Eminent Georgetown Scholar Appointed Interim Provost

Chester (Chet) Gillis, Ph.D., a former nine-year dean of Georgetown College at Georgetown University, has been appointed to serve as interim provost of Saint Louis University, effective Jan. 1, 2019. 

His two and one-half year appointment begins after he has completed a Georgetown University teaching commitment.

Gillis is an eminent theologian, professor and scholar who has authored numerous scholarly works on Roman Catholicism that are widely cited. He was frequently consulted by national media during the papacies of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, and during the conclave and election of Pope Francis.

He has been on faculty at Georgetown University since 1988, having received his Ph.D., in theology from the University of Chicago, and his masters, Ph.D., and Ph.B. from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium.

“When I considered all the views voiced to me about an interim provost, they all coalesced around one significant dimension: character traits,” said SLU President Fred P. Pestello. “I can think of no one whose background, commitment and personality are better suited for this interim position at this time.”

Dr. Gillis will be available to meet with members of the SLU community on the north and south campuses and at the law school this week.

• Law School – Monday, Aug. 6, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Scott Hall, 12th-floor pavilion
• South Campus – Tuesday, Aug. 7, 8:30 – 9:45 a.m., Education Union, Rm 117
• North Campus – Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m., Busch Student Center, St. Louis Room (3rd floor)
• Madrid Campus – A specific date will be scheduled this fall.

An internal, acting provost will serve when Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., steps down as provost on Aug. 15. He or she will serve until Dec. 31 to ensure key decisions are made and projects continue to progress. A national search for a permanent provost is expected to begin the summer of 2020, culminating in the role being filled July 2021.