Nearly two and a half years after the beginning of construction, and after opening at the start of this school year, the Dill Center for Academic Success has been officially dedicated and blessed. A ceremony was held last Friday night to commemorate the occasion, and a tailgate reception was hosted to mark the conclusion of the Go Forth campaign as a whole.0

The dedication of the Dill Center welcomed donors and guests who helped in the process of completing this addition to the school. For some, this was the first opportunity to see the completed new space.

“It's an incredible achievement,” said President Alan Carruthers. “What a beautiful space, but also what beautiful programming and support systems come out of that space to our student body, and it's a great new addition to our community.”

The new administrative and counseling offices offer a range of possibilities for faculty and students to engage with each other within the renovated space. This event was held to showcase these features.

“Many people who were benefactors for the space hadn't seen it yet,” explained Carruthers. “I think it's really important for people to see where their investment went. This truly is what it is. It's an investment in students and it's an investment at St. Louis University High School and the mission that we have. So it's a celebration of that, but also an opportunity for them to see the concreteness of what was done with their donor dollars.”

SLUH’s Go Forth campaign, publicly launched in 2018, originally set a goal of raising $70 million to sustain the Jesuit mission of SLUH and usher the Backer Memorial campus into the 21st century with new renovation projects. This goal, though ambitious, was met enthusiastically by SLUH’s generous donors.

“The Go Forth campaign has raised more than $71 million for St. Louis U. High, and it's an historic achievement,” said Vice President of Advancement Sean Agniel. “We wanted everybody who contributed to the campaign to have an opportunity to be a part of that celebration, to come back to campus to see the good that they have done for SLUH.”

In the spirit of sharing in the community of SLUH that these donors have contributed to, counselors and college counselors who now work in the Dill Center were present to give tours to the guests and express their experiences and gratitude.

“It was a chance to thank and to tell the donors who gave time and money about how we are utilizing their gifts to help students to be successful in their college search,” explained Director of College Counseling Kevin Crimmins. “My hiring was a result of the Imagining 18 strategic planning process that led into the Go Forth campaign, that led to us having a space in the Dill Center, so I was able to offer a toast at the event.”

Following the dedication and blessing by Principal Ian Gibbons, SJ, the guests transitioned into a tailgate party, which led up to the varsity home football game.

“The tailgate was an opportunity, again, for me to say thank you,” said Carruthers. “It was just a fantastic kind of connection with people and put a bow on the Go Forth campaign and the things that it’s done for our students, and our mission, and our community.”