S T. L O U I S U N I V E R S I T Y H I G H
2019-20 GRATITUDE REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the President 2 Letter from the Chairman 3 2019-20 Highlights 4 Congratulations, Class of 2020! 10 Go Forth Furthers Third Century Vision 12 Donor Highlights 14 Board of Trustees 18 Financials 19 Jr. Bill Fund 20 Go Forth 21 Mothers Club/ Fathers Club 22 Alumni Giving 23 Alumni Board 24 Advisory Committees 25 Advancement Staff 26
VISIT US ONLINE
www.sluh.org @sluhigh @sluh @sluhjrbills
We celebrate the Class of 2020 with gratitude for enriching the SLUH community with their many gifts and courageous, faith-filled spirit. May God bless the entire class as they embark on their journey to fulfill our Jesuit mission as Men for Others. Pictured on front cover: SLUH Class of 2020
Published September 2020
“Go forth and set the world on fire.” - ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
Due to COVID-19, the Class of 2020 graduation, originally scheduled for May 24, was postponed and held on campus on July 25. (Photo by Mrs. Kathleen Chott, science teacher and Photography Club moderator.)
LE T T ER FROM THE PRESIDEN T
Dear SLUH Community,
“Our gratitude cannot be expressed suitably in words...” – ALAN CARRUTHERS
The 2019-20 school year is in the books, and I think it is fair to say that it is a multi-volume series whose storyline is perhaps best reflected by Charles Dickens’ line from A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times and it was the worst of times…the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope…” The last year has in many ways embodied a truly remarkable school year for three quarters, and an incredibly challenging yet hope-filled spring and summer.
Throughout the shifting sands, the “spring of hope” has always been present at the end of every curveball and puzzle as our community members creatively and collaboratively solved a panoply of problems. Whether it was running a virtual Cashbah, recognizing the Class of 2020 through the Driving of the Bills and graduation, or resolving the questions around entrance protocols and daily routines, people dug in and came up with innovative ways to move us forward.
St. Louis U. High saw the ongoing realization of Go Forth capital campaign objectives like a fully staffed and energetic College Counseling Department, as well as the completion of renovations for our second campus at the Madonna Della Strada Retreat Center near Silex, Mo. Our curriculum work and James Guth Costigan '62 Innovation Lab complete, the school has launched into a new era of project-based, imaginative learning that will continue to inspire the development of lifelong learners.
Your ongoing support has never been more important than it is now. As we reboot our Go Forth campaign and respond to increased need-based scholarship demands, we look to our beloved alumni and benefactors to assist us in carrying out our Jesuit mission of forming Men for Others. Our gratitude cannot be expressed suitably in words, but it is true to say that with our collective will and faith, the “worst of times” has and will continue to be our “best of times.”
Regarding our challenges, we experienced a very short lead time to pivot from in-person instruction to an asynchronous model of virtual learning. Due to the nature of our seven period day schedule, our teachers and administrators were left with few logistical options, but did an incredible job in this shift. This summer was filled with safety and academic planning and professional development as we prepared for the unexpected. Our entire school team has done an unbelievable amount of work all summer to get us to the point where we began with virtual learning and moved to a hybrid approach.
God bless you and thank you for supporting the young men of SLUH and the apostolic efforts of the Society of Jesus for which we are entrusted. God bless,
Alan Carruthers President
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LE T T ER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Parents, Alumni and Benefactors, As St. Louis University High School settles into a new school year, I join Alan Carruthers in thanking you for your continued support of SLUH. Each of you has contributed in significant ways to the success of our school. Your commitment and generosity are deeply appreciated. St. Louis U. High has a unique mission centered on intellectual ability and moral caliber. There is no other place in our region where academic success and Catholic Jesuit formation combine to create our future leaders based on their ability to succeed, rather than their families’ economic or social circumstances. There are countless people to thank who help fulfill the development and formation of our students. The outstanding corps of faculty, staff and coaches provide the most direct contact with each student. There are also the many incredible volunteers and donors who create the ability to have the facilities, technology and financial means necessary to support 965 young men who are committed to furthering our tradition of achievement and excellence. Just as our first-ever “virtual” Cashbah in April displayed an amazing story of support, teamwork and success, this past year has been an unprecedented one for the SLUH Board of Trustees. Your Board holds the responsibility of carrying out the mission of the school in trust on behalf of the Society of Jesus.
I sincerely thank each current and past trustee for their unwavering service and loyalty to SLUH. The seven Board Committees, outlined near the end of this publication, display the breadth and importance of each area of school governance. School staff and other volunteers with subject matter expertise also devote their time and talents to each Committee. Simply put, SLUH receives extraordinary assistance of both leadership and resources from these devout members of your Board of Trustees. In the pursuit of excellence, they exemplify the meaning of Men and Women for Others realizing their work and mission is for the Greater Glory of God. As each of us attempts to navigate these unprecedented times and strives for the return to normality, I hope and pray that you and your families, along with all of our students, staff, alumni and benefactors, are blessed with good health and an emboldened spirit. Thank you for all you do for SLUH! Sincerely,
Joseph F. Jedlicka III ‘80 Chairman, Board of Trustees
“There are countless people to thank who help fulfill the development and formation of our students.” – JOSEPH F. JEDLICKA III '80
HIGHLIGHTS
“SLUH was the most thrilling and exciting rollercoaster ride of my life that I will remember forever.” – SUTHERLAN LITKE ‘20
FOUR
AC ADEMIC E XCELLENCE
Jr. Bills were selected for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program this summer: Jack Fiese ‘22 (Russian), Nick Vander Pluym ’20 (Russian), Leo Wagner ‘21 (Arabic) and Luke Wagner ’21 (Turkish).
Eleven students from the Class of 2020 earned distinction as National Merit Finalists. FIVE Jr. Bills were among 29 local students who produced work strong enough in the Students and Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS) program to receive a Partnership of Research Institutions Award for Excellence in Research.
SLUH launched a new STEM Innovation Product Development course featuring creative development, humancentered design and prototyping — all while creating an innovative product that helps others.
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FAITH & SERVICE 256 SENIORS contributed about
SIX
SLUH offered retreats during Retreat Week in November: Senior Kairos, two Junior Retreats, Service Learning Retreat, Freshman Retreat and Philia Retreat. SLUH, in the midst of conducting its online learning program, displayed solidarity and resolve by contributing to several local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
to those in need at 69 sites in the Metro area as well as Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Taiwan and China.
The Adopt-a-Family Drive provided 95 FAMILIES gifts and necessities during Christmas.
