing Major League Soccer to and Schulte made five appearancesduring the Olympic
The new Target store is located along Grand Boulevard
between Gratiot and Papin streets.
Time for a
Target Run
TARGET’S NEWEST ST. LOUIS STORE,
located near the Saint Louis
University campus, opened on
July 21.
The approximately
72,000-square-foot store
includes a CVS Pharmacy,
Starbucks Café, and Ulta
Beauty at Target. The store flls
a void of anchor retail tenants
along the Grand corridor and
is part of the retailer’s eforts
to open more stores that meet
community needs for urban centers, dense suburban cities and college campuses.
The project is located within the 400-acre redevelopment area that’s guided by the
St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corp., a joint efort of SLU and SSM Health.
Billiken Bounty
and community
improvement
through initiatives
like Habitat for
Neighborhood
Business, SLU
Legal Clinics, and
the engagement
eforts of the
St. Louis Midtown
Redevelopment
Corp.
The classifcation
has been the
leading framework
for institutional
assessment and
recognition
of community
engagement in U.S.
higher education
for the past 19 years.
FALL 2024
St. Louis and has an ownership stake in
St. Louis CITY SC.
BAUMAN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Honoring individuals who made
outstanding contributions to Billiken
athletics
Joe Conran (A&S ’67, LAW 70) is a retired
partner and former chair at Husch
Blackwell LLP, where he is of counsel. He
chaired the SLU board of trustees for the
past 10 years.
BOB BURNES AWARD
Honoring teams that brought
recognition to SLU
2006 women’s soccer team, led by head
coach Tim Champion
2011 12 men’s basketball team, led by
head coach Rick Majerus
tournament.
As a Billiken from 2019 to 2021, he was the Atlantic
10 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2020
and was a first team All Conference pick in 2021. In
2021, he helped the Billikens to a 16 1 4 record and an
NCAA quarterfinal appearance.
Noted as one of the best young goalkeepers in the
country, Schulte was drafted by the Columbus Crew of
Major League Soccer in 2022 and helped the team win
the MLS Cup in 2023. He was the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro
Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022 with Columbus Crew 2.
Schulte is one of several Billikens who have been
members of the U.S. Olympic men’s soccer team
through the qualifying stages, and he joins a select
few former Billikens who have represented their coun
try in the finals. Brian McBride (Ed ’96) was on the
most recent U.S. team to make the finals at the 2008
Beijing Olympics. Matt McKeon (A&S ’97) was on the
U.S. squad at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Joe Hamm
(A&S ’73), Mike Seerey (CSB ’73) and Al Trost (A&S ’71)
played on the United States’ 1972 squad at the Munich
Olympics.
5
FA
LL 2024 7UNIVERSITAS / THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY 6 SARAH CONROY DR. SARAH ADAM is an assistant professor of occupational science and occupational ther-apy at Saint Louis University, but her recent achievement is more about making history than teaching health science. Adam became the first woman named to the U.S. Paralympic wheelchair rugby team earlier this year. And in September, that team took silver in the 2024 Paris Paralympic games.Eight teams — including France, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain and Japan — competed at the 2024 Paralympics. Adam played a key role for Team USA. She was in the starting lineup when the team kicked off its campaign on Aug. 29 with a 51-48 win against Canada, scoring six times in the victory. In the final match, she and co-captain Chuck Aoki led Team USA with 14 tries. (Tries are worth one point each.) However, Japan won 48-41, claiming gold.USA Wheelchair Rugby (USAWR) announced in May that Adam would be one of 12 athletes to represent the United States at the 2024 Paralympic Games. She was selected from an elite 16-person national training squad competing to earn a spot on the roster.“It’s an honor to be named to a Paralympic team and repre-sent Team USA at the elite level of our sport,” Adam said. “To be the first female to do it, during a time where women in sports is exploding in popularity, just elevates that honor.”PARALYMPICMETTLE– by Bridjes O’NeilA SLU PROFESSOR IS THE FIRST WOMAN TO MAKE THE U.S. PARALYMPIC WHEELCHAIR RUGBY TEAM.
Adam’s students and colleagues surprise her with
a sign at the Disabled Athlete Sports Association SLU community members cheer for Adam
(DASA) Ability Awareness Demonstration in during a watch party for her Paralympic debut
April at the Simon Recreation Center. on Aug. 29 in the Allied Health Building.
SARAH CONROY
SARAH CONROY
SARAH CONROY
Adam (right) teaches students about wheelchair
rugby during the DASA event in April.
Although wheelchair rugby has been a mixed-gender sport (with
men and women competing together) since it debuted at the 2000
Paralympics in Sydney, the sport has been dominated by men. At the
Paralympics in 2021, only four of the 96 athletes were female. That
number doubled to eight in Paris.
“To be able to compete amongst the best of the best in our sport, par-ticularly
as a female playing against mostly men, I have focused a lot on
being in peak physical shape,” Adam said. “I spent many hours at the
Simon Rec Center getting ready.”
Adam had a unique introduction to the sport as an “able-bodied
volunteer” for the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA) in 2013,
when she was a graduate student. DASA offers the biggest selection of
disabled competitive team sports and Parasport opportunities in the
SARAH CONROY
Adam (center) makes history as the frst woman to compete on the U.S.
Paralympic wheelchair rugby team versus Canada in Paris on Aug. 29. Midwest. Adam connected with the community and attended develop-ment
events — as both a coach-in-training and a referee.
A year later, after noticing difficulty walking, gripping items, numb-ness
in her hands and bouts of fatigue, Adam was diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis. She began playing wheelchair rugby recreationally
in 2017 and competitively in 2019.
Adam describes her style of play as “cerebral,” viewing wheelchair
rugby as a large chess match, aiming to always be three moves ahead of her
opponents. She hopes a documentary about her team’s journey to Paris in
2024 will inspire others and shed light on the adaptive sports movement.
Adam (right) shows her Paralympic silver
medal to colleague Emma Edwards on her
frst day back to campus on Sept. 9.
Adam’s medal
SARAH CONROY
AP PHOTO / MICHEL EULER
“I was initially drawn to the combination of
physicality and strategy involved in wheelchair
rugby,” Adam said. “I’ve found that there is also
a great community of athletes in Parasport who
support each other not just on the court but off
the court. I’ve seen Parasport truly help trans-form
people’s lives by connecting them back to
some sense of normalcy and a community of
like-minded individuals. It’s a great community
to be a part of.”
Adam made her international debut at the
Americas Championship in 2022, where the team
won gold, and later that year won a silver medal at
the world championships. In 2023, she was part
of the gold medal-winning Parapan American
Games team that secured USA Wheelchair Rugby
a spot for Paris 2024. She also became the first
American woman to win Parapan American
Games gold in wheelchair rugby.
USAWR is the most decorated Paralympic
wheelchair rugby program in history and the
only one to be awarded at all Paralympic Games
since the sport was added to the event roster in
Sydney. The United States has won silver medals
at the past three Paralympic Games: Rio 2016,
Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
8 UNIVERSITAS / THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y FALL 2024 9
FALL 2024
Spello is a picturesque village in Italy where the meandering cob-blestone
streets are lined with baskets of flowers. Enclosed in a
circuit of medieval stone walls and nestled in the verdant rolling
hills of the central region of Umbria, Spello is considered one of
the country’s most beautiful villages.
The scenery, however, is not what attracted Dr. Douglas Boin to Spello. An
expert in the religious transformation of the Roman Empire in the fourth cen-tury,
the Saint Louis University history professor was drawn to the village by a
piece of stone sitting in a room under a frescoed ceiling and dramatic lighting.
The stone contains a rescript, a message from Emperor Constantine giving
villagers permission to build a temple in Spello to celebrate a religious festival
in their own town rather than making the long journey to another. The only
condition was that the temple be dedicated to worshipping Constantine’s
imperial ancestors. This rescript was produced at a time when the Roman
Empire was straddling the lines between pagan and Christian religions.
Over his many years of research into fourth-century antiquities, Boin came
across articles and footnotes that mentioned the rescript, which was discov-ered
in the 1700s near Villa Fidelia, a resplendent Renaissance home built
outside Spello’s walls.
“It’s a trophy piece and by far the most famous piece of antiquity to come
from Spello,” he said. “It sparked my interest because anytime you can see
something written, whether on paper or stone, it can bridge a gap in time and
help us make sense of history. So, my colleagues and I decided to take a road
trip to see it.”
The Latin inscription on the rescript references a temple of opere magnifico,
roughly translated as “splendid endeavor.” After seeing the rescript, Boin and
colleagues stopped for a glass of wine and began to muse. Where was this
splendid temple erected? What did it look like? How did it impress itself on
the village at that time?
L O S T
F O U N D
11
DOUGLAS BOIN
The medieval hilltop town of Spello, Italy
A SLU history
A N D
professor's discovery sheds light on the
Roman Empire’s
transition from pagan
worship to Christianity.
– by Mar ie Di lg
The dig site in Spello, Italy
PHOTO BY LUCA PRIMAVESI
10 UNIVERSITAS / THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y PAGA N I SM A N D
P LU R A L I SM
Boin said the temple is significant
because it can offer insights into
the social change from pagan gods
to Christianity within the Roman
Empire.
Although Emper
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textSummer 2006 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis UniversityS i n g i n g
g roup
wo r k s i n
h a r mo n y
pg. 9
B i o l o gy
fac ult y
m a k e t he ir
m a r k
pg. 12
A l um n i
c h a n g e
c hil d r e n’s
l i v e s
pg. 18
B a s e b a l l
t e a m p l ay s
i n n c a a
t our n a me n t
pg. 6
F E AT U R E S DE PA R TMEN T S
E d i t o r
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
C o n t r i b u t o r s
Allison Babka Burney
Marie Dilg (SW ’94)
Shannon McGuire (Student Assistant)
Rachel Otto
“ O n C a m p u s ” n e w s s t o r i e s
University Communications
Medical Center Media Relations
Billiken Media Relations
D e s i g n
Art Direction: Matthew Krob
Universitas is published by Saint Louis University. Opin-ions
expressed in Universitas are those of the individual
authors and not necessarily those of the University admin-istration.
