Sr. (Mary) Ruth Gehres Shares Why She Supports SLU


Sr. (Mary) Ruth Gehres, O.S.U., Ph.D., (GRAD A&S ’68) a professed sister with the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, is an ongoing supporter of Saint Louis University.

She arrived at SLU in 1962 to pursue her doctorate in English for her teaching ministry at Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky – a college established and operated by her congregation, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English. Now in her early 90s, Gehres remains deeply appreciative of the lasting impact that SLU and her professors, including the late Walter J. Ong, S.J., the late Albert Montesi, Ph.D., the late Clarence Miller, Ph.D., and others, made on her life and vocation.

Recently, she shared insights about her journey at SLU and why giving back regularly to the University is important to her as an alumna and religious sister who has taken a vow of poverty.

Why is it important to you to support Saint Louis University?

"Saint Louis University was and remains a strong Catholic and Jesuit institution, with the community spirit that I remember. Daily Eucharist, the sacraments and liturgical celebrations were always available to us. This Catholic and Jesuit spirit provided a kind of peace and joy that blessed so many of us. 

And so, of course, I continue to contribute to the University. As a retired religious sister, I have a limited budget, but I try to set aside what I can to help keep SLU a thriving institution, preparing students to develop their gifts and nourish our world that is so hungry for these talents."

In what ways did your SLU experience influence you and inspire your commitment to giving back?

"From the beginning, my experience at SLU was enriching and challenging. I learned to study day and night. My teachers always seemed pleased to see us and eager to share what we needed to know – and what we did know. 

I had my first class with my advisor, Fr. Ong, during my first semester. I recognized that he was a world-famous scholar, but we, his students, were his sole focus in his classes. (Our names sometimes appeared in the footnotes of his publications.) Over the years, we became friends. I felt free to share my spiritual struggles with him, and he responded simply and kindly. Once, I walked forlornly into his office to say that I was thinking of dropping out of school because I felt worn out and just not up to it. I remember his smile. “Sr. Ruth,” he said, “sit down.” Within a few minutes, he had convinced me: “Of course you can do this.” And I did. Later, when I struggled to complete my dissertation, he helped me overcome procrastination. My dissertation grew to fruition, and Fr. Ong told me that I had made a valuable contribution to my field of study. 

During one particular semester when I took a German conversation course toward my minor, I was feeling overwhelmed and dared to ask for an “incomplete,” which I considered to be a disgrace. The professor was nothing but kind. She granted my request, offered practical advice about dealing with my problems, and said I could turn in my assignments during the upcoming summer. Much later, while teaching at Brescia University, I followed her example with an embarrassed young man, who told me he needed help catching up. This kind of compassionate response seemed commonplace at SLU.

SLU was also a wonderful place to make friends. I lived in what was then Rogers Hall during my first two years. We were all women religious on the 13th and 14th floors, and it was during Vatican II – a time of struggling and sharing. I especially remember the Thanksgiving holidays of 1963, just six days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. We sisters spent hours on sofas, chairs and the floor in the small TV room, sharing the sadness and supporting one another. Experiences like this led to friendships that stretched far beyond SLU in place and time.

From what I see, hear and read, all of this is still at the heart of Saint Louis University, and I pray that it continues to grow there."

Why would you suggest others consider supporting Saint Louis University financially?

"I urge other SLU alumni to be generous, whatever “generous” means in relation to what one can provide for the continuing needs of the University and its students. Just writing this makes me more eager to donate more. I hope alumni will do that, too. May they be blessed in abundance."

Learn more about how you can help support Saint Louis University.