Attending Boston College
ATHLE TIC S While several athletic programs were impacted by the pandemic, many noteworthy accomplishments were recorded during the seasons that were able to be played. Swimming/ diving and racquetball earned state titles, with racquetball also acquiring its 10th consecutive national title. Cross country landed as the state runner-up and the rifle program was set to send three squads to the 2020 regional competition. In addition to these team accomplishments, individual student-athletes were recognized for achievements including: 16 student-athletes committing to play collegiate athletics; a wrestler finishing in the top four at state for the first time since 2010; 19 student-athletes being named to the Academic All-State team in their respective sport; and an individual state champion and Athlete of the Year in swimming/diving.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
30,000 HOURS OF SERVICE
Victor Stefanescu '20 SLUH made me smart— smart enough to know to be confident about my intellectual capabilities, smart enough to develop my own set of ideals and values, and smart enough to know when I see wrong and to speak out against injustices. But more importantly, at SLUH, I learned what makes humans intrinsically good and how to be 'good'—and that will have an everlasting impact. Learning why we help others, why service matters, and why vocation supersedes occupation, has been the basis of my major decision making as I look towards my future.
“SLUH has been the best four years of my life and led me to grow physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically with state championships, life-changing retreats and phenomenal teachers that want the best for their students.”
AR T S
S T UDENT LIFE & CO - CURRICUL ARS Upperclassmen visited Washington D.C. to meet with and learn from alumni working in politics, law and journalism.
SLUH’s Jazz Band 1 performed at the 82nd annual Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) In-Service Workshop/Conference. To perform at MMEA represents the highest statewide honor to which a school music ensemble can aspire. SLUH’s Jazz Band 1 was the only high school jazz ensemble in Missouri selected to perform.
– MICHAEL KREIENKAMP ‘20
The Dauphin Players put on exceptional theatrical performances of Noises Off and Chicago.
Voices of SLUH, which offers a venue for members of the school community to talk and listen to each other about issues that extend beyond the campus, produced eight episodes of SLUH Values Black Lives to advance discussions regarding racial equity and justice. SLUH’s Hack Club competed in a college hackathon at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in which they created an app that helps epidemiologists track the spread of the coronavirus. They topped more than 20 college teams to earn RD 3 PLACE overall.
SLUH’s Academic World Quest team finished in
1ST PLACE
out of 25 schools at the regional competition.
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SLUH was recognized by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the eighth consecutive year as a 2020 Top Workplace in the metropolitan area. SLUH hosted a U.S. Dept. of Education delegation on its campus to learn about its STEM program, recognized by Newsweek as a top national STEM school. The delegation included Asst. Secretary of Education Frank Brogan and Missouri Dept. of Education Commissioner Margie Vandeven.
FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILIT Y
40% of the student body received
$4.1 MILLION
in financial assistance. Awards ranged from $1,000 to full tuition, with an average grant of $9,800.
ADVANCEMENT SLUH’s 8th annual Scholarship Golf Classic, presented by the David and Barbara Mungenast Foundation and Mungenast Automotive Family, raised
more than $200,000 for financial aid.
“SLUH was an epic, four-year odyssey of the sweetest triumphs and the hardest lessons, of wise mentors and enduring friendships, of individual growth and an ever-strengthening brotherhood; SLUH has been the greatest journey of my lifetime thus far, and it has shaped me into the man I am today.” – PJ BUTLER ‘20
Xavier Wu '20
Attending Vanderbilt University
IN HIS OWN WORDS
LE ADERSHIP
The things I appreciated and valued most at SLUH were the brotherhood, bonding and love that surrounded me. The support and care I received when SLUH turned to online classes in March this year was unprecedented for me. I was completely alone in a foreign land where the pandemic was rising. Many of my friends and my beloving host family gave their support to me as they were willing to take care of me through the pandemic. I was really moved by their love for me. It is not easy for someone who joined the community later than everybody else to fully immerse in. But I did feel that I have become an irreplaceable part of this community. SLUH shaped me in an intellectual way. As I was aiming to become someone who could take a stand on an international stage, SLUH's education provided me with the foundation of my knowledge and sight. I could use almost every class I've taken here and everyday's study experience to help me prepare for my college time in the Western world and in my future career. SLUH shaped me in a spiritual way, especially for my faith and connection with others. I was really lost and cocky when I first left China about three years ago as I thought I was good enough to take on any obstacles in life. However, SLUH has taught me the importance of love and family in difficult situations. The love and care others give you is always the most precious thing a young man like me could have. SLUH shaped me in an inspirational way. I used to not know what I should do or what type of responsibility I should take on in the future. However, after two-and-a-half years at SLUH, I know I should grow in every way to be a Man for Others, a man that can develop the academic and cultural exchange between China and the U.S. during this harsh time. The international world needs future leaders and men that understand the deep connection between cultures. SLUH's environment gave me the opportunities to explore that connection and fully understand it.
“SLUH was a place that tested me more than anything else I have ever done, but gave me everything I needed to get through.” – JOHN MARSHALL ‘20
IMPOSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO INSOLUBLE PROBLEMS
SLUH Embraces Jesuit Ingenuity During Pandemic BY FR. IAN GIBBONS, SJ, PRINCIPAL
Ignatius of Loyola has been called the “Patron Saint of Plan B,” as very little went according to design in his life. Plagues, wars and political turmoil tore asunder each major commitment St. Ignatius made. What came next were brilliant Plan B’s that became far more impactful than the original proposals. We of course had our own Plan B this past year due to the pandemic. No teacher or student at SLUH would claim that we were better off with the lock-down, but we clearly responded in historic and impactful manners. Some of the changes we made will become permanent improvements, and others will serve to make us appreciate our 202-year-old mission all the more. All of these changes created solutions to a global crisis. Here are some of the innovations we have undertaken: • Online classes with clear daily content and deliverable projects, creating structure and forward progress in our rigorous curriculum; • Rapid incorporation of online gathering platforms like Google Meet and Zoom, providing social and interactive opportunities; • Strong safety net programs for students and families struggling with emotional, financial, health and mental wellness challenges; • 94-99% daily attendance in a time when online learning was floundering nationally;
• Creative solutions to social and programmatic opportunities lost due to quarantine; and • Powerful new educational resources like Educreations Whiteboard, Quizlet, Kahoot and Udemy that create educational experiences that unlock deeper learning potential. When graduation was postponed to late July, we needed to do something to help celebrate our seniors and transition them onward. We used our own SLUH narrative to create a bookend to the legendary Running of the Bills program that shepherded the Class of 2020 into SLUH through the stadium gates four years ago. To honor our seniors, we created the Driving of the Bills, in which the graduates traversed a route through the SLUH campus, ending at the very stadium gates they originally entered four years previously. Parents rode along and blue paint was optional. This was a deeply powerful program that will forever mark the Class of 2020’s experience. So much of what makes SLUH unique are the small moments and deep relationships. During the lock-down, we sought to retain these singular elements through online retreat communities, liturgies, co-curricular meetings, student forums and many other opportunities. Nothing can substitute for physical presence, but SLUH has proven adept at recreating the pivotal experiences of formation on Oakland Avenue. As we continue to face uncertainty in our new school year, Jesuit ingenuity will live in the planning, conversations and formation work ahead. Impossible solutions to insoluble problems are a part of Jesuit faith. Such solutions have existed at SLUH for two centuries. Thank you for your support for all of our programs at SLUH. Please know of our prayers for your family in these times of COVID-19.
