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Saint Louis University Presidential Inauguration

Igniting Hope, Growing in Community 

10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the St. Louis community are invited to attend the inauguration of Saint Louis University's 34th president, Edward J. Feser, Ph.D.

The inauguration ceremony will be held at10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Chaifetz Arena. A Mass of Hope and Community will be celebrated at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at St. Francis Xavier College Church.

Portrait of Edward Feser, Ph.D.
Edward J. Feser, Ph.D.

Hope – its promise and its energy – is a gift of the Ignatian tradition that inspires us. Nurtured for more than two centuries, the hope at the heart of Saint Louis University has become a flame that illuminates our path. 

Community is a wellspring of wisdom and a source of strength. We grow together when we work with and for our students, colleagues, neighbors, partners, and friends for the good of all people in St. Louis, in Madrid, and around the world.

As we welcome Dr. Feser and First Lady Kathy Feser as the newest members of the Billiken family, “Igniting Hope, Growing in Community” celebrates the light of hope that accompanies this exciting moment, and the new possibilities we can cultivate – together – in service to the greater good. 

Inaugural Events

Inauguration Committees

Meet the members of SLU's Inauguration Steering and Planning Committees, which include trustees, members of the Society of Jesus and representatives from the faculty, staff and student populations.

Steering Committee

Co-chairs

  • Sheila Manion, Vice President of Development
  • Rochelle Smith, Vice President of Diversity and Innovative Community Engagement

Members

  • Amy Bollinger, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
  • Kathy Feser, First Lady of Saint Louis University
  • Katherine Galvin, Chief of Staff, Office of the President
  • Brooks Goedeker, Executive Director Saint Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation
  • Maryse Jayasuriya, Ph.D., Professor of English
  • Joanne Langan, Ph.D., Co-lead of University Marshals and Professor Emerita of Nursing
  • Grace LoPiccolo, President, Student Government Association
  • Marian “Bo” Mehan, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Alumna
  • Marc Scheessele, Director of Government Relations
  • David Suwalsky, S.J., Vice President of Mission and Identity
  • Chris Thomas, Ph.D., Co-lead of University Marshals and Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Education, Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business
  • Gregory Triplett, Ph.D., Dean, School of Science and Engineering

Staff

  • Amelia Arnold, Executive Assistant to the President
  • Tina Franklin, Executive Assistant to the President
Planning Committee

Co-Chairs

  • Amelia Arnold, Executive Assistant to the President
  • Tina Franklin, Executive Assistant to the President

Members

  • Susanne Chawszczewski, Ph.D., Director, Campus Ministry
  • Kathy Feser, First Lady of Saint Louis University
  • Laura Geiser, Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Communications
  • Brynn Jennings, Event Manager, Event Services
  • Sheila Kleinschmidt, Catering Manager, Sodexo
  • Joanne Langan, Ph.D., Co-lead of University Marshals and Professor Emerita of Nursing
  • Annelise Pivin, Executive Director, Alumni Engagement
  • Chris Thomas, Ph.D., Co-lead of University Marshals and Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Education, Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business

Symbols of the Presidency

Saint Louis University Mace

The Saint Louis University mace represents the Catholic, Jesuit and urban influences that distinguish the University. Commissioned in 1987, the SLU mace is an outward sign of the president’s authority and is seen at all University formal academic occasions.

Handcrafted in bronze by a St. Louis artisan, the mace is 30 inches long, topped by a Christian cross that is supported by the SLU seal. Beneath these elements are two wolves at a cauldron, a symbol from the coat of arms of the House of Loyola, from which descended St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

The entire crown of the mace rests upon three fleurs-de-lis taken from the royal standard of King Louis IX of France, after whom both the University and the City of St. Louis are named. The names of every SLU president are inscribed on the handle.

The origins of the mace as a symbol trace back to medieval times, when churchmen would carry clublike staffs into battle because the use of swords was forbidden under biblical injunction. Today, maces are seen most often at university ceremonies and as part of the pageantry of European governmental functions.