Moments and Milestones
06/16/2025
When Dr. Fred P. Pestello came to Saint Louis University in the summer of 2014, he had big ideas for his presidency. Grounding his vision for the future of the University in its storied, pioneering past, Pestello embarked on a plan to propel SLU into its third century. What happened next, no one could have anticipated.
One unprecedented event after another, both trying and triumphant. An occupation on campus. A worldwide pandemic forcing students off campus. Record-breaking enrollment. A capital campaign besting its highest goals.
If ever there had been a time for strong leadership at the University, the past decade was it. And although he certainly stepped up, Pestello credits the community for coming through for SLU.
“The president’s job is to set the vision, given what the institution stands for, and then encourage people, inspire them and support them to realize that vision,” Pestello said. “Look at what happens in any given year at Saint Louis University — thousands of people are involved.
“As I reflect upon the past decade, I am amazed at all we have endured and achieved together,” he said. “We faced moments that tested us and revealed what defines this Jesuit university community.”
Here is a look back at those defining moments, milestones and most memorable campus events from Pestello’s tenure.
2014-2015
First 100 Days
Pestello took office on July 1, 2014, as Saint Louis University’s 33rd president and the first permanent lay leader in University history. Three months later, on Oct. 3, the University community came together to celebrate his inauguration with a Mass and celebration.
Strategic Start
Pestello dedicated his first academic year at SLU to developing a strategic plan to “chart our future course and take us to even greater heights for our bicentennial and beyond.” The plan, Magis: Saint Louis University’s Strategy for the Future, emerged from an inclusive process that included more than 100 on- and-off campus conversations. The new strategic plan was approved by SLU’s board of trustees in September 2015.
Leading With Peace
Nine days after Pestello’s inauguration, more than 1,500 SLU students and area residents gathered on campus, protesting police brutality following the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and VonDerrit Myers Jr., the son of a longtime SLU employee, in the Shaw neighborhood near campus.
Despite intense pressures from inside and outside the University to forcibly evict the student and non-student protesters, Pestello decided “to meet peace with peace.” What followed became known as Occupy SLU, a six-day encampment that tested the new president and the University’s long-standing resolve to be a mission-driven organization.
The occupation ended peacefully on Oct. 18 with the Clock Tower Accords, which committed the University to 13 initiatives to foster belonging and justice on campus and beyond.
Among those who publicly praised Pestello’s handling of the occupation were the 27 religious leaders of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis; St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson; Ronald Mercier, S.J., provincial of the Central and Southern Province; and Eric Holder, attorney general of the United States. Editorials by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis American and St. Louis Business Journal heralded the new president for his stalwart commitment to living the University’s values.
A year later, the University enrolled its second-largest full-time, first-year class, increased its first-to-second-year student retentions, and had its second-best fundraising year ever. Pestello’s Jesuit values-based response to the campus occupation was identified as a key driver.
2015-2016
New Hospital Plans
Over the summer, Pestello announced that the University would reacquire Saint Louis University Hospital from Tenet Healthcare Corporation and would contribute the facility to SSM Health, in exchange for a minority financial interest and governance rights in SSM Health St. Louis.
The deal became official in September 2015. SSM committed to invest $500 million (which increased later to $550 million) to build a new hospital and ambulatory care center across the street from the School of Medicine, improving both patient care and medical student training.
This marked the start of an expanded partnership between SLU and SSM, with SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital officially joining SSM Health’s extensive Catholic health care network.
Incarcerated, Educated
In November 2015, Pestello delivered a commencement address to the first graduates of the SLU Prison Program, who earned Associate of Arts degrees while incarcerated at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. The program began in 2008, when SLU faculty started teaching theological studies classes at the facility.
New Logos
Two of the most enduring symbols of Saint Louis University — the fleur-de-lis and the Billiken — got new looks for the digital age. SLU shared the updated logos in November 2015.
Dedicated to Diversity
Dr. Jonathan C. Smith became the University’s first special assistant to the president for diversity and community engagement. Smith, whom Pestello called “an innovative problem- solver and motivating leader,” had been an assistant professor at SLU since 2002. Later named a vice president, Smith remained a key advisor to Pestello and a champion of inclusion and belonging until his death in June 2021.
2016-2017
Spring Hall
After nearly two years of planning and construction, the $43.8 million Spring Hall welcomed students on Aug. 17, 2016. The eight-story residence hall sits at the northwest corner of Laclede and Spring avenues, the former location of Clark’s Bar and The Grind coffeehouse. The new building adheres to LEED silver standards, offering a comfortable, environmentally friendly space.
Good Neighbor
Saint Louis University shared an ambitious vision for nearly 400 acres in Midtown, as it sought greater influence over future development in the long-blighted area between North and South campuses. By establishing the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation in partnership with SSM Health, the University became the area’s master co-developer, working to foster and control investment in the area, and connect campus like never before.
In less than 10 years, the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation would spur development of two new major hospital facilities, residential buildings, retail and office spaces, recreation outlets, a food hall, movie theater, Topgolf, a hotel and a Target store.