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CASHBAH PREMIER SPONSORS
Irfaun Karim '20
Cashbah Overcomes Virtual Hurdle to Support Financial Aid For the first time in SLUH history, the school’s Cashbah auction went virtual to ensure the health and well-being of our community. Despite unprecedented circumstances, and with little time to prepare for a strictly online event, the April 3-4 virtual experience was an incredible success and raised more than $1.2 million for financial aid. These critical funds will ensure SLUH continues to admit all qualified young men, regardless of their families' economic circumstances. SLUH gives special thanks to co-chairs Carol Andrew and Martha McArthur, and everybody who stepped up during such a critical time, especially our generous sponsors and donors.
SILVER SPONSORS Emerson Krilogy - John M. McArthur, CIMA® The Mungenast Family The Mays Family Jane and Dave Peacock SLUH Class of 2000 Mark '72 and Debbie (2006 Cashbah Co-Chair) Wilhelm BRONZE SPONSORS 23 City Blocks Catering Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner The Callison Family Food Service Consultants Precision Daylighting Savvy Design Group, Diane Mantovani, Owner & Principal World Wide Technology
COPPER SPONSORS Absolute Granite and Quartz Area Wide Refrigeration BSI Constructors BWTP P.C. Certified Public Accountants Chemstation The Hannah Family The Haskell Family Healthcare Infection Control Solutions Lewis Rice Carol & Al Litteken Lockton The Mackin Family Mark and Patty Mantovani The McAuliffe Law Firm, LLP Missouri Orthopedics and Advanced Sports Medicine, Dr. David Irvine Northwestern Mutual OnderLaw P3 PNC St. Patrick's Center SLUH Mothers Club
JR. BILL PATRONS
Bieg Plumbing Janet M. Bone, CFP - Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. Buckingham Wealth Advisors Busey Bank Butler Dental Dr. Daniel Cerutti, Optometrist Domino's The Glarner Family Hastings + Chivetta Hoffman Brothers Heating & Cooling The L'Hommedieu Family The Lyons Family McCartney Wealth Management The Mize Family The Moehn Family Owen Properties Saleeby and Associates Seyer Industries Sharamitaro & Associates 50th Anniversary of SLUH Football State Championship The Slusser Family The Wimmer Family
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Attending University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill My sophomore year I had the pleasure of living in another country, and subsequently, going to another high school. When I came back to SLUH, the sense of happiness and joy that my classmates displayed to me when they saw me again created a feeling within me that I’ll never forget. Small actions like those made SLUH not just feel like a place where we get our education, but also a place in which people truly value us as individual people. Being Muslim, I was very worried that attending SLUH was going to bring a sudden halt to my faith life. That said, what happened was the exact opposite. As my time at SLUH progressed, I realized more that SLUH wasn’t trying to instill an idea of God into our heads, but was rather allowing us to find our own personal path with God. This subsequently led me to become closer with God as I reflected during times such as Examen and silent prayer times made available during our theology classes. Financial aid allowed me to not only stay at SLUH, but instead, provided the possibilities for me to experience SLUH to its fullest extent. I was able to travel the country and experience things such as the New York Stock Exchange and talking to prominent D.C. politicians. Furthermore, with all the help from SLUH’s incredible teachers and staff, I was able to receive scholarships to some of the most prestigious colleges across the country, a feat I know would’ve been impossible without all the assistance I received from a wide array of staff I encountered during my time at SLUH.
“I wish our school year didn’t have to end like it did, but I’ll always treasure the wonderful memories made here with my friends, teachers and the SLUH community—all of whom have helped me become a better person.” – BEN ANDREWS ‘20
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF Visit the Class of 2020 website to view Driving of the Bills, Flag Day, senior photos, graduation weekend highlights and more: sluh.org/classof2020
2020!
CLASS MOTTO:
STRONGER IN UNION
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CLASS OF 2020 BY THE NUMBERS
20
RETREATS
16
30,000+
CHORUS CONCERTS
SERVICE HOURS RENDERED TO THOSE IN NEED
11
NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
8
COUNTRIES VISITED ON EXCHANGE, IMMERSION AND SERVICE PROGRAMS
256
CLUBS AND COCURRICULARS PARTICIPATED IN AND LED
28
JAZZ, SYMPHONIC BAND AND ORCHESTRA CONCERTS
FOREIGN LANGUAGES LEARNED
4
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
1
ENDURING BOND OF BROTHERHOOD
JR. BILLS
50+
7
15
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SEVEN SPORTS
14
DAUPHIN PLAYERS PRODUCTIONS
8
TOP ACT SCORES OF 36 (24 SCORES OF 35)
7
DANCE CONCERTS
“My time at SLUH has made me who I am today, given me more perspective on the world around me, and blessed me with the best four years of my life.” – MITCHELL BOOHER ‘20
Go Forth Furthers Third Century Vision
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SLUH continues to move closer to achieving its strategic vision through Go Forth, a comprehensive campaign that positions the school for its future with a deepened focus on financial accessibility, program excellence and a 21st century campus. Highlights from last school year include:
Madonna della Strada Retreat Center Completes Renovation, Ready to Welcome Students
J. Anthony ’57 and Donna M. Dill Center for Academic Success Breaks Ground
Pat and Aja Stokes Challenge SLUH Community with $2 Million Opportunity
SLUH’s retreat center, located in a beautiful rural setting near Silex, Mo, features the main center, a separate chapel, a barn, a small pond, forested and rolling grassy fields as well as an outside gathering space and Stations of the Cross. Support is still needed to sustain retreat programming and the new facility; naming opportunities are available.
The transformative generosity of Donna and Tony Dill's planned gift bolstered SLUH’s campus renewal and priority of academic excellence. All capital projects are temporarily on hold due to the pandemic. Support is still needed and memorial oppor tunities are available for conference rooms, student support spaces and administrative offices.