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are
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© 2006, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Volume 3 2 , I ssue 3
In April, I had the privilege of speaking to a
group of outstanding local citizens to accept
St. Louis’ 2005 “Citizen of the Year” award,
which is presented by a committee of former recip-ients
and sponsored by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
It was truly an honor.
The humbling experience gave me the oppor-tunity
to reflect on my early days in my adopt-ed
hometown and how much I have seen things
change here during the last 19 years.
Although I had a very brief visit to St. Louis
in 1967 on my way to Mexico to hone my Span-ish
skills, I didn’t spend any time in the city
until I was named to Saint Louis University’s
board of trustees in 1983. On my first trip to
SLU for a board meeting, I extended my stay
so I could see the city. After taking the Lindell
Boulevard bus downtown on a Saturday after-noon,
I found so little to do that I caught an
earlier flight back to Chicago.
For four more years, I came to St. Louis for the
trustees’ quarterly meetings — and I came only for
the meetings. Then, in 1987, when I was elected
president of SLU, I decided that I had to get to know the city. One Sunday morning shortly after
my arrival, I took former SLU President Tom Fitzgerald’s old, green-colored Oldsmobile and drove
around downtown, trying to memorize the street names.
I saw progress. In four years, some things had certainly changed for the better. But as I drove
back to campus, I saw that there was still much to do. Right in Midtown, in my own new back yard,
there were dilapidated buildings, plots of asphalt and rundown city blocks.
In my early days at SLU, I was like a new homeowner. I wanted the best for my neighborhood,
and I was willing to make the effort to improve it. When I came to this city to live and work, I
quickly adopted it as my home. But I still needed a shot of hometown pride.
I found that pride away from buildings and ball clubs. I love St. Louis for more than its Arch,
toasted ravioli and Ted Drewes frozen custard. I love it for the people who are trying to make a dif-ference
— visionaries such as Joe Edwards and Richard Baron and many others. And while I did use
my “Citizen of the Year” acceptance speech as an opportunity to challenge my fellow St. Louisans
to aspire to make our city greater, I also know that I — and our University — have enjoyed unprec-edented
cooperation from city officials and local business leaders.
I can remember being here for just a few months and working with then-mayor Vince Schoemehl
(Grad ’86) to get trees — substantial trees — planted along Grand and Lindell. In Chicago, I would
have never had as much direct access to the Board of Aldermen or to the mayor himself. Today, we
continue to receive tremendous support from Mayor Francis Slay (Law ’80) and from the Board of
Aldermen. I am truly grateful for the trust that city officials have always placed in SLU.
And it’s not just the civic leaders who have given us their trust. You, our alumni, friends and do-nors,
have shown how you believe in us, too. Through your gifts of time, talent and treasure, you’ve
been instrumental in building the reputation and stature of Saint Louis University.
We’ve come a long way together. And the city of St. Louis has, too. I am so thankful for your
commitment to Saint Louis University and hope that — no matter where you live now — SLU and
St. Louis will always feel like home.
Lawrence Biondi , S. J .
photo by Steve Dolan
President’s Message
etrolink
On the Map
A special insert gives
you an up-close look
at SLU’s campus.
Map Illustration by
Robert North Jr.
U N I V E R S I TA S S UMME R 2 0 0 6
Fr. Biondi with Dr. Donald Suggs, publisher of the St.
Louis American and the 2004 Citizen of the Year.
2 On Campus
Arena plans taking shape Research
Building gets a name Commencement
U.S. News ranks SLU high again
Social justice magazine debuts
6 Billiken News
Baseball team goes to the NCAA
Tournament Walker is now a coach
7 Campaign Update
Meet Anna and Jesse, students
doing their part for annual giving
22 Class Notes
Catch up with classmates
28 In Memoriam
Remembering those members of the
SLU community who recently died
29 Off the Shelf
Seven books from the SLU community
30 Alumni Events
Find SLU alumni activities
wherever you live
32 Perspective
An alumnus turns from music
fan into record label owner
33 The Last Word
Letters to the editor
9
Brothers in Song
An introduction
to the Bare Naked
Statues, SLU’s all-male
a cappella group.
By Allison Babka Burney
Bio-Diversity
The biology department
faculty are studying
everything from fish to
wasps to liver cancer.
By Marie Dilg
A Haven of Hope
Two alumni have
created a home where
abused and neglected
children thrive.
By Marie Dilg
12 18
Students congregate around a fountain at the Medical Center on a hot June aftternoon.
Photo by Kevin Lowder
U N I V E R S I TA S w w w. s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I TA S S UMME R 2 0 0 6
Groundbreaking is less than three
months away for the new 8 million in TIF funding and bonds,
which will be paid off with revenues from the
Arena. Fund raising continues toward the 39
million goal for the Arena project. Alumni and
benefactors who would like to contribute to the
Arena project can get information about the
project online at arena.slu.edu, or by calling
(314) 977-2499.
Site preparation will begin this summer, with
a groundbreaking date in late August or early
September. Construction is expected to take
approximately 19 months and be completed in
March 2008. At 10,600 seats, the Saint Louis
University Arena will have the second largest
capacity in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The
University anticipates hosting more that 90
events in the Arena in its first year of operation,
with roughly half being non-University events.
Arena plans move forward; groundbreaking soon
Commencement 2006
Saint Louis University celebrated
commencement for more than 1,700
graduates May 20 at Savvis Center.
Chris Lowney, author of Heroic Leadership:
Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company
that Changed the World, delivered the com-mencement
address. The book takes the pil-lars
of Ignatian teachings and applies them
to today’s business environment. In addition
to Lowney, other honorary degree recipients
were Maurice B. McNamee, S.J. (A&S ’33,
Grad ’34, ’45), professor emeritus of Eng-lish,
professor emeritus of art and art history
and director emeritus of Samuel Cupples
House; and Frank Stroble (Cook ’52, Grad
’60) and Ruth Stroble, longtime supporters
of Catholic higher education and commu-nity
volunteers. Throughout five decades as a professor
at Saint Louis University School of
Medicine, Dr. Edward A. Doisy was
renowned worldwide for his pioneering work
in the field of biochemistry, including win-ning
the 1943 Nobel Prize for discovering
the chemical nature of vitamin K.
To honor his lifetime of work, SLU’s new
biomedical research tower, a 67 million fa-cility,
will be named the Edward A. Doisy
Research Center. The Doisy family has com-mitted
2 million to establish the James B. and Joan
C. Peter Endowed Chair in Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology. Dr. James B. Peter
(Med ’58) is founder and former chief execu-tive
officer of Specialty Laboratories, a hospi-tal-
focused clinical reference laboratory.
• 2 million to establish the Badeeh A. and
Catherine V. Bander Endowed Chair in Ne-phrology.
Dr. Steven J. Bander (A&S ’75),
adjunct faculty member in nephrology, and
his wife, Patricia, are endowing the chair in
honor of his parents.
• 1.5 million in a challenge grant from the
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation to sup-port
construction of the research building.
The building is expected to open in fall
2007. For more details, visit researchbuild-ing.
slu.edu.
Research building gets name and 30 million gift
For the third consecutive year,
U.S.News & World Report has named
the Saint Louis University School of
Law’s health law program the best in the na-tion.
Since the rankings for the health law
specialty began a decade ago, Saint Louis
University’s Center for Health Law Studies
never has been out of the top three.
Overall, the magazine’s “Best Graduate
Schools 2007” issue ranked the law school
among the nation’s 180 accredited law
schools. The School of Medicine was ranked
No. 62 among the nation’s 144 research-intensive
medical schools surveyed by U.S.
News. The school’s geriatrics program was
ranked 12th in the United States.
In addition, the part-time MBA program
in the John Cook School of Business was
ranked No. 25 in the nation out of 347 part-time
MBA programs accredited by the As-sociation
to Advance Collegiate Schools of
Business (AACSB).
Graduate programs honored by U.S. News again
Annual Atlas Week recognizes
the University’s world view
Through more than 50 special events, including discussions,
open houses and student presentations, Atlas Week 2006 gave
the Saint Louis University community the opportunity to ex-plore
the international dimension of SLU’s academic programs and
celebrate the University’s role in international education and service.
The theme of this year’s Atlas Week, held in April, was “Political
and Social Justice in a Global World.” The Signature Symposium
featured Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams, who led the passage of
the international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines. Another
highlight was a panel discussion commemorating the first anniver-sary
of the death of Pope John Paul II.
The Billiken World Festival, which featured a Parade of Nations,
international cuisine, music, games and informational booths in the
quadrangle, wrapped up the week.
In SLU’s residence halls
Students living on
campus during the
2005-06 school year
On-campus rooms
Residence halls: Clemens, DeMattias,
Fusz, Griesedieck, Marguerite, Notre
Dame, Reinert and Walsh
Apartment complexes: Grand Forest,
the Language Houses, Marchetti East
and West, and the Village Apartments
3,346
1,785
84
Severson wins
teaching award
Dr. John G. Severson Jr., professor
of biology, received the 41st an-nual
Nancy McNeir Ring Award
from Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor
society. It is SLU’s oldest student-initi-ated
teaching award and is named for the
University’s first dean of women. Severson
joined the faculty in 1971, has served as
associate dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences and led the Academic Services
Center from 1993-2001. He played an in-tegral
role in the development of the Pre-
Law and Pre-Med Scholars programs, as
well as SLU 101 and SLU 301 programs
for new students.
A view of the Arena facing northwest.
A student shows her pride during the Parade of Nations.
From left: The Strobles, McNamee and Lowney.
Signing the beam before it is raised (from left): Alderman Michael McMillan; AT&T-Missouri vice president Debra
Hollingsworth; U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond; Clayco president and SLU trustee Bob Clark; University
President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.; SLU trustee Charles Drury and Shirley Drury, donors to the project.
