University Hosts Mass of Hope and Community Ahead of Wednesday's Inaugural

University Hosts Mass of Hope and Community Ahead of Wednesday's Inaugural

Members of the Saint Louis University community gathered in St. Francis Xavier College Church on Tuesday, Nov. 4, for a special Mass to celebrate the inauguration of SLU's 34th president, Edward Feser, Ph.D.

The presider for the Mass of Hope and Community was Vice President for Mission and Identity David Suwalsky, S.J., Ph.D. During his homily, Suwalsky shared a story of a recent walk across campus where he found himself facing strong headwinds. He noted that he kept pushing forward and, eventually, the wind relented.

"Keep going, he said. "It gets better."

He said the wind was an apt metaphor for the challenges facing higher education - so much so that, unbeknownst to him, Feser made the same comparison in a message sent to the SLU community on Monday.

"Despite the multiple headwinds that our university and broader community face, SLU students, staff, faculty, trustees, neighbors, and partners are inspired by our Jesuit mission and ready to build a bright future together," Feser wrote.

Suwalsky noted that during high winds, a good sea captain, like a good university president, faces the challenge head-on.

"Seas be damned," he said. "Let us turn into the wind fearlessly."

The Mass took place before the official inauguration ceremony, which will be held at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Chaifetz Arena. Although registration is now closed, walk-in attendees will still be accommodated.

The theme of the inauguration ceremony is Igniting Hope, Growing in Community. The message celebrates the light of hope that accompanies this moment and the new possibilities the SLU community can cultivate together in service to the greater good.

Following the inauguration ceremony will be a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Wool Ballroom of Busch Student Center.

About President Feser

Feser became the 34th president of Saint Louis University on July 1, 2025, following a national search.

Rooted in his Roman Catholic faith and shaped by his Jesuit education at the University of San Francisco, Feser's leadership journey has been defined by a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives and contribute to flourishing communities.

A noted scholar of city and regional economic growth and development, Feser previously served as provost and executive vice president at Oregon State University, where his accomplishments included increased student access and success, elevated research impact, successful fundraising initiatives, and innovative community partnerships.

As SLU's president, he is committed to prioritizing the success of every student, building the University's growing research enterprise with bold choices and focus, enhancing the agility and effectiveness of university operations, and collaborating with community partners to foster a thriving city and region for all.

The son of a National Park ranger, Feser grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended a Catholic high school in Red Bluff, California. His wife of 34 years, Kathy, is a civil engineer-turned-educator who has led sustainability efforts for a school district in Oregon. They have two adult children, Jack and Mary.