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Legacy of Visionary Leadership: pro President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., Announces Plans to Step Down in 2025

St. Louis (March 21, 2024) — After a decade of transformative leadership, Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., today announced that he has decided to step down at the end of June 2025. The announcement comes on the 10th anniversary of his introduction as SLU’s 33rd president in 2014.

SLU President Dr. Fred Pestello wearing glasses, a suit and tie standing in the atrium of SLU's Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building

pro President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., poses for a photo in the SLU’s Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, which opened in 2020. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

“There is so much I will miss about this magnificent job,” Pestello wrote in an announcement to the SLU community Thursday. “But just as I knew 10 years ago that SLU would be my home, I know that it is time for a new leader to take the first step into a new era.” 

Pestello’s era at SLU coincided with a particularly turbulent time for higher education in the United States, with colleges and universities across the country grappling with declining enrollments, increasing financial pressures, social upheaval and a global pandemic. 

pro President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., (left) with his family at a Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church on Oct. 2, 2014, the eve of his formal inauguration. Photo courtesy of pro. Launch Slideshowpro President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., (left) with his family at a Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church on Oct. 2, 2014, the eve of his formal inauguration. Photo courtesy of pro.

Under Pestello’s leadership, SLU has successfully navigated these and other challenges, breaking institutional records for enrollment, fundraising and research funding along the way. Other noteworthy University accomplishments during Pestello’s tenure include: 

Pestello began his tenure as the University’s first permanent lay president on July 1, 2014. Just three months into his presidency, protesters peacefully occupied the SLU campus following officer-involved shootings of two Black young men in the St. Louis region. Pestello’s handling of the weeklong encampment was praised by then-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. 

Pestello also successfully led the University through the COVID-19 pandemic. While other colleges and universities struggled to remain open during the fall 2020 semester and beyond, SLU continued with in-person learning and on-campus living without interruption. The University managed the health of the SLU community and administered more than 20,000 vaccine doses to the campus and region.

During his presidency, Pestello articulated a vision for SLU to become a global Jesuit university that is mission-focused, student and patient-centered, and research-driven — one that is working with the people of St. Louis to reimagine, transform and unify the city. 

“President Pestello is a transformational leader who has propelled our University forward in extraordinary ways,” said Joseph Conran (’67, ’70), chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The remarkable progress we've achieved is a testament to his inspiring vision, and on behalf of the Board, I want to thank him for his leadership and his steadfast commitment to SLU’s Jesuit mission and values.”

Collaboration, communication and transparency have been hallmarks of Pestello’s leadership as well. Of note, the University’s first strategic, academic and campus master plans in many years — as well as a new core curriculum — were developed through open and inclusive processes involving hundreds of faculty, staff, students and other key stakeholders. 

“From President Pestello's first days, he made a commitment to listen to and elevate the voices of the faculty,” said Christine E. Rollins, J.D., president of SLU’s Faculty Senate and a member of the School of Law faculty since 2002. “Dr. Pestello has made it a priority to include faculty representation on numerous Board of Trustees committees, assured a faculty seat as part of the University Leadership Council and encouraged faculty input in shaping SLU’s budget priorities.” 

SLU will conduct a national search to identify Pestello’s successor. Following a sabbatical after he steps down, Pestello said he plans to continue teaching, writing and supporting the University and its new president as needed. 

“There has not been a single day in my presidency when I did not thank God for the joy and honor of working for and with all of you – smart, compassionate, and dedicated Jesuits, faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, and partners,” Pestello wrote in his message to the SLU community on Thursday. “As I reflect upon the past decade, I am amazed at all we have endured and achieved together in St. Louis and in Madrid.” 

Pestello’s Era: By the Numbers