GRATITUDE REPORT
FROM THE PRESIDENT
THE “LIVING STONES” OF ST. LOUIS U. HIGH
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear SLUH Community,
Fr. Diego Lainez, SJ, an early disciple of St. Ignatius of Loyola, wrote about his leader’s profound gratitude for God and His creation: “At night Ignatius would go up on the roof of the house and sit quietly, absolutely quietly. He would take his hat off and look up for a long time at the sky. Then he would fall to his knees, bowing profoundly to God, and the tears would begin to flow down his cheeks like a stream…”
In the Ignatian tradition, we reflect on the 2024-25 school year, marked by celebration, achievement and growth, with a deep sense of gratitude. It is with gratitude that we opened our celebration of our Backer Memorial Centennial – 100 years on Oakland Avenue – which launched with an on-campus event attended by thousands of alumni and friends. Among many event highlights, we announced the establishment of the Conrads Program for Integrated Sciences, thanks to the incredible and historic generosity of Sherry and Bob Conrads ‘65. This new program will strengthen our foothold as a model school in STEM, helping students grow as makers, innovators and technological leaders for the common good.
As you will note in the following pages, our students excelled in academics, athletics and the arts, while growing as Men for Others through faith formation and service initiatives. We admitted a robust Class of 2029, furthering a strong tradition of stable enrollment. Generous donor support continued to help us keep SLUH accessible to all qualified boys with a successful St. Louis U. High Day and CASHBAH dinner auction. Moreover, we continued to grow our endowed
programs while launching our new Ignatian Pledge program, ensuring SLUH will continue to thrive well into the future.
Looking ahead to our next century on Oakland Avenue, our gratitude compels us to action, to advance our Jesuit school mission in a spirit of charity, service and love. How can SLUH continue to provide a rigorous academic program for young men based on their ability to succeed, rather than their economic circumstances, so that they develop compassionate hearts? Our Backer Centennial Vision provides the roadmap by focusing on: academic and program excellence; Catholic faith tradition and 21st century formation; sustainable facilities and campus experience; and access and financial sustainability.
During this school year – my last as president of SLUH – I am enjoying every moment, interaction, triumph, blessing and friendship. Our school community, like our Church, is made up of “living stones” – each a critical piece of a unique and beautiful whole – including our alumni, benefactors, Jesuits, parents, students, faculty, staff, civic partners and friends. Thank you for building up our community every year, one stone at a time, and transforming the world, one young man at a time.
Just as St. Ignatius bowed his head in thanksgiving for God’s infinitely-splendored creation, we pray in gratitude for your support and commitment to our enduring mission.
AMDG,
Alan Carruthers President
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Parents, Alumni and Benefactors,
As I enter the twilight of my tenure as Chairman of the SLUH Board of Trustees, I want to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to:
• Our students for continuously seeking to embody the characteristics of the Grad at Grad (open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving and committed to pursuing justice);
• Our parents for encouraging their sons to attend our august institution and for partnering in their formation;
• Our faculty and staff for their quest and persistence in helping each student strive to maximize his potential; and
• Our alumni and benefactors for believing in our Jesuit mission of pursuing excellence in all endeavors For the Greater Glory of God.
Without your support, our beloved institution could not have survived –and thrived – for 100 years on Oakland Avenue. You have helped to position SLUH as a model amid an everchallenging educational landscape – with a campus that is the envy of other schools, and with a robust program that fosters the development of the whole person. You have done so not only with generous financial gifts, but also by providing student mentorship and volunteer leadership with your time and many talents.
Thank you for providing SLUH the resources to approach its next 100 years on Oakland Avenue from a position of tremendous strength and hope for the future. I have truly been blessed to serve as your chairman.
AMDG,
Darryl T. Jones ‘73 Chairman, Board of Trustees
INSIDE
Letters
Letter from the President / 1
Letter from the Chairman / 2
Letter from the Vice President of Advancement / 38
SPECIAL THANKS
We are grateful to our Photography Club, led by Kathy Chott, for capturing many of the photos in this publication.
FRONT COVER: A cross, which graces the top of Backer Memorial on the west side of the J-wing, was part of the original architecture and still stands more than 100 years later as a beacon of the Jesuit school mission.
Published September 2025
2024-25 Year in Review
Highlights and Achievements / 5
Athletics Recap / 9
Education as a Calling / 26
Thank you to our Sponsors / 29
Backer Memorial Centennial
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS ON OAKLAND
/ 14
Community-wide celebration remembers Anna Backer and the history of SLUH. Conrads '65 $10 million gift to advance STEM programming announced.
Leadership Giving
Introduction by the Senior Director of Leadership Giving / 18
RUNNING THROUGH A WALL FOR SLUH / 20
Coach Jim Linhares honored for 42 years of service to Jesuit school mission
"THE BEST MONEY WE EVER SPENT" / 24
Claire and Mark Kuehner '12 fund the Lt. Edward & Peggy Kuehner Scholarship
Community Engagement
Introduction by the Senior Director of Community Engagement / 30
Parent Club Officers / 31
OUR DISTINGUISHED FACULTY / 32
Board of Trustees / 34 Advisory Committees / 36
Students fill garden beds in the Backer Community Garden.
AROUND THE HALLS
HONOR ROLL
The College Board Advanced Placement Program named SLUH to the 2024 AP School Honor Roll, earning PLATINUM distinction, its second award since the program launched in 2023. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes commitment to academic excellence and emphasis on college readiness in the areas of college culture, college credit and college optimization.
SERVICE VIA STEM
The Clavius Project returned to SLUH at the annual Robotics Jamboree, featuring 300 students from 30 middle schools, a robotics competition as well as Missouri S&T STEM Mobile demonstrations.
2024-25 HIGHLIGHTS & ACHIEVEMENTS SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
11 students were welcomed into the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program at SLUH during the annual Mass of Praise & Gratitude (six baptized, five confirmed).
ALUMNI VISITS
Several graduates returned to Oakland Avenue to speak with students on a variety of topics. Highlights include:
• Patrick Mulligan ’13, founder and Executive Director of NutriFund International, a nonprofit working to combat malnutrition in Honduras, spoke about his professional and spiritual experience.
• Matt Sebek ’00, Chief Experience Officer at St. Louis CITY SC, talked with Ignatius Business Leaders about his career journey.
• Gabe Miller ‘14, a musician living in Philadelphia, visited music students to perform and discuss his approach to songwriting.
MAGNANIMOUS EFFORT
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and donors, as well as the leadership efforts of co-chairs Ellen Fesler and Bridget Unger, CASHBAH raised more than $1.3 million in tuition assistance for deserving Jr. Bills.
SENIOR PROJECT
The entire Class of 2025 served those in need during the month of January as part of the tradition of Senior Project. In total, 42 local sites were served by Jr. Bills, as well as 6 international sites (France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Poland and Taiwan).
BRAVO!
The Dauphin Players dazzled audiences with the fall musical Fiddler on the Roof and spring drama Scenes from Chekhov to sold-out crowds and rave reviews.
ACADEMIC MERIT
Nine students from the SLUH Class of 2025 were named National Merit Semifinalists. Among the top 1% of PSAT/NMSQT test-takers in Missouri, they include (from left): Izu Obialo, Luca Rogan, Charles Doherty, Andrew Moritz, Jacob Grijalva, (Principal Fr. Matt Stewart, SJ ’98), Jack Kelly, Andrew Hunt, Nate Piney and Henry Benson.
VALUE THE TRUTH
A new Insignis podcast episode features an engaging interview with Steve Missey ’88, the longest serving moderator of Prep News Missey shares his story of working the sports beat as student reporter, being mentored by legendary moderator Jim Raterman when he returned to SLUH as a young teacher, and challenging a new generation of aspiring young journalists to “value the truth.”
Listen to the episode at sluh.org/insignis.
GROWING IN FAITH
All 1,004 students attended at least one of the following retreats: Freshman Retreat, Sophomore Retreat, Kairos Retreat, Art Retreat, Senior Retreat, Retreat Leadership Program, Manresa True Heart Retreat, Wilderness Retreat, Philia Retreat and Urban Encounter Retreat.
COLLEGE BOUND
SLUH Class of 2025 Jr. Bills were accepted at 192 – and enrolled in 79 – unique institutions (60% out of state).
Notable acceptances include: Harvard, Stanford, Dartmouth, Brown, Croft Institute for Global Studies (University of Mississippi), Northwestern, Harvey Mudd, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy.
JR. BILLS FOR OTHERS
StuCo raised more than $27,000 for St. Francis Community Services, a Catholic Charities ministry that empowers low-income, multicultural individuals and families to improve their lives, as part of Mission Week.
CLASS OF 2029
SLUH admitted 241 students, representing 58 zip codes and 75 middle schools, in the Class of 2029. This newest freshman class continues a strong tradition of stable enrollment with highly qualified Jr. Bills.
2024-25 ATHLETICS RECAP
FALL SPORTS
CROSS COUNTRY
MCC ALL-SPORTS TROPHY
After landing at the top of the Metro Catholic Conference all-sports rankings for the previous three years, the Jr. Bills – propelled by conference championships in cross country, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field – earned the 202425 MCC All-Sports Trophy.
