Many members of the Saint Louis University community may not
know that University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., has a secret
indulgence–Barq’s diet root beer. He jokingly claims that it’s his
“biggest downfall.” Some might disagree.
Years from now, Biondi’s efforts to make SLU the nation’s best
Catholic Jesuit university will not be forgotten. What is less
certain, however, is how Biondi will be remembered as a person.
When asked about how he wants to his legacy at SLU to be and how
he wants to be remembered, Biondi does not hesitate with his
response:
“That he was a builder of strong academic programs, that he was
able to get a team of faculty, staff and other administrators
working together to make Saint Louis University the very best that
it could be, and he did this by providing amenities to
students–giving students a lot of scholarship money, especially
for needy students and a diversity of students. He went out and
found money for faculty to do research and good space–whether it
be in an arts studio or laboratory or research lab,” Biondi
said.
University statistics confirm that since Biondi’s arrival SLU
has made substantial improvements.
In 1987, the year that Biondi assumed presidency, the key
numbers were as follows: total enrollment: 10,449; average ACT
score of entering freshmen: 22.7; University-funded student
scholarship/financial aid: $7,435,075; total endowment:
$140,833,000.
Today those numbers are changed. The numbers for the 2003-2004
academic year are: total enrollment, 11,217; average ACT score of
entering freshmen: 26.1; University-funded student
scholarship/financial aid: $66 million; total endowment (as of
Sept. 30): $660 million.
Two statistics stand out: The current endowment is approximately
six times what it was before Biondi became president, and student
scholarship money has grown roughly five times above what it was in
1987.
“I don’t think we realize how different it is now than it was 15
years ago. I have been here for a long time and it’s never been
better,” said John Kavanaugh, S.J., a philosophy professor, who has
been at SLU for 30 years.
Scholarship
Key changes made during his presidency support Biondi’s hope of
developing SLU into a better university “by providing amenities to
students–giving students a lot of scholarship money, especially
for needy students, a diversity of students,” according to
Biondi.
In 1988, the University welcomed its first 10 Presidential Merit
Scholars–these students all graduated in the top five percent of
their high school classes and earned scores of at least 30 on the
ACT or 1350 on the SAT. Today, an average of 30 students in the
entering freshmen class are recipients of this award, and are
provided with full tuition.
The Presidential Merit Scholarship was one of three new
scholarship categories developed in order to bring outstanding,
hard-working and well-rounded students to the University. Also
developed under Biondi’s leadership were the Dean’s Scholarship and
the University Scholarship, both honoring students of academic
merit.
Contributing to the enhancement of SLU’s academic reputation is
the Madrid program. In 1989, the University acquired a small,
private, secondary school in Madrid, Spain. Today, an average of
250 undergraduates study in Madrid each year.
And on March 4, 1994, the board of trustees voted to move Parks
College, formerly located in Cahokia, Ill. to the Frost Campus.
According to the alumni magazine Universitas, SLU made this costly
decision to ensure that Parks remained on the cutting edge of
engineering and technology.
Construction and Campus Beautification
Several renovations, including the construction of the Billiken
Sports Complex, have occurred since Biondi’s arrival.
On Sept. 21, 1990, 2,400 fans were in attendance as the men’s
soccer team christened the new facility with a win against
Marquette. The facility is composed of 174,00 square feet of
lighted artificial turf, as well as 100,000 square feet of lighted
natural turf, for baseball and softball games and practices.
In 1991, the dolphin pond debuted east of Ritter Hall on the
Frost campus. On Nov. 16, 1993, a dedication of the John E.
Connelly Plaza and the West Pine Mall was held on the official
175th birthday of the University.
In 1996, the Village Apartments were developed, housing
approximately 492 students.
In June 2002, a $22 million renovation project of the Busch
Memorial Center began. Now called the Busch Student Center, the
building includes 51,000 square feet of expansion and 100,500
square feet of renovation.
Personal Impact
Much of what the University community knows about Biondi is
learned about through University-wide emails, press releases,
newspaper articles and personal anecdotes.
When asked to describe his fellow Jesuit, Kavanaugh replied,
“He’s really funny and personable.” Biondi’s sense of humor,
however, often makes people raise their eyebrows. In an Oct. 10
article for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Biondi was asked about the
controversial nude statues on campus.
“God made penises. It’s a wonderful instrument. God made
breasts. They’re a wonderful instrument. God bless them. It’s OK to
show it. Why this conservatism?” he said. Biondi’s response, like
the statues themselves, was a bit too much for some.
Nick Sarcone, president of the Student Government Association,
reflected on what he believes to be the students’ perception of
their president.
“I think that students see Fr. Biondi as a figurehead who raises
their tuition, and not much more,” Sarcone said.
When asked about the criticism he receives about the perceived
distant relationship he maintains with students, Biondi said,
“Everybody wants the president’s time … benefactors want my time,
students want my time, faculty also. And yet there are only 24
hours in a day.”
In an article for the Chicago Tribune in April 2001, Edward
“Monk” Malloy, C.S.C, of the University of Notre Dame and Michael
Garanzini, S.J., of Loyola University, were profiled because of
their close relationship with students.
“For more than a decade now, Malloy–the leading figure at one
of the nation’s top universities–has chosen to live not in a
swanky president’s abode but in an enlarged room in the
university’s oldest residence hall,” the Tribune reported.
Malloy also teaches an introductory theology course to
freshmen.
“I think you have to teach to be a good president,” Malloy
said.
It is worth noting that Notre Dame has one of the highest
freshmen retention rates in the country–96 percent.
Similar to Malloy, Garanzini, former academic vice president at
SLU and current president at Loyola University also opts to live in
the dorms with students.
“I love living with students because it’s one contact with
regular life of the University and it keeps me mindful of what we
are about. But that is something I enjoy and appreciate. Not
everyone does,” Garanzini stated.
Malloy’s and Garanzini’s ability to lead a university while
maintaining a close relationship with students is admirable, but
each president must match his style to his personality and
strengths. That having been said, there appears to be a common
desire to have SLU’s president more personally involved in campus
life.
“I would love to see him engage with students more and faculty
more,” Kavanaugh said. Kavanaugh added that he is constantly
telling Biondi that he wishes Biondi would preach more.
“What I wish people would know about Biondi is the depth of his
religious commitment and that he is not just an administrator,”
Kavanaugh said.
One recent occasion highlighted the disconnection between Biondi
and the student body. On Oct. 16, Biondi presided over the
dedication of the Loyola Center for Campus Ministry, an event with
about 150 students in attendance. The president charmed the crowd
with his remarks and even cracked a couple of jokes. At the
reception that followed the dedication, Biondi remained for 15
minutes then was gone. An opportunity to interact casually with a
group of students was largely squandered.
Paradoxically, when Biondi does interact with students, most
come away with the impression that he is a personable and affable
man.
James Sebesta, S.J., professor of aviation at Parks College, has
been teaching Biondi to fly for the past two years. Sebesta smiled
as he recalled a time when Biondi went out to his aircraft with a
clip board to complete the required preflight inspection, a routine
that several SLU students were also performing. Sebesta saw that
the students enjoyed the encounter.
“I think it is reassuring to see the president of the university
doing the same thing that they are doing as freshmen,” Sebesta
said.
Just as SLU has grown during Biondi’s tenure, Biondi has grown
to be a more effective president, and just as SLU has further
challenges to meet, including campus safety and student aid, Biondi
faces the challenge of getting closer to the community he has done
so much to create. Biondi’s personality, in particular his
sarcastic humor and quick wit would be a welcome addition to the
school community. The school that already bears so many signs of
his character now hopes for more of his personality.
