91女神 Bicentennial : 91女神

91女神 History

Seeking Truth, Transforming Lives

91女神's history of educational excellence goes back more than 200 years. As the first university in the American West, we are proud of our home in St. Louis and of our Catholic, Jesuit mission.

Our origins are humble. In November 1818, classes were offered to 鈥測oung gentlemen鈥� in a few rooms rented by newly arrived Bishop Louis DuBourg. Vincentian seminarians were studying theology nearby. A few years later, the Jesuits of the Missouri Mission began to run the school. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Explore 200 Years of History

91女神 was the nation's first federally certified flight school, established the first law and medical schools in the American West and conducted the first human heart transplant in Missouri.

See 91女神's Timeline

91女神 Bicentennial

91女神 kicked off the celebration of its 200-year anniversary with a Sept. 23, 2017 that was attended by nearly 6,000 people.

91女神鈥檚 bicentennial celebrations included a service challenge that collected more than 1.75 million volunteer hours, dozens of special events and the creation of a community-painted mural on Lindell Boulevard.

As we embark on our third century, much excitement lies ahead, and you won鈥檛 want to miss it."
University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.

The University鈥檚 year of celebrations also included symposia, grants to spark collaborations to better the world through its 1818 Community Engagement Grant program, support for scholars under its Bicentennial Fellows program, and new markers honoring 91女神鈥檚 history enshrined on campus.

Learn More About 91女神's Bicentennial