06/10/2025

A stretch of Laclede Avenue that has undergone major development since President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and First Lady Fran Pestello, Ph.D., arrived at Saint Louis University 11 years ago now has a new name.

Tuesday morning, members of the SLU community and representatives from the City of St. Louis gathered at the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Laclede to celebrate the honorary naming of a portion of Laclede Avenue as “Pestello Way.” 

“As many of us are going to drive into work every day on Pestello Way, I know we’re going to take some time to reflect on the deep impact you’ve had on the University and the community,” said Marc R. Scheessele, director of Governmental Relations.

The choice for the corridor was fitting – perhaps no area of campus has been as transformed during the Pestello era as the new Pestello Way. Spanning from Grand to Vandeventer, the new Pestello Way was the site of several major campus developments during the Pestello presidency, including Grand Hall and Spring Hall, residential facilities for first- and second-year students, and the Jesuit Center, home to Jesuits living and serving at SLU.

“This is an amazing day,” Fran Pestello said. “It’s almost exactly 11 years to the day that Fred and I rolled into St. Louis to assume these positions, and it’s been an incredible run over that time.”

Fred Pestello said that during his tenure, he has come to appreciate so much about the city, including its kind and caring people. It’s one of the reasons the Pestellos have decided to remain in the city after leaving SLU. 

“Fran and I were touched and honored when Alderwoman Laura Keys introduced this resolution [to name Pestello Way],” Fred Pestello said. “We’re proud to be and remain part of St. Louis.”

“We appreciate all of you,” he said, remarking on the SLU and St. Louis communities. “You are what makes this place special. When we developed, collectively, the vision for our presidency, it was to be a global Jesuit university — one that is mission-focused and research driven and works with the people of St. Louis to reimagine and transform and unify our city. That’s what we’ve been doing day in and day out.” 

Marian V. "Bo" Mehan, vice chair of the SLU Board of Trustees, said she loved the multiple meanings in the name. She noted that Pestello Way could also be shorthand for how President Pestello led the University during his tenure, as he deftly guided SLU through a number of challenges and triumphs.

Additionally, Mehan said she appreciated that the Pestello Way included Saint Louis University’s first First Lady. Mehan, who said Fran Pestello made everyone feel she was their best friend, was an integral part of the Pestello Era. 

“We really benefited, both the region and SLU, when we got the two-fer with Fran as part of the deal when Fred came along,” Mehan said. 

Eleventh Ward Alderwoman Laura Keys presented the Pestellos with a resolution from the Board of Aldermen approving the honorary naming. She also presented a proclamation from the Mayor’s office proclaiming that June 10, 2025, would be Pestello Way Day in St. Louis.

“These were read into the record for the City of St. Louis,” Keys said. “For as long as our city should stand, and I pray we don’t have another storm like we just had, it is in the record that the Pestellos have served our city in such a wonderful and beautiful way.”