Prep News by SLUH

$10 Million

Conrads

’65 gift fuels next-generation

STEM program

BY The Prep News Editors

St. Louis U. High received the largest single-program donation in its 206-year history today, as Sherry and Bob Conrads ’65 have committed $10 million to the school to fuel SLUH’s expansion of its STEM programming.

“The world has changed a lot,” said Bob Conrads. “I feel that there is an op-

portunity given the foundation that’s been built here to make a donation to enhance the curriculum and give you, the students, an opportunity to take advantage of a broader exposure to technology, which can help you as you advance your educational careers. The school needs resources to do that.”

History has been made. The generous gift, of Anna Backer proportions,

is sparking the creation of the Conrads Program for Integrated Sciences, a robust, forward-looking new STEM curriculum that will position current and future SLUH students to participate in an expanding world of technological innovation.

While larger single donations have been made to the school as a whole, today’s announcement marks the largest given to one specific department or project. The Conrads Program for Integrated Sciences is the current, inprogress vision for the use of the gift: it would allow passionate students to graduate with distinction in one of a few specific STEM concentrations. SLUH’s current STEM courses would be incorporated, but the program will eventually integrate new courses and faculty resources. Furthermore, the program will bring students further into STEM co-curricular activities.

The program will be established in the coming years, although the implementation of the Computer-Aided Design course this school year was a proactive step to expand STEM in light of Conrads’ forthcoming gift.

“We don’t know exactly what the future holds,” said Director of STEM Education Dan See. “We just know we want to expand. We want to give students more opportunities.”

The goal of implementing a STEM program is to provide the resources students need to stay current

in the world of technology. With the recent flurry of innovations in the world of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computing, SLUH

I think that the impact of technology in everybody’s life is going to accelerate dramatically.”

-Bob Conrads

aims to have the tools to educate on these new technologies.

“(Technology) has become an integral part of our lives. Everybody talks about AI, but it’s also the hardware that is fueling AI that has advanced so much in the last ten years. And with the pervasiveness of AI and data science and computing, it’s going to become even more important in everybody’s lives,” said Conrads. “This is the time, and I think that the impact of technology in everybody’s life is going to accelerate dramatically in the next five to ten years, much more so than we’ve seen in the prior ten years.”

“We want to be technologically advanced,” said See. “We don’t want to lead from behind. We want to be at the front.”

Furthermore, as Conrads and See

both emphasize, the Jesuit core of SLUH offers a unique opportunity to build up compassionate, well-rounded leaders within the field of STEM—a crucial contribution to the America of today.

“The major things that I took away from SLUH as a student were a dedication to fulfilling, objective, and hard work, but really importantly, a moral compass,” said Conrads. “Because you’ll find, as you go through life, that you’re going to be faced with tough situations in business, and that you’re going to have to make decisions that will more than likely impact your prospects, and your own personal situation. And to make the right decision, to do what’s right and do what’s right for others, is something we’re losing in this country.”

“Engineers aren’t necessarily known as being great writers, but that’s what we produce at SLUH. I think we have an opportunity to train the next generation of innovators, of engineers, of thinkers in the sciences who have compassionate hearts and skilled pens,” said Vice President for Advancement Sean Agniel. “What makes this transformative is that it’s not only the largest gift to any particular program endeavor in the history of our school, but it’s also one that has a vision of balance and holistic education.”

“Jesuit education needs to be adaptable,” said See. “The world, especially continued on the back

St. Louis University High School | Saturday, September 28, 2024

(Left to Right) Sean Agniel, Fr. Matt Stewart SJ, Sherry Conrads, Bob Conrads, Alan Carruthers. photo | Will Linhares

photo | Will Linhares

IMAGINATION & INNOVATION STEM @ SLUH

Asinquiry-based learners and intellectual pursuers of practical solutions in today’s complex world, we value creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking.

Recognized as a Top STEM High School in the U.S. by Newsweek, our STEM program empowers students to discover new levels of ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurialism through a diverse array of clubs and activities, robust technology and facilities, and a strong curriculum.

