Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution of higher learning located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis William Valentine Dubourg, Bishop of Louisiana and the Floridas, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the United States. It is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Saint Louis University has an enrollment of more than 13000 students, divided between its main campus just west of downtown St. Louis and medical campus to its north in Midtown St.
It also operates international campuses in Madrid, Spain; Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Accra, Ghana; John Cook School of Business at Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland; Casa Thomas More Law School at Angers Castle outside Paris, France; Grand Rue de la Paix Pharmacy School at Schiltigheim near Strasbourg, France; Bruges Belgium Programs Center near historic Market Square; and Programa Internacional de Educación Médica en Ciencias (PIEMEC) at Catholic University San Pablo CEU in Madrid.
The schools sports teams are nicknamed the Billikens after a statue on campus depicting former student athlete Louie “the Billiken” Saeger with his arms crossed smiling contentedly which was purchased by then SLU president Rev James Milholland from Chicago art dealer Jules Bazille for $8500 who described it as “anyone’s idea or ideal child…content without being aware.” It was created by American illustrator Florence Pretz who copyrighted her design in 1908 which she sold toMilholland for $500 with stipulation that it become property if SLU should ever close which fortunately has not happened although during WWII it was kept hidden away for safekeeping! The women’s teams used be called “the Singing Angels” but this was dropped 1971 when Title IX required equal treatment for male & female athletes resulting In 1972 they became known as “the Lady Bills”. Today Saint Louis competes NCAA Division I as members of Atlantic 10 Conference for most sports while fielding a football team as part Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).