Earned 2nd place as a team at the MSHSAA Class 5 Championships, claiming the top finish for a St. Louis school for the 7th consecutive Championships, with Jackson Miller ’27 (7th place, school record time of 15:16.1), Alex Bendaña ’25 (9th Place) and Gus Talleur ’25 (14th place) securing All-State honors.
Claimed 21st consecutive MCC Championship, with Jackson Miller ’27 finishing as the individual
champion (the first time a sophomore has ever won the MCC varsity race).
FOOTBALL
Seven wins in 2024 ties the program mark for most wins in a season since 2015, with the postseason wins over Hazelwood Central and Ritenour equaling the most number of postseason wins for the program since the 2011 postseason and the appearance in the District Championship marking the third such appearance in the last four seasons.
In addition to the 25 Jr. Bills who were recognized as All-MCC, the 10 who were tabbed as All-District and the 10 who were designated as Academic All-State, three members of the football program received recognition at the AllState or All-Metro level.
SOCCER
Captured the 4th SLUH MSHSAA Championship with a 3-2 win in penalty kicks over De Smet Jesuit, after defeating Liberty North in the semifinal game.
In addition to the 6 Jr. Bills who were recognized as All-MCC, the two who were tabbed as All-District and the two who were designated as Academic All-State, two players received recognition at the All-State and All-Metro level
SWIMMING & DIVING
Claimed the 5th MSHSAA State Championship in program history and 3rd in Coach Ehret’s tenure, setting records in the 200 Medley Relay (overall MSHSAA record), 200 freestyle (school record) and 500 freestyle (school record) and securing event state championships in the 200 Medley Relay, the 200 Freestyle and the 400 Freestyle Relay.
Earned 14th consecutive MCC Championship.
Coach Ehret recognized as the 2023 Missouri Boys Swimming Coach of the Year.
In addition to the 19 swimmers who landed All-MCC honors and the 13 swimmers who earned All-State recognition, three Jr. Bills were designated as StL Today All-Metro swimmers
Winter Sports BASKETBALL
Claimed the championship in the MSHSAA Class 6, District 1 boys tournament – the program’s first district title since the 2021-22 season – with victories over Cardinal Ritter, Lindbergh and Seckman
The team fell in its MSHSAA Class 6 Quarterfinal, 64-70 in double overtime, to the eventual 4th-place finisher at the MSHSAA Championships, Lafayette.
ICE HOCKEY
Finished the regular season with a 10-6-4 record and 24 points, good for 3rd place in the Mid-States Municipal Division. Within the MCC Conference, the varsity ice hockey team also landed in 3rd place, compiling a 5-4-3 record.
Fell to Chaminade, the eventual Challenge Cup runner-up, in two games in the quarterfinal round.
RACQUETBALL
Senior Andrew Moritz and junior Joe Murphy were designated as 2025 Missouri High School Racquetball Association (MOHSRA) 2nd Team AllState as a doubles team.
Seniors Drew Hawley and Thomas Juergens were recognized as 2025 MOHSRA Honorable Mention All-State; Juergens also received the 2025 MOHSRA Sportsmanship Award.
RIFLE
At last season’s Ozark Tiger Rifle Classic, the team recorded a score of 2326, which is the 3rd highest team score in the history of the SLUH rifle program.
Claimed the team title at the Missouri CMP 3-P Precision Rifle Championships.
At the 3-P Air Rifle Regional Tournament in Alabama in April, the team finished 3rd overall and 2nd in the Scholastic Division.
At the 3-P Air Rifle National Championships, the team landed in 14th place overall and in 3rd place in the Scholastic Division, marking the 9th time in the 25 years of the National Championships in which a SLUH team has finished in the top 3 in the Scholastic Division – the most of any school in the country.
WRESTLING
At the MCC Wrestling Championships, the Jr. Bills took 3rd place in the varsity team competition and garnered three weight class championships.
Overall, the varsity wrestling team recorded a 15-6 record in dual matches, including an undefeated mark in dual matches held in the Danis Field House.
Juniors Albert Reinberg (36-12 record, 3rd place in district tournament) and Michael Wilson (34-11 record, 4th place in district tournament) qualified for the 2025 MSHSAA Class 4 Wrestling Championships, with each wrestler recording one win at the Championships in Columbia.
Spring Sports BASEBALL
The varsity team earned the #1 seed in the MSHSAA Class 6, District 3 tournament by virtue of posting a 2nd consecutive 20-win season, the first time the baseball program has accomplished that feat since 2014-15.
The Jr. Bills defeated Ritenour in the quarterfinal round of the District Tournament, before falling to eventual District Champion, De Smet Jesuit, in the District Semifinal.
10 members of the SLUH baseball program earned All-MCC honors; one earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition; and 17 garnered Academic All-State honors.
GOLF
Competing in the MSHSAA Class 5 Championships for the first time since 2017, the varsity golf team emerged as the MSHSAA Class 5 Golf Champions, earning the school's first MSHSAA golf championship since 1952 and the third in school history.
The team set MSHSAA Golf Championship records for lowest total team score (570) and lowest team score in relation to par (-6), while Harrison Zipfel ’26 claimed the MSHSAA Class 5 Individual Championship and established MSHSAA Golf Championship records for lowest total score (132) and lowest score in relation to par (-12).
Three Jr. Bills received postseason honors: Lyo Bellon ’28 (MSHSAA All-State), Nick Vilela ’26 (All-District, MSHSAA AllState, 3rd Team StL Today All-Metro) and Zipfel (All-District, MSHSAA All-State, STL Today AllMetro Golfer of the Year).
INLINE HOCKEY
The JV team qualified for the postseason and defeated Fox, 9-1, to claim the JV division championship.
The V1 team qualified for the postseason and lost a tough contest to CBC in the quarterfinal round.
Gavin Simon ’25 was selected to represent SLUH in the Missouri
Inline Hockey Association (MOIHA) All-Star Game.
LACROSSE
The lacrosse program recorded an all-level sweep of De Smet Jesuit in the Fr. Marco Cup contests.
Varsity lacrosse emerged from the MSLA regular season as the #6 seed in the Class 2 postseason tournament.
The team opened postseason play with an 11-5 win over #11 Kirkwood in the round of 16, advanced through the quarterfinal round by defeating #3 Chaminade, 8-5, for the second time in 2025, and then fell to #2 MICDS, 7-6, in a semifinal contest at MICDS.
RUGBY
The varsity squad defeated the St. Louis Jets, 26-14 in the finals of the postseason tournament in Columbia to claim the 2025 Missouri Youth Rugby Championship
SLUH Rugby emerged from the regular season as the #1 seed in the postseason for the Missouri Youth Rugby Championships.
Three members of the SLUH Rugby program were named to the Missouri AllStar Rugby Team.
TENNIS
The TennisBills won the MCC Championship, with Matthias Lawrence ’26 claiming 2nd in #1 singles and Noah Butler ’25, Vincent Ly ’26 and Charlie Halcomb ’27 earning the top spot in their respective singles brackets. In doubles, Andrew Bely ’25 and Joe Stoeckel ’25 landed in 2nd in #1 doubles, while Klaus Jostlein ’26 and Drew Hawley ’25 seized the top spot in the #2 doubles bracket.
In individual play in the MSHSAA Class 3 postseason, Lawrence claimed 3rd place in singles in the district tournament. In team play, the team fell to John Burroughs in the district final.
TRACK & FIELD
For the 13th season in a row, the Jr. Billikens won the varsity MCC title with 20 student-athletes placing in the top three in 16 events in the varsity meet, including Alex Bendaña ’25 setting the meet record in his victory in the 3200.
SLUH took 3rd place as a team in the district track and field meet, qualifying (top 4) for the MSHSAA Sectional in 7 events; at the sectional meet, Jr. Bills qualified for the MSHSAA Class 5 Championships in four events.
At the MSHSAA Championships, the Jr. Bills earned a team finish of T-11 and were led by three All-State finishes by Alex Bendaña ’25, the final performances of a season which earned Alex recognition as a member
of the 1st Team of the STL Today All-Metro Track & Field Team.
• 1600: Alex Bendaña claimed All-State honors, with a 3rd place finish and set a new school record by 0.6 seconds
• Long Jump: Luca Rogan ’25, the school’s first qualifier in the event since 2016, jumped into the top 10, narrowly missing the finals round.
• 4x800: The team of Bendaña, Nick Ahlheim ’26, Hendrix Fyvie ’26 and Jackson Miller ’27 finished in 4th, recording the 3rdfastest time in program history and earning the first All-State finish for the program in this event since 2019.
• 3200: Bendaña finished as runner-up, breaking his own school record and earning his 3rd All-State designation of the Championships; Gus Talleur ’25 claimed All-State honors with a 7th place finish.
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
The SLUH varsity squad reached the semifinals of the St. Louis Ultimate Juniors League (SLUJ) postseason tournament for the first time in a decade.
Defeated Priory in the quarterfinals on day two of the postseason tournament to advance to the semifinals, before falling to Edwardsville.