Out of deep love for the Church and confidence in the mission of SLUH, the Stokes’s will match every gift made to renovate the SLUH Chapel and David J. and Kelly E. Laughlin Campus Ministry Center. The restoration of the Chapel will ensure the centrality of SLUH's Jesuit Catholic character for the next century. Learn more and how you can support this important effort at www.sluh.org/chapel.
$12 Million added to Endowment for Financial Aid Early commitments to Go Forth have boosted the endowment to nearly $50 million. For the endowment to sustain SLUH's commitment to need-blind admission and meet 100 percent of families' demonstrated need, it must reach $75 million. Learn how you can ensure SLUH's legacy commitment to financial aid through the Endowed Scholarship Program at www.sluh.org/scholarship.
www.sluh.org/goforth
DONOR HIGHLIGHT: CLASS OF 2012
Class of 2012 Makes Mark at St. Louis U. High Day
The second annual St. Louis U. High Day celebration, phonathon and online days of giving, held November 14-16, 2019, focused on the theme of #SLUHMeetsTheNeed. More than $375,000 was raised for SLUH’s financial aid program. At the phonathon on November 14, a full table of volunteers from the Class of 2012, led by Alumni Board member John Jedlicka ‘12, made extensive outreach to classmates with scores of phone calls, text messages and emails. “I look forward to St. Louis U. High Day every year,” says Jedlicka. “It’s a great reason to bring classmates together in person or otherwise to catch-up or check-in. Most importantly, the event allows us to give back to the SLUH community that so graciously supported us and continues to provide for every class. Our class continues to have high involvement and participation each year because we feel so strongly in the school’s mission.” This year's St. Louis U. High Day celebration kicks off on Thursday, November 12, and will conclude with a Mass of Gratitude to all SLUH donors on November 16, the 202nd anniversary of SLUH's opening.
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DONOR HIGHLIGHT: JOY AND GEORGE '52 MEISEL
Divine Inspiration Joy and George '52 Meisel
JOY MEISEL MAKES LASTING GIFT TO CHAPEL RENEWAL
St. Louis Cardinals fans may not recognize the name George Meisel ‘52 like they do Stan Musial or Albert Pujols, but Meisel’s professional contributions paved the way for generations of elite players to compete at the old Busch Stadium, an iconic landmark that rivals the Gateway Arch. In the mid-1960s, while working for Bryan Cave in commercial real estate, Meisel played a key role in the Cardinals’ move from Sportsmans Park to the original Busch Stadium, which opened in 1966. The opening and closing of the old Busch Stadium, which was part of the renovation of the downtown area, were the “bookends” to George’s illustrious career, which began in 1961 after a three-year stint in the U.S. Air Force. In 1970, he became a partner at Bryan Cave, where he worked nearly his entire career. Today Joy Meisel is honoring her deceased husband’s legacy with a gift to the renovation of SLUH’s chapel – a strategic priority of the school’s Go Forth campaign. “George always spoke so highly of his years at The High School,” she says. “There is no school on earth where the faculty gives such special attention and love to each student – not to mention the lifelong friendships that are formed.”
Joy, an alumna of The Academy of the Sacred Heart (City House), met George on a blind date. Thereafter, the couple was inseparable. Though they did not have children, Joy found her vocation in life in taking care of others, such as her parents, her in-laws, her aunt and uncle, and George. In a generous spirit that harkens to that of the school’s foundress, Anna Backer – a widow who gifted SLUH’s current campus in remembrance of her late husband George, an 1869 graduate of the school – Joy feels gratitude in giving back to the school that was so foundational for her husband. Her gift to SLUH will punctuate the school’s Jesuit, Catholic mission while providing for the creation of a new altar, in honor of George and Joy, in the renovated chapel. In a way, it will also serve as a “bookend” for her enduring relationship with George, which, in the Catholic Church, began at an altar and will remain in perpetuity at this altar. “George’s days at SLUH became part of his DNA, all the days of his life,” Joy says. “I also benefited from that education when I married him and spent my life with him. I am sure he is pleased with this lasting gift for God’s chapel.”
Chapel Renewal to Reaffirm Mission, Form Church Leaders GENEROUS LEADERSHIP GIFT BOOSTS KEY CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE
To learn more about the Chapel renewal project, visit www.sluh.org/chapel.
St. Louis University High’s Chapel renewal initiative, a cornerstone of a comprehensive campaign to further the school’s mission in its third century, will punctuate its Jesuit, Catholic identity and commitment to forming Men for Others. Generous donors Pat and Aja Stokes have pledged to match $2 million in gifts made toward this important mission-focused priority. “ We are deeply humbled and grateful for the Stokes’ extraordinary generosity,” says President Alan Carruthers. “This pledge will double the impact of all gifts made to this critical project while renewing the central sacred space of the school so that all students, faculty, staf f, parents and alumni will experience SLUH as a place of encounter with God.” By renovating the main Chapel, while simultaneously creating the David J. and Kelly E. Laughlin Campus Ministry Center, SLUH will make more efficient use of space, create positive environmental impact and reaffirm its commitment to vocations and creating leaders for the Church. SLUH has historically been one of the top feeder schools to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Society of Jesus. In addition, thousands of gr aduates play
active roles in their parishes and dioceses as leaders of competence, conscience and compassion. A renewed Chapel will further this faith-filled tradition. “It is truly time to restore our Chapel to its original dignity, to inspire our community toward greater praise, reverence and service for God,” says Fr. Ian Gibbons, SJ, SLUH Principal. “The Chapel’s new lighting, seating and restored aesthetic will engage the senses and stir the hearts of our young men.” The Chapel renovation and creation of a new Campus Ministry center are among the top priorities of Go Forth, a transformative campaign that positions SLUH for future generations with a deepened focus on financial accessibility, program excellence and a 21st century campus. The restoration of the chapel and new campus ministry office follow SLUH’s recent acquisition of the Madonna della Strada retreat center near Troy, Missouri. “The future of SLUH will be built on the strength of our Jesuit, Catholic mission,” says Carruthers. “We are proud to solidify our character and our charism for future generations of Jr. Bills through the Go Forth campaign.”
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DONOR HIGHLIGHT: PAT AND AJA STOKES
Pat and Aja Stokes are supporting the Chapel renewal initiative with a generous pledge to match $2 million in gifts made toward this effort. Pat, the former Chairman and CEO of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., shares some of his own perspectives on faith and the importance of this mission-focused priority.
Aja and Pat Stokes
Who have been inspiring saints and heroes in your life? As far as saints go, I was inspired by my namesake St. Patrick. After all, converting Ireland and driving the snakes out of Ireland is pretty inspiring, but now I hear that he is on the list of saints who may be more legend than fact. I do think that St. Paul is an inspiring figure. He started off in the wrong direction, but the Lord knocked him off his mule and suggested he straighten out his life. He went on to become one of the most prolific spreaders of the gospel in the early Church. I think we can all learn from him that it is never too late to change direction for the good. I have no particular contemporary heroes, but I am always impressed by those who give their time in the service of others. Time is a precious commodity – we only have so much of it.