All of this construction succeeded in building density, vibrancy and convenience as well as ensuring the adaptive reuse of several abandoned and dilapidated structures.
Chess to Impress
The University established its first collegiate chess program in partnership with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis in 2016. SLU’s chess team, which offers competitive scholarships and recruits top-tier players from around the world, became national champions in 2022.
Mascot Makeover
The new Billiken mascot, based on the logo redesigned in 2015, debuted at halftime during the Jan. 25, 2017, men’s basketball game. The mascot makeover took two attempts and some help from the animals at the St. Louis Zoo to get right; Pestello’s tongue-in-cheek video in fall 2016 garnered widespread kudos on campus and in the local media.
2017-2018
Good for Business
SLU trustee Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz (A&S ’75) and his wife, Jill Chaifetz, pledged $15 million to the business school in February 2018. To honor their generosity, the University renamed the school the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business and the school’s entrepreneurship center the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship. In 2007, the couple had provided the lead gift of $12 million toward construction of Chaifetz Arena.
SLU-Madrid Turns 50
In March 2018, Saint Louis University’s Madrid Campus recognized 50 years of educating “global Billikens” and marked SLU’s 200th anniversary during a day of events that included Mass at the flagship church of the Society of Jesus in Spain; an honorary degree conferral ceremony; and a banquet on campus. SLU-Madrid continues to grow at a rapid pace, well exceeding enrollment projections.
Grand Hall
At the corner of Grand Boulevard and Laclede Avenue, the new Grand Hall opened in August 2017. The $71 million residence hall houses more than 500 students on six floors and includes a large dining hall serving the entire first-year class and more.
Bicentennial Begins
On Sept. 23, 2017, the University kicked off its bicentennial where it all began — on the banks of the Mississippi River. About 6,000 people celebrated SLU with Mass, fireworks and fun near the site of its first classes in 1818, on what became the Gateway Arch grounds. Other bicentennial highlights included a lecture series and the April 2018 Climate Summit, which was inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ and brought thousands of people to campus.
2018-2019
Accelerating Excellence Campaign
The most ambitious fundraising effort in SLU history, the Accelerating Excellence campaign launched its public phase in fall 2018. By that point, the University had raised $302 million toward the campaign’s $500 million goal in support of five priorities: academic excellence; scholarships; business education; health sciences education and research; and athletics. When the University closed the campaign books in summer 2022, the goal had been surpassed by more than $100 million, a total of $604 million raised.
Historic Gift
SLU trustee Rex Sinquefield (CSB ’67) and his wife, Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield, committed $50 million to SLU — the largest gift in University history. The donation funded the new Saint Louis University Research Institute, established the Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research and provided annual support to SLU’s chess team.
200-Years-In-One Challenge
For its bicentennial, the University invited the entire community to volunteer, hoping to complete 200 years — more than 1.75 million hours — in just one year. The challenge ended Nov. 14, 2018, exceeding expectations: a total of 1,975,447 hours collected. (That’s 225 years, 6 months, 5 days and 7 hours — and 223,447 hours above the original goal.)
2019-2020
Largest, Most Diverse Class
In August 2019, the largest freshman class in SLU history arrived on campus — more than 1,900 students, a 25% increase over the previous year. The Class of 2023 was one of the most diverse, too: 14% of the class was historically underrepresented students, and 204 students were the first in their families to attend college.
Nursing's New Name
SLU trustee Trudy Busch Valentine (VSN ’80) gifted $4 million to the School of Nursing and the Accelerating Excellence campaign. To recognize her continued philanthropic support of SLU, totaling nearly $7 million, the University renamed its nursing school the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing.
Community in Dispersion
The University had been monitoring the threat of COVID-19 since January 2020. On March 10, 2020, SLU announced that it would suspend in-person classes temporarily, extending spring break for a second week. By March 13, a state of emergency had been declared. Campus cleared out safely and calmly, and students, faculty and non-essential staff ended up working remotely for months.
In July, SLU’s National Institutes of Health-funded Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit became one of the first sites in the country to begin phase 3 trials of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
“When historians inquire how SLU responded to this pandemic, I hope that they will discover what I have witnessed in all of us — a community that, when faced with endless opportunities to turn inward and allow fear to consume us, chose a different path,” Pestello said. “We chose the path of kinship, generosity and service. Upon hearing about the boundless uncertainty, suffering and moments of joy, they will see that we chose the path of responding with a resounding, ‘we feel that too.’”
2020-2021
OneSLU
Early in the COVID-19 crisis, Saint Louis University leadership decided to engage SLU’s medical, public health and disaster preparedness experts to lead the University’s response as a team. During the 2020-2021 academic year, the University’s response included asymptomatic testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine housing, and the eventual administering of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines on campus and in select locations in underserved communities. Pestello named these efforts OneSLU, a phrase that was embraced swiftly across all SLU campuses as a shared commitment to care for the entire Saint Louis University community.