GETTING A HEAD START

Our strong curriculum helps students accelerate their pursuit of college STEM majors by earning college credit through AP and 1818 courses. Most importantly, it provides a solid intellectual foundation for truly compelling work in STEM fields. Following are examples of courses offered:

UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITY

Jr. Bills explore their passions while developing creative problem-solving and leadership skills through a variety of clubs, such as the Digital Game Design Club, Environmental Sustainability Club, Medical Careers Club, SLUH Sports Network, STEM Club and many others.

IMMERSIVE, EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Students have many opportunities to meet with experts and gain practical, hands-on experience. They have visited Silicon Valley to learn from alumni technology leaders, participated in the Ignatian Carbon Challenge and national robotics competitions, and much more.

IDEAL ENVIRONMENT

At SLUH, if you can dream it, you can make it. We have what it takes to bring your imagination to life.

The James Guth Costigan ‘62 Innovation Lab provides an ideal setting for aspiring makers, featuring a robotics makerspace, woodworking, 3D printing and laser cutters, a flex classroom and much more.

The new Claude J. Heithaus SJ 1916 Media Center opened recently for the development of creative student ideas in music, audio-visual, technology and art. It houses a video editing lab, the Dauphin yearbook and Prep News offices.

In addition, facilities also include renovated science labs, an aquaponics lab, a community garden and a tech theater area.

SERVICE VIA STEM

Everything we do at SLUH is For the Greater Glory of God. In 2014, a group of Jr. Bills started the Clavius Project as a service outreach initiative to bring STEM education to St. Louis urban middle schools. The program continues to flourish today through partnerships with dozens of local middle schools, several high schools, as well as Saint Louis University.

PROMISE & POSSIBILITY

On the centennial celebration of the Backer Memorial campus, SLUH is excited to announce the largest donation to a specific program in school history, further distinguishing our robust STEM program and offerings.

We thank Sherry and Bob Conrads ‘65 for their tremendous generosity and look forward to taking our STEM program to the next level...rocketing to new heights with the Conrads Program for Integrated Sciences.

Scan the QR code to read “A Multifaceted Man | Striving for Excellence: The Life and Times of Bob Conrads ’65,” by Justin Seaton ’13, published in the SLUH Magazine in 2023.

Conrads gives ten million dollar gift for next-generation STEM program

in tech, is dramatically changing. AI is gigantic. We need students who have the values, the education, the mission and purpose of our institution, with all the knowledge and skills that are worldclass, out in the world in the middle of technological revolution as part of it.”

Conrads is uniquely placed to make such a contribution to STEM. Before technology changed the world for the rest of us, it was central to his life. Even as he attended classes at SLUH in the early 1960s, he ran his own business, repairing TVs and radios with a hired employee. After attending Georgia

They’ve

been friends and supporters of St. Louis U. High for many decades.”

-Sean Agniel

Tech as an undergraduate studying physics, he received his M.S. in atomic physics from Georgia Tech and his MBA from Harvard. Conrads later went on to work for the international consulting firm McKinsey & Co., where he quickly became involved with some of the top tech companies in the world. Conrads is credited with creating the team at Toshiba that developed one of the earliest laptop computers, and in 1994 he became CEO of Indigo

America, the company later bought by Hewlett-Packard that is credited with pioneering the digital printing press.

Through Conrads’ flourishing career, his work ethic and a fearless mindset—one he developed primarily as a Jr. Bill, along with a strong sense of compassion—drove him.

“The thing that SLUH offered up was a support system that gives you the opportunity to extend yourself, potentially fail, or have difficult times, but also a support system to help you make your way through that,” said Conrads.

“That was really important for me here, because it gave me the conviction, the confidence when I went out into the world, to take risks and fail.”

“One of the reasons I chose to marry him is because he’s a really good person,” said Sherry Conrads. “Bob is the most professional, honest, generous, fair person I know. And that’s one of the reasons he’s been so successful in his business career, is that people trust him. I think that really stems from his Catholic upbringing, and having experienced St Louis University High School.”

While traversing consulting and technological careers, Bob Conrads kept in touch with the SLUH community. Donations from the couple trace back to 1991, the year Advancement records begin, but likely began earlier. Additionally, Conrads is a member of the endowment investment committee for the Board of Trustees.