Why do you feel the Chapel renovation project is important for SLUH and the Church? Education is very important. but without values it loses its focus. Having a career, raising a family and enjoying life are fine, but they need a greater purpose. I think having a chapel where students can be at peace with themselves and understand what makes them individuals will benefit both SLUH and the Church. There should always be a time and place to explore your relationship with God. What inspired you to make the matching gift to SLUH? Maybe it was the Holy Spirit with the assistance of Fr. Paul Sheridan, SJ. I have known Fr. Paul for more than 40 years. In that time I have seen him work tirelessly for others with a long period devoted to SLUH. He has raised money for facilities, financial aid, and done everything he could to make SLUH a better place. Lately I could see
that he was focused on spirituality and the need for students to make their relationship with God the focus of their formative experience. So when he told me of his interest in renovating the Chapel, it was easy to say I would help. What are your hopes and dreams for the students of SLUH? High school is a great time for SLUH students. They enter as boys and graduate as young adults. It is a time of formation. It is not the end of learning, but it is a time when they form values and learn to think. The time they spend at SLUH will influence them for the rest of their lives. My hope is that they will seize the opportunity to become intellectually and spiritually well rounded. May they all go on in their lives to be persons for others.
2019-2020 BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees serves as St. Louis University High’s governing body and ensures that the future direction of the school fulfills its mission and founding purpose, ad majorem dei gloriam. To facilitate the decision-making process, various subcommittees report to the Board. Thomas P. Berra, Jr. '85 PP Member Lewis Rice Alan R. Carruthers President St. Louis University High School David G. Eichhorn '92 President and Head of Investment Strategies NISA Investment Advisors, LLC Timothy R. Fogerty PP President 23 City Blocks P. David Glarner ‘89 President Raven Development LaShonda L. Lambert Howze Member Evans & Dixon, LLC Joseph F. Jedlicka '80 PP Legal and Business Consultant Darryl T. Jones '73 PP Owner D&D Concessions
Mark P. Mantovani ‘72 PP
Anjanette R. Schmelter PP
Paul L. Matecki '72 Retired General Counsel Raymond James Financial
Paul G. Sheridan, SJ President Emeritus St. Louis University High School
David V. Meconi, SJ Associate Professor of Theological Studies and Director of the Catholic Studies Program Saint Louis University Robert L. Poirier, SJ '65 Superior of the Jesuit Community Spring Hill College Jason Q. Purnell '95 Associate Professor George Warren Brown School of Social Work Washington University in St. Louis Mary R. Reedy PP Deanie S. Reis Thomas W. Santel '76 PP Executive Director Civic Progress John H. Schaefer '70 President, COO (retired) Morgan Stanley Global Wealth Management
David J. Suwalski, SJ Superior St. Jean de Brebeuf Jesuit Community Mark A. Wilhelm '72 PP CEO Safety National Casualty Corp. John D. Wunderlich '66 PP
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REVENUES 2019-2020
Tuition Student Activities & Auxiliary Enterprises Other Revenue
$17,215,728 72% 439,938 2%
$17,670,355 74%
Gift & Endowment Transfers Total Operating Revenues
Other Revenue 0%
14,689
0%
$6,226,894 26% $23,897,249 100%
Tuition 72%
EXPENSES
% Total
2019-2020
Instructional Direct Financial Assistance Student Activities & Auxiliary Enterprises General & Administrative Plant Operation
% Total
$14,307,688 60% 3,969,242 17% 1,954,987 8% 1,388,484 2,276,848
6% 9%
Total Operating Expenses $23,897,249 100%
Instructional 60% Direct Financial Assistance 17%
Gifts & Transfers From Endowment 26%
Student Activities & Auxiliary Enterprises 8%
Student Activities & Auxiliary Enterprises 2%
General Activities & Administration 6% Plant Operation 10%
We’re excited to let you know that we’ve rebranded our annual fund to the JR. BILL FUND.
INTRODUCING THE
Just like before, your yearly gift to the Jr. Bill Fund ensures SLUH can serve all young men based on their ability to succeed and not their families’ economic circumstances. By rebranding to the Jr. Bill Fund, we‘re emphasizing in a clearer way how your generosity supports the full SLUH experience for our beloved Jr. Bills who receive Scholarship support. Your gift to the Jr. Bill Fund contributes in an important way to SLUH’s tradition of excellence in academics, co-curriculars, including athletics and the arts, and faith formation. The Jr. Bill Fund also provides emergency support to families facing crisis or in need of additional support due to job loss, illness or tragedy. The need has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Jr. Bill Fund is here to stay, so all SLUH families in crisis will find the support they need.
The New Name for Annual Giving at SLUH
We can’t wait to share the impact of your giving for our Jr. Bills throughout this coming year on the new website and we hope the stories we share inspire you to give in this time of great need. We will mail up to three appeals for the Jr. Bill Fund between now and June 30, highlighting the good work of our students made possible by your generosity. Please consider making an annual gift today at www.sluh.org/jrbillfund. Thank you for your continued support. AMDG,
www.sluh.org/jrbillfund
John Penilla ‘99 Director of Alumni and Parent Giving
SLUH | 2019-20 GRATITUDE REPORT - 21
EMPOWERED BY OUR PAST
EMBOLDENED BY OUR FUTURE
Now is our time to shine. Help us to become a model of academic achievement and faith formation for the nation and the world with a deepened focus on financial accessibility, program excellence and a 21st century campus. With your support, we will, in the words of St. Ignatius, “Go forth and set the world on fire.”
