10 facts about SLU-Madrid Page 14 RECORD-SETTING NEW CAREER ST. LOUIS JESUITS’ FACULTY EXPERT ON CLASS CENTER CONCERT VICE PRESIDENCY Page 20 Page 24 Page 26 Page 30 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I cannot tell you what it’s like to step off of a plane PHOTO BY FERNANDO BÉJAR after an eight-hour flight VOLUME 46, ISSUE 1 to Europe, only to walk EDITOR Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92) onto a campus that feels ASSOCIATE EDITOR just like home. Or perhaps Amy Garland (A&S ’97) I don’t have to tell many ART DIRECTOR of you — those of you who Matt Krob have studied at or visited CONTRIBUTORS SLU-Madrid, or our Jessica Ciccone international students in Marie Dilg (Grad SW ’94) St. Louis. ON CAMPUS NEWS STORIES University Public Relations hat is certainly what our campus in Billiken Media Relations Spain aims to achieve — and accom- plishes with great success. From ON THE COVER T SLU-Madrid students in Plaza signage to statutes, SLU-Madrid succeeds at Mayor in the heart of Madrid carrying out our branding. But much more than that, it lives our mission. This campus Photo by Fernando Béjar Pestello talks with students outside of PHOTO BY STEVE DOLAN shares our vision for building a better world San Ignacio Hall at SLU-Madrid. with more Jesuit-educated graduates. To do Universitas is published by Saint Louis so on the global stage is a testament to the University. Opinions expressed in Universitas are those of the individual New and returning students gather at the first 9 p.m. Mass of the school year in St. Francis Xavier College Church. power of a SLU education. authors and not necessarily those of the The stories I hear from our students, both when I visit SLU- As we look to our University’s future, we continue to focus on University administration. Unsolicited FEATURES manuscripts and photographs are welcome Madrid and those who come back to St. Louis after spending time opportunities that will strengthen the University for generations but will be returned only if accompanied studying abroad, never cease to amaze me. Their stories and experi- to come. by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. 14 24 ences remind me why I was called to higher education. You will read more in this issue about a few examples of the bur- Letters to the editor must be signed, and letters not intended for publication should As you will see in this issue, our students absorb culture through geoning development in the Midtown St. Louis area. These include indicate that fact. The editor reserves the ¿Sabías? Beyond Career Fairs their time with señoras, or host families, who help broaden their projects on and off campus. Momentum and excitement continue right to edit all items. Address all mail to Ten facts about SLU-Madrid that might SLU’s Career Services focuses on preparing Universitas, DuBourg Hall 39, perspective of Spanish culture. (Read more on page 16.) Learning to build for our new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering 1 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. surprise you. — By Laura Geiser students for life after SLU. — By Marie Dilg does not stop when our students leave class — and in this increas- Building, and we are thrilled that progress continues on the new, We accept email at [email protected]. ingly connected world, it is more important than ever to lead them $550 million SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and 20 26 to become informed global citizens. Ambulatory Care Center. All will open this fall. Postmaster: Send address changes to Coming Home The excitement we feel at SLU crosses international waters, and SLU is also proud to be involved in developments that lead the Top Class Universitas, Saint Louis University, The St. Louis Jesuits music group says farewell I’m thrilled this issue brings you a flavor of the pride we feel for resurgence taking place in the city’s central core, such as the redevel- 1 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. The freshman class is the largest in SLU’s history. — By Marie Dilg with a sold-out concert. — By Amy Garland our Madrid and St. Louis campuses. From regional development opment of homes in the Gate District West neighborhood near the Website: slu.edu/universitas to record-breaking enrollment and fundraising, we certainly look hospital, and the forthcoming City Foundry. (Read more on page 30 forward to sharing our good news. 13.) As we share in the story about Gate District West, we are grate- Universitas is printed by Breese The start of our third century and SLU-Madrid’s 52nd year ful to our St. Louis community neighbors for sharing our vision for Printing and Publishing Vice