Photo by Kevin Lowder
Photo by Clayton Berry
Photo by Allison Babka Burney
Photo by Allison Babka Burney
Lincoln Legacy exhibit
coming to SLUMA
From Aug. 25-Dec. 17, Samuel Cupples House,
in partnership with the Saint Louis University
Museum of Art, will present “The Lincoln Legacy:
Presidential Years.” The exhibit, which will be in
the Judith and Adam Aronson Gallery at SLUMA,
showcases the Dr. Bernard Hall Abraham Lincoln
Collection of the University of Saint Mary in
Leavenworth, Kan. It will feature manuscripts
and autographed documents, as well as sig-nificant
historical artifacts relating to Lincoln’s
presidency. The exhibit is free and open to
the public. In conjunction with “The Lincoln
Legacy,” the University will be the site of a Civil
War re-enactment, the “Camp Jackson Historic
Encampment,” during Labor Day weekend, Sept.
1-3. For other programming and updates, visit
http://lincoln.slu.edu or call (314) 977-2666.
t h e A R T S a t S L U
Hand-tinted woodcut of Lincoln (1863).
MOCRA welcomes back
‘Silver Clouds’
They’re back! SLU’s Museum of Contemporary
Religious Art (MOCRA) announces a final show-ing
of its most popular show ever, Andy Warhol’s
“Silver Clouds.” First shown at MOCRA in 2001
and 2002, the largest-ever U.S. “Clouds” instal-lation
features dozens of silver mylar balloons
riding the air currents around MOCRA’s capa-cious
nave gallery. Visitors are invited to enter
into a childlike world of wonder and experience
one of Warhol’s groundbreaking experiments
with creating unique, non-traditional environ-ments.
MOCRA also will be showing a number
of Warhol’s “Sunset” prints. The “Clouds” open
in mid-September and continue through the fall
semester. Call MOCRA at (314) 977-7170 or visit
mocra.slu.edu for more information.
“Silver Clouds” fill the gallery during
the 2002 MOCRA showing.
New administrators join SLU
As of July 1,
Dr. Kent
Porterfield is
Saint Louis University’s
new vice president for
student development.
Porterfield comes to
SLU from Northwest
Missouri State Univer-sity,
where he was vice
president for student
affairs — a role he held
for nearly a decade. At SLU, Porterfield fosters
student formation through non-academic areas,
including residence life, student life, student
health and counseling, campus recreation
and community outreach. He also oversees
contracted services such as the bookstore
and dining services. At Northwest, Porterfield
led many of these same areas and worked to
enhance students’ lives.
Dr. Connie
Evashwick,
previously
an endowed chair and
director of the Center
for Health Care In-novation
at California
State University, Long
Beach, joined SLU as
dean of the Saint Louis
University School of
Public Health on
July 1. Over the years, she has combined her
academic career with consulting and direct
operations management. Evashwick has served
as vice president of long-term care for two
major health care systems and is a national
consultant to health systems, hospitals and
long-term care organizations. She is the author
or editor of 12 books and more than 100 other
publications.
News Briefs
Saint Louis University again opened its doors
to the area’s homeless population to provide
a hot meal and clothing. During SLU’s annual
“Open Doors” event March 23, hundreds
of homeless individuals also received free
employment and housing assistance, legal
services and opportunities to pursue literacy
education.
SLU President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., and Dr.
Ellen Harshman (Grad ’78, Law ’92), dean
of the John Cook School of Business, were
named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s
“Influentials” list this spring. The list recognizes
area business and community leaders who
make a difference to the region. Biondi was
honored as one of 10 “legends” — individuals
“who have gone beyond being influential to
become legends in our region and beyond.”
Dr. Bruce R. Bacon, professor of internal
medicine and director of the division of
gastroenterology and hepatology at the
School of Medicine, has been appointed to the
National Commission on Digestive Diseases,
an institute of the National Institutes of
Health and the National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive Diseases. The commission,
comprising 16 people, is charged with
conducting an overview of research in digestive
diseases and developing a strategic plan for
the next 10 years of NIH digestive disease
research.
Saint Louis University Provost Dr. Joe
Weixlmann was named “Distinguished
Editor of the Year” by the Council of Editors
of Learned Journals. The award recognizes
Weixlmann’s dedication and excellence in
his work with African American Review, the
official publication of the Modern Language
Association’s Division on Black American
Literature and Culture. He was editor in chief
from 1976-2004.
The St. Louis Jesuits, sometimes called “the
fathers of contemporary American liturgical
music,” received an honorary doctorate of
music from Creighton University this spring.
Roc O’Connor S.J. (A&S ’73), Bob Dufford
S.J. (A&S ’67, Grad ’72, ’75), John Foley S.J.
(A&S ’68, Grad ’68, ’74), and Dan Schutte
(A&S ’72), who were featured in the fall 2005
Universitas, were recognized for their 30 years
of ministry to the Church.
U N I V E R S I TA S w w w. s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I TA S S UMME R 2 0 0 6
Community service tops 750,000 hours
Members of the Saint Louis University community continue to live the institution’s
mission as 14,602 students, faculty and staff contributed 753,808 hours of com-munity
service and outreach during 2005, according to a recently released University
report. This is the second year in a row that members of the University have performed more
than 750,000 hours of service. According to the report, more than 1,270 organizations and
events benefited from SLU faculty and staff volunteerism, up from 1,110 in 2004. Faculty and
staff spent 71,903 hours performing community service in 2005, a drastic jump from 41,533
hours previously. Student service also is intensive. Through academic courses, internships and
campus organizations, students committed more than 76,768 hours to outreach.
SLU students spend
spring break in service
During spring break in March
more than 50 Saint Louis Uni-versity
students participated in
rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. Of
the group, 39 SLU students assisted Ser-vice
International with the demolition of
buildings that were flooded or destroyed
by Hurricane Katrina. After demolition,
the students helped with power washing,
sanitizing and rebuilding efforts. Another
15 SLU students worked with Operation
Helping Hands, where they helped remove
debris in neighborhoods and assisted with
light carpentry, as well as construction and
restoration of homes and buildings.
This year, about 150 SLU students partic-ipated
in spring break mission trips not only
to New Orleans, but other U.S. locations as
well as sites in Mexico and El Salvador.
Social justice magazine
debuts on campus
Current SLU students from various cross-cultural and social
justice groups on campus have collaborated to produce a
student-led, student-run magazine that aims to raise aware-ness
about international social justice issues. Based upon the Jesuit
mission, One World focuses attention on men and women around
the world who are in dire need of help. Whether it’s poverty and
starvation in the developing world or genocide in Sudan, SLU stu-dent
writers explore humanitarian issues in an effort to make read-ers
realize that they have capacity and responsibility to get involved.
To view the magazine online, visit www.sluoneworld.com. Or to
order a copy of the 40-page magazine, send your request and 5 contri-bution
to: One World c/o Donna Bess; Busch Student Center, Suite 237; 20 N. Grand Blvd.; St.
Louis, MO 63103. Make checks payable to Saint Louis University.
AHarvard University team recently won the
Urban Land Institute Gerald D. Hines
Student Urban Design Competition,
which was held March 31 at Saint Louis Univ
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textFall 2001 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis UniversityT H E M AG A Z I N E O F S A I N T L O U I S U N I V E R S I T Y
F A L L 2 0 0 1
By Lawrence Biondi, SJ
Saint Louis University President
The following is an excerpt of a message I sent to the Saint Louis
University community in the days immediately following the terror-ist
attacks that shook our nation on September 11. Like all
Americans, I was deeply troubled by the events of that day and have
been mourning the loss of lives, freedom and innocence throughout
the difficult weeks that have followed.
I also have been praying. In that regard, I have not been alone.
Like so many across the country, the SLU community gathered for
Masses, memorials and vigils that allowed us to contribute our
prayers to the healing of our nation.
What I have taken away from these prayers, both public and pri-vate,
is the importance of tolerance and the hope for peace. Please
keep our faculty, staff and me, and, most of all, the young people
we guide and protect, in your thoughts and prayers.
The unthinkable has happened:
Terror has struck us at home. The
events on September 11 and the after-math
in New York and Washington,
D.C., are horrific. These events have
been almost beyond our ability to
comprehend as Americans and as
human beings. As the smoke and rub-ble
cleared, as the faces and stories of
people who lost their lives in this vio-lence
flashed across our televisions, as
we continue to watch this human
tragedy unfold, our shock gives way to
anger.
Our shock and anger spark so many
questions: How could this happen to
us? Why didn’t “they” stop this from
happening? Who did this? Although
no group has claimed responsibility,
many are assuming that these murder-ers
came from the Middle East and
were supported by Middle Eastern
countries. As our nation’s law enforce-ment
agencies continue their investi-gations,
there has been an alarming backlash against innocent
members of our community simply because they are Muslim
or Arab or “look” as if they are from the Middle East.
It is important for us to remember that there is evil in our
world: There are evil persons in every country, in every reli-gion,
in every culture. It is important for us to remember
that no ethnic or religious group should suffer as a whole for
the malicious actions of a few.
During this difficult time and all the days ahead, I pray that
the Holy Spirit will enlighten us with God’s understanding
and tolerance. At Saint Louis University, as members of a
diverse educational community shaped by Catholic and
Jesuit heritage and values, we must not simply practice but
also promote tolerance and understanding.
I was sent the following comments from SLU professor Dr.
Steven Fliesler who received them second-hand from a New
Yorker who is also a Muslim. Perhaps they will shed light on
the misguided notion terrorism is inherent to Islam:
“Truly, the taking of innocent lives or the act of suicide are
forbidden in Islam. Only God can take the life of a human
when the time comes. To use one’s own body as a means of
suicide or to kill innocent people is an act of violence against
humanity. A definition of a ‘Muslim’ simply means to submit
the human will to the will of God, the creator and sustainer
of all of mankind. The term ‘jihad’ has been unfortunately
defined as ‘holy war,’ when there is no such term in the
Muslim Holy Book. The term ‘jihad’
means ‘struggle,’ and the greatest strug-gle
is the struggle with one’s inclination
to sin. Provisions are given for one to
defend oneself in combat when
attacked, not cowardly acts on inno-cent
lives. I pray for those who died in
this catastrophe. The media in New
York tried to blame the act on
‘Muslims,’ but Mayor Giuliani voiced
that whoever the perpetrators were or
are will be found and punished. He
further added that no single group
should be blamed for this.”