WE GO FORTH
www.sluh.org/goforth
2019-20 MOTHERS CLUB OFFICERS
2019-20 FATHERS CLUB OFFICERS
2019-20 ALUMNI MOTHERS CLUB OFFICERS
CASHBAH AUCTION CO-CHAIRS
President Laura M. Lally
President Rich T. Ledbetter
President Mary L. Burke
Carol M. Andrew Martha M. McArthur
President Elect Susan L. Vanous
Officers Thomas C. Albus ’90 Mark R. Barnes Mark K. Broughton Jason A. Browdy Michael J. Fiordelisi ’89 Daniel P. Lally, Sr. ’82 Kevin McDaniel Kevin J. McEnery ’82 William E. Newbold Timothy P. O’Keefe Craig M. Ortwerth ’91 J. Patrick Reilly ’85 Mark T. Rudder Paul N. Tice Timothy A. Walters ’84 Brian M. Watkins ’86 Milo Wilson
Officers Laura J. Cerutti Mary H. Cooley Marilyn Dell’Orco Stephanie L. Evans Kim R. Graman Sandra A. Jansen Lisa R. Jellinek Janet M. Knobbe-Viox Marybeth Lumetta Madeleine S. McLaughlin Ann M. Perryman Kathryn Snodgrass
Officers Deanna M. Broughton Stephanie S. Bryant Sara M. Buehring Sara S. Dee Angela Fiordelisi Laurie A. Frillman Marilyn L. Gannon Jennie N. Kirchwehm Kimberly A. Minana Christine M. Mittendorf Susan M. O’Keefe Christy R. Patritti Colleen M. Stein Donna E. Walters
SLUH | 2019-20 GRATITUDE REPORT - 23
ALUMNI GIVING SUMMARY OF ALUMNI PARTICIPATION FOR 2019-20
3,202 DONORS
24.27%
PARTICIPATION RATE
PARTICIPATION CLASS YEAR RATE
TOP CLASSES BY PARTICIPATION These classes met or exceeded the goal of 30% participation in giving to SLUH during the 2019-20 year.
'61 '60 '65 '70 '71 '55 '66 '68 '62
48.70% 43.05% 42.11% 40.22% 39.15% 38.89% 38.76% 38.64% 36.67%
AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED $5,973,898 TOTAL BY ALUMNI IN 2019-20
TOP 10 CLASSES
PARTICIPATION CLASS YEAR RATE
'69 '74 '64 '63 '98 '81 '58 '90
by Total Dollars Given in 2019-20
36.63% 36.18% 35.87% 35.50% 33.73% 33.33% 30.66% 30.37%
HONORABLE MENTIONS Remarkable results from some of our youngest classes: '02 – 23.32%, '00 – 20.83%, '03 – 20.42%,
CLASS YEAR
TOTAL AMOUNT
'70 '80 '53 '66 '72 '76 '65 '54 '78 '60
$652,873 $444,583 $313,254 $293,429 $278,989 $218,756 $218,452 $205,075 $201,058 $154,391
Class Participation Rates for 2019-20 '45 '46 '47 '48 '49 '50 '51 '52 '53
7.50% 6.67% 10.00% 21.67% 15.15% 22.03% 25.00% 15.71% 28.40%
'54 '55 '56 '57 '58 '59 '60 '61 '62
28.16% 38.89% 19.69% 24.39% 30.66% 24.66% 43.05% 48.70% 36.67%
'63 '64 '65 '66 '67 '68 '69 '70 '71
35.50% 35.87% 42.11% 38.76% 26.16% 38.64% 36.63% 40.22% 39.15%
'72 '73 '74 '75 '76 '77 '78 '79 '80
26.47% 28.87% 36.18% 25.91% 26.55% 22.68% 23.40% 18.65% 22.17%
'81 '82 '83 '84 '85 '86 '87 '88 '89
33.33% 20.57% 20.26% 28.57% 24.89% 28.07% 24.31% 19.09% 27.31%
'90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98
30.37% 22.27% 23.90% 24.14% 22.71% 22.84% 21.59% 16.44% 33.73%
'99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07
19.40% 20.83% 16.60% 23.32% 20.42% 18.50% 17.79% 15.94% 16.61%
'08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14
14.73% 14.56% 17.97% 11.06% 17.84% 10.27% 5.24%
ALUMNI BOARD The Alumni Board consists of the volunteer leaders among SLUH's graduates. The Board's goals are to assist in programs and activities that advance the school's reputation, to assist in securing financial resources that support the mission of the school, and to provide spiritual and community service opportunities for the alumni. OFFICERS Mr. Mark E. Berns '93 President, Reunions and Events Mr. Richard J. Mehan Jr. '70 Vice President, Membership and St. Louis U. High Day Planning Mr. Halpin J. Burke '82 Service and Spirituality Mr. Thomas J. Erman '71 Alumni Admissions Support Mr. Daniel J. McAuliffe '53 Mr. Thomas R. Leritz '54 Mr. Thomas V. McTigue Jr. '55 Mr. Robert M. Cradock '56 Mr. Edward L. Golterman '56 Mr. Edward L. Golterman '56 Daniel L. Schlafly Jr., Ph.D. '57 Mr. Al W. Tikwart Jr. '59 Mr. John R. Gorman '60 Mr. J. M. Rohlfing '60 Mr. Donald S. Boyce Sr. '61 Mr. John L. Stein '63 Mr. Thomas W. Brockland '64 Mr. James L. Mudd Jr. '64 Michael J. Engle, Ph.D. '65 Mr. Edward W. Rataj '65 Mr. Paul L. Steube '65 Mr. David Powers '66 Stephen R. Kappel, M.D. '67 Mr. Michael J. Soehngen '67 Mr. Stephen E. Hutchison '68 Mr. Edward L. Bushmeyer Jr. '69 Mr. Lawrence B. Grebel '69 Mr. Peter Sharamitaro Jr. '69 Mr. Thomas J. Simon '69 Mr. William J. Kuehling '70 Mr. Mark S. Milburn '70 Mr. John C. Weller '70 Mr. James F. Whalen '70