Theo Agniel ’25 and Will Hasman ’25 were selected to represent SLUH at the SLUJ All-Star event.
VOLLEYBALL
Won first MSHSAA Class 1 District Championship with straight-set victories over Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience and St. Mary’s Southside Catholic.
In the MSHSAA Class 1 postseason the Jr. Bills defeated Kirkwood (3-0) in the sectional round, Lindbergh (3-1) in the quarterfinal round and Rockhurst (3-0) in the semifinal round before dropping the Class 1 Championship to De Smet Jesuit.
In addition to five Jr. Bills earning postseason recognition, Head Coach Jeff Cheak, who recorded the 400th win of his head coaching career, was inducted into the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association (MHSVCA) Hall of Fame.
WATER POLO
The varsity team earned a 14-3 season record and claimed the #1 seed in the Missouri Youth Water Polo Varsity Boys Postseason Tournament .
In the Championship, the team defeated De Smet Jesuit, 11-4, to claim the program’s 24th Missouri Youth Water Polo Varsity Boys Water Polo Championship.
Six PoloBills received postseason recognition.
Multi-Season Sports
BOWLING
Through the first half of the 2024 regular season, the Jr. Bills bowling team landed in 8th place in the Central Division of the Missouri High School Bowling League. The PinBills improved in the second half of the regular season and vaulted to a 4th place finish.
Brian Loretta ’26 –courtesy of the league’s only perfect score of 300 in the third game on November 17, including an unreal 18 consecutive strikes in the second and third games – registered the fourth-best scratch series (726) in the Central Division this season.
Nick Detweiler ’26 (t-12) and Loretta (t-15) landed in the league’s top 15 in the category of weekly average score with respective 178 and 176 weekly averages.
ESPORTS
The SLUH Valorant team defeated Francis Howell Central in the Regional Final to earn a spot in the MOSEF Valorant Class 2 Championship Tournament and then defeated Sikeston and Joplin at the MOSEF Spring Showdown to claim the program’s 3rd consecutive MOSEF Valorant Class 2 Championship.
The Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Duos Blue Team earned a 1st place finish in the HSEL Central Regional Championship, going undefeated through the winter regular season and completing their path to the championship by defeating a very good CBC squad and a pesky duo from Blue Valley West (KC Metro).
The Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Varsity Blue team landed in 2nd place in the Central Region of the HSEL Super Smash Brothers Ultimate 3v3 Team National Championship. Gideon Taylor ’26 claimed a 3rd place finish in the MOSEF Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Solo Class 3 State Championships
SLUH Celebrates 100 Years on Oakland with Community-wide Festival
SLUH commemorated 100 years on its Oakland Avenue campus with a family-friendly centennial celebration on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The event featured a Mass of Thanksgiving, followed by a festival with a variety of fun activities, a “Taste of SLUH” with food for purchase from restaurants owned by alumni and SLUH families, as well as live music from the Mighty Pines, historical campus tours, and much more.
The centennial weekend also featured alumni reunions and the annual Admissions Open House. Although Open House is typically held in early November, the event provided prospective families the opportunity to not only explore SLUH, but also to participate in the festival and celebrate the longstanding school legacy.
“We celebrated our Backer Memorial Centennial with a spirit of tremendous gratitude. We are grateful to Anna Backer, our campus foundress, and all of our benefactors and community partners who support our Jesuit school mission of promoting the common good. We remain committed to our location in the City of St. Louis as we approach our next 100 years from a position of strength and vitality.”
– SLUH President Alan Carruthers
100 YEARS ON OAKLAND
View our special centennial video series, highlighting the Backer legacy, Clubs & Social Engagement, Visual & Performing Arts, Athletics, Faith & Service, and Global Engagement. SCAN THE QR CODE TO VIEW THE VIDEO PLAYLIST ON YOUTUBE.
CONRADS ’65 MAKES $10 MILLION GIFT TO ADVANCE STEM PROGRAMMING
SLUH made a surprise announcement at the Backer Memorial Centennial celebration. Immediately following Mass, SLUH President Alan Carruthers introduced special guests Bob Conrads ’65 and his wife Sherry. Mr. Conrads revealed the couple’s commitment to strengthen the school program in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with a historic gift of $10 million.
Their transformational gift represents the largest donation to a specific program in the school history and will further distinguish the robust STEM program. It will also advance the Jesuit tradition of making a premier education accessible to young men from all walks of life, regardless of economic circumstances.
Following SLUH, Conrads earned a B.S. and M.S. in Atomic Physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as an MBA from Harvard University. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in multiple industries at several different businesses, including: CoFounder and CEO/CIO of Colchis Capital; Senior Partner at McKinsey & Co. as part of their global strategy consulting group; Managing Director and Global Head of Technology, non-Japan Asia and Israel Investment Banking with Credit Suisse First Boston; CEO of Indigo America; CFO of Indigo NV; and founder and Chairman of Marlette Funding.
Conrads, a member of the SLUH Endowment Investment Committee, has served as an active business and financial advisor on boards of private and public companies throughout the world.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO READ THE PREP NEWS STORY.
THANK YOU BACKER MEMORIAL CAMPUS CENTENNIAL SPONSORS!
Presented by The Hempstead Family
Kathie and Gerry ’61, Jen and Gerard ’89, Molly and Peter ’17, Lauren, Matt ’23
DECADE SPONSORS
1920s Robert P. Barnidge ’58 Family
1930s The Schaeffer Family — Schaeffer Electric
1940s In Memory of John Joseph Boland ’41
1950s The Wittenberg and Sullivan Families
1960s Friend of SLUH
1970s Kathleen and Paul Matecki ’74
1980s Fenton Bar and Grill
Pioneer Sealing and Asphalt/Concrete
1990s Mrs. Ellen and Dr. Mark Fesler ’95
Mrs. Molly and Dr. Jim Kelly ’95
2000s The Coovert and Miller Families
2010s Salt + Smoke
2020s Aimee Wittman and Scott Jarboe
From left: Vice President - Advancement Sean Agniel ’96, Principal Fr. Matt Stewart, SJ ’98, Sherry Conrads, Bob Conrads ’65 and Alan Carruthers.
BAR SPONSOR
Mary Pat and Tom Santel ’76
PREMIUM GUEST TENT SPONSORS
SHUTTLE SPONSOR
REUNION SPONSOR
A Transformative Journey LEADERSHIP GIVING
LETTER FROM THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP GIVING
In the SLUH Advancement Department, we have the privilege of welcoming alumni back to campus throughout the year. No matter how long it has been, it is always a joy to welcome a Jr. Bill home. This spring, I met an alumnus who hadn’t set foot on campus since graduation –more than 50 years ago. He returned to make a contribution to “make up for lost time.”
recalled how he grew into a lead competitor – rarely the best in practice but always at his best in competition, thanks to his calmness under pressure. Hearing him share these memories made that time vividly real again.
“I am grateful to the many benefactors, past and present, who make sacrificial contributions so young men can discover and maximize their potential at SLUH.”
Guiding him through the many transformations of SLUH was a delight – and he marveled at each one. Yet what I treasure most about these visits is hearing the story of St. Louis U. High through another era. He attended in the late ’60s and early ’70s: days of carpools and hitchhiking, the Senior Smoker and legendary Jesuits.
At the rifle range, he surprised me by pointing out Fr. Hagan’s original desk. As we explored photographs, trophies and even old targets, he brought to life the rifle program of the late ’60s, where he discovered his exceptional talent. He
I never tire of these stories of how SLUH has shaped lives. The transformation of Backer Memorial over the past century is remarkable, yet even more astonishing is the transformation of a boy in just four short years. I am grateful to the many benefactors, past and present, who make sacrificial contributions so young men can discover and maximize their potential at SLUH. Thank you for being an important part of that journey.
AMDG, Linda Domeyer Senior Director of Leadership Giving
TEAM
Beth Chipley Leadership Gifts Coordinator
Jen
Kelly Stewardship Coordinator LEADERSHIP GIVING
Running through a Wall for SLUH
COACH JIM LINHARES HONORED FOR 42 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JESUIT SCHOOL MISSION
By Ben Rosario ’98
Speech delivered at track dedication ceremony on June 2, 2025 (lightly edited).
When you joined the SLUH cross country team back in the 1980s and 90s, you met for your first practice in August, in that little grassy area on the west side of the school near the St. Ignatius statue, under the trees. Maybe you had run a little bit before, or maybe you had grown up playing sports, or maybe you hadn’t. Either way, high school cross country was totally new, and probably a little scary. At least it was for me in 1994, when I was a freshman, because by that time there were 100 boys on the team – and you probably didn't really know any of them.
At some point, things got going, and you heard this person, your new coach, address the team. Of course I don’t remember exactly what he said but I know THE WAY he said it. Because Jim Linhares had such a commanding presence from day one. He spoke with such authority, such care, such passion. By the time he finished talking and sent us on our half-mile jog along that strip of grass there on Oakland Avenue and through the tunnel into Forest Park, I know that I was so pumped up, and my fellow freshmen were so pumped up, that we essentially raced that
warmup. And I’m sure the exact same thing happened with every freshman class. And little did you know it at the time but those kids that you were stupidly racing with on that warmup jog would become some of your best friends over the next four years, and that cross country would become such a big part of your identity at St. Louis U. High.
