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President Pestello Welcomes New International Students at Reception

by Prisca Enedah on 09/22/2023

09/22/2023

Every fall, Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.,  officially welcomes new international students to SLU with a special reception and dinner. 

The annual event, organized by the Office of International Services, offers an opportunity for the president to welcome global Billikens to SLU with an evening of food, interactive fun and laughter.  

Students cheer during the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students cheer during the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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A student dressed in traditional Igbo attire listens as President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., speaks during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
A student dressed in traditional Igbo attire listens as President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., speaks during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students listen as President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., speaks during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday. Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students listen as President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., speaks during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday. Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students watch the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students watch the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., takes photos with students during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., takes photos with students during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students cheer during the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students cheer during the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students listen as President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., speaks during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday. Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students listen as President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., speaks during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday. Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students watch the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students watch the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., takes a selfie with a student and the Billiken during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., takes a selfie with a student and the Billiken during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students participate in a fashion show during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students participate in a fashion show during the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Students watch the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Students watch the fashion show as part of the International Services President’s Reception on Monday, Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., poses with the International Services team before the International Services President’s Reception on Monday. Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., poses with the International Services team before the International Services President’s Reception on Monday. Sept. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Because students come dressed in traditional attire representing their culture and heritage, the reception was visually dazzling. It was an exciting time for the international students, as they met the president in person, mingled with fellow Billikens, and learned about other cultures in the evening of exciting fun and games.

An important part of the event was celebrating the diverse cultures represented at Saint Louis University. Students were encouraged to showcase their cultural attire in a fashion parade where the best-dressed student won a special prize. Chimdinma Aikay-Ubaka, a first-year master's of health data science student dressed in the traditional Igbo "adaeze" cultural attire, emerged as the best dressed for the occasion.

"When I was told we were to meet the president, I felt so honored. I never expected to win best dressed. I just came to represent my Nigerian culture," Aikay-Ubaka said. “I love that students from diverse cultures were rooting for me to win best dressed. I loved everything about his event.”

The photo booth at the event was bustling, with students excited about meeting the president in person and taking photos with him. It was a fun and thrilling time for the over 300 international students who could not hide their love and excitement about becoming a Billiken. 

Pooja Vilekha Burujula, an Information Systems student from Bangalore, India, shared her excitement about meeting with Pestello in person.

"Where I come from in India, meeting the higher authorities of an institution isn't very common and interactive,” Burujula said. “ It was a new experience because I got to take pictures and hang out with the SLU's president. I really feel welcomed at Saint Louis University." 

MPH student Niju Khoteja from Bhaktapur, Nepal, shared her appreciation for the event as it helped her to relieve some school stress and interact with other international students. She also mentioned that one of the things she loves about Saint Louis University is its diversity and inclusion. 

"Inclusion is the major thing I like about SLU. All international students are treated equally, and everyone comes together to celebrate a particular culture and cultural events," Khoteja said.

The event was a successful way to celebrate the growing cultural and ethnic diversity on campus and officially welcome the well over 1,000 new international students who have traveled halfway across the world to begin their study abroad journey at Saint Louis University.