The cries for revenge for the acts of
terrorism on September 11, especially
those that focus on Muslims and Arabs,
bring to mind the treatment of Japanese
Americans following the attack on
Pearl Harbor. I sincerely hope — more
than 50 years later and faced with
another unthinkable attack — that no
similar mistreatment will be brought to
bear upon Arabs or the followers of
Islam, at Saint Louis University, the
United States or our world.
This is a time to stand together as Americans and as a peo-ple
of faith. The perpetrators of the horrific acts on
September 11 must be identified in accordance with our
nation’s laws so that justice will, in fact, be done. This is best
left to the appropriate intelligence and law enforcement agen-cies.
If we allow ourselves to give in to our pain and anger,
then we allow the terrorists to win. If we act out against
innocent people to fulfill our need for revenge, we are no
better than the terrorists. If we allow bigotry and hatred to
consume us, the terrorists will ultimately succeed in destroy-ing
all that we as Americans hold true.
UNIVERSITAS
Volume 28, No. 1
Editor
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
Contributors
Clayton Berry
Jaime Daniels (AHP ’99, ’01)
Marie Dilg (Soc Ser ’94)
John Vieth
Chris Waldvogel
Photo Credits
Steve Dolan, 19-22
Dave Preston, 25, 31
Steve Schremp, inside cover
John Vieth, cover, 17, 32
James Visser, 4, 11-13
Chris Waldvogel, 2-5, 15-16
Design
AKA Design Inc.
Art Direction: Richie Murphy
Design: Stacy Lanier
UNIVERSITAS is published quarterly by
Saint Louis University. Opinions
expressed in UNIVERSITAS are those of
the individual authors and not neces-sarily
those of the University adminis-tration.
Unsolicited manuscripts and
photographs are welcome but will be
returned only if accompanied by a
stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Letters to the editor must be signed,
and letters not intended for publica-tion
should indicate that fact. The
editor reserves the right to edit all
items. Please address all mail to
UNIVERSITAS, DuBourg Hall 39, 221
N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103. We
accept e-mail at [email protected] and fax
submissions at (314) 977-2249.
Address fax submissions to Editor,
UNIVERSITAS.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
UNIVERSITAS, Saint Louis University, 221
N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
World Wide Web address:
www.slu.edu/pr/universitas.html
UNIVERSITAS is printed by Universal
Printing Co. and mailed by Accurate
Business Mailers Inc.
Worldwide circulation: 106,000
© 2001, Saint Louis University.
All rights reserved.
On the Cover: Flags were
placed around the statue of St.
Ignatius Loyola, located behind
DuBourg Hall, following the
events of Sept. 11.
IIN MEMORIIAM AALLUUMMNNII nnootteess
2
23 32
28 30
FALL 2001
C O N T E N T S
6
A Man for Others
Remembering the life
of Father Paul C. Reinert, S.J.
10
America 101
When international students arrive at
SLU, they receive a thorough orientation.
14
You Were Here
New University maps show
just how much SLU has grown.
18
Faith Healing
Is there really a connection
between prayer and healing?
2
SLU named a
‘best buy’ for the
4th straight year
For the fourth consecutive
year, U.S. News & World
Report has named Saint Louis
University as one of the best
education values in the
United States. According to
the report, SLU ranks among
the top 50 national, doctoral
universities on the “Great
Schools at Great Prices” list.
“Saint Louis University offers
students the resources of a
leading research university
with the personal attention
that a Jesuit education pro-vides,”
said University
Provost Sandra Johnson (A&S
’73). “We are one of only
three Catholic universities
included on this list.” U.S.
News also ranked Parks
College of Engineering and
Aviation among the top 26
undergraduate engineering
programs in the nation, with
Freshmen boast
higher test scores
New undergraduate stu-dents
again have con-tributed
to the healthy size of
the Saint Louis University stu-dent
body. New freshmen and
transfer students total approxi-mately
1,700 for the new acad-emic
year. “SLU continues to
attract quality students from
around the nation,” said assis-tant
provost Ned Harris. “At
the same time, we have main-tained
our allure for — and
allegiance to — potential col-lege
students from the metro-politan
area.” The quality of
SLU’s incoming students also
continues to rise. This year’s
new freshman posted an aver-age
ACT score of 26.4, an
increase from last year’s class
average of 26 and the highest
on record for the University.
Continental plans
a comeback
One of St. Louis’ architec-tural
gems soon will
shine in the skyline again
thanks to the ongoing reno-vation
of the Continental
Building, located on Olive
Street near Grand Boulevard.
Saint Louis University played
a vital role in the building’s
redevelopment, providing a
critical 925.9 million, an
18.1 million increase from its
1999 mark.
PERMANENT LANDING: A former plane from the
fleet of training aircraft for Parks College of Engineering
and Aviation has found a new home at the west side of
McDonnell Douglas Hall. The Cessna 310 was retired
due to its age.
the department of aerospace
engineering in the top three
nationally. Both rankings
have moved up and are for
schools where the highest
degree offered is a master’s.
10 medical fields
cited by U.S. News
The 2001 edition of U.S.
News & World Report’s
“America’s Best Hospitals”
places Saint Louis University
Hospital among the top 50
medical centers in treatment
for the following disorders and
diseases: digestive disease (29);
ear, nose and throat (29); geri-atrics
(7); heart (23); hormonal
disorders (26); kidney disease
(33); orthopedics (32); respira-tory
(25); rheumatology (33);
and urology (40). “For us to
have these programs nationally
ranked reflects well for our
hospital and its medical staff
partner, the School of
Medicine,” said Dr. Gary
Peterson (Med ’73), president
of the Saint Louis University
Hospital medical staff and pro-fessor
of surgery. “Most of all,
it reflects well on our patients
and the care we provide
them.” U.S. News assessed
hospital care for 17 specialties
at 1,878 hospitals nationwide,
up from 1,701 last year.
NEWS BRIEFS
By The Numbers
21.4 Percent of freshmen who
are children of Saint Louis
University alumni.
762 Fireworks shells launched
during the display for September’s
Alumni Reunion Weekend.
2,046 Hot dogs and hamburgers
consumed during Reunion
Weekend.
15,224 Attendees at events spon-sored
by SLU’s office of alumni
relaions between July 2000 and
June 2001.
Dr. Anne Perry (Grad Nurs ’76),
professor at the School of Nursing,
has received her profession’s highest
honor — induction as a fellow into
the American Academy of Nursing.
She is one of only a handful of nurs-es
and nurse educators in the area to
achieve this status. … Vice
President for Facility Services and
Civic Affairs Kathleen Brady
(A&S ’76) received the George D.
Wendel Civic Leadership Award
from the Student Government
Association this spring. The award,
created in 1999, is named after the
late Dr. George Wendel, a long-time
member of SLU’s faculty and a
leader in civic progress. … Three
plays remain in Saint Louis
University Theatre’s line-up for
2001-02: Tartuffe, Nov. 9-11 and
16-17; Godspell, Feb. 15-17 and
21-23; and The Crucible, April 19-
21 and 26-27. For tickets, call (314)
977-2998. … SLU trustee Kim
Tucci (A&S ’62, Grad ’69) has
been named chairman of the St.
Louis Convention and Visitors
Commission by Gov. Bob Holden.
Tucci, president and co-owner of
the Pasta House Co. restaurants, is
chairman of the Billiken Club and
the Missouri Film Commission. …
Provost Sandra Johnson (A&S
’73) received the inaugural William
J. Curran Distinguished Public
Health Service Award from the
American Society of Law, Medicine
and Ethics in recognition of her
work in the area of legal and policy
issues in treatment for pain. …
Simon Schama, the award-win-ning
historical author, will receive
the 2001 Saint Louis Literary Award
from the Associates of Saint Louis
University Libraries at a presenta-tion
Tuesday, Oct. 30, on campus.
A professor of history at Columbia
University, Schama specializes in
European cultural and environmen-tal
history and the history of art. His
books include A History of Britain,
Citizens, Patriots and Liberators, The
Embarrassment of Riches and
Landscape and Memory. He also has
been an art critic for The New
Yorker.
PEOPLE PROJECT: Two figures, “The Billiken” by
Brent Morris (right) and “Satchmo Plays the Saint Louis
Blues” by Scott C. Clark, were on display on campus
along Grand Boulevard all summer thanks to the city’s
“People Project,” a region-wide temporary public art
exhibit similar to Chicago’s “Cows on Parade.” The
People Project featured approximately 250 figures dis-played
at locations around the St. Louis area.
WBCA recognizes
women hoopsters
The Saint Louis University
women’s basketball team
has been honored as a 2000-01
Academic Top 25 Team by
the Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association. As a
team, the Billiken women’s
basketball squad posted a
cumulative 3.31 grade point
average last season, which
ranked eighth among all
Division I teams. “This award
confirms the outstanding work
and effort our ladies put forth
all year long,” said head coach
Jill Pizzotti. “The team is com-mitted
to reaching its potential
both on the basketball court
and in the classroom. I am
extremely proud of them for
earning this award and pleased
with the national recognition
they received from the
WBCA.” This marks the sec-ond
time in three seasons that
the women’s team has been
recognized by the WBCA.
project last year. The
University formed a Web
team, created an advisory
council of students, faculty
and staff, and conducted sur-veys
to get input on the new
site’s content and look. The
result? A new site full of use-ful
information, news stories
and photos. To see for your-self,
visit www.slu.edu.
SLUCare leader
now on board
Daniel G. Zabel has joined
Saint Louis University in
the newly created position of
executive director of the
University Medical Group,
more commonly known as
SLUCare. He was selected fol-lowing
a national search that
commenced in February.
Since 1996, Zabel had been
the executive director and
chief executive officer of the
University Physicians of
Brooklyn at the SUNY
Health Sciences Center in
Brooklyn, N.Y., where he
also held an appointment as
associate clinical professor in
the departments of medicine
and surgery. Prior to that,
Zabel held executive positions
with the University of South
Florida Physicians Group,
Tampa General Hospital, the
University of Florida Health
Sciences Center and the
University of Connecticut
Health Sciences Center.
