The Dec. 1 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article that awarded President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., “Citizen of the Year” notes that Fr. Biondi often works from 7:30 a.m. straight until 10 or 11 at night-a long day for anyone, even a university president.

But, as the Post-Dispatch article goes on to explain, his hard work has paid off. Due to Fr. Biondi’s efforts, SLU’s endowment has grown from $141 million to $782 million. The fund for student scholarships has grown from $10 million to $71 million. Ground has been broken for a $67 million research building.

The community respects him for this. In fact, it is the community that nominated Fr. Biondi for this award that “celebrates community leaders who demonstrate concern for St. Louis’ growth and vitality.” Previous winners of the award selected Fr. Biondi from this list of nominees.

Community leaders have reason to respect Fr. Biondi for his work in the city. In the 18 years that he has served as president of Saint Louis University, Fr. Biondi has connected himself well with city leaders-through speaking engagements, dinners and involvement in the business community-developing rapport and positioning himself to make the changes for which he is recognized.

We, SLU, should be proud for these accomplishments. The accomplishments for which Fr. Biondi deserves recognition stem from this University-us-and his many efforts here. It’s the flowers on our sidewalks that benefit this neighborhood; it’s the students, professors and alumni and everything else that grows here. “I was honored to receive this award, but I don’t view it as an individual accolade,” Fr. Biondi says. The community, in some ways, shares the award. For even the best leader will be ineffective in an unresponsive community.

Fr. Biondi shoulders a difficult balance: He must represent SLU in an extended community of business leaders, senators and city officials, but he must also be present within the SLU community, the community that he represents.

Students, faculty and staff have noted Fr. Biondi’s absence from the SLU community for many years. Where is Fr. Biondi during celebrations? At sporting events? What’s Fr. Biondi look like, anyway? I’ve never even seen him-and if I have, how would I have known it was really him? To some, Fr. Biondi remains an abstract, a word or idea sometimes discussed in the paper or by students with a penchant for the intangible.

But what else can be expected from a man who works from 7:30 a.m. until 10 or 11 at night?

Well, perhaps an appearance at events like Make a Difference Day or the International Banquet. Fr. Biondi has made notable improvements this year in his interaction with students-he has been present at some school masses and has invited some student groups to meet with him-but he could yet be more interactive with the student body.

We offer the following suggestions to that end:

1) Fr. Biondi should take the opportunity to speak at large events. Though students will not interact with Fr. Biondi directly, they will at least recognize his face.

2) Fr. Biondi should continue preaching at Sunday mass.

3) To get to know students personally, Fr. Biondi might even venture into Griesedieck cafeteria or a BSC food venue to eat with students. If students do not sit with the University president immediately, they will when they become used to the idea.

Fr. Biondi is an excellent advocate for the revitalization of the city of St. Louis, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed by students.

Now let him apply this same passion and commitment, for which he won the award, to build his relationship with the Saint Louis University community.