08/17/2024

A day after arriving on campus, the newest group of Billikens took part in their official welcome to Saint Louis University. 

The 2024 New Student Convocation and Family Welcome ceremony took place Saturday morning. The ceremony is designed to be one of the first opportunities for the new class of Billikens to develop a sense of cohesion and identity. Members of the SLU community shared how they serve a higher purpose and seek the greater good. 

Launch SlideshowPresident Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., addresses the incoming freshman class during Convocation on Saturday, Aug 17, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

The location of the event was symbolic — Convocation marks the beginning of students’ time at SLU, while Commencement signifies the end of the journey. Both ceremonies take place inside Chaifetz Arena. 

Provost Mike Lewis, Ph.D., opened the ceremony by welcoming new students and said the University was excited to have the Class of 2028 at SLU. He shared that SLU’s goal is to have students ready to change the world when they leave the University.

“You didn’t spend your time in high school so that you could go to university and, four years from now, go out into the world and work on problems that have already been solved,” Lewis said. “We will push you to use the knowledge that you have learned here to solve the problems that have not yet been solved. God has endowed you with talent and this world has great challenges, and our goal is to develop you to where you use your talents to meet the world’s great challenges.”

Student Government Association President Reueline Arulanandan welcomed her new classmates. The SLU senior reflected on her start at SLU and shared a message to new Billikens that the start of college can be a time of questioning and doubt. 

“If you had told me three years ago when I was sitting in your exact seats that I would get to be the student welcoming you here today, I probably would have laughed in your face,” she said. “When I first arrived at Saint Louis University, I was wildly unsure of my decision to come here, unsure of what in the world a Billiken was, unsure of what a provost was — no offense, Provost Lewis — and really unsure how SLU was going to accept me, doubts and all. If you resonate with any of that, I promise you are not the only one.”

Over time, Arulanandan said those feelings faded and predicted they would for her classmates, as well.

“Trust me when I say it is only by the grace of God, with the help of a lot of the people here, that I am here today,” she said. “So this morning, I invite you to stay with me for just a moment while I tell you why, no matter how you feel right now, I truly believe that you are meant to be here at this very moment, with these very people.”

Arulanandan shared some of the obstacles and challenges that marked her journey’s rocky start. Her outlook was changed when a friend suggested that instead of thinking “everything happens for a reason,” to consider that “nothing is wasted.”

“At the time, after that devastating test score, and eventually changing programs completely, a lot of my time, my energy, my lack of sleep felt wasted,” she said. “But now, looking back, I am so, so glad that 17-year-old Reueline experienced some failure. It gave me a chance, perhaps out of necessity, to ask to lean on my friends and family, to explore my real academic interests, not just what I thought I should do with my life or with my time. This time is precious. So hear me when I say that those times when that class seems unreasonably hard and your eyes are burning studying into the night, nothing is wasted.”

Arulanandan encouraged the new Billikens to get involved, make friends, and experience SLU and St. Louis as a whole. She encouraged them not to waste time while at SLU. 

“Here at SLU, we are here for you,” she said. “This is not wasted time. You are supposed to be here.”

While Arulanandan offered advice as a fellow student and relative newcomer to SLU, Kim Levenhagen, DPT, professor of physical therapy and athletic training at the Doisy College of Health Sciences, provided some guidance from someone who has spent decades at the University.

Levenhagen started her career at Saint Louis University 40 years ago as a student and now serves as a professor.  

“I came to Saint Louis University to start a new chapter, ready to take on the world,” she said. “Like many of you, I had no idea what a Billiken was or how the Jesuit mission would transform me into the person I am today. I started my journey at SLU with some rough and misshapen tools, but it was the opportunities and people I have met along the way that have helped me to transform and develop my tools for a successful start to each academic year.”

Levenhagen shared three “tools” for success. She encouraged the students to develop and refine their academic tools, relationship tools and self-care tools. 

“Allow yourself to be vulnerable,” Levenhagen said. “Explore your values, embrace your strengths, develop the courage to face your fears and build your support system.”

Levenhagen closed her remarks by speaking for the entire SLU faculty. 

“I once again welcome you as you begin your academic journey here at SLU,” Levenhagen said. “I welcome you to our community, and I cannot wait to see where your Billiken journey takes you.” 

SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., closed out the ceremony with his remarks. Pestello, who announced this spring that this would be his last year at SLU, was greeted with a standing ovation. 

“We are gathered here to mark this moment where you join our community,” he said. “This morning, you become Billikens. … We believe that every one of you has everything it takes to be successful here. We are proud to have each and every one of you as a member of this community.”

Pestello encouraged students to consider  SLU’s unique mascot, the Billiken. He described it as a symbol of the way things ought to be. He then encouraged the new students to claim their status as Billikens loudly. 

Pestello reminded students that their time at SLU is relatively short and students need to make the most of it.

“You are going to be with us for three years and nine months as undergraduate students,” Pestello said. “In three years and nine months, almost to the day, you will be joining us here on the floor for commencement exercises. So the question is, how will you spend that time?”

Pestello shared some lessons he’s learned in his life in education. He said that in his talks with alumni from every university, he’s heard a few common themes. There’s never regret over not skipping enough classes, but instead, alumni have regret over not taking things seriously, not learning more, and not embracing college. 

“I encourage you to get involved,” he said. “This is an opportunity to grow, to follow your passions. It’s also an opportunity to take advantage of all those people who are here to help you. Our professional staff is keenly interested in your development and helping you grow and be successful.”