A Message from President Pestello

Dear Members of the Saint Louis University Community,

I write to share my thoughts on this emotional week. I have received your emails and have read many of them already. I will continue to read more in the coming days.

I am grateful for all of you who have taken the time to reach out and share your support, thoughts, questions and concerns with me and other staff members, who have relayed your sentiments. Our mission impels us to strive for a standard of excellence. I appreciate your desire to make SLU such a place.

Many of you expressed appreciation for our stance on trying to foster a culture that champions intellectual freedom and encourages discourse in an effort to pursue greater truth in its many forms. Others shared their concerns for our students and the impact hateful words can have on our community — particularly those who have been historically marginalized.

It is most heartening to know that the diverse comments I received all attest to the resounding focus on our mission, values, and pride for SLU. This focus galvanized some to question the legitimacy of the event due to the vilification of some of our beloved students. While sensitive to these concerns, others were motivated by a strong commitment to the free exchange of ideas in order to obtain a more definitive truth.

We found common ground — rooted in our institutional pride and noble mission. It serves as the foundation for which we will continue to build a community that upholds our Catholic, Jesuit values and develops citizens who carry our principles out into the world.

I particularly wish to note that the manner in which our students handled the events this past week — especially last night — is a testament to the power of their character and commitment to a mission-based response. Contrary to what some are claiming on social media, our Muslim students and allies conducted themselves with immeasurable dignity. They received an abundance of support from their fellow students. I beamed with pride for how our students integrated the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis into lived experience through a showing of courage, strength and solidarity. Last night we were truly one SLU.

I also want to express my gratitude for all of the individuals who worked diligently to facilitate all aspects of the event last night. We are indebted to the selfless service of the members of the Department of Public Safety and the Divisions of Student Development, Diversity and Community Engagement and Marketing and Communications.

Next week is Islam Awareness Week. I plan to attend many of the events, learning from and celebrating with our Muslim students, faculty and staff. I hope everyone gets a chance to participate.

There is more work to be done, together, and I will share my thoughts on some of this work soon.

I am so very proud to be a part of this great University.

Higher purpose. Greater good.

Sincerely,

Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
Proud Billiken & President