Mr. Thomas J. Erman '71 Mr. Terry Moffitt '71 Mr. Timothy F. Rodgers '71 Mr. John R. Sondag '71 Mr. John E. Troy '71 Mr. Robert M. Walsh '71 Mr. David P. Weiss '71 Mr. Terry V. Altepeter '72 Mr. James P. Landolt '72 Mark G. Beck, D.D.S. '73 Mr. Michael J. Brand '73 Mark F. Stroble, M.D. '73 Michael F. Abels, D.D.S. '74 Mr. Robert C. Macauley '74 Mr. Patrick J. Leahy '76 Mr. David L. Richert Jr. '76 Mr. Gene J. Brockland Jr. '77 Mr. Timothy D. Milford Sr. '77 Martin L. Buchheit, D.D.S. '78 Mr. Anthony K. Conroy '78 Mr. Francis G. Ferrara '78 Mr. Robert E. Staed Jr. '80 Mr. John M. Ferrara '81 Mr. Glen Kemper '82 Mr. Anthony S. Floretta '84 Mr. Thomas P. Berra Jr. '85 Mr. Richard A. Blankenship Jr. '85 Mr. Patrick N. Mehan '86 Mr. Matthew Nordmann '86 Mr. Matthew Nordmann '86 Mr. Fred A. Surber Jr. '86 Mr. Peter A. Ferrara '87 Mr. Michael J. Grzesiowski '88 Mr. John T. Sadlo '89 Mr. Brian C. Walsh '89 The Honorable Thomas C. Albus '90 Mr. Louis H. Henderson '90 Mr. Mark F. Mueller '90 Mr. Robert R. O'Blennis '90 Mr. Richard K. Pickett '90 Mr. Anthony R. Winkeler '90 Mr. J. P. Hoehn IV '91 Mr. Christopher S. Muskopf '91 Mr. Peter C. Palumbo '91 Mr. James M. Penilla '91 Mr. John M. Wynne '91 Mr. Kevin J. Folkl '92 Mr. Robert M. Funke '92 Mr. Joseph J. Buttice '93 Mr. Joseph F. Hodes '94 Mr. Dominic J. Orlando '94 Mr. Eric N. Simon '94 Mr. Daniel P. Berns '95 Mr. Nicholas A. Kriegel '95
Mr. John M. McArthur '95 Mr. John G. Weller '95 Mr. Gregory T. Donovan '96 Mr. William M. Hof '96 Mr. Timothy R. Powers '96 Mr. Daniel T. Daly, Ph.D. '98 Mr. Timothy C. Hodits '98 Mr. Christopher P. Kellett '98 Mr. Brian C. Klos '98 Mr. Gregory A. Pratt '98 Mr. Jeffrey P. Rombach '98 Mr. John J. Marino Jr. '99 Mr. Timothy J. Wells '99 Mr. Andrew R. Gilfoil '01 Mr. Garrett A. Holland '01 Mr. David P. Willard '01 Mr. Peter J. Berns '02 Mr. Joseph F. Devereux III '02 Mr. James W. Lutkewitte Jr. '02 Mr. Michael Mahon '02 Mr. Adam J. Hilkenkamp '03 Mr. Cliff J. Reynolds Jr. '03 Mr. Nicholas C. Gresick '04 Mr. Kyle A. Poelker '04 Mr. Richard J. Bettger '05 Mr. Laurance M. Howe Jr. '05 Mr. Timothy P. Larkin '05 Mr. Kenny J. Reagan '05 Mr. Adam J. Castellano '06 Mr. Christopher M. Hoffmann '06 Mr. T. William Hartzler '08 Mr. Justin L. Bertani '09 Mr. Jeffrey M. Brand '09 Mr. Andrew P. Howe '09 Mr. Joseph Schrick '09 Mr. Evan J. Sullivan '09 Mr. Christopher R. P. Ayala '10 Mr. Kevin J. McAuliffe '10 Mr. Richard J. Mehan III '10 Mr. Stephen E. Deves '11 Mr. Andrew J. Evola '11 Mr. Nicholas B. Hartzler '11 Mr. Daniel B. L'Ecuyer '11 Mr. Brad T. Pitlyk '11 Mr. John W. Jedlicka '12 Mr. Matthew S. Sainz '12 Mr. Parker J. Schenk '12 Mr. Stephen A. Lordo '13 Mr. Alexander M. Ferrara '14
SLUH | 2019-20 GRATITUDE REPORT - 25 ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE BOARD * The President of SLUH and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees are Ex-Officio members of all advisory committees. We thank these volunteers for their generous service and helpful advice. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Thomas C. Becvar PP Assistant Principal, Academics SLUH Rob N. Chura CP '21 Faculty, Foreign Language Department SLUH Dr. Milena Garganigo CP '23 Superintendent of Teaching Clayton School District Ian R. Gibbons, SJ Principal SLUH Dr. John T. James PP Assistant Professor and Program Director for Catholic Education Saint Louis University Laura M. Lally CP ' 20 PP Stephen D. Missey '88 CP '21 Faculty, English Department SLUH Mary R. Reedy PP Mary Russo Faculty, Chemistry SLUH Anja R. Schmelter PP – Chair Daniel See CP '20 Faculty, Math Department SLUH Dr. Theodore D. Washington PP Faculty Ladue School District
ADVANCEMENT Sean Agniel '96 Director of Advancement SLUH Nicholas L. Bellon '00 Principal Von Allmen Capital Partners Thomas P. Berra, Jr. '85 PP Attorney Lewis Rice LLC Timothy R. Fogerty PP – Chair President/CEO 23 City Blocks Catering Kevin Foy Chair, Social Studies Department SLUH Gerard M. Hempstead '89 CP '23 PP Partner Northwestern Mutual Life Kevin C. Kissling '79 PP Senior Consultant Collaborative Strategies John H. Lake '89 PP Partner Mercer Investment Management Richard G. Millman '68 President Millman Lumber Peter Sharamitaro Jr. ‘69 PP President Sharamitaro & Associates, CP Paul G. Sheridan, SJ President Emeritus SLUH
BUDGET & FINANCE Thomas C. Becvar PP Assistant Principal, Academics SLUH Darryl T. Jones '73 PP – Chair Owner D&D Concessions Joseph P. Komos '77 PP Vice President, Administration SLUH Daniel J. McAuliffe '53 PP Manager, Partner The McAuliffe Law Firm LLP Daniel M. Millman '87 PP Vice President Millman Lumber Company
Julie Moeser Faculty, Math Department SLUH Dallas J. Parks '66 John M. Penilla '99 Director of Annual Giving SLUH Thomas W. Santel ‘76 PP Executive Director Civic Progress Michael P. Siebert PP Accountant BWTP, PC David J. Suwalsky, SJ Superior St. Jean de Brebeuf Jesuit Community Charles F. Urschler, Jr. '81 PP Director Deloitte Tax LLP Mark A. Wilhelm '72 PP CEO Safety National Casualty Corp.
