Bicentennial Committee Seeks Input on Historic Markers

The SLU Bicentennial Steering Committee is seeking suggestions for 18 historic markers that will highlight a selection of the outstanding places, people and moments in the University's 200-year history. The markers will commemorate historic locations and events, as well as students, alumni, faculty and staff achievements.

“The markers will also serve to celebrate and publicize SLU's longstanding commitment to education, research and service by highlighting that which best reflects the objectives of the University as expressed in the mission statement,” said Ellen Harshman, Ph.D., director of bicentennial planning. “We are soliciting recommendations in the hopes that these markers will illustrate as best as possible the depth and breadth of SLU's impact across the widest spectrum of populations, disciplines, regions and pursuits.” 

Bradley Bailey, Ph.D., associate professor of art history and the Faculty Senate representative to the bicentennial committee, explained further: “This is not necessarily intended to be understood as the 18 most important individuals, places, events and discoveries in SLU's history, but rather a selection of 18 notable people (including groups and teams), moments, locations and other facets of the University's rich history that best represent why SLU is one of the leading institutions of its kind in the world.”

Below is a sample of ideas from a brainstorming session with steering committee members. The committee seeks additional suggestions from the SLU community, which can be sent to SLUBicentennial@slu.edu. Review of suggestions will begin on Nov. 1.

If you would like to submit a suggestion that refers to an event that took place on a particular date or a range of dates, please be as specific as possible. Please also consider very carefully where on or off campus the marker might be placed.