SLU to Celebrate Presidential Inauguration with Mass, Luncheons
Saint Louis University will celebrate the inauguration of its 34th president, Edward Feser, Ph.D., with a series of events across campus.
Inauguration events will kick off on Monday, Nov. 3, with the “Fesers’ Favorites” lunch. Students are invited to join SLU President Ed Feser, Ph.D., and his wife, Kathy, for a special lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Grand Dining Hall.
The first 1,000 students to arrive will enjoy a free lunch.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the SLU community is invited to attend a Mass of Hope and Community, which will be celebrated at 3 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier College Church.
The official inauguration ceremony will be at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Chaifetz Arena. The theme of the ceremony is Igniting Hope, Growing in Community. The message celebrates the light of hope that accompanies this moment and the new possibilities the SLU community can cultivate together in service to the greater good.
Following the inauguration ceremony will be a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Wool Ballroom
of Busch Student Center.
About President Feser
Feser became the 34th president of Saint Louis University on July 1, 2025, following
a national search.
Rooted in his Roman Catholic faith and shaped by his Jesuit education at the University of San Francisco, Feser’s leadership journey has been defined by a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives and contribute to flourishing communities.
A noted scholar of city and regional economic growth and development, Feser previously served as provost and executive vice president at Oregon State University, where his accomplishments included increased student access and success, elevated research impact, successful fundraising initiatives, and innovative community partnerships.
As SLU’s president, he is committed to prioritizing the success of every student, building the University’s growing research enterprise with bold choices and focus, enhancing the agility and effectiveness of university operations, and collaborating with community partners to foster a thriving city and region for all.
The son of a National Park ranger, Feser grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended a Catholic high school in Red Bluff, California. His wife of 34 years, Kathy, is a civil engineer-turned-educator who has led sustainability efforts for a school district in Oregon. They have two adult children, Jack and Mary.