UNIVERSITAS S AINT L OUIS U NIVERSITY SUMMER 2015 Page 14 Faculty ‘How To’ Advice PAGE 8 Ambassador to Ireland PAGE 18 presiDent’S table of Message Contents UNIVERSITAS SLU graduates at the commencement ceremony at Chaifetz Arena on May 16 VOLUME 41, ISSUE 2 his has been a year of many firsts for privileged to gather our community and cel- me. Of course, there have been count- ebrate our shared goal: To educate men and less St. Louis firsts — my first Cardinals women of character and integrity. EDITOR T Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92) baseball game, taste of Ted Drewes frozen cus- We say that what sets Saint Louis University tard and walk through Forest Park. But even apart is its commitment to serving a higher more important have been the Saint Louis purpose while seeking the greater good. And ASSOCIATE EDITOR University firsts — my first new student convo- what sets every SLU graduate apart is the very Amy Garland (A&S ’97) cation, Homecoming and Family Weekend and same. Grounded in our Catholic, Jesuit values, Billiken basketball game, to name just a few. SLU alumni leave the University prepared to ART DIRECTOR For this, my first column in Universitas, I find their place in the world — and to make the Matt Krob want to focus on my first spring commence- world a better place. ment at Saint Louis University. For me, the And though they leave our campus, these CONTRIBUTORS ceremony was both the culmination of my sons and daughters of Saint Louis University Riya Anandwala first academic year at SLU and a genuine cel- forever take SLU with them wherever they go. Carrie Bebermeyer ebration of what makes SLU so special and so That’s why I find it fitting that the ceremony Marie Dilg (Grad SW ’94) important. is called a “commencement.” Though it often is Jeanette Grider Frank Johnson Certainly there are many memorable events viewed as the end of college and, for many, the Danielle Lacey throughout an academic year, but nothing tops end of their formal education, it is, indeed, the Nancy Solomon commencement. It is the embodiment of why beginning of so much promise and potential. Maria Tsikalas the academy exists. Amid the notes of “Pomp Consider your own commencement, whether and Circumstance” and laden with symbols it was this May or many, many years ago. It ON CaMPUS NEWS STORIES of higher education was assuredly a University Communications that date back to big change — and olan Medical Center Communications medieval times, the D the start of the Billiken Media Relations ceremony is full of next phase of your formal tradition life. You left the Photo by Steve ON THE COVER and spontaneous University with SLU connections around the world joy — as the Parks the education and College graduates’ compassion, the Universitas is published by Saint Louis paper airplanes will commitment and University. Opinions expressed in attest! the courage to make Universitas are those of the individual As the com- a difference in your authors and not necessarily those of the University administration. Unsolicited mencement photos work, in your com- manuscripts and photographs are on pages 2 and 3 munity and in your welcome but will be returned only if Photo by Steve Dolan accompanied by a stamped, self- show, our May 16 Pestello (standing center) with the honorees (from left) life. addressed envelope. Letters to the ceremony was Kasparov, Bond and Kranz Just like this editor must be signed, and letters not impressive and exu- year’s graduates and intended for publication should indicate FEATURES DEPARTMENTS that fact. The editor reserves the right berant. Before a record crowd of nearly 8,000 the generations of alumni who came before to edit all items. Address all mail to people, we recognized three outstanding indi- them, I am energized and enthused about all 8 2 On Campus Universitas, DuBourg Hall 39, 1 N. Grand viduals— civil rights leader Anita Lyons Bond the possibilities that lie ahead. Commencement | New administrators | Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. We accept (A&S ’50), NASA Mission Control director I thank you for your generosity, feedback How To Health care agreement | Billiken Teacher Corps | email at [email protected] . Ten SLU faculty offer advice on everything from creative Gene Kranz (Parks ’54) and chess grandmaster and prayers this year. And as I begin my sec- Everest Foundation gift | Rankings and honors | thinking to avoiding stress. Residence hall groundbreaking | Arts at SLU Garry Kasparov — with honorary degrees. ond year at SLU, I will continue to rely on Postmaster: Send address changes to Though each received a well-deserved stand- you for your support and commitment to the Universitas, Saint Louis University, 14 20 Class Notes 1 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103. ing ovation, there