Saint Louis University Wins Two Arcus Awards

Saint Louis University was honored for its efforts to promote educational attainment and innovation during the fourth annual Arcus Awards on Feb. 23. More than 850 executives, entrepreneurs and civic leaders attended the program, which was hosted by the St. Louis Regional Chamber.

SLU winners at the fourth annual Arcus Awards.

SLU won the Arcus Award for Achievement in Educational Attainment for its Prison Program and SLU Re-entry Program at the fourth annual Arcus Awards. Pictured, from left to right, are Chris Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and ministry; Mary Gould, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and Prison Program director; Julie O'Heir, Prison Program community outreach coordinator; Chris Duncan, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Karen Barney, Ph.D., professor emerita of occupational therapy and OT re-entry program co-director; Lisa Jaegers, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational therapy and OT re-entry program co-director; and Mardell Wilson, Ed.D., dean of the Doisy College of Health Sciences.

SLU won the Arcus Award for Achievement in Educational Attainment for its Prison Program and, which graduated its first class of students with associate’s degrees in 2015, and for the SLU Re-entry Program. SLU’s Prison Program provides access to higher education to incarcerated people and prison staff in Missouri and Illinois. Classes are taught by SLU faculty, adjunct faculty and advanced graduate students, and the program is modeled after the core curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences.

SLU’s School of Law was also awarded the BMO Harris Bank St. Louis Spirit Award, which it shared with the ArchCity Defenders. Following the death of Michael Brown, the two entities worked to expose injustices and a lack of transparency in the region’s municipal court system by filing lawsuits, negotiating settlements and monitoring structural reforms.

Both programs were selected out of hundreds of nominations by a panel of business scholars and executives. Winners were selected based on how well their accomplishments reflected the Chamber’s plan for regional prosperity.

"Being chosen as an Arcus Award winner is civic confirmation of the amazing, important work that our faculty undertake, as well as what the University provides the community," said Peg Weathers, assistant vice president for Community Relations. "The two programs recognized directly reflect the mission of the University in thought and action."

The Arcus Awards recognize companies and organizations that make the St. Louis region the best place to live, work and invest. They are presented to companies, organizations and institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to leading the St. Louis region’s authentic economic strengths and championing a better tomorrow for the region.

Learn more about the SLU Prison Program and the School of Law online.