“They’ve been friends and supporters of St. Louis U. High for many decades,” said Agniel. “He’s been helping us with our investment strategy for many years.”

Conrads currently resides in California, and spends his time serving as chairman of the board at Colchis Capital Management. He recently earned his pilot’s license and enjoys flying with Sherry.

After a period of strong focus on his career, he became more involved with SLUH around ten years ago. He first floated the idea of a major donation after a campus visit in the fall of 2022.

“He was really impressed with what he saw—and it was the St. Louis U. High students that impressed him, and it was what we’re doing with the facility, and what we’re doing with the curriculum,” said Agniel.

“I am so impressed, not only with the infrastructure, but with the programs and the growth of this institu-

at the perfect time. SLUH had opened the Costigan Innovation Lab only three years prior, in 2019, a major step in the expansion of its STEM curriculum, and has since incorporated a few different programs. And now more than ever, with the current faculty within the Science, Math, and Computer Science Departments, SLUH is well-positioned

tion,” said Sherry Conrads. “Bob and I have been married 54 years, so I know him very well, and there’s been a consistent thread of how important this institution has been in his life.”

With the idea in the air, SLUH hosted two curriculum institutes, in the summers of 2023 and 2024, funded by the Conrads, in which STEM faculty came together for several weeks to create a compelling vision of how STEM programming might be advanced in the next few years in the case of a significant donation.

“He was very receptive and gave us a lot of freedom,” said See. “We have had a great working relationship with him.”

The Conrads’ donation is coming

to take full advantage of such a gift.

“There was an orientation at the school that this was important, and already a foundation was being laid,” said Conrads. “If there hadn’t been any orientation towards stem when I first met with Kevin (Foy) and the faculty here, it wouldn’t have been exciting for me.”

“(Bob Conrads has) been just such a cool partner and such a wonderful guy,” said Assistant Principal for Academics Kevin Foy. “It feels right, like the Holy Spirit is driving this, because a bunch of things are all lining up together. When that many things work out, you have to believe it’s supposed to happen, that God wants this to happen.”

“He came in and his vision meshed

with our mission,” said See. “Bob (Conrads) is a grad, so he knows about the fabric of values that are part of this institution.”

With the donation in place, the sky’s the limit for SLUH’s future in STEM. Ultimately, the SLUH community is incredibly grateful for the gift from the Conrads—it will not only improve STEM at SLUH, but also maintain SLUH’s mission of making Jesuit education available to all. The gift will allow the STEM program to grow and be sustained over time with endowed funds.

“The cool thing about this is that it’s endowing the existence of the program. Future students will get the benefits of

He came in and his vision meshed with our mission.”

-Dan See

this really cool, robust program, and for all intents and purposes, they don’t have to pay for it,” said Foy. “This one enormous gift goes on in perpetuity.”

“We are very grateful to Bob and Sherry Conrads for their incredible generosity. Their transformational gift represents the largest donation to a specific program in SLUH history and will further distinguish our robust STEM program. It will also advance our Jesuit tradition of making a premier education accessible to young men from all walks of life, regardless of economic circumstances,” said President Alan Carruthers in an official statement.

By investing in the SLUH community, the Conrads express their belief in the promise of the future of SLUH and their desire for the next generation to be able to thrive.

“For the Conrads to give us this gift is a profound statement of theological virtues of faith, hope, and love in what we are doing,” said Principal Matt Stewart, SJ. “It is them saying, ‘I have faith that what was promised will come to fruition.’ So, they are investing their faith in our community, but also this deep hope that (their program) will come to reality. Also love is a big part of (this gift). They both love the school. Bob loved his experience here, and he wants to make sure other kids have that experience. What they are doing is deeply Eucharistic and full of thanksgiving. I’m incredibly grateful to Bob and Sherry for their great generosity and their belief in what we’re doing here at SLUH.”

“There are few things in life that are more joyful than being able to make contributions like this that impact the life of so many young men,” said Sherry Conrads.

photo | Will Linhares

Conrads ’65 talking with Prep News editors on Friday.

Conrads senior photo.

Conrads in 2023.