Because from that first moment, and that first warmup, at that first practice, you were a “cross country guy.” Or in the spring, ”A Track Guy.” And, that meant something. And I’ve got a little secret for you, it’s not that way at most schools. But Jim made sure it was that way here. The cross country and track board was always filled with our accomplishments for all the students to see. When we won a meet it was always called out during morning announcements. And you better believe he was talking to Kevin Boone from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch or Dan Ladd from the Suburban Journals every chance he got. He treated cross country like every other varsity sport. It was things like that that made you want to run so hard for him. It was subtle things, like his attention to detail, like the fact
that he always went above and beyond for you – and for the program – that made you want to do the same in return.
There’s a beautiful 6-mile bike path around the perimeter of Forest Park. Back in the day, it was only pavement. There was no crushed gravel trail that ran alongside it like there is now. But Coach didn’t want us to get hurt. He always wanted us to run on the grass whenever possible. So instead of having us run on the path like 99% of the coaches in the country would have done, he created what he called his “grass loops” in the Park. I remember he had a 4-mile loop, a 6-mile loop, an 8-mile loop. I think there was even a 10-mile loop that went all the way up into Clayton and back along that grass median (of course) on Wydown.
The point being, and I think we sort of all absorbed this subconsciously, this guy had gone out there on his own time and measured out all of these courses, just for us, just so we could stay healthy, just so our experience running cross country could be the best it could possibly be.
But let’s be honest, the guy also did it because he wanted to win. Jim was as competitive a person as I had ever met in my life to that point. But it was so cool to begin to learn that you could be fiercely competitive and yet still be such a great human being. That these things are not mutually exclusive. That this person who once said to us, the day before the State Meet after our rivals had run, purposefully, through our stretching circle, “Gentleman, they’ve just turned this thing into a war.”
He could be that person, but he could also be the person who taught Christian Life Choices, and who was passionate – and is still passionate – about humanitarian efforts in Honduras, and who was such a great husband to Mary and such a great dad to Andrew, David and Will. Of the countless lessons that I’ve learned from Jim that have all aged so well, I think that one is my favorite.
In fact, and fate is such a funny thing, my wife and daughter and I happen to be moving this summer from Flagstaff, Arizona to Phoenix. But right after I was asked to speak at this event we were looking through
some old bins, trying to figure out what to keep and what to throw away. And we came across a navy blue binder that my wonderful mother was nice enough to give me as a high school graduation present in 1998. It’s mostly full of news articles about the team and all the big meets. But right smack in the middle of the binder, and I have no earthly idea what possessed her to keep this, is a packet, stapled together, titled 1994 SLUH Cross Country Program. I assume Jim gave it out on that very first day of practice that I talked about. That day that got me hooked on running forever. And it’s got what you would expect: Team Structure, Team Rules, warmup routine, etc. It’s seven pages long…
But I do have to call out my favorite section, titled, “SLUH Tradition at Meets.” There are two bullet points I really like.
The first one is number 7, which you kind of have to really know Jim to know why this is so funny. This is number 7 verbatim:
We treat every other team with respect, without regard to their poor behavior.
I mean what can you say? The guy was competitive. He did not always like the other teams. He respected them, but he definitely, definitely, wanted to win.
But, in all seriousness, my real favorite bullet point is number 4:
We gather for prayer and visualization before the start.
Jim and I wrote a book about a decade ago called Tradition, Class, Pride, about high school cross country. And on the cover of that book is a digital version of a painting created by David Rhoads ’06, a SLUH cross country alumnus. And that painting depicts one of these famous pre-race huddles. Jim’s in the center although you can’t really see him because he’s surrounded by the athletes, and their hands are all in the center, and their eyes are closed, and their heads are bowed.
I imagine of all the great moments we remember about running cross country at SLUH, these huddles were among the greatest. Because they were so serious, so visceral. Put yourself back in that moment, in those moments. You’ve just done your last hard stride. The race is two minutes away. Your heart is beating out of your chest. And now you gather around Coach. And we put our hands in. And we close our eyes. And we bow our heads.
And then Jim would begin to speak in that whisper-y tone. He’d say something to the effect of, “God, what an amazing opportunity you’ve given us here today. We thank you for this wonderful weather. We thank you for this course. We thank you for the fitness that we’ve built up over these last several months. And God we ask you simply for the strength and the courage to use that fitness, to run for one another, and to compete to the very best of our ability. For the greater glory of God. Amen.”
Then he would say, ”SLUH on 3. 1-2-3. SLUH.”
And you left that huddle ready to run through a wall. Run through a wall for SLUH, for each other, and for Jim.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ben Rosario ’98 was an all-state cross country runner for SLUH in 1997 before continuing his running career at Truman State University. He has contributed extensively to the St. Louis running community by starting Big River Running Co., the Forest Park Cross Country Festival, and the Festival of Miles before leaving to found Hoka Northern Arizona Elite in Flagstaff, Ariz. Rosario is now leading the Marathon Project, a premier racing experience in Chandler, Ariz.
“Both in the classroom and on the track, Jim challenged students in a way that helped them reach their potential. He brought meaningful change to the track team when he assumed the role of head coach and was deliberate about elevating the status of the track and field program. I experienced tremendous academic, athletic and spiritual growth from my time with Jim; hundreds of others can say the same thing.”
– Daniel Heard '04
Share your own reflection about Coach Linhares – and view event photos from the track dedication, the naming announcement and a SLUH Archive interview – at sluh.org/linhares.
CELEBRATING A SLUH LEGEND
On June 2, 2025, hundreds of alumni and friends celebrated 100 years of SLUH Track & Field, 80 years of SLUH Cross Country, and the retirement of Jim Linhares. In honor of his incredible 42-year legacy, and the overwhelming generosity of Jim’s former students, runners and friends, the school announced the naming of the track – the James Linhares Track. Following is the signage in the track area paying tribute to Linhares.
JAMES LINHARES TRACK
LEGENDARY COACH, PASSIONATE TEACHER, INSPIRATIONAL LEADER
From 1983-2025, James “Jim” Linhares, Jr. made a lasting, indelible mark on St. Louis U. High.
As a coach, he reinvigorated the value of teamwork and led the Jr. Bills to state titles in track & field (2006) and cross country (1999, 2007 and 2009). Among many accomplishments, he is credited with rebuilding the cross country program into a thriving and decorated powerhouse. In 2010, he was honored as a Hall of Fame Coach by the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association.
As a Theology and English teacher, he was instrumental in the formation of thousands of Jr. Bills. Linhares, a beacon of Ignatian spirituality and a gifted orator, drew students closer to God through a deep sense of curiosity and passion for the world around them.
During his tenure as Assistant Principal, he supported the important role of faculty while strengthening the Ignatian character of the school. He left a legacy of unwavering devotion to mission, passing the baton for future lay leaders to collaborate with the Society of Jesus in carrying the SLUH torch into the future.
Jim and his wife, Mary, are proud parents of SLUH alumni Andrew ’04, David ’08 and Will ’10.
SLUH partnered with numerous alumni and friends who made gifts to rededicate the track and name it in honor of James Linhares, Jr.
The following leading donors honored him with gifts of at least $50,000:
Friend of SLUH
Dave Godar ‘01
Silvia Ledesma Ortiz and Chris Schmidt ’92
Debbie and Mark Wilhelm ’72
“The Best Money We Ever Spent”
When Mark Kuehner ’12 reflects on his time at St. Louis U. High, he fondly remembers cross country, the Circus Club and performing magic for the KUHI weekly school television broadcast. Above all of the lasting memories, however, he and his wife Claire are most touched by the great sacrifice Mark’s parents made to send him and his brother Stephen ’08 to SLUH.
When Mark enrolled at SLUH his father, Ed, was a police officer and his mother, Peggy, was a full-time homemaker whose unpaid “job” was volunteering at the parish school, which included managing the yearbook, Cub Scouts (for both Mark and Stephen) and Vacation Bible School, among other activities. Ed felt strongly that the best thing for their family was having a stay-at-home mom, so when it came time to pay SLUH tuition, Ed worked other part-time jobs.
He didn't just work ungodly hours – he was incredibly present in our lives growing up as well.”
Reflecting on the $10,000 tuition bill of that era, Ed says, “It was the best money we ever spent. When you police the streets you appreciate the values SLUH instills in its students.”
In honor of Ed and Peggy’s sacrifice and their unwavering dedication to Catholic education, Mark and Claire recently surprised them by establishing a scholarship in their honor at SLUH. Mark and Claire funded the Lt. Edward & Peggy Kuehner Scholarship in the spring of 2025 as a tribute to their selfless commitment.
Claire first approached Mark about this idea as a way to “give generously and with intention.”
“One of the things that I've always admired about Mark is the way he talks about his parents and the acknowledgment of all they've done to make him the man he is today,” she says.
