Saint Louis University students come from all over, study in a wide array of programs and have chosen SLU for many different reasons. Get to know these current students and catch a glimpse into Billiken life.
Ava Adams
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Major: Forensic Science
Why I chose SLU: "I chose SLU because when I first visited campus it was like everything clicked.
I felt like I was right at home. I am interested in the STEM field and SLU provides
a wonderful selection of science-related classes where I am both challenged and get
to have fun while learning. The community is also one of the biggest highlights that
pulled me in — it feels like one big close-knit group of friends where I can talk
to anybody, even if I've never met them before."
Darshwana Arunprasath
Hometown: Iselin, New Jersey
Major: Psychology
Why I chose SLU: "I chose SLU because it helped me get one step closer to my academic goal while fostering
my interests to improve myself and the community I am a part of. SLU's atmosphere
fostered community service and caring for the whole person which resonated with me,
especially during the pandemic."
Antonio Donohue
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Major: Health Sciences
Why I chose SLU: "I first visited SLU during the polar vortex of 2019, and I actually ended up trapped
on a bus with two University ambassadors for a couple hours. Instead of complaining,
these ambassadors took this opportunity to share with me the immense amount of love
they held for this university and its community. They kept repeating the phrase 'Antonio,
when you get here,' and although I didn't think much of it at the time, it was this
conversation that was running through my head when I confirmed my enrollment on decision
day. Since being at SLU, I have seen this community firsthand and am so glad I chose
SLU."
Meirose Jedziniak
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Majors: International Business and Marketing
Why I chose SLU: "I chose SLU because of the welcoming atmosphere. When I was figuring out which college
I wanted to attend, I was originally planning on committing to a different college.
However, when that fell through, I went on campus tours of other universities. Once
I toured SLU, it was the one place that I felt at home instantly and made me feel
passionate towards pursuing my higher education."
Mariam Hamdam
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Majors: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Why I chose SLU: "My older brother attended SLU and he brought me on to campus one day to watch the
basketball team in the final four. The sense of community and how SLU seemed like
one big family really stuck with me. I looked into SLU more and they seemed to have
everything that I was looking for in a university."
Sean Bierman
Hometown: Washington, Missouri
Major: Political Science and International Studies
Why I chose SLU: "From my first tour, I felt such a welcoming and that culture has carried through
and made me excited every day to be a Billiken."
Andy Banda
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Public Health
Minor: Urban Poverty Studies
Why I chose SLU: "I went to a Jesuit high school where I found myself loving the passion and teaching
styles of the Jesuit tradition. My other passion is public health and SLU is one of
the only Jesuit schools in the nation to offer not only this major but also a 5-year
Master's track as well!"
Viviana Gomez
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Major: Anthropology
Minor: Health Care Ethics
Why I chose SLU: "I chose SLU because of its core value for its students and faculty
on establishing an environment that has 'higher purpose' for the 'greater good.'"
Grace Winters
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Minors: Urban Poverty and Women's and Gender Studies
Why I chose SLU: "I had been wanting to come to SLU since freshmen year of high school! My brother
is four years older than me, so he started at SLU as I started high school and when
I visited him for the first time for family weekend I fell in love with the campus.
I loved the people, and my brother was part of the Micah community, which I thought
was amazing. I was nervous about college, but SLU felt so homey with still a sense
that of independence. I visited so many other colleges to make sure SLU was the best
choice, and no other schools gave me that same feeling. Everyone who knew me and knows
me now knows that SLU had been my top school years before I had to decide. I made
the right decision."