Legacy of Visionary Leadership: Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., Announces Plans to Step Down in 2025

St. Louis (March 21, 2024) — After a decade of transformative leadership, Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., today announced that he has decided to step down at the end of June 2025. The announcement comes on the 10th anniversary of his introduction as SLU’s 33rd president in 2014.

“There is so much I will miss about this magnificent job,” Pestello wrote in an announcement to the SLU community Thursday. “But just as I knew 10 years ago that SLU would be my home, I know that it is time for a new leader to take the first step into a new era.” 

Pestello’s era at SLU coincided with a particularly turbulent time for higher education in the United States, with colleges and universities across the country grappling with declining enrollments, increasing financial pressures, social upheaval and a global pandemic. 

Launch SlideshowSaint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., (left) with his family at a Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church on Oct. 2, 2014, the eve of his formal inauguration. Photo courtesy of Saint Louis University.

Under Pestello’s leadership, SLU has successfully navigated these and other challenges, breaking institutional records for enrollment, fundraising and research funding along the way. Other noteworthy University accomplishments during Pestello’s tenure include: 

• The construction of new state-of-the-art facilities, including the $43 million Spring Residence Hall, $71 million Grand Residence Hall, $50 million Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, $16 million Jesuit Center, and the recently completed donor-funded $20 million O'Loughlin Family Champions Center.
• A transformative new partnership with SSM Health that led to the opening of the $550 million SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and Center for Specialized Medicine in 2020, followed by a significant investment in SLU’s School of Medicine to expand research, training, and education as part of the 2022 integration of the SLUCare physician practice with SSM.
• The launch of the Saint Louis University Research Institute, which was established following a historic $50 million gift from Dr. Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield to accelerate research growth at the University and place SLU on the path to becoming a preeminent research university.
• The formation of the Taylor Geospatial Institute, a consortium of eight research and academic institutions led by Saint Louis University, which was made possible by a legacy investment from Andrew C. Taylor, executive chairman of Enterprise Holdings. 
• The creation of the Midtown St. Louis Redevelopment Corporation, which has elevated SLU’s role as a catalyst for major development projects in Midtown St. Louis and advanced the University’s significant economic impact on the city and region. The continued growth of SLU Madrid — the University’s campus in Spain — with record enrollments, ongoing expansion of classroom and lab spaces, additional academic offerings, and new partnerships with education and cultural associations.

Pestello began his tenure as the University’s first permanent lay president on July 1, 2014. Just three months into his presidency, protesters peacefully occupied the SLU campus following officer-involved shootings of two Black young men in the St. Louis region. Pestello’s handling of the weeklong encampment was praised by then-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. 

Pestello also successfully led the University through the COVID-19 pandemic. While other colleges and universities struggled to remain open during the fall 2020 semester and beyond, SLU continued with in-person learning and on-campus living without interruption. The University managed the health of the SLU community and administered more than 20,000 vaccine doses to the campus and region.

During his presidency, Pestello articulated a vision for SLU to become a global Jesuit university that is mission-focused, student and patient-centered, and research-driven — one that is working with the people of St. Louis to reimagine, transform and unify the city. 

“President Pestello is a transformational leader who has propelled our University forward in extraordinary ways,” said Joseph Conran (’67, ’70), chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The remarkable progress we've achieved is a testament to his inspiring vision, and on behalf of the Board, I want to thank him for his leadership and his steadfast commitment to SLU’s Jesuit mission and values.”

Collaboration, communication and transparency have been hallmarks of Pestello’s leadership as well. Of note, the University’s first strategic, academic and campus master plans in many years — as well as a new core curriculum — were developed through open and inclusive processes involving hundreds of faculty, staff, students and other key stakeholders. 

“From President Pestello's first days, he made a commitment to listen to and elevate the voices of the faculty,” said Christine E. Rollins, J.D., president of SLU’s Faculty Senate and a member of the School of Law faculty since 2002. “Dr. Pestello has made it a priority to include faculty representation on numerous Board of Trustees committees, assured a faculty seat as part of the University Leadership Council and encouraged faculty input in shaping SLU’s budget priorities.” 

SLU will conduct a national search to identify Pestello’s successor. Following a sabbatical after he steps down, Pestello said he plans to continue teaching, writing and supporting the University and its new president as needed. 

“There has not been a single day in my presidency when I did not thank God for the joy and honor of working for and with all of you – smart, compassionate, and dedicated Jesuits, faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, and partners,” Pestello wrote in his message to the SLU community on Thursday. “As I reflect upon the past decade, I am amazed at all we have endured and achieved together in St. Louis and in Madrid.” 

Pestello’s Era: By the Numbers 

• 15,204 total students enrolled in fall 2023, an all-time high for the University.
• 3,183 international students enrolled in fall 2023, by far the most in SLU history.
• $604 million raised during the Accelerating Excellence Campaign, the University’s most successful fundraising effort to date.
• $1.8 billion endowment, an 88.3% increase over the last decade.
• $82.7 million in annual research expenses in 2022, an 86% increase since 2014.
• $289.1 million in institutional aid in fall 2023, a 77.3% increase over the last decade.
• $2.02 billion in completed and planned projects in SLU’s redevelopment area.