Lawrence Biondi, S.J.,
University President
April 20, 2004
Good afternoon and welcome. Thank you for taking the time to be here today as we reflect upon the state of Saint Louis University.
I've heard it said that the world's greatest orators are those who act as storytellers for our times. Along these lines, I recalled a quote by William Jennings Bryan.
He said, "An orator is a man who says what he thinks and feels what he says."
While I seriously doubt that my oration today will be ranked among the world's greatest, I do promise you that what I have to say comes from my heart. It has
been my privilege to serve you as president of Saint Louis University for 17 years now. The intense and immediate pressures I felt when assuming this position in
1987 were quickly replaced with feelings of immense pride in this community, in its traditions and in its many opportunities.
Do intense pressures still exist? Yes, most definitely! But knowing that I am surrounded by a community of caring and talented faculty, staff, students,
administrators, Trustees and friends definitely helps in easing the burdens and putting my mind to ease.
Late last month we suffered the loss of Father Thomas Fitzgerald -- a Jesuit priest for 52 years and President of SLU from 1979 to 1987. Tom was a friend and
former colleague to many here today, and a man whom I was honored to call my mentor and brother in Christ. In his memory, and in my role as orator for the day,
I'd like to share with you a brief story about Saint Louis University and the way it was here during the late '70s and early '80s during the so-called "Fitz" years.
By the end of the 1970s, as severe cash flow problems plagued the University, Tom Fitzgerald had to make major cutbacks in order to cope with SLU's severely
depleted financial reserves. The physical plant had become badly run down. Major deferred maintenance problems in physical and technological infrastructure had
also accumulated, in addition to waning support for faculty and staff salaries, library holdings and funding for academic programs. In fact, SLU was living beyond its
means. Red ink was spilling over to the tune of $1 million annually.
When I first came to SLU in 1983 as a member of the University's Board of Trustees, I recall being told one particular story about Father Fitz that had occurred
only three years prior; in fact, it was just after he himself had assumed the presidency.
A committee of the Board had been debating for more than a year about whether or not the University could or should build a new campus recreation center. Many
members of the SLU community had expected that a change in presidents would cause only further delays -- with new investigatory committees being formed and
new studies and discussions being conducted. But during his first Board meeting, Father Fitz stunned the Board of Trustees by saying, "Let's do it."
With just those three words, the years of red tape and red ink had found their end in Father Fitz. Those three words would come to summarize his tenure as
president as well as his attitude towards administration. In his final president's message to the University community in 1987, Father Fitz expounded on his ideals by
reflecting on SLU's past problems and future opportunities. He wrote:
"You should take care not to expect the University to take actions which would return it to such a penurious state. Not only did we as an institution suffer during
that decade and a half [of unbalanced budgets and deferred maintenance], but we would be stronger today if that past had been different. My successor, Father
Biondi, comes to an institution which has put its house in order, but which has many urgent needs clamoring for resources.
Father Fitzgerald continued, "Today SLU is better positioned and has a promising future. Looking back I feel in particular that each of the major renovation
projects and the new construction efforts, extensive as they were, had to be attempted if we were going to be truly competitive. If we could relive these years, I
would not omit any of those undertakings."
In other words, Father Fitz never believed in giving up on progress or giving in to pressure. This is wise advice coming from an individual who turned deficits into
surpluses by trimming budgets and streamlining administrative processes. An individual who did so while initiating historic campus improvement projects such as
beginning the closure of West Pine Boulevard between Grand and Spring for a pedestrian mall, and the expansion of Pius XII Memorial Library.
Today -- like many private as well as public colleges and universities -- we face budgetary challenges of our own. Because of the realities of our present economy,
we are forced to make difficult choices with respect to the way we do business as a University community. In order to present a balanced budget to our Trustees in
December 2003, we needed to overcome a potential $9.1 million deficit for the University's 13 colleges and schools, as well as a $5 million deficit for the UMG.
Was this easy? No. Was this due to poor planning? No. We did what needed to be done in order to assure our continued fiscal security for the future. Yes,
budgets were trimmed. Yes, regrettably, some positions were eliminated. These were not easy decisions to make, nor were they made lightly without any regard to
the people or programs that they would affect.
In addition, these decisions were in no way guided by the idea that we were experiencing some form of financial crisis. What we faced were fiscal challenges, not a
fiscal crisis. When the decisions were made, they were done in a way that would least impact the overall quality, value and reputation of the SLU experience.