The University successfully wrapped up the academic year with mostly in-person classes, entirely in-person labs and 3,500 students living on campus.
Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building
SLU dedicated the $50 million Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building during a virtual ceremony in September. The 90,000-square-foot, three-story structure opened in July. It was renamed the Sinquefield Science and Engineering Center in March 2025. The building features innovative teaching lab spaces for bioinformatics, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, neuroscience and computer science courses that support all science, engineering, nursing and health science majors.
New SLU Hospital Facilities
The new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital facilities opened Sept. 1, 2020. The $550 million hospital features 316 private patient rooms, an expanded Level I trauma center and emergency department, larger intensive care units, green space and areas for future expansion. Next to the new hospital, the state-of-the-art Center for Specialized Medicine is an outpatient hub for SLUCare, an academic medical practice.
2021-2022
Soccer Center
Robert R. Hermann Stadium, home to men’s and women’s soccer, was upgraded with a new athletic training center, the Billiken Soccer Legacy Center, which opened in spring 2022. The 5,000-square-foot facility houses two locker rooms, a state-of-the-art sports medicine facility and a conference room overlooking the pitch.
Geospatial Leaders
Launched in April 2022, the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) is a consortium of eight research institutions, initially led by Saint Louis University, that share expertise and critical research facilities to advance geospatial science. Established through a legacy gift from the Taylor family, TGI has strengthened St. Louis’ role as the nation’s leader in geospatial research, training and innovation. After nearly three successful years working under the SLU umbrella, TGI is now a standalone nonprofit organization.
Midtown Fare
Two major projects in the 400-acre redevelopment area, guided by SLU through the St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corp., were opened during the fall semester: the Food Hall at City Foundry STL and a new grocery store, Fresh Thyme. Together, these new establishments feature numerous options for fresh, local food just a block from campus.
2022-2023
Jesuits at the Center
The Jesuits missioned as professors, pastors and staff members at Saint Louis University moved into their new home in August 2022. The Jesuit Center, located along Laclede Avenue near Spring Hall, has 20 bedrooms for SLU Jesuits and five for guests, a chapel, dining space and meeting rooms.
Core Values
Full rollout of the first University-wide core curriculum for undergraduate programs began in the fall of 2022. Later praised by the external reviewers for SLU’s 2024 Mission Priority Examen, the 32-hour core is based on Ignatian pedagogy and ensures a common intellectual experience grounded in the liberal arts for all undergraduates.
Commitment to Cura Personalis
To continue fostering a culture that cares for the whole person, the University implemented both small and big changes to enhance well-being on campus. The University Counseling Center expanded hours, offered sessions in residential halls and added group counseling. Becoming a JED Campus in fall 2022 helped the University evaluate these initiatives.
The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide in adolescents and young adults. Its four-year JED Campus program helps schools develop new programs, policies and systems that build upon existing mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention efforts.
SLUCare Clinical Practice Joins SSM Health
SLU’s academic medical practice was integrated with SSM Health, creating a single care delivery system that resulted in improved patient care for the St. Louis region, a stronger medical practice, and additional resources for student, faculty and facilities support.
2023-2024
Historic Enrollment
SLU enrolled more students than ever before, thanks to an unprecedented surge in international enrollment: Total enrollment eclipsed 15,200 students for the first time in history.
Contributing significantly to this record was SLU’s Global Graduate initiative, which launched in 2020 to attract international students to graduate programs in technology, business and engineering.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, the number of international students (3,183) more than doubled from the previous year. Also, SLU’s campus in Madrid, Spain, broke admissions records for the second year in a row.
Strong Endowment
The value of Saint Louis University’s endowment grew to $1.8 billion, an 88.3% increase over the last decade.
Champions Center
The O’Loughlin Family Champions Center opened adjacent to Chaifetz Arena in October 2023. Developed with a founding gift from trustee Robert O’Loughlin’s family foundation, the $20 million facility provides extensive support services for Billiken student-athletes, including academic advising, spiritual development, sports performance, nutrition, wellness, sports psychology and more.
2024-2025
Research 1
In February, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education officially recognized Saint Louis University as a “Research 1” university, placing SLU among the most highly productive research institutions in the nation. This achievement is a major milestone in a journey that began in 2017 to grow the University’s research enterprise and raise its profile as one of the world’s leading Jesuit research institutions.
Community Engagement Distinction
Saint Louis University earned the 2024 Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education. SLU is one of 368 campuses nationwide holding the classification, which has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in U.S. higher education for nearly two decades.
Neighborhood Plans on Target
Long-sought by the Midtown Redevelopment Corporation, a new Target store, located along Grand Boulevard between SLU’s North and South campuses, opened in July 2024. The store fills a void of anchor retail tenants along the Grand corridor and is part of a $60 million mixed-use development called The Edwin, which includes 199 luxury apartments. The project is located within the 400-acre SSM and SLU redevelopment area, which has been a catalyst for $2.02 billion in completed and planned projects in the vicinity of the University.