The following article was published in the 2025-26 SLUH Magazine.
Legacy of Achievement
Carruthers to Leave SLUH from a Position of Stability, Strength
St. Louis U. High has been blessed with Alan Carruthers as its president for eight years. After SLUH hired him in 2018, he quickly became a strong model of Jesuit spirituality, constantly demonstrating what it means to be a Man for Others. During Carruthers’ tenure, the school has made tremendous academic, spiritual, physical and financial progress.
Following is a partial list of the accomplishments that have occurred during his leadership as president:
- Successfully completed the Go Forth campaign, investing more than $75 million in financial assistance, campus improvements and student programming.
- Constructed the J. Anthony ‘57 and Donna M. Dill Center for Academic Success and the James Guth Costigan ‘62 Innovation Lab.
- Renovated the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple, while installing new, upgraded spaces for Campus Ministry and three academic department offices.
- Established a dedicated College Counseling department and a robust Global Education program.
- Developed new spaces for student media, admissions, student collaboration, Global Education and Sustainability groups.
- Renovated the Madonna della Strada Retreat Center in Silex, Mo. with a student recreation space, walking trails, bathrooms, dining area and bunk rooms.
- Expanded workout space for student athletes and fully renovated the rifle range.
- Developed and funded the Francis Scholars Program and the associated Fr. Kellett’s Closet to care for and serve students in most need.
- Expanded academic and faith formation programming.
- Maintained a strong enrollment, now at 1,010 students from 88 zip codes and 157 middle schools.
- Doubled the school endowment, currently estimated at more than $100 million, while developing new ways for philanthropic giving, including endowed programming and an increased focus and options for bequests and long-term giving.
- Boosted need-based financial assistance, which now provides $6.1 million to 49.4% of the student body.
- Maintained a commitment to eliminate the school debt and improve the long-term business model.
- Developed a strategic vision for diversity, equity and inclusion in collaboration with the Board of Trustees; created the Alumni Trailblazers display highlighting achievements of graduates of color.
- Added Athletic Department staffing as well as two new sports (Bowling and eSports) and oversaw a revitalization of our commitment to excellence in athletic pursuits.
- Enhanced the campus aesthetic to underscore the Jesuit charism as central to the school identity.
- Launched the newly reinvigorated Jr. Bill Store in support of the school mission.
- Developed a strategic partnership with St. Louis Community College to improve its Forest Park pool to better serve our aquatic athletes.
- Worked with SLUH staff and community leaders to improve the safety and aesthetic of our local neighborhood, including the removal of derelict buildings at Oakland and Kingshighway.
Complementing Alan’s many contributions to the SLUH community, his wife, Lucia, has spent countless hours in service to the school. In addition to assisting the Mothers Club, she helped to establish Fr. Kellett’s Closet, ensuring that all students, regardless of financial means, have access to the complete SLUH experience.
“Clearly, Alan will leave a significant legacy of achievement that will benefit SLUH for many years,” says Board Chair Thomas P. Berra, Jr. ‘85. “We are tremendously grateful for Alan and all he has given to SLUH, and we look ahead to our future with great confidence, buoyed by his strong leadership.”