Indeed, challenges like those we have endured, can, in a sobering way, often have a positive impact on the way in which we conduct our business. Yes, I used the
"b" word: business. For while some would argue that a university is not a business, SLU, like our peer institutions, are guided by the wants and demands of our
customers. And despite our not-for-profit status we, like any corporate entity, we must deal with the realities of today's economic climate and the rise and fall of the
stock market.
We must deal with the realities of rising operating costs such as record highs in utility expenses and natural gas. In addition, we have had to cope with the dramatic
spikes in healthcare insurance costs, still expected to increase a minimum of 15 percent over the next fiscal year. Our endowment, like the endowments of virtually
every other college and university nationwide, has experienced losses due to the effects of the sustained bear market. While the economy has shown signs of a
modest rebound, we recognize that our endowment will continue to feel the effects for the next several, immediate years.
And while we share in these economic challenges with our peer institutions nationwide, our ability to manage the situation has left us much better off than others.
Many prestigious universities faced significant deficits and weakened endowments, forcing considerable cutbacks to their own payrolls and programs.
Just consider MIT, which instituted an immediate salary freeze for all faculty, staff and administrators to save approximately $10 million. Consider Yale, which
planned to cut 80 positions in response to a $30 million deficit. Consider Stanford, which not only instituted a freeze on faculty and staff salaries, but also cut
departmental operating funds by 5 to 10 percent, all in addition to planned layoffs. Even at Notre Dame, despite claims that a 5 percent cut to academic and student
life expenditures would not be noticeable, various campus construction projects have been delayed or halted as a result of budgetary constraints.
One could make the argument that SLU is not like MIT, Yale, Stanford or Notre Dame. True, we are not. In fact, in my opinion, we are much better off.
SLU has come a long way over the past two decades. We have seen our enrollments, curricula and campus grow steadily. We have watched the academic quality
of our students and research dollars rise. We have helped our neighbors, and, in turn, our neighbors have helped us to succeed. But there is so much more to do.
And that is why we launched the Campaign for Saint Louis University in 2002. The objectives of the Campaign are simple, and the support has been overwhelming.
In fact, today I am pleased to announce that we have surpassed the $200 million mark of the Campaign, putting us over two-thirds of the way towards our goal of
$300 million! And we've even surpassed some of our goals in individual objectives like student scholarships. Not only did we meet our stated goal of raising $100
million for student scholarships, but we surpassed it, reaching an unprecedented $126 million in support for student aid! $126 million!
Indeed, the generosity of our many benefactors and friends continues to demonstrate their confidence in our abilities and their belief in our shared vision of becoming
the finest Catholic university in the nation by the year 2012. I'd like to take this opportunity to once again acknowledge the many members of the SLU community
and external donors and corporations who have given to the Campaign.
We are making headway in our plans to construct a state-of-the-art research facility at our Health Sciences Center. I've said it before, and I'll say it again here
today: the research building remains my top priority for our University community. A dedicated research facility is a critical necessity, as external funding for SLU
research has expanded greatly during the past decade.
The research building is part of an overall $80 million investment in new and renovated research space, representing the single largest building project since the
University's founding in 1818. Research remains an integral part of our Mission, as well as a strong component of our faculty's endeavors and an unquestionable
tool for our students.
Likewise, I am excited about plans for an on-campus arena, a true multi-purpose events center catering to athletic competitions, student events, concerts,
commencements, trade shows and family programming. Located along Highway 40 at Laclede Street and Compton Boulevard, the arena facility would truly be a
visible beacon of the University's presence in St. Louis and our contributions to the progress that is taking place in Midtown.
Speaking of progress, one cannot forget the way in which we inaugurated the new academic year by reopening the doors to this beautiful facility, Busch Student
Center. It, too, is truly a multi-purpose student facility; home to numerous dining options and retailers, in addition to a plethora of programmable meetings spaces,
most notably this grand ballroom.
But any one who comes to this campus knows that SLU is more than just a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art facilities and grand plans for the future. Indeed,
we continue to attract this nation's best and brightest minds.
In fact, this academic year we welcomed one of the largest and brightest freshmen classes in University history: 1,399 freshmen students from 40 states and 13
countries around the world. Together they boasted a mean GPA of 3.57, the highest in SLU's history, and an average composite ACT score of 26.1.
