Just a few weeks ago, SLU students were on spring break and faculty were preparing for the second half of the semester. As this global health crisis continues to evolve and we all adjust to our new normal of living and learning apart, it is important to remember that we still need to take care of each other. Right now is a challenging time for all of us, but we are in this together.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us all how important our SLU community is. In moments of crisis like this, Billikens come together and help others in ways big and small. University faculty, staff, researchers and students have been working tirelessly to address the needs of the entire SLU community. This effort is rooted in our mission, and we are committed to staying engaged and supportive of one another at this time.
The world needs Billikens now more than ever.
That is why the University is launching the OneSLU fundraising initiative, an effort to increase funding that allows us to respond to COVID-19, on and off campus.
"You have inspired me, as countless faculty, staff, students and parents reached out and asked how you can serve in this time of need. You prove time and time again that when we come together as OneSLU, we can conquer anything." - Dr. Fred Pestello, Saint Louis University President
Today, thanks to the generosity of Dave Barbeau (CSB ’68 & GRAD ’72), Tim (AS ’80, LAW ’83) and Margaret (AS ’81) Barrett, Dr. Paul Boughton (GRAD CSB ’73 & ’80), Jerry Sax (CSB ’83) and the Taiwan Alumni Club, an additional $60,000 in challenge gifts will be given to SLU to aid in COVID-19 relief once we reach 500 total gifts.
Dave Barbeau, who is giving $10,000 to the initiative, said, “I gave to SLU because its efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19 are deeply rooted in the Jesuit mission of being men and women for others. The world needs this vaccine.”
Tim and Margaret Barrett are giving $10,000 to the Billikens for All fund. “We know SLU has been a valuable member of the St. Louis community in general and the Midtown neighborhood in particular. We realize some of our neighbors are having a difficult time right now and wanted to be part of the effort to lend some help.”
Dr. Paul Boughton is giving $5,000 to support SLU today. “SLU is a leading institution in developing a response to COVID-19. I’m giving to vaccine research because it is imperative to develop a vaccine as quickly as possible. We will never get back to ‘normal’ until this happens.”
Jerry Sax is also giving $10,000 to the various funds in this initiative.
Taiwan Alumni Club president Larry Chang (PH ’89, ’00) brought the club’s members together after hearing about the pandemic’s impact on SLU.
“In early March, I started to contact my board members and get their agreement to spread this information to all Taiwan alumni by social media and to start raising money to show our care and love for SLU,” Chang said. The group raised $6,200 for the Vaccine Research Fund -- and then former SLU MBA student Wu-Tung Chen stepped in to donate $20,000 to the Student Emergency Relief Fund.
“Since I grew up in a poor family, I did really struggle and overcome many difficulties to complete my education,” Chen said. “Without many caring persons’ financial assistance and school scholarships, I could not have made it through and become a successful entrepreneur.”
| Rank | State | Donors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MO | 217 |
| 2 | IL | 65 |
| 3 | CA | 19 |