SLU’s Web site
gets a facelift
Saint Louis University has
a new presence online.
After months of work and
significant input from the
University community, the
new www.slu.edu arrived on
the World Wide Web Sept.
1. Because the Internet has
become the primary research
tool of prospective students
and a popular way for par-ents,
alumni and others to
gather information, SLU
began a Web re-engineering
4
Parks profs team
up with NASA
Saint Louis University is
among a select group of
institutions charged with
reviewing concepts for com-mercial
spacecraft for NASA.
As part of its involvement in
NASA’s newly formed
Integrated Technology
Assessment Center, SLU has
received a one-year 100,000
grant in what’s expected to
be a three-year $400,000
agreement. A research team
at Parks College of
Engineering and Aviation
will examine the concepts
and make recommendations
to NASA. Paul Czysz (Parks
’55), a professor of mechani-cal
and aerospace engineer-ing,
heads the team, which
includes SLU professor Chris
Rahaim and students. “This is
not science fiction,” Czysz
said. “I have believed for
more than 40 years that fre-quent
flights to space are pos-sible.”
So possible, he added,
that Saint Louis University is
offering two concepts of its
own.
Miss Teen USA
is a Billiken-to-be
The newly crowned Miss
Teen USA will extend
her reign to Saint Louis
University. Marissa Whitley
earned the crown Aug. 22 in
South Padre Island, Texas, at
the 19th annual Miss Teen
USA competition. A native
of Springfield, Mo., the 18-
year-old Whitley plans to
pursue communication or
criminology when she attends
SLU next spring. She is a
Calloway Scholar, an honor
given to the top African-
American students accepted
to SLU.
SKY LIGHTS: For the second year, fireworks lit up the
campus in September for Alumni Reunion Weekend.
More than 1,700 came back to SLU for class celebrations,
the homecoming parade, barbecues, family events, a men’s
soccer game and tram tours.
Grand and Lindell
buildings acquired
Saint Louis University has
purchased the Marina
Building, 300-312 N. Grand
Blvd., and the Feathers
Building at 3559 Lindell
Blvd., which houses Vito’s
Pizza and 17 efficiency
apartments. “Investing in
the neighborhoods sur-rounding
SLU is essential,”
said University President
Lawrence Biondi, S.J. “The
University will continue its
efforts in developing our
campus and helping revitalize
our city.” Along with the
Bills keep C-USA
award streak alive
Conference USA has
named Saint Louis
University as its recipient of
the Institutional Excellence
Award for the sixth consecu-tive
year. The award is given
to the school with the highest
cumulative grade point average
vacant Jack in the Box restau-rant
at Olive and Grand —
which the University pur-chased
in December — the
two properties give SLU con-trol
of the south entrance to
the arts and entertainment
district known as Grand
Center. “It is our hope to
attract restaurants and stores
to enhance Midtown for our
students, employees and the
community,” said Kathleen
Brady (A&S ’76), vice presi-dent
for facilities management
and civic affairs.
Whitley
Marina Building
Lecture series
honors Campbell
The department of com-munication
sciences and
disorders has begun a memori-al
lecture series on topics in
diversity in honor of Dr.
Lynda R. Campbell, who died
in March. The first lecture was
held in October. The next
lecture will be Nov. 2 and 3,
when Dr. Fred Hall presents
“Educational and Classroom
Issues in Multiculturalism.”
The lectures are open to all.
For reservations, call (314)
977-2939. Campbell, whose
research and teaching focused
on multiculturalism, was an
associate professor and the past
chair of the department.
30
The September-October 1971
issue of Saint Louis University
Magazine featured a photo essay of
Tegeler Hall, the then-new home
of the School of Social Service.
The issue also included the results
of an alumni survey intended to
compare attitudes of the classes of
1935, ’55 and ’69. Among the
findings: Sixty-nine percent of the
class of ’69 favored the immediate
withdrawal of all American troops
from Vietnam, but just 29 percent
of the class of ’35 did. Similarly, 77
percent of the class of ’69 consid-ered
non-violent protests on col-lege
campuses a “healthy sign for
America,” but just 42 percent of
the 1935 respondents agreed.
The magazine’s cover story
focused on a group of students
who traveled to Belize to study
tropical biology and coral reefs.
Another story recounted the histo-ry
of St. Stanislaus, the then-recently
closed Jesuit seminary
located in Florissant, Mo.
Quotable UTAS: “Never under-estimate
the power of an idea in
the mind of a Jesuit. … They’re a
remarkably tenacious breed.” —
Associate editor Jane Priwer, in her
story about the Belize research group.
Sign of the times: It was reported
that the student activities commit-tee’s
sponsorship of a lecture by
William Kunstler, lawyer for the
“Chicago Seven,” caused quite a
bit of controversy. Some local
alumni attempted to pressure the
University to cancel the speech, but
the administration allowed it, confi-dent
that “the student at Saint Louis
University has a level of intelligence
and good judgment such that he is
able to evaluate, at their proper
worth, the words and actions of the
speakers whom he hears.”
CLASS ACT: Fitzgerald Hall is open for classes for the
first time. Following the move of the building’s former
occupants (SLU’s human resources and business offices) to
Salus Center, Fitzgerald Hall underwent summer renova-tion
and opened its doors to students in August. Soon the
political science and sociology departments will have offices
there, too.
COMPACT EXHIBIT: Now through Dec. 31
Samuel Cupples House presents “Oh, Vanity,”
an exhibition of antique glass vanity objects from
the 19th and early 20th centuries. The display
includes antique functional objects in silver,
ceramic and glass, such as perfume bottles,
barber bottles, shaving mugs, powder boxes
and dresser sets. Cupples House is open
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday
through Saturday.
Chair endowed
in neurosurgery
Neurosurgeon Dr. Richard
Donald Bucholz is the
first holder of the K.R.
Smith Endowed Chair in
Neurosurgery at Saint Louis
University School of Medicine.
Greek groups
boast high GPAs
The University’s fraternity
and sorority scholarship
repo
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textSpring 2007 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis UniversityRemembering Father Mac
PAGE 8
DR. ROB E RT BELSHE
DR. MAR K BULLER
PA UL C Z YS Z
DR. G REG EVANS
DR. DEE ANNA GL ASER
DR. JOEL GOL DS TEIN
DR. JERRY KAT Z
DR. JOHN MORL E Y
DR. K EN WA RREN
DR. TER RI L . WEAVER
VACCINE DEVELOPMENT
VIRAL-BORNE DISEASES
AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION
BIOTERRORISM
COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
VICE PRESIDENCY
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
U.S. POLITICS
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Hearing Voices
PAGE 16
Trophy Life
PAGE 20
Volume 33, Issue 2
E d i t o r
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
C o n t r i b u t o r s
Clayton Berry
Marie Dilg (SW ’94)
Jeff Fowler
Jeanette Grider
Joe Muehlenkamp (A&S, Cook ’89, Grad ’98)
Rachel Otto
Andrea Roewe
Nick Sargent
Nancy Solomon
“ O n C a m p u s ” n e w s s t o r i e s
University Communications
Medical Center Media Relations
Billiken Media Relations
De s i g n
Art Direction: Matthew Krob
Universitas is published by Saint Louis University. Opin-ions
expressed in Universitas are those of the individual
authors and not necessarily those of the University ad-ministration.
Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs
are welcome but will be returned only if accompanied
by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Letters to the
editor must be signed, and letters not intended for pub-lication
should indicate that fact. The editor reserves the
right to edit all items. Address all mail to Universitas,
DuBourg Hall 39, 221 N. Grand, St. Louis, Mo. 63103.
We accept e-mail at [email protected] and fax submissions
at (314) 977-2249. Address fax submissions to Editor,
Universitas.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Universitas, Saint Louis University,
221 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
World Wide Web address:
www.slu.edu/pr/universitas.html
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and mailed by Specialty Mailing.
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© 2007, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Each spring I look forward to our com-mencement
ceremony. There is just
something about the sound of the organ
filling Scottrade Center and the sight of hun-dreds
of graduates having their pictures taken in
their caps and gowns smiling ear-to-ear flanked
by a parent on each side with even bigger smiles
on their faces. I love the banners, the academic
attire and the ritual of it all. It is an exciting
time for professors, students and parents alike,
and the thrill culminates for me when I get to
roar at the end of the ceremony: “I declare you
sons and daughters of Saint Louis University
forever!”
Many students find it difficult to see past my
role as priest and president, but at heart, I am
also an educator. I spent 12 years as a mem-ber
of the faculty at Loyola University Chicago
teaching and six years as a dean at Loyola be-fore
I became president
of SLU. I value my time
as a professor because
what I learned from my
students in the classroom
has influenced the educa-tion-
focused decisions I
have made as president
here.
So, it is a joy for me
to see so many students
excited about what they
have achieved during
their time at SLU and to
witness their enthusiasm
for the future. Every year,
I wonder how the gradu-ates
in the audience will go on to achieve great
things and how the University will play a role in
those successes.
With nearly 108,000 SLU alumni living
around the world, there are many stories of
SLU sons and daughters making the University
proud. But in February, I was blessed to spend
time with one of those sons. He has not only
gone on to achieve great success, he saw fit to
share it with SLU.
I am sure some of you will find familiar the
name that adorns the Chaifetz Arena (read more
on page 2), our long-awaited, on-campus arena,
because its namesake may have been a former
classmate. Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, who made
a 12 million naming rights gift to the arena
project, graduated from Saint Louis University
in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
During the past 30 years, Chaifetz founded
Chicago-based ComPsych Corp. and oversaw
its growth into the world’s largest provider of
employee-assistance programs.
It’s truly a blessing that Rich is sharing the
success he achieved after graduating from SLU.
But as an educator, I was more touched to hear
Rich tell the story that inspired him to give back
to his alma mater.
During a press conference announcing his do-nation,
Rich told the media in attendance about
the day he visited the office of former University
President Paul Reinert, S.J. As Rich told those
in attendance, he was faced with the possibility
of having to leave SLU because he could not pay
his tuition.