was no doubt that the day University. Truly this is just the beginning of belonged to our newest SLU graduates. Indeed, all the things we will accomplish together for Website: Billikens Without Borders 22 How I Got Here universitas.slu.edu I felt the immense energy and pride that filled Saint Louis University. Through research, academics and service, SLU is making Patrick J. Conroy, S.J. (Law ’79) Chaifetz Arena. As I surveyed the sea of aca- a global impact. — By Frank Johnson demic regalia, I saw in the shining faces of our 24 Alumni Spotlight Universitas is printed by Annah Emuge (Cook ’97) Universal Printing Co. graduates the promise that SLU’s mission and 18 bold, pioneering spirit offer the world. But as I looked beyond our graduates to Envoy to Ireland 28 In Memoriam Dr. Fred P. Pestello Worldwide circulation: 112,500 see the entire capacity crowd, I also saw the SLU alumnus Kevin O’Malley is the new U.S. ambassador to the Emerald Isle. — By Marie Dilg 31 Alumni Events SLU community — students, alumni, family, © 2015, Saint Louis University friends, faculty, administrators and staff. And 32 Feedback All rights reserved. I realized that on no other occasion are we so 33 The Last Look Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 2 ON CAMPUS BY thE NUMBERS Class of 2015 Commencement 2015 Nearly 2,600 students ore than 7,700 friends, family and guests filled Chaifetz Arena to join graduated from M Saint Louis University in celebrating SLU in May. the Class of 2015 during the spring commence- Among them ment May 16. The University conferred nearly 2,600 degrees this academic term. were: This year’s speaker was chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who became the youngest per- son to earn the title of undisputed World Chess Champion when he was 22. He is now a pro-de- mocracy activist protesting President Vladimir about Putin’s policies in his Russian homeland and serves as the chairman of the New York-based 1,500 Human Rights Foundation. undergraduates Kasparov emphasized the value of persistence and hard work, and told graduates that they do not have time to relax and celebrate. “The world will not wait for you,” he said. “The world needs you now. Today you have fulfilled 642 one dream, and tomorrow you set course on a who earned new one. If you always have a dream, the happi- honors est day of your life is never over.” Following his address, Kasparov received an honorary degree. Two others were honored 119 during the ceremony: Anita Lyons Bond (A&S summa ’50), a nationally known proponent for equal cum laude (3.9 GPA or rights and one of the first African Americans to better) graduate from SLU following the University’s official integration in 1944; and Gene Kranz (Parks ’54), former NASA mission control commander who was in charge when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and when Apollo 180 from 48 13 was brought back to earth safely. The three international countries students received honorary doctorates in recognition of their accomplishments. To watch a video of the ceremony or read Kasparov’s speech, visit slu.edu/news-spring-2015-commencement. OppOSitE pagE, CLOckwiSE frOM TOP: John Cook School of Business graduate Joseph Couri celebrates during the ceremony. 28veterans of the / Kasparov delivers his address. U.S. Armed Forces / School of Medicine graduates (from left): Sean Migotsky (back row), Justin Vander Molen, Kevin Smith, Nikhita Ananthula, Michelle Hall, Kaye Brathwaite, Emily Williams, Amber Hamilton and Renata Medina. ThiS pagE, frOM TOP: Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology graduates launch paper airplanes. / University President Dr. Fred P. Pestello speaks to the audience. students with an / College of Philosophy and extra reason to Letters graduate Louie Hotop, S.J. celebrate: May 16 was their birthday. Photos by Steve Dolan 6 2 UNIVERSITAS SUMMER 2015 WWW.SLU.EDU 3 ON CAMPUS New Residence Hall: St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay (Law ’80) (third from left) and other civic leaders join members of the SLU SLU Appoints New Provost, Arts at SLU Billiken Teacher Corps Debuts HR Vice President community to break ground he School of Education and the Archdiocese of St. on a $43.8 million residence SLU THEatrE Louis recently named seven students to the inaugural hall, which will be located at The University Theatre’s Billiken Teacher Corps. 2015-16 season will feature: T Laclede and Spring avenues. In exchange for a two-year commitment to serve in an urban Catholic school, graduate students in the Billiken During the April ceremony, Trash Macbeth University President Dr. Fred A twist on Shakespeare’s Teacher Corps receive full tuition remission to earn a mas- classic ter’s degree from Saint Louis University and complete the P. Pestello (fourth from left) Oct.