We also received noteworthy praise from national publications ranking us among the nation's top universities. For the sixth straight year, U.S. News and World
Report ranked us as one of the nation's best educational values on its American "Best Colleges" list. SLU placed 41st among all national doctoral universities,
putting us first among Jesuit colleges and universities and second among all Catholic colleges and universities nationwide.
And just this month, U.S. News once again sang our praises in its 2005 issue of the "Best Graduate Schools." Our School of Law's Center for Health Law Studies
was ranked as the number one health care law program in the country. Other notable mentions included our Medical School's geriatrics division which placed at
10th, our School of Business' entrepreneurship program at 24th, as well as our social work programs, which was once again placed in the top 50, one of only two
such programs to earn that rank while not offering a doctoral program. This is a source of great pride for the students, faculty and staff who have worked to
increase their individual college or school's national reputation.
As you know, in November we announced plans to leave Conference USA to join the prestigious Atlantic 10 Conference beginning in the 2005 season. We made
this decision based upon the tremendous opportunities for growth it would mean for our athletic programs and student-athletes. The talents of our Billikens now,
however, should not be overlooked. Once again, they were presented with Conference USA's Institutional Excellence Award. This is the eighth consecutive time
SLU received this honor for being the member school with the academic year's highest cumulative grade point average for all of its student-athletes in all sports.
But we are also more than a community known for academics and athletics. Indeed, we are a community aware of our responsibility to each other. Our Jesuit
Mission is more than a declaration of values on paper; it's a verbal declaration of the moral responsibilities which we first embrace in our hearts and then execute in
our actions.
For example, the recently released results of the 2003 "Beyond the Classroom" survey on community service found that nearly 13,500 members of the SLU
community together contributed 780,000 hours of service to 1,157 local, national and international organizations and events. These findings represent a 16 percent
increase in the number of service hours completed by respondents.
I am not surprised by these community-wide volunteer statistics. After all, it's people that make this University great, whether we speak in terms of service in the
community or academics in our classrooms or laboratories. This afternoon I'd like to recognize just a cross-section of the individuals who have dedicated their time,
talents and treasure to move our University and its Mission forward.
This University is great because of students like Deanna Durrett, a senior political science major and a Presidential Scholar. Over the past four years, Deanna has
served as lector for the College Church, as a member of SLU's community service program, SLUCAP, and as a representative and officer of the Student
Government Association. Balancing out her co-curricular activities, her high academic marks earned her a 2003 Truman Scholarship. The Truman Scholarship is a
prestigious $30,000 merit-based award given to only 80 students in the nation each year. This past academic year Deanna was also a finalist for the Rhodes
Scholarship. Looking forward to a career in public service, Deanna has already distinguished herself because of what she does today at SLU.
Another student, Will Dailey, in his second year at SLU's School of Law, has also been an active member in the internal and external community. As a member of
the Black Law Students Association, Will has volunteered his time to numerous projects in support of his peers. He has dedicated himself to spearheading
programs, such as the second annual Casino Night, to raise money for minority scholarships. He also volunteers his time within the community as a member of a
high school mentoring program. In addition, Will is active with the Mound City Bar Association, one of the oldest African-American bar associations west of the
Mississippi. It is there that he seeks to join with peers and colleagues in improving the administration of justice, in upholding the honor of the legal profession, and in
promoting the professional development of African-American attorneys. His numerous successes today predict a very bright future for him and those who will
ultimately benefit from his commitment and compassion.
And if you think that SLU students perform well individually, just consider the group efforts of 2nd Year Medical students Kara Driscoll, Eric Nolan and Craig
Portell. Together they, with their medical school peers, have volunteered countless hours of their personal time in raising funds for, and seeing patients at the Health
Resource Clinic. Opened in 1994 as a partnership between SLU medical school students and the B.R.E.M. Catholic Social Ministry, a community-based service
agency in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood, the Health Resource Clinic has become a critical source of primary health care services to those who need medical
help, but might not otherwise have access. While they do not receive class credit for their time, they still volunteer weekday evenings, as well as Saturdays, in
responding to this vital need within the community.
Deanna, Will, Kara, Eric and Craig, please stand to be recognized with a round of applause. Thank you for all that you continue to do to bring the Mission of Saint
Louis University alive for all to see in your actions and in your deeds!