ENDOWMENT INVESTMENT Sarah Becvar Faculty, History Department SLUH Walter F. Davisson Jr., M.D. ‘58 David G. Eichhorn, CFA ‘92 Head of Investment Strategies NISA Investment Thomas J. Keeline '68 PP Joseph P. Komos '77 PP Vice President, Administration SLUH Timothy J. Lower '95 CEO Willow Tree Credit Partners Paul L. Matecki '74 Retired General Counsel Raymond James Financial Michael P. Siebert PP Accountant BWTP, PC Mark A. Wilhelm '72 PP – Chair CEO Safety National Casualty Corporation David P. Willard '01 Founder and Managing Partner 52 Capital Partners, LLC John D. Wunderlich '66 PP
EXECUTIVE Timothy R. Fogerty PP President/CEO 23 City Blocks Catering Ian R. Gibbons, SJ Principal SLUH Ralph D. Houlihan, SJ '52 Faculty SLUH Darryl T. Jones '73 PP Owner D&D Concessions Joseph P. Komos '77 PP Vice President, Administration SLUH Thomas W. Santel '76 PP Executive Director Civic Progress Anja R. Schmelter PP David Suwalsky, SJ Superior St. Jean de Brebeuf Jesuit Community Mark A. Wilhelm '72 PP CEO Safety National Casualty Corp John D. Wunderlich '66 PP
FACILITIES Richard T. Bradley, P.E. '83 President, Board of Public Service Francis J. Corley '77 Faculty, Math Department SLUH Fred C. Daues, Jr. '71 PP President, Owner Masonry & Glass Systems Mark W. Franke '84 PP Vice President Global Supply Chain World Wide Technology David Glarner '89 CP '24 Principal Raven Development Richard T. Ledbetter CP '20 '22 Owner Simple Tools
Robert J. Lochner '86 Vice President, Development Clayco, Inc. Michael G. McAuliffe ‘84 PP President Corrigan Company Robert C. Mitchell, P.E. '74 Division Leader Franklin Mechanical Richard F. Moran '66 Faculty, English Department SLUH Joseph E. Rankin '83 Director of Facilities SLUH Lisa M. Safarian Executive Vice President & Head of Commercial Operations Bayer Crop Sciences John D. Wunderlich '66 PP – Chair
IGNATIAN, MISSION AND IDENTITY Thomas G. Auffenberg PP Director Contemplative Leaders in Action-St. Louis Deacon C. Allen Boedeker PP Faculty, Theology Department SLUH H. Eric Clark '83 President Loyola Academy Ralph D. Houlihan, SJ '52 Faculty SLUH James D. Linhares Jr. PP Assistant Principal, Mission SLUH Michael A. Marchlewski, SJ '54 Faculty SLUH David V. Meconi, SJ – Chair Faculty, Theological Studies Saint Louis University Deanie Reis Mark A. Wilhelm '72 PP CEO Safety National Casualty Corporation John D. Wunderlich '66 PP
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION Simonie Anzalone Faculty, Campus Ministry SLUH Thomas P. Berra Jr. ‘85 PP Attorney Lewis Rice LLC H. Eric Clark ‘83 President Loyola Academy of St. Louis Erwin Claggett Faculty, Social Studies Department SLUH Ian R. Gibbons, SJ Principal SLUH Darryl T. Jones ‘73 PP Owner D&D Concessions LLC Frank M. Kovarik ‘94 Faculty, English Department SLUH Michael Mohr, SJ Faculty, English and Theology Departments SLUH Jason Q. Purnell, Ph.D., MPH ‘95 – Chair Associate Professor Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis John H. Schaefer ‘70 Retired President/COO Morgan Stanley Global Wealth Management Angela Sexton PP Nancy Parker Tice CP '20 '23 PP Kate Toussaint Faculty, Foreign Language Department SLUH Mark A. Wilhelm ‘72 PP CEO Safety National Casualty Corporation
LE T T ER FROM THE DIREC TOR OF ADVANCEMEN T On a sleepy Tuesday morning in 1994, I stared blankly into a glass block window in Mr. George’s English class. And it happened. Bill George relentlessly rolled the rock of literary profundity up the hill of sophomores, surely expecting it to come rolling back down--as it always seems to do for sophomores. But something struck. I caught a glimpse of depth in the world; multivalence, as you would find in a text. Critical reasoning had been awakened. A Grace. We will spend decades unpacking all that happened in the great living novel that is the year 2020. In the midst of it, St. Louis U. High never stopped teaching and learning, awakening critical reason and welcoming Grace. Although syllabi and curricula were adjusted and the venue for learning changed drastically, the topsy-turvy world became grist for our mill. For some future leader, that special moment of intellectual awakening may have happened from his dining room as he persisted in AP classes, or from his backyard as he finished capstone projects. While faculty and administrators adapted to unpredictable circumstances, you were at our side providing a foundation of stability through prayer and financial support, so that SLUH could adapt, think quickly and creatively, and allow the cool, calming force of critical reason to guide our steps through crisis. You helped provide the possibility for “aha-moments” and, as donors to SLUH, we hope you will feel some ownership for the tremendous successes and moments of Grace that permeated the entirety of our year. There are too many heroes and agents of Grace to count. Thinking selfishly about our Advancement Office for a moment, we were fortunate to make budget for the year on
the strength of an historic virtual Cashbah, which grossed more than $1.2 million, and the best June we’ve ever had for the Alumni Annual Fund (now the Junior Bill Fund). Cashbah Co-chairs Martha McArthur and Carol Andrew and their dedicated team of Cashbah volunteers invested months of love and service to prepare the auction, and then showed extraordinary freedom and flexibility when it was forced to transition to an online event in less than three weeks. Cashbah’s success, one of the many wonders of the year, is thanks in large part to their generous service and the behind-the-scenes heroics of Parent Engagement Coordinator Connie Leinauer and John Penilla ‘99, Director of Alumni and Parent Giving, and especially many of you who gave generously in our time of need. Thank you. The ability of the greater SLUH community to collaborate effectively, to creatively adapt, problem-solve and to ensure that the unique culture of excellence at SLUH remains a constant, offers a model for our students for the type of generosity and leadership that we expect from them in the coming decades. It points toward the end (telos), the ultimate Good, for which their faculties of critical reasoning were made: service to others; and, it displays our motivation for helping them to unlock their potential – Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Thank you for your collaboration, for your important contribution to this noble, God-granted mission.
ADVANCEMENT STAFF 314-531-3062 or 314-531-0330 plus ext. number
SEAN AGNIEL ‘96 Director of Advancement Ext. 2095 — sagniel@sluh.org
AMANDA ANTONY Database Coordinator Ext. 2084 — aantony@sluh.org
BETH CHIPLEY Campaign Coordinator Ext. 2114 — bchipley@sluh.org
JULIE DEVOTI Advancement Project Assistant Ext. 2118 — jdevoti@sluh.org
LINDA DOMEYER Director of Leadership Giving Ext. 2113 — ldomeyer@sluh.org
CONNIE LEINAUER Parent Engagement Coordinator Ext. 2116 — cleinauer@sluh.org
JOHN PENILLA ‘99 Sean Agniel ‘96 Director of Advancement
This Gratitude Report from the President is a publication for alumni, parents and friends of St. Louis University High School. Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this report. If an omission or error has occurred, please contact Julie Devoti, Advancement Project Assistant, at jdevoti@sluh.org. Thank you!
Director of Alumni and Parent Giving Ext. 2170 — jpenilla@sluh.org
Fr. Joseph Hill, SJ, theology teacher and Chair of Campus Ministry, at the Mass of the Holy Spirit on August 27, 2019. (Photo by John Hilker '20.)
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WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR DONORS AND DEDICATE THIS YEAR'S PUBLICATION IN HONOR OF THE
