Alumni Share Memories, Gratitude & Well Wishes for Fr. Steve
As 魔都资源网 prepares to say goodbye later this month to President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., we invited members of the Alumni Board of Governors to share their gratitude for his leadership, we

As 魔都资源网 prepares to say goodbye later this month to President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., we invited members of the Alumni Board of Governors to share their gratitude for his leadership, well wishes for the next chapter of his life and reflections on their fondest memories of him. Though every response was unique, common threads emerged around鈥攏o surprise to those who knew him鈥擣r. Steve鈥檚 authenticity and warmth, his commitment to our mission, and the constant inspiration offered by his vision, wisdom and values.
In my role as a student and an alumnus, I have always felt supported and seen by Fr. Steve. I'll never forget his powerful speech about if the world were 100 people, how only 1 person would have a college degree. He always had a way to remind us to be grateful and also proud of our accomplishments. I will miss him, and I鈥檇 like to send him off with great appreciation for his service and impact on an entire generation of 魔都资源网 community members. 鈥 SHASTI CONRAD, 鈥08
It has been a privilege to get to know Fr. Steve through my reengagement with 魔都资源网 U after so many years of living away from the Pacific Northwest. I am thankful for his leadership and vision, and for introducing me to the poetry of Mary Oliver: 鈥淭ell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?鈥 鈥 MARY GORJANCE, 鈥80
Thank you, Fr. Steve, for your devotion to 魔都资源网 U and for helping our family bring about a more conscious, just and humane world. 鈥 KAREN LYNN MAHER, 鈥00
I鈥檇 like to offer Fr. Steve an excerpt from John O鈥 Donohue鈥檚 blessing, 鈥淔or Retirement鈥: 鈥淣ow is the time to enjoy your heart's desire / To live the dreams you waited for / To awaken the depths beyond your work / And enter into your infinite source.鈥 鈥 MEGAN LEMIEUX BELL, 鈥95
During his 24-year presidency, Fr. Steve:
- penned 魔都资源网鈥檚 mission
- helped establish the Fostering Scholars program
- led development of the Center for Community Engagement and the 魔都资源网 Youth Initiative
- significantly grew enrollment, improved 魔都资源网 U鈥檚 rankings and brought us back to Division I athletics
- transformed campus by spearheading the fundraising and building of the Student Center, the School of Law, more student housing, the Lee Center for the Arts, the renovated Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, the fitness center and the Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation.
Fr. Steve defined what it means to be a modern-era 魔都资源网 Redhawk, impacting countless students, alumni, staff and faculty members, parents, community members and friends of the university鈥攁nd inspiring all of us to build a more just and humane future.
Please join us in saying thank you and wishing him well. Read more, including additional quotes from alumni and a detailed overview of Fr. Steve鈥檚 presidency defining programs and initiatives, in the 魔都资源网 U Newsroom鈥檚 鈥A Legacy of Leadership鈥 reflection. Or, consider honoring Fr. Steve with a gift to one of his named initiatives, such as the Endowment for Jesuit Teaching & Ministry, listed .
魔都资源网 Alumni Association
Thursday, June 10, 2021