As you might imagine, the greatness of this community does not end with its students. Indeed, we thrive because of the efforts of our renowned faculty, faculty like
Dr. Eleonore Stump, Holder of the Robert J. Henle Chair in Philosophy since 1992. An accomplished author and scholar in the realms of philosophy of religion,
metaphysics and medieval philosophy, her work has garnered her international accolades, including her recent 2002 trip to Aberdeen, Scotland to deliver the
prestigious Gifford Lectures. However, Dr. Stump is perhaps held in the highest regard right here at home where she is not only considered to be a remarkable
teacher, but a friend to her colleagues and a mentor to her students. In light of her role as a teacher and mentor, Dr. Stump was named as this year's recipient of
Baylor University's Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, a $200,000 award which is the largest of its kind in the teaching profession.
Our faculty also flourishes in terms of its world-class research. Just consider Dr. Sharon Frey, associate professor in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Frey's research has proven invaluable in the post-9/11 world. As a scientist, Dr. Frey has been the lead on a key NIH-funded smallpox study, assisting
government leaders in deciding how best to protect the American public in the case of a bioterrorist attack. In fact, she is the only researcher in the United States
who has led three smallpox vaccine trials. But beyond the laboratory, Dr. Frey is also known as a humanitarian, spending last Christmas in Afghanistan tending to
refugees. Dr. Frey's volunteer work has taken her around the world to places such as Bosnia, Zaire and Rwanda. In all that she does, Dr. Frey is truly a "person
for others," perfectly illustrating what we mean when we say that SLU is a place "where knowledge touches lives."
Or consider Dr. Robert Belshe, Director of our School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development and Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and
Immunology. Under Dr. Belshe's leadership, the Center for Vaccine Development has been involved in the developing and evaluating preventative AIDS vaccines,
as well as vaccines for other major childhood and adult diseases, such as a trial involving smallpox that has attracted international attention. He has co-authored
more than 150-peer review articles on a variety of topics ranging from HIV and Aids to smallpox and influenza, and has authored a list of books and scholarly
articles too numerous to list.
Drs. Stump and Belshe were unable to attend today because of prior commitments. However, we are honored that Dr. Frey was able to rearrange her schedule to
join us. At this time, I'd like to invite Dr. Frey to stand and be recognized with a round of applause. Thank you for all that you continue to do to bring the Mission
of Saint Louis University alive for all to see in your actions -- teaching, research and service activities.
But the strength of our community doesn't even end with our faculty. Indeed, this University is great because of the numerous contributions of our dedicated and
talented staff who make this University run on a day-to-day basis. It's people like Kathy Herron who dedicates herself to the spiritual health and wellbeing of
patients at Saint Louis University Hospital and SLUCare employees and staff. In addition to the critical support she provides to the hospital's Health Care Ethics
Consultation Team, she has provided valuable insights into her voluntary role as President of the Staff Advisory Committee over the past year, leading her to also
serve as the staff's voice on the President's Coordinating Council. While Kathy would more than likely say that her full-time job is as a wife, mother and
grandmother, the effects of her faith and love have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the people whom she seeks to serve in her professional endeavors.
Another member of our University community who expresses his commitment to his work in action rather than in words is Keith Griffin. In all that he does, he
ultimately places his customers -- the students -- first, never seeking any recognition or reward. Despite being a member of the SLU community for 25 years now,
Keith's energy and enthusiasm about the work he does hasn't wavered. His supervisors and colleagues have always known Keith to meet or exceed expectations.
In fact, his commitment to the goals and objectives of the Department of Facilities has led him to be elected Shop Steward for 15 straight years. And even when
he's not at work, Keith can often be found volunteering his time at the Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church, working with its membership, both young and old.
He is a devoted father, husband and Christian, and in all that he does, Keith is a person who puts others before himself.
Mike Meyer is another example of an individual who spends each and every day working to assure the operational security and stability at our School of
Medicine. In addition to his duties as the school's associate dean for planning and operations, Mike has also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer for the
University's physician practice, the UMG, on two occasions. During the present national search to fill this critical position, Mike's interim leadership has proven
invaluable in ensuring the practice's ongoing stability, moving forward on key projects including improved budgeting practices, increased customer service standards,
as well as the successful negotiations of a new five-year agreement between Tenet and the University. Mike's love for his work, but more importantly his love for
this University, time and time again has assured the success of our school of medicine's academic and clinical operations.
Kathy, Keith and Mike, please stand to be recognized with a round of applause. Thank you for the tremendous energy and spirit which you share through your
service to the SLU community each and every day!
Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to acknowledge a few individuals whose belief in this University continues to move its Mission and vision forward. Ironically,
their influence often comes most often from outside the boundaries of our campus. I'm referring to individuals like Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Shirley Drury. As
the founders and owners of Drury Development Corporation, Charles and Shirley Drury have invested much time and energy into their work, but have never shied
away from what they believe to be their primary responsibilities to God, to their family and to their community. As a member of our Board of Trustees since 1995,
Mr. Drury has invested himself fully in the long-term growth and stability of the University. Together, the Drury's have always maintained an active interest in some
of the University's biggest projects. Most recently, they pledged a $1 million in support of our Health Sciences Research Building project, the largest gift to this
critical infrastructure project to date.
Two other significant gifts, earmarked for the University's campus arena, come from two other friends of the University. The first are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and
Ruth Brouster who have pledged $1 million towards the success of this project. A member of our Board of Trustees since 2001, Mr. Brouster serves as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for the Forbes First Financial Corporation. But together, Mr. and Mrs. Brouster remain loyal friends of the
University and significant boosters for Billiken Athletics.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Mary Ann Shanahan are also Billiken boosters in their own rights! In addition to pledging $1 million to the arena project, Mr.
Shanahan has dedicated his own time and energy to chairing the project's overall fundraising campaign. A Trustee Emeritus and past chairman of our Board of
Trustees, Mr. Shanahan is a successful alumnus who today serves as Chairman of Engineered Support Systems, Inc. Over the years the Shanahans have provided
overwhelming support to SLU through their leadership and generosity, including their gift to the Cook Hall building expansion, of which the atrium is named in their
honor. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Shanahan have dedicated their lives to the St. Louis community which they love, never forgetting or failing the members of their SLU
family.
Regrettably, the Shanahans and Brousters were unable to join us today. However, I am honored that the Drurys were able to be with us today, and as such, I'd like
to invite Mr. and Mrs. Drury to stand and be recognized with a round of applause. Thank you both for your overwhelming generosity and support over the years!
My friends, because of the likes of these people -- because of all of you -- today we can say with confidence that the state of Saint Louis University is alive -- alive
with people and ideas, diversity and values, knowledge and research, justice and compassion, service and faith.
Indeed, the state of the university is alive because of all of you. Our goal to become the "finest Catholic university in the nation" remains tangible and achievable
because of what each of you does each and every day to demonstrate why SLU truly is the place where knowledge touches lives through education, research,
service and social justice.
As an aside, there are some who would prefer to dismiss these numerous accomplishments and instead focus in on what they perceive to be our "failures." They
would rather have us believe that none of our successes mean anything unless every action or every decision is made unanimously and universally. They attempt to
limit us to a debate over two words -- "shared governance" -- seeking to institutionalize it as a process rather than acknowledging it as a reflection of the quality of
our people.
It's the people like those I've already acknowledged, in addition to our faculty, staff and administrators who participated in a broad and open budgetary process for
fiscal year 2005. It's the faculty and administrators who successfully renegotiated our agreement with Tenet Healthcare securing an additional $15 million from
Tenet in support of our UMG and School of Medicine. It's the many faculty members and administrators who, as a team, are working to revise the Faculty
Manual. It's the faculty, staff and students who volunteer their service on standing committees of our Board of Trustees, the President's Coordinating Council, and
other committees across the University.
These are some of the real and concrete examples of the governance we share. While there are those who prefer to use a work of art as a way of symbolizing what
they feel is a failed process, they ignore and isolate themselves from the majority of us who are working for the greater good of this community. We cannot permit
the naysayers to distract us from what is true -- what is true about the contributions of the greater University-wide community.
Your contributions to this community and your dedication to our Mission and vision are what propel this University forward. Today we are undoubtedly much
better off than we were only two decades ago. But we are ever stronger in knowing that our future is as alive as the dreams and potential of our students.
All that we have accomplished, and all that we will achieve together comes with the resolute belief that this first institution of higher learning founded west of the
Mississippi River finds its greatest strength in living, working and dreaming endless dreams so that we might better succeed in serving one another, our society, and
ultimately all for the greater glory of God.
And so I thank each of you, not just today, but each and every day, in carrying this University forward, both in your words and in your deeds. While each of us has
an essential role in the day-to-day operations of our University, so too can each of us claim an equal share in its inevitable destiny. Thank you, and may God
continue to bless our University community.
