Saint Louis University embraced the new academic year with
“Celebrate SLU: A New Year, A New Union,” last Thursday, Aug. 28.
The celebration began with the dedication and blessing of the Busch
Student Center.

The blessing marked the end of renovations to the former Busch
Memorial Center that began in 1999. A crowd of students, faculty,
staff, alumni and donors joined University President Lawrence
Biondi, S.J., in the amphitheater for the ceremony.

“This building, Busch Student Center, reflects our beliefs that
this building is more than bricks and mortar and glass and steel;
indeed it is a testimony to our student body,” Biondi said.

In his blessing, Biondi prayed that God would embrace the BSC in
his presence, allowing it to be the center of activity and
community, of unity and diversity and of dreams and hopes.

During the dedication, SLU recognized several donors, including
the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Barnes & Noble and Chartwell’s.
In addition, Kathy Humphrey, vice president for Student
Development, Kathleen Brady, vice president for Facilities and
Civic Affairs and Nick Sarcone, president of the Student Government
Association spoke on the BSC.

After the dedication, more than 1,400 members of the SLU
community gathered in the new BSC Ballroom for the annual Mass of
the Holy Spirit, which Biondi celebrated. The Mass is a tradition
among Jesuit Universities, to ring in the new academic year.

Immediately following the Mass, thousands of students, faculty
and staff gathered on Tegeler Field at the Billiken Bash for an
afternoon of food and games along with a karaoke contest. Carnival
games, including a basketball toss, miniature golf, bungee races
and a jousting ring dotted the area.

Chartwell’s Dining Service catered the huge outdoor picnic that
served more then 3,800 meals of Mexican beef or chicken fajitas,
Spanish rice and beans. Wackadoo’s Grill and Bar provided frozen
treats.

The winning design of the MOO@SLU competition, Emily O’Keefe’s
“Saint Louis University in Stained Glass,” was revealed.

“The weather was rather hot, but all the games and music made
everyone get involved in the spirit of SLU,” said freshman Debbie
Francis.

“The festivities and the building dedication were commensurate
with the high level of expectations planned for the BSC,” said
Chris Rhynerson of Student Development and Business
Administration.