“My dad worked night shifts for the police, but then during the day he would pick up security shifts at Busch Stadium, or other security jobs,” says Mark. “He was also the head coach of our soccer team, and volunteered where he could with other sports and scouting activities.
“This was really just the essence of everything we want our giving to be: something that helps people who are helping people, something that honors the hard work and dedication of previous generations, and something that outlives us.”
“I remember that paying SLUH tuition was difficult,” says Mark. “We didn't qualify for financial assistance, mostly because my dad's insane work hours brought in enough money to make us look just fine on paper. But my parents never gave me reason to doubt that I'd be able to go. Through hard work and the grace of God, they made it happen. And if we can pass on their sacrifices to help another family make it happen, let that be their legacy.”
From left: Mark Kuehner '12, his wife Claire, and his parents Peggy and Ed.
Education as a Calling
By Madhavan Anbukumar ’25
Speech delivered at graduation as the recipient of the Mac Boland Award.
I still remember our first day of school. August of 2021. Amidst Covid-19. We got out of our parents’ cars at the turnaround outside the Danis Lobby. Each of us had a face mask on. We couldn’t see anyone’s face, but we could hear a man yelling at a couple of juniors to pull their masks up. Blue masked Billiken stickers dotted the floor, each six feet apart, as we entered through one of the doorways into the school. The stickers led up to a staff member making sure everyone’s temperature was normal and that we had filled out the VisitU form. This was just the first few minutes of our introduction to SLUH. We were just starting.
At our starting point, we knew only a few people. Stepping into the building felt like diving into the deep end. But something began to happen slowly at SLUH. The realization that we were not alone began to help us tread the water. Strangers were turning into classmates and teachers. Classmates were becoming friends. Teachers were becoming mentors. In what seemed like a short period of time, SLUH felt like home.
In addition, SLUH was a challenge. Expectations were high. Challenge can be a motivator. High expectations can be a motivator. And those challenges and expectations were never
meant to break us. They were there to help build us – intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. What SLUH offered us was not merely a curriculum – it was a formation.
Formation was evident everywhere. Especially in the classroom, where our teachers inspired us beyond the minimum. They didn’t demand perfection, but they did demand purpose. They challenged us to think harder, dig deeper and speak honestly.
Our teachers looked out for us. When we failed, they put a different spin on things. They helped soften the blow of a bad score. Last year, I received an email from one of my teachers regarding a suboptimal test result. The main point of that email was that it’s okay to struggle. We are not alone in that struggle. But what really stood out to me was when that teacher wrote, “I am not worried about your grade.”
Now, you might be thinking, Madhavan, why are you referencing this email? Let me explain. With teachers like this, I can say with certainty that every WebAssign, every Aktiv Chem, every EdPuzzle, and every group project we did was shaping us into students who can handle complexity, tension and responsibility.
Our learning at SLUH did not just happen inside the classroom. It very much happened outside
of it. I am referring to service and the religious dimensions of SLUH. We were provided with the opportunity to serve for all four years. This culminated for us in our abbreviated Senior Project during January. The recipients of our service taught us to accept the world as it is – flawed, beautiful, complicated, raw – and how to stay hopeful regardless. They taught us to infuse joy into everything that we did, with respect to all of our thoughts, words and actions.
The idea of finding joy in our thoughts, words and actions for the benefit of others is worthy. It was reinforced again and again by the opportunities that SLUH gives students for leadership. Here, our voices matter. Did you know that SLUH offers more than 75 cocurriculars? If one of those doesn’t meet your interest, you can initiate a new one, by persuading a faculty member to help make it happen.
Yeah, Yeah, that’s all great Madhavan, but what about the most basic question: Was SLUH worth it?
Every moment. Every stress-filled night. Every paper that got turned in five minutes before it was due, or later. Every conversation that cracked something open within us. Every time we failed and tried again. Yes. It was worth it a thousand times over.
Is it this cherished diploma we’re about to receive? This is not just a piece of paper. It’s the physical symbol of everything we’ve endured, questioned, built, and become. It has our name, the principal’s signature, the president’s signature, and the school seal. What makes it special is what it stands for. While it is a piece a paper, we are what makes it a living artifact.
We are all different – different backgrounds, beliefs, personalities – but beneath it all, we are united by this place. By what is asked of us. And what is given in return?
As we go forward, I have this thought: the world does not need more perfect people. It needs more people who are grounded. Who are reflective. Who serve with love. Who ask good questions. Who listen before they speak. Who see their education not as a trophy – but as a calling.
Those people have surrounded us for these four years. They are all around us.
My father always tells me proverbs. There is one from Tamil that roughly translates to, “what you have learned is just a handful of dirt, and what you have not learned is the entire Earth.” It’s a very fitting quote, having finished high school, knowing that there is so much more to learn. There is also another proverb that my
father says, a Sanskrit saying, “Matha, Pitha, Guru, Devam.” Translated, this saying refers to the three most important aspects of one's life—one's parents, teachers and God. Four years at St. Louis U. High have taught us just how true that is. We’ve come to understand what that means in theory and through our own lived experience. Tonight, I want to praise those aspects in our lives.
There are those who love us unconditionally and will never stop doing so. You, our parents, were crucial in giving us the opportunity to attend SLUH. At this moment, I think about your sacrifices. You are the ones who paid for our tuition, the tuxedo rentals for prom, the class rings on our fingers. You are the ones who drove us to our games, practices, recitals, and more. You are the ones who give and do not count the cost. You are the only ones who cherish us, no matter what we do. You are our parents.
There are also the animators of SLUH. They are the ones who helped us grow and shine. The ones who helped us become better people, Men for Others. They are the ones who sat in their rooms for us during Studium. They are the ones who coached us and moderated our clubs. They are the ones who cared for us in the hallways of SLUH. They are
the ones who taught us to serve God as He deserves. They are the ones who toiled and did not seek rest. They are our teachers.
Now there is one final group to be recognized.
They are the Class of 2025. They are those who showed up every day, even if tardy at times. They are those who slathered themselves in blue paint at a soccer game. They are those who were loved and gave love in return. They are those who fought and did not heed the wounds. They are us.
For all these people, I would like to end with a prayer. Fellow classmates, and everyone who is here to celebrate today’s graduates, please join me in saying the Prayer for Generosity.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve as You deserve; To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To toil and not to seek for rest; To labor and not to ask for reward; Save that of knowing I am doing Your will. Amen.
And we dedicate all of our thoughts, words and actions: to the Greater Glory of God.
Thank you.
2025 SPONSORS
CENTENNIAL
Friend of SLUH
Sandy and Chris
Hemmersmeier '84
Mary and Joseph Stieven '78
MEN FOR OTHERS
Azar Orthodontics
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Helen and John Csik ‘80
Drury Hotels
Food Service Consultants
The Gross Family
Scott Jarboe and Aimee Wittman
Krilogy – John M. McArthur ‘95, CIMA
Lewis Rice and Steve & Stacy Gund
The Lyons Family
Patty and Mark Mantovani ‘72
Property Assessment Review
Purina
Carlin and Steve Scanlan ‘70
SLUH Class of 2000
The Unger Family
The Vanous Family
Mark ‘72 and Debbie
(2006 CASHBAH CoChair) Wilhelm
1818
AMDG
The Grigaitis Family
Sharon, Gregg ’81, Ava and Jack ’27
Laurie and Ray Van de Reit Jr. '80
Hastings + Chivetta
Seyer Industries
Jim and Dana Whalen
JR. BILL
The Cooke Family
Friend of SLUH
Tim and Emily Gruninger
Gunn | Slater – The Kevin and Amy Gunn Family
Katie and Chris Hohn ‘88
Carol and Al Litteken
PNC Bank
World Wide Technology
FLEUR DE LIS
American Insurance Counselors
Andres Roofing – Sarah and John '95 Andres
Benjamin F. Edwards –
Janet Bone, CFP
CBIZ
John D. Comerford
Commerce Bank
Enterprise Bank & Trust,
Jim and Laura Lally
Fifth Third Bank – The Hagan Family
Chris and Christine Finney
Garcia Properties –
Alex Castellano
Hoffmann Brothers
The Jones Family
The Khouri Law Firm
The Kruse Family
The McAuliffe Law Firm
McClure Engineering
The McGinn Family
Patrick and Rosemary Morris
Missouri Scout
Owen Properties
Randall Partners –
Angela Freeman
The Robson Family
Sharamitaro & Associates, P.C.
Vista Finance –
The Williams Family
Jack Wachter Class of 2018
The Zarrilli Family
SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Newbold BMW & Newbold Toyota
COCKTAIL RECEPTION SPONSOR
The Wacker Group
GOLF CART SPONSORS
Patti and Mark Mays
SLUH Class of 2000
In Memory of Charles Jellinek
BLUE & WHITE SPONSORS
Capital For Business
Account Resolution Corporation Friend of SLUH
Safety National
Mary Pat and Tom Santel '76
DOUBLE TEE SPONSORS
Millenium Pain Management, LLC
Jeff and Idania Rombach
Sharamitaro & Associates, P.C.