When Rich reached the president’s office, he
was obviously nervous. But Father Reinert took
the time to meet with him and listened to his
story. Rich punctuated his plea to stay at SLU
by promising that if Father Reinert allowed
him to remain in school,
he would not only pay
SLU the tuition he owed
but give back even more
when he established him-self.
Clearly, he’s made
good on that promise.
Rich truly understands
the benefits he received
by attending Saint Louis
University, not only be-cause
of the investment
Father Reinert made in
him, but the kindness
that all those who support
the University showed
him. Donations, whether
small or large, make it possible for future gen-erations
to share in the educational experience
you received at Saint Louis University.
As we push forward to have SLU recognized
as the finest Catholic university in the nation, we
will continue to need the assistance and leader-ship
of sons and daughters like Rich — and like
you. By making the University even better, you
not only give current students the opportunities
you received, you strengthen the value of your
degree as SLU’s stature and reputation improve
across the country.
No matter how long ago it was that you took
those special pictures with your parents or felt
the excitement of graduation rush over you as
“Pomp and Circumstance” began to play, I hope
you will always remember you are sons and
daughters of Saint Louis University, forever.
— Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
P r e s i den t ’ s Me s s age
U N I V E R S I T A S w w w . s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I T A S S P R I N G 2 0 0 7
F EAT U RES
DE PARTMENTS
2 On Campus
Arena named for Chaifetz Service hours grow Med dean to
retire New endowed chairs Rec Center expands
6 Billiken News
Three fall NCAA Tourney appearances New Hall of Fame inductees
7 Campaign Update
A conversation with Tom Keefe, development vice president
24 Class Notes
Catch up with classmates
28 In Memoriam
Remembering those members of the SLU community who recently died
30 Alumni Events
Find SLU alumni activities wherever you live
32 Perspective
An alumnus shares the courage and inspiration of his college roommate
33 The Last Word
Letters to the editor
8
16
Remembering
Father Mac
SLU’s champion of
Cupples House and the
arts, Maurice McNamee,
S.J., died in January.
By Clayton Berry
and Nick Sargent
Meet the Experts
Insights and experiences from 10 faculty members who
frequently appear in the media. 10 Photos by Jim Visser 20
Hearing VOICES
An innovative program
helps members of
the SLU community
find their calling.
By Marie Dilg
Trophy Life
A Q&A with alumnus
Mark Lamping, president
of the St. Louis Cardinals.
By Laura Geiser
A springtime workout at the expanded Simon Recreation Center.
Photo by Jim Visser
U N I V E R S I T A S w w w . s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I T A S S P R I N G 2 0 0 7
6,000 Lineal feet of underground piping used in the construction 34,000 Square feet of brick being used in the project — enough to cover a regulation basketball court 7.25 times »
Saint Louis University announced Feb. 28 that its new 10,600-
seat multipurpose arena will be named in honor of University
alumnus Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz (SHAY-fetz), who made a
12 million naming rights gift to the project. Chaifetz Arena will
open in March 2008. It will be home to Billiken men’s and women’s
basketball and will host other events.
Chaifetz (A&S ’75) is a licensed neuropsychologist and is founder,
chairman and CEO of Chicago-based ComPsych Corp., the world’s
largest provider of employee-assistance programs (EAP). ComPsych
is also the leading provider of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health,
work-life, wellness, crisis intervention services and outsourced human
resources solutions under the GuidanceResources brand. ComPsych
provides services to more than 25 million individuals and 10,000 or-ganizations
throughout the United States and 92 countries. Chaifetz
is one of the world’s most frequently quoted experts on behavioral
health, workplace issues as well as employer and employee trends.
“It is an honor for Saint Louis University to have Dr. Richard
Chaifetz’s name on our arena, which will mean so much to the Uni-versity
and the entire St. Louis community,” said University President
Lawrence Biondi, S.J. “Not only is Dr. Chaifetz respected around the
world for the success of ComPsych Corp., but we take special pride
because he is an extremely successful alumnus who cares deeply about
his alma mater and future generations of SLU students.”
“I am proud to have the University name this arena in my honor,”
Chaifetz said. “My education at Saint Louis University has had a tre-mendous
impact upon my life, both personally and in business. As
an avid sports fan, I have fond memories of the many sporting events
I attended while an undergraduate at SLU. Having the arena in my
name is especially meaningful.”
Chaifetz is a native of New York, and in 1971 he turned down an
appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to attend
SLU on the advice of his high school dean and mentor. He credits for-mer
University President Paul Reinert, S.J., with helping him remain
at SLU when financial issues threatened his ability to stay in school.
“Father Reinert told me he believed in me and allowed me to stay
at SLU at a time in my life when I didn’t have the financial resources
to pay for my tuition,” Chaifetz said. “I promised him not only would
I pay my tuition, but that I would pay back the University in an even
bigger way in the future. Now, this is an opportunity for me to give
back to the University for all the support and guidance I received as
an undergraduate here. It is my hope that Chaifetz Arena will en-hance
the on-campus experience for every future Saint Louis Univer-sity
student, as well as the city of St. Louis.”
Chaifetz has been named to the Who’s Who list of Crain’s Chi-cago
Business for three consecutive years — 2004, 2005 and 2006.
He serves on the board of directors of several corporations, as well
as nonprofit organizations. Chaifetz received his Psy.D. from the Il-linois
School of Professional Psychology. He is married and has two
children. — Jeff Fowler
At the construction site of
the new Chaifetz Arena
SLU lauded in
recent rankings
Two publications,
St. Louis Maga-zine
and the St.
Louis Business Journal,
have recognized Saint
Louis University as one
of the area’s best places
to work. St. Louis Magazine named the
region’s “45 companies that know how
to keep their employees happy.” SLU
was highlighted for its award-winning
retirement plan.
In addition, for the second straight
year, the St. Louis Regional Chamber
and Growth Association named SLU
to its list of “Greater St. Louis Top 50
Businesses Shaping Our Future.” The
50 companies recognized in 2006 were
selected for their contributions to the St.
Louis region and future impact on the
business community.
more than 300 Philosophy professors worldwide name
saint louis University programs among the best
Top philosophers from around the world gave high marks to philosophy pro-grams
at Saint Louis University. The Philosophical Gourmet Report ranked
SLU’s medieval philosophy program the best in the United States and rated
the philosophy of religion program behind only those at Notre Dame and Oxford
universities. SLU also earned a special mention in epistemology, the philosophy of
knowledge.
More than 300 philosophy professors worldwide completed online surveys about
philosophy departments in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and
New Zealand.
SLU welcomes noted speakers
The former prime minister of Israel,
Ehud Barak, visited Saint Louis
University earlier this year and dis-cussed
“Blueprint for Global Relations: A
Macro Analysis of How National Politics,
International Events, Terror and the Econ-omy
All Influence National and Interna-tional
Relations.” Prime minister of Israel
from 1999 to 2001, Barak led the country
out of prolonged recession and into an eco-nomic
boom.
In February, famed
filmmaker Spike Lee
was the keynote speak-er
for SLU’s celebra-tion
of Black History
Month. He is known
for such films as Do
the Right Thing and
When the Levees Broke,
a documentary focus-ing
on the plight of Americans stranded in
New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Lee
delivered a presentation titled “The Media’s
Affect on Black America.”
The spring 1982 edition of Universitas featured the
cover story “Portrait of the Class Clown” describing
a student’s effort to become a professional clown.
He said running away to the circus is not as easy as it sounds.
Don Ganz (A&S ’78, Grad Cook ’83) shared his experience at
Barnum & Bailey Clown College and how that opportunity made
him more marketable. After his three-month adventure at clown
college, Ganz returned to SLU to complete his MBA.
The magazine also included an article, remembering Joseph
“Buck” Davis, S.J. The story reflected his many contributions to
the University in his years of service. The founder of what is
now the John Cook School of Business, Davis used
his self-taught business skills to recruit nearly the entire
staff for the school. Businessman Martin Shaughnessy, a close friend of Davis’,
donated 750,000 for construction of a home for the school, which was named
Davis-Shaughnessy Hall for their efforts.
Also, in this issue, University President Thomas Fitzgerald, S.J., discussed
changes in national legislation for financial aid. Fitzgerald focused on SLU’s
dedication and commitment to its students. He said the administration
was working on ways for students to afford a SLU education, in light of
the financial aid cuts proposed by President Ronald Reagan.
Lee
Sign
of the
Times
Sister Mary Terese
Donze (A&S ’44), a
resident of DeMattias
Hall, shared one of
her many inventions
— a gadget that rewound
adding machine paper
so it could be used four
times instead of just
once.
– from the story titled
“Nun Has 2nd Career
as Inventor/
Author”
Quotable UTAS
“Thomas Aquinas long ago pointed
out that learning takes place only if
the learner does something. One cannot
pour knowledge into the head or heart of
a student as one pours wine into a glass.”
— Dr. Francis L. Gross Jr. (A&S ’55, Grad ’56, ’64), an author speaking about his book Passages
in Teaching: Predictable Crises in the Teaching of Adolescents and Young Adults. Gross taught in the
theology department from 1966 to 1969.
Arena named for alumnus
Richard Chaifetz
Make a gift and follow the construction of Chaifetz Arena at arena.slu.edu.
Photos by Kevin Lowder
above LEFT: Chaifetz (far right) and his family look over a 1975 SLU yearbook with Mary Bruemmer (second from left), former dean of women and University volunteer.
Center: The Chaifetz family (from left), Jessica, Ross, Richard and Jill with a rendering of Chaifetz Arena. right: Biondi (left) presents Chaifetz with a Billiken basketball jersey.
Biondi (left) and Chaifetz at the news conference announcing the new name.
U N I V E R S I T A S w w w . s l u . e d u U N I V E R S I T A S S P R I N G 2 0 0 7
Photo by Jim Visser
News Briefs
Drs. Paul J. Shore, Todd Swanstrom
and Stephen Paul Wernet received
Fulbright Scholar grants this school
year. Shore, a professor of educa-tional
studies, is at the Collegium
Budapest in Hungary. Wernet, a pro-fessor
of social work, is at Ostrava
University in the Czech Republic. And
Swanstrom, a professor of public
policy studies, is at the University of
Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Dr. Charlotte Royeen, dean of the
Doisy College of Health Sciences, won
the National Jesuit Book Award for
2006. Royeen is co-editor of Educat-ing
for Moral Action: A Sourcebook for
Health and Rehabilitation Ethics.
