Father Biondi Recognition Event Set for May 22

05/08/2019

Saint Louis University’s Board of Trustees and members of the Father Biondi Recognition Committee will hold an event on May 22, 2019, to formally announce recognition honors for Fr. Lawrence Biondi, SLU’s longest-serving president, who stepped down in 2013.

Recognizing the significant role Biondi played in reshaping the Midtown area and University, the stretch of Grand Boulevard that fronts SLU’s campus will be honorarily renamed “Father Biondi, S.J. Way.”

Working with city government leaders, including aldermen Marlene Davis and Joe Roddy, the area will be marked by street signs, underwritten by supporters of Fr. Biondi.

The signs will sit next to Grand Boulevard signs between Lafayette Avenue and Lindell Boulevard. Addresses of buildings along the stretch will continue to be listed as Grand Boulevard.

Community leaders and representatives of SLU’s Board of Trustees will gather at 9:30 a.m. on May 22 in the green space between DuBourg and Grand halls for the unveiling of one of the Father Biondi, S.J. Way signs. In the event of rain, the gathering will be held in Grand Hall.

Additionally, a plaza at the Madrid campus will be named for him.

Fr. Biondi was president of SLU from 1987-2013. During that time, SLU was transformed into one of the most beautiful urban campuses in the country. Under Biondi’s watch, the University saw the addition of top-notch faculty, new academic programs, expanded scholarships and new research initiatives. At the same time, Fr. Biondi was an engaged community visionary who helped guide the renaissance of SLU’s Midtown neighborhood into the region’s center for the arts.  Fr. Biondi currently serves as President Emeritus of SLU. 

He serves in the Jesuits USA Midwest Province and resides in Chicago.