The Sullivan Family
TEE SPONSORS
Owen Development
The Luzecky Families
Jedlicka Family
AUTCO Distributing, Inc.
Cook Group Legal
FSC
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
You helped make it a great year for us. All of us. Thank you.
“One
Body, Many Parts”
Pockets empty. Shoes off. Dive in!
On May 22, the water polo team captured the 24th state championship in St. Louis U. High history with an 11-4 victory over De Smet Jesuit. As is tradition, I did my part and joined them with a fully-clothed dip in the pool. It never gets old.
The 17 student-athletes on our team trained hard through the consolations and desolations of the long season, focused on our team motto, "One." This motto focused our energy each day on working for and with each other.
In many respects, our season was a microcosm of what happens each day at SLUH. The excellence our students pursue and exude is no accident but rather the result of hard work, and this excellence doesn’t happen solely within the 100-year-old walls of Backer Memorial.
This championship – and all the innumerable other ways our student body excelled this
Phil Donato '83 Director of Alumni Engagement
Susan O'Keefe Director of Community Engagement
VIBRANT SLUH COMMUNITY DRIVES OUR EXCELLENCE
year – exemplifies the excellence your support makes possible. Thousands of alumni, parents and friends united with a resounding voice to support our Jr. Billikens. This takes many forms, including generous charitable donations, considerable hours spent away from family to volunteer, cheering on students at performances, celebrating the Backer Memorial Centennial, leading and supporting CASHBAH or even just tapping the heart on a post you like on our social media pages.
You helped make it a great year for us. All of us. Thank you.
AMDG,
Senior
Director
of Community Engagement
Head Coach, Varsity Water Polo
Lisa Fister Community Engagement Coordinator
Karen Zenor CASHBAH Coordinator
LETTER FROM THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
2024-25 PARENT CLUB OFFICERS
ALUMNI MOTHERS CLUB OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Nancy Blittschau
PRESIDENT ELECT
Susan Werremeyer
OFFICERS
Yvette Bozdech
Christine Johnson
Nancy Parker Tice
Charla Dziedzic
Mary Stoker
Jen Thomas
Toni Zychinski
Kristin Storer
MOTHERS CLUB
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Christine Meyer
PRESIDENT ELECT
Natalie Cox
OFFICERS
Colleen Aque
Melissa Brost
Jessica Espe
Bridgette Fyvie
Emily Gruninger
Catherine Hamlin
Peggy McAuliffe
Julie Padberg-White
Stephanie Rich
Carmen Schmidt
Jaimie Seamands
Jenny Stein
Amy Stiteler
Kelli Stone
CASHBAH AUCTION CO-CHAIRS
Ellen Fesler
Bridget Unger AMDG - IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY FOR PARENTS
PARENT COORDINATOR
Aimee Wittman
FATHERS CLUB
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT Jim Kelly '95
PRESIDENT ELECT
Jim Nacke '95
OFFICERS
LeVaughan Bennett
Peter Brawer
George Diehr '96
Mark Fesler '95
Matt Reh
Jim Reid '93
Mike Talleur
Brian Watkins '86
PARENT ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AT SLUH (PACES)
CO-PRESIDENTS
Kandyce Davis
Keena Smith
PRESIDENT ELECT
Kendra Wilkins
OFFICERS
Tylia Gayfield
Mary Grace
Lewandowski
Kathleen Unwin
"To the SLUH staff, administration and teachers, thank you for mentoring us to be Men for Others. Thank you for teaching us to work hard, and that facing challenges head on is the most fulfilling and rewarding way to face life. Thank you for teaching us that we have to work in order to achieve our goals, even if it means facing inconveniences and obstacles. Thank you for being people of character, who desired every day to build relationships with us and to watch us succeed. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."
Alex Rose ‘25
Excerpt from his commencement speech as the recipient of the Ed Hawk Award
Our Distinguished Faculty
Our faculty exhibit excellence in everything they do to educate and inspire our young men. We proudly recognize their passion and dedication, and thank them for sharing their gifts and talents to further our Catholic, Jesuit mission.
Myriam Aliste
Magdalena Alvarado
Fernando Alvear, Ph.D.
Mohamed Amira, Ph.D.
Bill Anderson '78
Simonie Anzalone
Paul Baudendistel '90
Dan Becvar '02
Chris Buerke '09
Joan Bugnitz
Charlie Busenhart
David Callon, Ph.D.
Jennifer Carroll
Alan Carruthers
Lynne Casey
Kathy Chott
Marina Chura
Rob Chura
Erwin Claggett
Jamie Cordia
Frank Corley '77
Teresa Corley
Kevin Crimmins
Adam Cruz '10
Thomas Curdt '18
Tim Curdt '90
Justin Danzy
Kathleen Dwyer, Ed.D.
Nick Ehlman, Ph.D. '99
Lindsey Ehret
María-Paz Erker
Rich Esswein, J.D. '78
Sean Ferguson
Jake Fitts
Anne Marie Foy
Kevin Foy, Ed.D.
Rob Garavaglia '87
Scott Gilbert, R.N. '88
Brian Gilmore '02
Craig Hannick
Sam Herbig '12
Rob Hill
Annie Hilmes
Craig Hinders '02
Yude Huang
Jim Hubbman
Chuck Hussung
Jennifer Ice
Chris Keeven
Lindsay Kelleher
Justin Kelley, SJ
Molly Kelly
Walt Kempf
Kent Kershenski
Brock Kesterson, Ed.D.
Beth Kissel
Matty Kleinberg '98
Joe Koestner, D.M.
Frank Kovarik '94
Andrew Kresyman '10
Steve Kuensting
Mike Lally
Julie Lewis
Jim Linhares Jr.
Tracy Lyons
Kevin McKernan '01
Megan Menne
Abbey Metzler
Mary Michalski
Steve Missey '88
Julie Moeser
Javier Moreno
Diego Navarro
Steve Nicollerat
Sean O'Brien '98
Bob O'Connell Jr.
Tim O'Keefe
Tim O'Neil
Jon Ott
Nhan Pham
Joe Porter III
Jeff Pottinger
Terry Quinn
Sarah Rebholz
Brian Reeves
Ashley Rube
Andrea Scarpino, Ph.D.
Andrew Schaeperkoetter, Ed.D. '05
Dan See
Nina See
Daniel Shields
River Simpson, SJ
Chris Stahl '16
Don Steingruby
Fr. Matt Stewart, SJ '98
Joe Stickley
Fr. Danny Tesvich, SJ
Lissie Tippett
Kate Toussaint
Kevin Wehner
Dick Wehner
Robyn Wellen
Lori West
Kathy Whitaker
Tim Wilmes '10
Tom Wilson
Walker Yane
Pat Zarrick '77
Tom Zinselmeyer Jr. '99
LEAVING A LEGACY OF LASTING EXCELLENCE
We give special thanks to our retiring faculty and staff, including Magdalena Alvarado, Joan Bugnitz and Jim Linhares who dedicated a combined 89 years of service to the SLUH mission. SLUH is and will always be a better place thanks to their many contributions. To learn more about Linhares and his incredible legacy, see page 20.
Magdalena Alvarado
Spanish teacher Magdalena Alvarado retired after receiving the Faculty Appreciation Award on behalf of the Class of 2025, as she looks to spend more time gardening and being with family. Alvarado ended a wonderful, well-loved career at SLUH where she made an impact in the Spanish program, as Farm to Table Club moderator and as a former One World Club moderator. Students and teachers alike will remember the lasting impact she’s had as a voice for the Spanish language program, a masterful and eye-opening teacher and a joyful presence in the classroom or the hallway.
READ THE PREP NEWS STORY, 2025 FACULTY APPRECIATION
AWARD RECIPIENT
ALVARADO TO RETIRE, BY ANDREW HUNT ‘25
Joan Bugnitz
Vincent Van Gogh said, “there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” In her 34 years at SLUH, visual arts teacher Joan Bugnitz has helped nurture and inspire generations of young artists, while also providing passionate support to the community at large. Bugnitz’s devotion to Ignatian values and her variety of projects at SLUH paint a vivid picture of a life of humility and service.
READ THE PREP NEWS STORY, VISUAL ARTS TEACHER BUGNITZ FINISHES SLUH CAREER, BY LEO HAHN ’26
2024-25 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees serves as the St. Louis University High governing body and ensures that the future direction of the school fulfills its mission and founding purpose, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Various subcommittees report to the Board.
Thomas P. Berra Jr. ‘85 PP
Member
Lewis Rice, LLC
Fr. C. Allen Boedeker PP
Associate Pastor
St. Mark and St. Martin of Tours Parishes
Fr. Michael P. Boehm '85
Pastor; Dean Sacred Heart, Our Lady and Good Shepherd Parishes; Southern Vicariate Deanery 3
Meghan Bohac, Ed.D. PP Dean of Academics
Cor Jesu Academy
Alan R. Carruthers PP
President St. Louis University High School
Harold L. Carter, PharmD '05
Senior Vice President, Pharma Trade Relations Express Scripts
Fr. Michael Caruso, SJ, Ed.D. Director of Education Diocese of Belleville
H. Eric Clark, Ed.D. '83
President
Loyola Academy of St. Louis
Kwofe A. Coleman ‘01
President and CEO
The Muny
John P. Csik '80 PP President Safety National Len Dino CP Retired CEO LDI Pharmacy Benefit Services
David G. Eichhorn '92 PP
President and Head of Investment Strategies
NISA Investment Advisors, LLC
Fr. Marcus C. Fryer, SJ Assistant Principal Loyola Academy of St. Louis
David Glarner ‘89 PP President Raven Development, LLC
Stephen P. Gund PP President The Gund Company, Inc.
