President's Message: VP and General Counsel Bill Kauffman to Retire

12/07/2020

Dear members of the Saint Louis University community,

I write to share news about our longest-serving senior leader, Bill Kauffman. Since 1995, Bill has served as the University’s Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, in addition to many special assignments.

Bill has decided to begin a well-deserved retirement from full-time employment at SLU effective July 1, 2021. He will continue to serve part-time as Senior Legal Counsel and Secretary of the University for fiscal year 2021-2022.

While it will be difficult to lose Bill’s expertise, knowledge and counsel full-time, I’m pleased that he has agreed to work on special legal projects and continue his work with the Board of Trustees as Secretary of the University for an additional year.

For the past 25 years, Bill served the University with distinction, including his time as Interim President in 2013-2014, just prior to my arrival. His leadership at that critical period made my transition to president smoother than it otherwise might have been. I know I speak for all of us in expressing gratitude for Bill’s selfless dedication and wise leadership.

Please join me in wishing Bill well during this transition to a part-time role and thanking him for his many years of leadership as SLU’s General Counsel.

Sincerely,

Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.

President