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Board of Trustees

In 1967, Saint Louis University became the first major Catholic university in the United States to give lay and clergy people combined legal responsibility for institutional policy as members of its board of trustees. Today, the board is the principal governing authority for the University, charged with fiduciary responsibility and with preserving and enhancing SLU’s Jesuit mission.

Ignatius statue in the quad surrounded by tulips

About SLU's Board of Trustees

Members of SLU's Board of Trustees are elected to three­-year terms and may stand for re­-election for two additional three­-year terms. Trustees are volunteers and are not compensated for their service.

The board meets four times a year and has a number of standing committees that include faculty, staff and student representatives.

Current Board Members

  • Eric Engler, chair
    Executive vice president and chief of staff, Ascension 
  • Marian V. "Bo" Mehan (’74,’82), vice chair 
    Partner and estate planning and probate department co-chair, Lewis Rice
  • Akberet Boykin-Farr (’93, ’95, ’02)
    Vice president for diversity and social responsibility, Emerson
  • George Brill (’85)
    Founder and chief executive officer, Talisen Technologies Inc.
  • Thomas M. Buchanan (’77)
    Managing partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
  • Marilyn Bush (’84)
    Senior Vice President, Bank of America
  • Richard Chaifetz (’75)
    Founder, chairman and CEO of ComPsych Corporation; founder and chairman of Chaifetz Group, LLC.
  • Jerome “Jerry” Dwyer, M.D. (’79, ’85)
    Owner/cardiologist, St. Louis Cardiology Center
  • Jimmie Edwards (’78, ’81, Hon.D ’14)
    Attorney, Lashly & Baer, P.C.
  • Michael Garanzini, S.J. (’71)
    Superior, Campion Center
  • Andrew Hoog (’98)
    Founder and board member, NowSecure
  • Chang Soo Huh (’77)
    Chairman and chief executive officer, GS Group
  • Edward B. Ignaczak
    Executive vice president sales and marketing (retired), Express Scripts
  • John Johnson (’90)
    President, Silver Eagle Distributors
  • Darryl Jones (’77)
    Managing partner, D&D Concessions
  • Paul D. Kalsbeek
    Executive Vice President and Regional Manager (Retired), Wells Fargo
  • Arindam Kar (’98) 
    Shareholder, Polsinelli Law Firm 
  • James P. Kavanaugh (’86)
    Chief executive officer, World Wide Technology Inc.
  • Jessie Knight, Jr. (’72) 
    Managing director, Knight Angels
  • Jim Lally (’90) 
    President and chief executive officer, Enterprise Financial Services Corporation 
  • Tim Lannon, S.J.
    Superior, Omaha Jesuit Community
  • Virginia McDowell
    President and chief operating officer (retired), Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.
  • Michael C. McFarland, S.J.
    Superior, Campion Center
  • Timothy McMahon, S.J. ('80)
    Rector, Jesuit Center
  • Michael McMillan (’97)
    President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • Joseph McShane, S.J. 
    Superior, Scranton Jesuit Community
  • Robert O'Loughlin
    Chairman and CEO, Lodging Hospitality Management
  • Amy Rodrigues (’01)
    Vice President of Finance Shared Services and Finance Transformation, The Boeing Company
  • Rex A. Sinquefield (’67)
    President, Show Me Institute
  • Philip Steele, S.J. (’71)
    Superior, Spring Hill Jesuit Community and Chief Mission Officer, Spring Hill College
  • Holden Thorp
    Editor-in-chief, Science 
  • Martha Uhlhorn 
    Owner, Gourmet to Go and La Bonne Bouchee Wholesale Bakery
  • Trudy Busch Valentine (’80)
    Philanthropist
  • Perry Vyas
    Owner, SKAPS Industries
  • Rob Vitale (’88) 
    President and Chief executive officer, Post Holdings 

University President Fred P. Pestello serves as an ex­-officio voting member of the board. Danielle Uy, vice president and general counsel, is board secretary. 

Trustee Emeriti

SLU also has trustee emeriti, former trustees who do not make motions, vote or hold office, but are entitled to all other privileges of board members.

Current trustee emeriti are: J. Joe Adorjan, John Alberici, Barry Beracha, Thomas H. Brouster Sr., Aloys H. Litteken, Nancy Siwak and Francis A. Stroble.