Amy C. Gunn PP Founding Partner and Trial Attorney Gunn | Slater
J. Chris Hemmersmeier '84
CEO Jerry Seiner Dealerships
Fr. F. William Huete, SJ Socius
US Central and Southern Province of Jesuits
Darryl T. Jones Sr. '73 PP, Chair Owner
D&D Concessions, LLC
LaShonda L. Lambert-Howze Senior Counsel
Schnuck Markets, Inc.
Mark P. Mantovani '72 PP Former Chairman, President and CEO Ansira
Daniel M. Millman '87 PP Vice President Millman Lumber
Christopher J. Schmidt '92 PP Partner
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Fr. William T. Sheahan Jr., SJ '85 Rector
Ciszek Hall Jesuit Residential College, Fordham University
Fr. David J. Suwalsky, SJ Vice President of Mission and Identity
Saint Louis University
Raymond R. Van de Riet Jr. '80 President Aero Charter
Mark A. Wilhelm ‘72 PP Executive Chairman Safety National
2024-25 ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE BOARD
* The President of SLUH and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees are Ex-Officio members of all advisory committees.
We thank these volunteers for their generous service and good counsel.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Meghan Bohac, Ed.D. PP
Dean of Academics
Cor Jesu Academy
Robert N. Chura PP
Director of Global Education
St. Louis University High School
Kevin F. Foy, Ed.D. PP
Assistant Principal for Academics
St. Louis University High School
Milena Garganigo, Ph.D. CP
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching School District of Clayton
Mark P. Mantovani ‘72 PP
Former Chairman, President and CEO
Ansira
Megan Menne Science Faculty and Director of Student Activities
St. Louis University High School
Stephen D. Missey ‘88 PP
English Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Daniel J. See PP
Computer Science Department Chair and Director of STEM Education
St. Louis University High School
Fr. Matthew C. Stewart, SJ '98
Principal
St. Louis University High School
Theodore D. Washington PP Educator
Ladue School District
ADVANCEMENT
Sean T. Agniel ‘96 CP Vice President, Advancement
St. Louis University High School
Thomas C. Becvar PP
Retired Assistant Principal for Academics
St. Louis University High School
Thomas P. Berra Jr. ‘85 PP
Member
Lewis Rice, LLC
Harold L. Carter, PharmD '05
Senior Vice President, Pharma Trade Relations
Express Scripts
Kwofe A. Coleman ‘01 President and CEO
The Muny Len Dino CP
Retired CEO LDI Pharmacy Benefit Services
Linda K. Domeyer PP
Senior Director of Leadership Giving
St. Louis University High School
Amy C. Gunn PP
Founding Partner and Trial Attorney Gunn | Slater
Shawn V. Henderson '01
Community Volunteer
Mark P. Mantovani ‘72 PP Former Chairman, President and CEO Ansira
Sean P. O'Brien '98
English Faculty
St. Louis University High School
John M. Penilla ‘99
Senior Director of Community Engagement
St. Louis University High School
Christopher J. Schmidt '92 PP Partner
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
Nina See PP School Counselor
St. Louis University High School
BUDGET AND FINANCE
Stephen P. Gund PP
President
The Gund Company, Inc.
J. Chris Hemmersmeier ‘84
CEO
Jerry Seiner Dealerships
Fr. F. William Huete, SJ Socius
US Central and Southern Province of Jesuits
Joseph P. Komos, CPA, CGMA '77 PP
Vice President, Administration
St. Louis University High School
Daniel M. Millman '87 PP Vice President
Millman Lumber
Julie Moeser
Mathematics Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Diego Navarro PP
Theology Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Dallas J. Parks '66
Retired CEO
Durham (NC) Housing Authority
John M. Penilla ‘99
Senior Director of
Community Engagement
St. Louis University High School
John H. Schaefer '70
Retired President and COO
Morgan Stanley Global Wealth Management
Peter C. Sharamitaro Jr. '69 PP
President
Sharamitaro & Associates, CPA
John J. Stephens, Esq. '77
Retired EVP and CFO
AT&T
Charles F. Urschler Jr. ‘81 PP
Managing Director
Deloitte Tax, LLP
Raymond R. Van de Riet Jr. '80 President
Aero Charter
Mark A. Wilhelm ‘72 PP
Executive Chairman
Safety National
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Simonie B. Anzalone
Fine Arts Department Chair and Campus Minister
St. Louis University High School
Erwin C. Claggett
Social Studies Faculty
St. Louis University High School
H. Eric Clark, Ed.D. '83
President
Loyola Academy of St. Louis
Fr. Marcus C. Fryer, SJ
Assistant Principal
Loyola Academy of St. Louis
Dolores Gunn CP
Physician
SIHF Healthcare
Frank M. Kovarik ‘94
English Faculty and Co-Director of Equity and Inclusion
St. Louis University High School
LaShonda L. Lambert-Howze
Senior Counsel
Schnuck Markets, Inc.
Nancy Parker Tice PP
Alderwoman
Brentwood Ward 1
Daniel L. Shields
College Counselor and Co-Director of Equity and Inclusion
St. Louis University High School
Keena Smith CP
Legislative and Political Organizer
American Federation of Government Employees
Fr. Matthew C. Stewart, SJ '98
Principal
St. Louis University High School
Kate Toussaint
Modern & Classical Languages
Department Chair
St. Louis University High School
Mark A. Wilhelm ‘72 PP
Executive Chairman
Safety National ENDOWMENT INVESTMENT
Jennifer A. Carroll
English Department Chair
St. Louis University High School
Robert J. Conrads '65
CEO
Colchis Capital Management
John P. Csik ‘80 PP
President
Safety National
Linda K. Domeyer PP
Senior Director of Leadership Giving
St. Louis University High School
David G. Eichhorn '92 PP
President and Head of Investment Strategies
NISA Investment Advisors, LLC
John F. Kennedy Jr. '01
Vice President, Portfolio Manager
The Commerce Trust Company
Joseph P. Komos, CPA, CGMA '77 PP
Vice President, Administration
St. Louis University High School
Paul L. Matecki '74
Retired General Counsel
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Kenneth I. Stable, J.D.
Manager
ArchBridge Family Office
Fr. David J. Suwalsky, SJ
Vice President of Mission and Identity
Saint Louis University
Raymond R. Van de Riet Jr. '80
President
Aero Charter
David P. Willard ‘01
Founder and Managing Partner
52 Capital Partners, LLC
EXECUTIVE
Sean T. Agniel ‘96 CP
Vice President, Advancement
St. Louis University High School
Thomas P. Berra Jr. ‘85 PP
Member
Lewis Rice, LLC
Fr. C. Allen Boedeker PP
Associate Pastor
St. Mark and St. Martin of Tours Parishes
Meghan Bohac, Ed.D. PP
Dean of Academics
Cor Jesu Academy
Fr. Michael Caruso, SJ, Ed.D.
Director of Education
Diocese of Belleville
H. Eric Clark, Ed.D. '83
President
Loyola Academy of St. Louis
John P. Csik ‘80 PP
President
Safety National
David Glarner '89 PP
President
Raven Development, LLC
Joseph P. Komos, CPA, CGMA '77 PP
Vice President, Administration
St. Louis University High School
Joseph D. McAuliffe '94 CP
Attorney
The McAuliffe Law Firm, LLP
Daniel M. Millman '87 PP
Vice President
Millman Lumber
Fr. Matthew C. Stewart, SJ '98
Principal
St. Louis University High School
Mark A. Wilhelm ‘72 PP
Executive Chairman
Safety National
GOVERNANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
Sean T. Agniel ‘96 CP
Vice President, Advancement
St. Louis University High School
Meghan Bohac, Ed.D. PP
Dean of Academics
Cor Jesu Academy
Stephen P. Gund PP
President
The Gund Company, Inc.