Presidential VIP brought a record-setting year for us at Saint Louis University. and commitment to growing stronger together. Law professor Joel K. Goldstein is the Our freshman class in St. Louis broke all enrollment records with In closing, I ask that you remember how these stories and the Worldwide circulation: 123,557 nation’s top VP expert. — By Jessica Ciccone 1,900 students, surpassing our previous largest class by 200 students. many initiatives behind them help fulfill our noble mission. (Turn to page 22 to learn more.) SLU-Madrid continues to draw I also ask that you share our exciting news with those you know © 2020, Saint Louis University DEPARTMENTS hundreds of students from dozens of countries who learn and grow who are young — or young at heart — who are seeking higher edu- All rights reserved. together. cation. Tell them about SLU and your experience. Our world always 2 On Campus 36 How I Got Here And thanks to our generous donors, we once again raised a record benefits from more truth-seekers and servant leaders who are Jesuit Reproduction in whole or in part Jim Dean (CSB ’88) amount in gifts for scholarships, academics, research and other ini- educated. without permission is prohibited. Women’s soccer A-10 championship /// tiatives. We are well on our way to our $500 million goal in our May God bless you and Saint Louis University. Record fundraising year /// Nursing school’s 40 Letters to the Editor campaign, known as Accelerating Excellence: The Campaign for new name /// Midtown development update Saint Louis University. (See the story on page 10.) /// Rankings /// Opus Prize While we certainly celebrate these achievements, we will never rest 41 In Memoriam on them. That’s the joy and the challenge of academia — always plan- 34 Class Notes ning and adapting for the ever-changing world in which we operate. 44 By the Numbers The many ways in which we meet those needs is broad. For exam- Dr. Fred P. Pestello 35 Alumni Spotlight ple, regional development and the physical changes across campus. President Angela Lewis (A&S ’04, Grad A&S ’07) 45 The Last Look WINTER 2020 | 1 ON CAMPUS PHOTOS BY BILL BARRETT Reimer 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. The team celebrates at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on campus. Over the season, SLU extended its school- record unbeaten streak to 16 games. Already the Celebrating with Reimer (center) hugs winningest class in SLU women’s soccer history, the the A-10 trophy Annabelle Copeland Billiken seniors registered their 64th victory. (left) and Farley. The team lost to Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Championship. Farley 2 | UNIVERSITAS | THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY WINTER 2020 | 3 ON CAMPUS PHOTO BY STEVE DOLAN NOTEWORTHY GRANTS University Offers New Academic Programs, Supported by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Begins Comprehensive Review Process John Morley, professor of internal medicine, and Dr. Marla Berg-Weger, executive director GERIATRIC CARE IN $3.75 Saint Louis University began offering many new academic programs in the fall, MISSOURI of SLU’s Geriatric Education Center and professor of social work, will partner with multiple including: million educational, patient care and service organizations in educating, studying and caring for older adults. UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE GRADUATE CERTIFICATES Bachelor of Arts Master of Science American Studies Dr. Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, the Irene Riddle Endowed Professor of Nursing at SLU, is a in Leadership and in Biostatistics and Valentine COMMUNICATION principal investigator for this first-of-its-kind study. The goal of the five-year study is to see Cybersecurity WITH PARENTS OF $3.26 Organizational Health Analytics SICK CHILDREN million if early palliative and end-of-life care discussions at the time of a child’s cancer diagnosis will Behavior Strategic Intelligence SLU Names Nursing School to improve the quality of life for parents and their children. Doctorate in Honor Trudy Busch Valentine Bachelor of Science Education Policy and Women’s and Gender in Health Care Ethics Equity Studies n August, Saint Louis University announced NON-ADDICTIVE Addressing the need for better pain medications, Dr. Daniela Salvemini and her colleagues at that University trustee Trudy Busch Valentine PAINKILLER $2.1 million the Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience at SLU will investigate a promising Minor in Dance I OPTIONS (VSN ’80) made a gift of $4 million in support of the pain-signaling pathway in the hopes of opening up a new avenue for pain medication research.