Darius U. Dunn is the general
manager of the new Chaifetz Arena.
Dunn previously served as associate
director of the Stephen O’Connell
Center at the University of Florida.
Dr. Brian D. Till, chairman of the mar-keting
department at the John Cook
School of Business, was appointed
to the Clarence and Helen Steber En-dowed
Professorship in Marketing. The
endowed professorship was created in
1971 to recognize a scholar in the field
of marketing for teaching, scholarly
work and work with the business com-munity.
At the construction site of
the new Chaifetz Arena 430,000 Hours of work that will be spent on the 18-month project 75,000 Cubic yards of dirt that will be moved during construction — about 375,000 full wheelbarrow loads 191 Drilled piers in the foundation, each approximately 30 feet tall
campus enthusiastically embraces RecREATION Center expansion
The University recently completed a 40,000-square-foot expansion of the Simon Rec-reation
Center, paid for by students who voted to assess themselves a fee to fund the
project.
The new space includes more than 150 new pieces of fitness equipment, a juice bar and
lounge, additional locker rooms, several multipurpose rooms, wellness suite, traversing wall
and gaming area.
Students so enthusiastically embraced the expansion that less than a month after it opened,
the Rec Center expanded its hours to meet demand.
Additional improvements are planned for this school year. The second phase of the project
includes renovations to the main level and the second floor. The lobby, locker rooms, elevated
track and special event rooms will be updated. An elevator also will be installed.
DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT
Dr. Patricia L. Monteleone (Med ’61, Pub Hlth ’91, Grad Cook
’91) one of the first women appointed to lead a U.S. medical
school when she was named the 11th dean of Saint Louis Uni-versity
School of Medicine in 1994, announced her intention to retire in
March. With 13 years of service, she is the longest continuously serving
woman dean in the history of U.S. medical schools.
Monteleone, a pediatrician with an expertise in medical genetics,
has presided over the school during a time of rapid change in American
medicine. She has overseen a restructuring of the school’s medical cur-riculum;
an expansion in the amount of research funding at the school
from both governmental and private industry sources; and the creation of the University
Medical Group (SLUCare), the clinical practice of the faculty at SLU School of Medicine.
Monteleone will continue to serve as dean until a new dean is identified.
Endowed chairs honor
donors, slu scholars
Thanks to generous donations,
SLU added two endowed chairs
during the last year.
The James B. and Joan C. Peter Endowed
Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biol-ogy
was made possible by a donation of 2
million from Dr. James and Joan Peter. The
Hubert Mäder Endowed Chair in Health
Care Ethics was made possible through a
$1.5 million donation from the Geschwister
Mader Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland.
Dr. James B. Peter (Med ’58) has had a
distinguished career in academic medicine
and business. He is founder and former
chief executive officer of Specialty Labo-ratories,
a leading hospital-focused clinical
reference laboratory. He and his wife, Joan,
generously supported research and educa-tion
at SLU for many years. Dr. William S.
Sly (Med ’57) is the inaugural chair holder.
Huber Mäder, a surgeon and philanthro-pist,
created his foundation to demonstrate
his lifelong passion for the ethical practice
of medicine. Dr. James M. DuBois is the
inaugural chair holder.
Annual service hours soar to nearly 780,000, survey says
Members of the Saint Louis University community certainly know how to give back.
In 2006, SLU students, faculty and staff contributed 779,776 hours of commu-nity
service and outreach, according to the report, “Beyond the Classroom.”
That’s more than in 2005 (753,806) and up significantly from five years ago, when the
reported number of service hours was approximately 490,000.
SLU’s academic courses and programs provide great opportunities for service. According to
the new report, SLU students spent more than 80,000 hours helping the community through
class and program-sponsored activities.
virtual tour of italian church
possible via new technology
Using technology typically associ-ated
with video games, two SLU
theologians created an interac-tive,
3-D tour of one of Europe’s most im-portant
churches.
Theology professors Drs. Jay Ham-mond
(A&S ’93, Grad ’94, ’98) and James
Ginther spent more than a year building
the virtual version of Italy’s landmark Ba-silica
of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Their 3-D model allows virtual tour-goers
to walk nearly everywhere in the upper basil-ica
and fly close to the church’s famed paint-ings
and stained-glass windows. Most virtual
tours of historic buildings rely on 360-degree
panoramas and offer limited interactivity.
Other virtual tour projects have been equally
advanced, but the SLU professors’ tour is one
of the first able to run on a PC.
Ignatian retiree group looking for new volunteers
The Ignatian Volunteer Corps is searching for retirees to help with the good work its
chapters are doing across the county.
The IVC is an organization that combines service to the poor with a unique process
of spiritual reflection. Established in 1995 by Jesuit priests Jim Conroy, S.J., and Charlie
Costello, S.J., the program is for retired women
and men, age 50 and older. To learn more about
the IVC or to sign u
Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University
No full textWinter 2020 issue of Universitas: the magazine of Saint Louis University.10 facts about SLU-Madrid
Page 14
RECORD-SETTING
CLASS
Page 20
NEW CAREER
CENTER
Page 24
ST. LOUIS JESUITS’
CONCERT
Page 26
FACULTY EXPERT ON
VICE PRESIDENCY
Page 30
WINTER 2020 | 1
VOLUME 46, ISSUE 1
EDITOR
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92)
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Amy Garland (A&S ’97)
ART DIRECTOR
Matt Krob
CONTRIBUTORS
Jessica Ciccone
Marie Dilg (Grad SW ’94)
ON CAMPUS NEWS STORIES
University Public Relations
Billiken Media Relations
ON THE COVER
SLU-Madrid students in Plaza
Mayor in the heart of Madrid
Photo by Fernando Béjar
Universitas is published by Saint Louis
University. Opinions expressed in
Universitas are those of the individual
authors and not necessarily those of the
University administration. Unsolicited
manuscripts and photographs are welcome
but will be returned only if accompanied
by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Letters to the editor must be signed, and
letters not intended for publication should
indicate that fact. The editor reserves the
right to edit all items. Address all mail to
Universitas, DuBourg Hall 39,
1 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
We accept email at [email protected].
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Universitas, Saint Louis University,
1 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.
Website: slu.edu/universitas
Universitas is printed by Breese
Printing and Publishing
Worldwide circulation: 123,557
© 2020, Saint Louis University
All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part
without permission is prohibited.
New and returning students gather at the first 9 p.m. Mass of the school year in St. Francis Xavier College Church.
PHOTO BY STEVE DOLAN
F E ATU R E S
D E PARTME NTS
14
¿Sabías?
Ten facts about SLU-Madrid that might
surprise you. — By Laura Geiser
20
Top Class
The freshman class is the largest in
SLU’s history. — By Marie Dilg
24
Beyond Career Fairs
SLU’s Career Services focuses on preparing
students for life after SLU. — By Marie Dilg
26
Coming Home
The St. Louis Jesuits music group says farewell
with a sold-out concert. — By Amy Garland
30
Vice Presidential VIP
Law professor Joel K. Goldstein is the
nation’s top VP expert. — By Jessica Ciccone
2 On Campus
Women’s soccer A-10 championship ///
Record fundraising year /// Nursing school’s
new name /// Midtown development update
/// Rankings /// Opus Prize
34 Class Notes
35 Alumni Spotlight
Angela Lewis (A&S ’04, Grad A&S ’07)
36 How I Got Here
Jim Dean (CSB ’88)
40 Letters to the Editor
41 In Memoriam
44 By the Numbers
45 The Last Look
That is certainly what our campus in
Spain aims to achieve — and accom-plishes
with great success. From
signage to statutes, SLU-Madrid succeeds at
carrying out our branding. But much more
than that, it lives our mission. This campus
shares our vision for building a better world
with more Jesuit-educated graduates. To do
so on the global stage is a testament to the
power of a SLU education.
The stories I hear from our students, both when I visit SLU-Madrid
and those who come back to St. Louis after spending time
studying abroad, never cease to amaze me. Their stories and experi-ences
remind me why I was called to higher education.
As you will see in this issue, our students absorb culture through
their time with señoras, or host families, who help broaden their
perspective of Spanish culture. (Read more on page 16.) Learning
does not stop when our students leave class — and in this increas-ingly
connected world, it is more important than ever to lead them
to become informed global citizens.
The excitement we feel at SLU crosses international waters, and
I’m thrilled this issue brings you a flavor of the pride we feel for
our Madrid and St. Louis campuses. From regional development
to record-breaking enrollment and fundraising, we certainly look
forward to sharing our good news.
The start of our third century and SLU-Madrid’s 52nd year
brought a record-setting year for us at Saint Louis University.
Our freshman class in St. Louis broke all enrollment records with
1,900 students, surpassing our previous largest class by 200 students.
(Turn to page 22 to learn more.) SLU-Madrid continues to draw
hundreds of students from dozens of countries who learn and grow
together.
And thanks to our generous donors, we once again raised a record
amount in gifts for scholarships, academics, research and other ini-tiatives.
We are well on our way to our 550 million SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and
Ambulatory Care Center. All will open this fall.
SLU is also proud to be involved in developments that lead the
resurgence taking place in the city’s central core, such as the redevel-opment
of homes in the Gate District West neighborhood near the
hospital, and the forthcoming City Foundry. (Read more on page
13.) As we share in the story about Gate District West, we are grate-ful
to our St. Louis community neighbors for sharing our vision for
and commitment to growing stronger together.
In closing, I ask that you remember how these stories and the
many initiatives behind them help fulfill our noble mission.
I also ask that you share our exciting news with those you know
who are young — or young at heart — who are seeking higher edu-cation.
Tell them about SLU and your experience. Our world always
benefits from more truth-seekers and servant leaders who are Jesuit
educated.
May God bless you and Saint Louis University.
