Saint Louis University is a prestigious university with campuses in both St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and Madrid, Spain. Established in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it holds the distinction of being the oldest university west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the United States. The university has received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. During the 2023–2024 academic year, Saint Louis University boasted an impressive enrollment of 15,204 students. The student body included 8,502 undergraduate students and 6,702 graduate students that represent all 50 states and 96 countries. The university is classified as an R2 institution, indicating its high level of research activity. The university has proudly maintained a campus in Madrid, Spain for over 50 years. The Madrid campus holds the distinction of being the pioneering freestanding campus operated by an American university in Europe. It also proudly bears the title of being the first American institution to receive recognition from Spain’s higher education authority as an official foreign university. Saint Louis University’s athletic teams are highly competitive, participating in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I and proudly representing the Atlantic 10 conference. Saint Louis University has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, a prominent religious figure. The institution was established with the aim of providing education and was entrusted to a group of dedicated individuals from the clergy. The initial site was situated in a private residence close to the Mississippi River, which is currently part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. With a two-story building accommodating 65 students and access to Bishop Dubourg’s personal library of 8,000 volumes, Saint Louis Academy underwent a name change in 1820 to become Saint Louis College. The secondary school division, on the other hand, retained the name Saint Louis Academy and is now recognised as St. Louis University High School.[citation needed] In 1827, Bishop Dubourg entrusted the responsibility of Saint Louis College to the Society of Jesus. Shortly thereafter, it was granted university status through legislation passed by the Missouri Legislature. William Faherty, the first Jesuit president of St. Louis College, highlights the significant role played by Peter Verhaegen in establishing Catholicism in the West. Verhaegen’s leadership and contributions from 1823 until his passing in 1853 were instrumental in the growth of the faith. With a keen understanding of the market and a strategic approach, he carefully considered the needs of the frontier while designing the curriculum. Additionally, he prioritised enhancing the school’s Catholic life, implemented a medical department, and successfully relocated the school to a larger campus. It included Protestants among its faculty, student body, and supporters. It introduced evening adult programs, and taught poor boys with city funding.