C. Brian Hayden '90 CP
President
Collaborative Strategies
Joseph D. McAuliffe '94 CP
Attorney
The McAuliffe Law Firm, LLP
Mark A. Wilhelm ‘72 PP
Executive Chairman
Safety National
IGNATIAN MISSION AND IDENTITY
Thomas G. Auffenberg PP
Retired President
Modern Litho
Fr. C. Allen Boedeker PP
Associate Pastor
St. Mark and St. Martin of Tours Parishes
Fr. Michael P. Boehm '85
Pastor; Dean
Sacred Heart, Our Lady and Good Shepherd Parishes; Southern Vicariate Deanery 3
Fr. Marcus C. Fryer, SJ
Assistant Principal
Loyola Academy of St. Louis
Brian F. Gilmore '02
Director of Campus Ministry and Theology Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Danielle Harrison
Manager
St. Charles Lwanga Center
Christopher A. Keeven
Theology Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Lindsay K. Kelleher
Theology Department Chair and Co-Director of Adult
Spiritual Formation
St. Louis University High School
Justin Kelley, SJ
Theology and English Faculty and Campus Minister
St. Louis University High School
Julie M. Lewis
Theology Faculty and Campus
Minister
St. Louis University High School
James D. Linhares Jr. PP
Assistant Principal for Faculty and Staff
St. Louis University High School
R. Terry Quinn
English Faculty and Co-Director of Adult Spiritual Formation
St. Louis University High School
River Simpson, SJ
Theology and Social Studies Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Fr. Matthew C. Stewart, SJ '98
Principal
St. Louis University High School
Fr. Daniel J. Tesvich, SJ
Theology Faculty
St. Louis University High School
SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES
Joseph G. Bannister '85
Director of Business
Development
Raineri Construction
William T. Chipley PP
Executive Vice President, Operations
Alberici Constructors
Fred C. Daues Jr. ‘71 PP
Retired President
Masonry & Glass Systems
Lindsey Ehret Social Studies Faculty
St. Louis University High School
Rick Figge Director of Maintenance
St. Louis University High School
David Glarner ‘89 PP
President
Raven Development, LLC
Michael W. Hamm, Ph.D. '70
Professor Emeritus, C.S. Mott
Chair of Sustainable Agriculture
Michigan State University
Kent W. Kershenski CP
Science Faculty
St. Louis University High School
James D. Linhares Jr. PP
Assistant Principal for Faculty and Staff
St. Louis University High School
Michael G. McAuliffe Sr. ‘84 PP
President
Corrigan Company
Heather Navarro PP
Director
The Midwest Climate
Collaborative at Washington University
Joseph E. Rankin ‘83
Director of Facilities Services
St. Louis University High School
Colin C. Rohlfing '99
Vice President, Director of Sustainable Development
HDR
Daniel C. Schulte '93 CP
Director of Security and Assistant Dean of Students
St. Louis University High School
Paul J. Sharamitaro '98 CP
Director of Preconstruction BSI Constructors
Fr. David J. Suwalsky, SJ Vice President of Mission and Identity
Saint Louis University
Britton K. Taulbee '90 PP
Executive Vice President
Byrne & Jones Construction
John D. Wunderlich ‘66 PP
Retired Business Consultant
KEY
CP - Current Parent (son at SLUH during '24-'25)
PP - Past Parent (son graduated from SLUH prior to '25)
LETTER
FROM
THE
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT
Magnifying the Love of Christ
Six months before crossing the veil of this world, Pope Francis wrote a beautiful meditation on the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The encyclical Dilexit Nos begins, “‘He loved us,’ Saint Paul says of Christ (cf. Rom 8:37), in order to make us realize that nothing can ever ‘separate us’ from that love (Rom 8:39).”
St. Louis U. High created the Sacred Heart Award in 2022 out of reverence for the close relationship the Jesuits have had with this powerful devotion over the centuries. The award recognizes women and men who, though not graduates of the school, exemplify the mission and values of SLUH in their service and lives of character; in short, friends with sacred hearts bursting with love and graciousness.
This past year SLUH proudly recognized three such friends who poetically bookend the celebration of the Backer Memorial Campus Centennial. On April 6, 2025, the school announced these honorees at the Mass before CASHBAH.
Rev. Michael J. O’Connor, SJ, was born in Chicago on the Feast of St. Ignatius in 1861.
He entered the Novitiate at Florissant at 16. After several assignments, he became pastor of St. Francis Xavier “College” Church, where he befriended parishioners George and Anna Backer. After George died, Anna developed a friendship with Fr. O’Connor. They realized a shared vision to build the campus of St. Louis University High School, which opened in 1924.
If there was no Anna Backer, there would be no Backer Memorial. And if there was no Fr. O’Connor working at her side, there would have never been an Anna Backer gift to create this campus. To learn more about Fr. O’Connor and his remarkable legacy, visit sluh.org/oconnor
Aja and Pat Stokes have long been friends and partners with St. Louis U. High. These community leaders created the Fr. Paul Sheridan, SJ Presidential Scholarship in honor of their close friend, and they partnered with SLUH as the lead donor for the renewal and rededication of the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple in May 2024 (tour the renovated chapel at sluh.org/chapel ). Their commitment to the St. Louis region, especially to the vulnerable,
is widely heralded, and SLUH is proud to recognize them among our closest friends.
These three awardees magnify the love of Christ that so many of us first came to know at SLUH. Nothing can ever separate us from the Love that grounds the mission of St. Louis U. High. Fr. O’Connor, SJ, and Aja and Pat
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN ABOUT AJA AND PAT STOKES AND THEIR INCREDIBLE LEGACY OF SELFLESSNESS AND GENEROSITY.
Pictured: President Alan Carruthers poses with Aja and Pat Stokes at the 2025 CASHBAH Mass, when the couple was honored with the Sacred Heart Award.
Stokes bring this Love into greater relief. Even more, everyone recognized in these pages has made their own testimony of this Love in their own way. It is our great privilege to remember each of you with gratitude in prayer:
I ask our Lord Jesus Christ to grant that his Sacred Heart may continue to pour forth the streams of living water that can heal the hurt we have caused, strengthen our ability to love and serve others, and inspire us to journey together towards a just, solidary and fraternal world. Until that day when we will rejoice in celebrating together the banquet of the heavenly kingdom in the presence of the risen Lord, who harmonizes all our differences in the light that radiates perpetually from his open heart. May he be blessed forever.
Dilexit Nos, no. 220
AMDG,
Sean Agniel '96
Vice President, Advancement
ADVANCEMENT SERVICES
EXEMPLARS OF OUR MISSION
SLUH is proud to recognize the following individuals who support and personify our Jesuit mission.
BACKER AWARD
Leo Mitchell ’53, Fr. Bob O'Toole, SJ ’54 and Terry Wittenberg ’56
The highest honor granted by SLUH, in recognition of extraordinary alumni who have fulfilled the Jesuit, Catholic mission of the school by serving “above and beyond” in their communities, professions and their church. Learn more and make a nomination: sluh.org/backer
SEE AND HEAR FROM THIS YEAR'S DISTINGUISHED HONOREES.
SACRED HEART AWARD
Aja & Pat Stokes and Fr. Michael J. O'Connor, SJ
In recognition of extraordinary women and men who are not SLUH alumni and who have discovered a love and devotion of the school mission. Named after the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which has long inflamed the Catholic imagination and been a source of vibrant devotion. Learn more and make a nomination: sluh.org/sacredheart
TEAM
Joe Shaver '11 Director of Advancement Services Bailey Salinero Advancement Assistant
TO LEARN ABOUT THE LASTING LEGACY OF FR. O’CONNOR, VISIT SLUH.ORG/OCONNOR.
DIVINE AWARD
Halpin Burke '82 and Darryl Jones '73
In recognition of loyal alumni for their dedicated service to SLUH. Named after John J. Divine, SJ, who reinvigorated the SLUH Alumni Association in the 1940s. Learn more and make a nomination: sluh.org/divine
John Berosky '04
Chad Carson '10
Malcolm DeBaun '06
Eddie Effinger '06
Chris Hoffman '06
Joseph
L'Hommedieu '17
Tom Martin '04
Devin McCowan '17
THE 1540 LIST
Andrew Mueth '07
Michael Niese '16
Jacob Reft '07
Fr. Charles Samson '05
Jimmy Sansone '06
Michael Schimmele '14
Dominic Zanaboni '07
In recognition of 15 SLUH alumni under 40 who — like the young, creative and bold leaders who came before them and established the Society of Jesus in 1540 — are challenging our definitions of excellence, and setting the world on fire. Learn more and make a nomination: sluh.org/1540list
ALUMNI TRAILBLAZERS
Melvin Jones, Jr. ’69 and Luis Llanos ’10
In recognition of graduates of color who have done notable work toward creating a community where the wounds of poverty, hatred and discrimination are healed. Learn more and make a nomination: sluh.org/trailblazers
This Gratitude Report from the President is a publication for alumni, parents and friends of St. Louis University High School. At the time of publication, the annual audit was still in progress. The audited finance and endowment report will be available in early 2026. Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this report. If an omission or error has occurred, please send a note to gratitude@sluh.org.
“Your
memory, Mrs.
Backer, will
live in the beautiful school your generosity has made possible, but it will also be treasured in a nobler shrine — in the hearts of ‘Your Boys’ of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”
TRIBUTE FROM THE CLASS OF 1936
The 2024-25 Gratitude Report is dedicated to all of our generous supporters, especially Anna and George Backer in celebration of our campus centennial. To learn more about Backer Memorial, visit sluh.org/tour.
ANNA BACKER
GEORGE BACKER
CASHBAH DINNER AUCTION
Saturday, April 11
For details on sponsorships, visit sluh.org/cashbah
For more events, visit sluh.org/calendar
