Father Matthew C. Stewart, SJ, has been named the next president of St. Louis University High School (SLUH), effective July 1, 2026.
Thomas P. Berra, Jr., chair of the board of trustees, announced the unanimous board approval on November 17, 2025. This concluded a comprehensive national search for the successor of Alan R. Carruthers, who has provided strong leadership for the school since his arrival in 2018.
“It is with great pleasure and excitement that I have accepted the offer to serve as the next president of SLUH,” Fr. Stewart said. “SLUH has a long and storied tradition of educational excellence in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition, and I am confident that we will continue to further this legacy moving forward.”
Father Stewart has demonstrated exceptional leadership as principal of SLUH since July 1, 2023. He is the first Jesuit to assume the role of president since Fr. Paul G. Sheridan, SJ, (1997-2005) and the first Jesuit alumnus since Fr. Robert T. Costello, SJ, ’47 (1992-1997).
After entering the Society of Jesus in 2009, Fr. Stewart thrived in a variety of roles in Jesuit schools, including adjunct professor at Saint Louis University, associate director of the Alum Service Corps, chaplain and teacher at Loyola Academy of St. Louis, board member of Arrupe Jesuit High, and associate university minister and faculty member at Regis University. He serves on the board of trustees at Rockhurst University and on the SLUH board of members.
“Throughout his rich experience in Jesuit education, Fr. Stewart has been well known for his commitment to cura personalis, caring well for students and colleagues, relationship building and collaborative leadership,” Berra said. “A Christ-centered, mission-driven, dynamic and passionate individual, he is a natural leader, a man of great integrity and vision.”
Very Rev. Thomas P. Greene, SJ, provincial of the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province, enthusiastically endorsed Fr. Stewart’s candidacy and selection as the next president of SLUH.