Dr. Fred P. Pestello
President
I cannot tell you what it’s
like to step off of a plane
after an eight-hour flight
to Europe, only to walk
onto a campus that feels
just like home. Or perhaps
I don’t have to tell many
of you — those of you who
have studied at or visited
SLU-Madrid, or our
international students in
St. Louis.
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
PHOTO BY FERNANDO BÉJAR
Pestello talks with students outside of
San Ignacio Hall at SLU-Madrid.
2 | UNIVERSITAS | THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y WINTER 2020 | 3
ON CAMPUS
Women’s Soccer Wins A-10 Again
The Billikens women’s soccer team defeated
George Washington 3-1 in the Atlantic 10
Conference Championship title game in November,
securing its second straight A-10 Championship
crown.
Senior Courtney Reimer was named the most
outstanding player of the championship. Senior
Emma Farley, sophomore Hannah Friedrich, senior
Alli Klug and graduate student Mary Niehaus joined
her on the All-Championship team.
Over the season, SLU extended its school-record
unbeaten streak to 16 games. Already the
winningest class in SLU women’s soccer history, the
Billiken seniors registered their 64th victory.
The team lost to Notre Dame in the first round of
the NCAA Championship.
Reimer
Celebrating with
the A-10 trophy
Reimer (center) hugs
Annabelle Copeland
(left) and Farley.
Farley
The team celebrates at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on campus.
PHOTOS BY BILL BARRETT
4 | UNIVERSITAS | THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y WINTER 2020 | 5
ON CAMPUS
University Offers New Academic Programs,
Begins Comprehensive Review Process
Saint Louis University began offering many new academic programs in the fall,
including:
UNDERGRADUATE
Bachelor of Arts
in Leadership and
Organizational
Behavior
Bachelor of Science
in Health Care Ethics
Minor in Dance
GRADUATE
Master of Science
in Biostatistics and
Health Analytics
Doctorate in
Education Policy and
Equity
GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
American Studies
Cybersecurity
Strategic Intelligence
Women’s and Gender
Studies
The University also started a formal review of its academic programs. In spring
2019, the provost established the Academic Portfolio Review Committee, tasked
with analyzing and making recommendations to the provost about the size
and academic scope of the University’s portfolio of offerings. This process will
eventually become a regular assessment tool for all graduate and undergraduate
programs.
Led by faculty, the committee has representatives from the student body and
administration. Dr. Mark Knuepfer, a professor in the School of Medicine, serves
as the committee chair.
Signature Beam: Students, faculty and staff signed their
names and good wishes on the beam that would complete the topping-out
of SLU's new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building.
Saint Louis University leaders, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, trustees,
students, faculty and staff members marked the topping-out of the
University’s new 4 million in support of the
School of Nursing and Accelerating Excellence: The
Campaign for Saint Louis University.
In recognition of Valentine’s history of philan-thropic
support of SLU totaling nearly 3.75
million
Supported by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr.
John Morley, professor of internal medicine, and Dr. Marla Berg-Weger, executive director
of SLU’s Geriatric Education Center and professor of social work, will partner with multiple
educational, patient care and service organizations in educating, studying and caring for
older adults.
COMMUNICATION
WITH PARENTS OF
SICK CHILDREN
2.1 million
Addressing the need for better pain medications, Dr. Daniela Salvemini and her colleagues at
the Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience at SLU will investigate a promising
pain-signaling pathway in the hopes of opening up a new avenue for pain medication research.
CELLULAR
CHANGES WITH
HEART DISEASE,
DIABETES
1.8 million
Chemistry professor Dr. Jim Edwards (A&S ’99, Grad A&S ’01) received this National
Institutes of Health grant to understand cellular changes that could lead to better therapies
for diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Chris Arnatt, assistant professor of chemistry at SLU, is
also a principal investigator.
OBESITY, CANCER
IMMUNOTHERAPY 1.7 million Dr. Ryan Teague, associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology, will study
how obesity influences outcomes for cancer patients being treated with immunotherapy.
ANTI-DIARRHEAL
DRUG 30 Million
in Bid to Better Manage Pain
In one of the biggest investments in research com-mercialization
in Saint Louis University’s history,
BioIntervene, a biopharmaceutical company founded
in 2014 by SLU pharmacologist Dr. Daniela Salvemini
has raised 8.3 billion by 2024.
Neuropathic pain affects between 15 and 20 million
people in the United States. Exceedingly difficult to treat,
this type of pain can occur after injuries to the nervous
system due to trauma, disease or exposure to neurotox-ins,
including after chemotherapy. There is a need for
new medications that do not cause side effects and addic-tion
the way narcotic pain killers do.
“Having the opportunity to translate one’s discover-ies
from the bench to the bedside is a dream come true,”
Salvemini said. “I am hopeful that our efforts will lead
to the alleviation of suffering while helping end the opi-oid
crisis.”
Salvemini discovered that alterations in signaling within the body contribute to
the development of chronic pain states and that compounds that target a key recep-tor
can “turn off” pain signals, providing relief from chronic pain of various types.
This discovery, she noted, provided the starting point of her collaboration with
Dr. Kenneth Jacobson, chief of the molecular recognition section, in the laboratory
of bioorganic chemistry at the National Institutes of Health.
Salvemini
SUBMITTED PHOTO
6 | UNIVERSITAS | THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSIT Y WINTER 2020 | 7
ON CAMPUS
SLU Research Institute Grants Second Round of Funding
The Saint Louis University Research Institute awarded its second round of
funding last summer: More than 1.8 million
going to 15 faculty members.
Among the 13 faculty who received grants in this second round are:
Miriam Cherry,
professor and co-director
of the William
C. Wefel Center for
Employment Law, who
will study methods
of online justice such
as amateur sleuths
gathering online
to collect clues in
cold cases, workers
sharing information
online about abusive
labor practices and
people using the
Internet to mount
harassment campaigns.
Dr. Terra Edwards,
assistant professor of
anthropology, who
will finish a book
manuscript, Going
Tactile: Life at the
Limits of Language.
Her research focuses
on the protactile
movement, which
advances the claim
that hearing and vision
are not necessary for
things like greeting
people or joining or
leaving a conversation.
Dr. David Ford (A&S
’80), professor of
biochemistry and
molecular biology and
director of the Center
for Cardiovascular
Research, who will use
new technology to
investigate endothelial
and epithelial barrier
dysfunction. This
technology will be
used in the planning
for a SLU Sepsis
Center and the SLU
Institute for Drug
and Biotherapeutic
Innovation.
Jesuits Reckon with the Legacy of Slavery
In late August, Jesuits of the USA Central and Southern (UCS)
Province began contacting individuals believed to be descen-dants
of people held in slavery by 19th century Jesuits, including at
Saint Louis University.
This is the latest work of the Slavery, History, Memory and
Reconciliation Project, which started in 2016 as a joint initiative
of the UCS Province and the University. The goal is to find a path
to reconciliation by illuminating the lives of the people who were
enslaved and connecting with their descendants.
Historians have long known that when Jesuits established mis-sions
in St. Louis, they relied on the labor of enslaved people to help
those missions survive. To reveal the stories of courage and resil-ience
among those who were enslaved and to trace their families
forward, researchers have combed through thousands of docu-ments,
including financial ledgers, Church records and personal
journals.
Dr. Jonathan Smith, SLU’s vice president for diversity and com-munity
engagement, is leading the project for the University. To
undertake a conversation about SLU’s next steps, Smith plans to
assemble a working group that will include students, faculty, staff,
alumni, trustees and descendants.
To learn more about the project and to read the stories about the
people who were enslaved, visit shmr.jesuits.org.
SLU Launches Geospatial Institute
Anew Geospatial Institute at Saint Louis University will support
research, training and innovation in the rapidly growing fields
of geospatial science and technology.
Also known as GeoSLU, the institute brings together faculty and
students from various disciplines to use geospatial research tools
to solve challenges and to enhance graduate and undergraduate
education.
The institute’s primary areas of research will include artificial
intelligence, machine learning and informatics.
In launching the Geospatial Institute, SLU seeks to strengthen
collaborations with other universities, including the University of
Missouri System schools, Washington University in St. Louis and
Harris-Stowe State University, as well as innovation partners in the
region, including Cortex and T-Rex.
GeoSLU also builds upon SLU’s existing relationship with the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). In January 2019, the
University signed a partnership agreement with the NGA, and the
organizations partnered on the GeoResolution conference last April.
Dr. Vasit Sagan, associate professor of earth and atmospheric
sciences, is the institute’s faculty director. Robert Cardillo, former
director of the NGA, advises the institute as part of his work as a
distinguished geospatial fellow at SLU.
For more information, visit slu.edu/geoslu.
Nancy McNeir Ring Award
Presented for Excellence
in Teaching
Dr. Katie Kelting, assistant professor of mar-keting
in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of
Business, was selected as the recipient of SLU’s 2019
Nancy McNeir Ring Award for excellence in teach-ing.
Lauded by students for her emphasis on teaching
them the value of ethics in the business world, Kelting
joined the SLU faculty in July 2016 and is director of
the business school’s Behavioral Research Lab. On
a national level, she is a Women in the Marketing
Academy Fellow, among her many fellowships. She
addressed graduates during December’s midyear
commencement at Chaifetz Arena.
Kelting
PHOTO BY STEVE LONG
PHOTO BY STEVE DOLAN
Special
Guest Star:
The Stanley Cup makes
a stop on campus during
Homecoming and Family Weekend
2019, giving fans of the 2019 NHL
champion St. Louis Blues hockey team
the opportunity to make lasting memories.
SLU, Urban League Honor MLK’s Legacy
At their annual memorial tribute honoring civil rights leader the Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 16, Saint Louis University and the Urban
League of Metropolitan St. Louis honored those carrying forward King’s legacy of
activism and advocacy for racial equity and justice across the St. Louis region.
The keynote speaker, noted journalist and author Roland Martin, told the crowd
in SLU’s Busch Student Center that “leaders step up when it’s time to lead.” He chal-lenged
those attending the tribute to recall King not as a mascot, but for his radical
commitment to social justice a
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