Pioneering Breast Surgeon Gives $7.3 Million to Saint Louis University to Support Catholic Education, Underserved Communities

09/16/2024

Historic donation will create the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education and support education throughout the region

Saint Louis University announced a historic donation to the University’s School of Education from physician and alumna Virginia (Ginny) Herrmann, M.D. The $7.3 million gift will establish the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education, as well as support education programs at every educational level and underserved students throughout the St. Louis region. 

Dr. Herrmann attended SLU for her undergraduate and medical education, after which she completed a fellowship in surgical nutrition at Harvard University. She then returned to St. Louis, first as a faculty at SLU School of Medicine and then as a professor of surgery at Washington University. While at SLU, Dr. Herrmann served as director of the nutrition support service, director of home health services, co-director of the breast cancer at Saint Louis University, and vice-chair of the department of surgery. At Washington University School of Medicine, she co-directed the breast surgery program.

Dr. Herrmann began her career as a breast surgeon at a time when there were few women surgeons. An advocate for others throughout her career, she especially sought to empower women through support and mentorship.

“Ginny’s generosity will continue her legacy of lifting others up,” said close friend and SLU Trustee Marian “Bo” Mehan. “She was passionate about supporting everyone in her orbit.” 

Read more about Dr. Ginny Herrmann's life and legacy here.

The gift – the largest SLU’s School of Education has ever received from a donor – will be transformative for the school.

“We care about doing work that is consistent with our Jesuit mission of serving those in our community who have been underserved,” said Gary Ritter, Ph.D., dean of SLU’s School of Education. “This is the work Ginny was interested in supporting, and that’s what we will pursue with this incredibly generous gift.

“Thanks to Ginny Herrmann’s generosity, we now have more resources to vigorously pursue our mission by developing educational programs with and for those who have the greatest need,” Dr. Ritter said.

Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education

Dr. Herrmann’s gift will establish the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education, which will house several existing programs within the School of Education as well as allow for new initiatives. The Billiken Teacher Corps,  a program for recent college graduates that supports new teachers as they begin their careers teaching in Jesuit or underserved Catholic schools, will become a part of the Center, as will SLU’s Catholic educational leadership degree programs.

“Ginny’s planned-giving contribution is historic, not only because it is the largest gift ever designated to SLU’s School of Education, but also because of the tremendous impact the Herrmann Center will make on our students and Catholic education,” said SLU vice president for development Sheila Manion.

The Center will conduct research to inform best practices in Catholic schools and will support local school partnerships, including a new  relationship with St. Louis Catholic Academy Middle School, and global partnerships, such as Belize 2020. The Herrmann Center will host conferences this September and October for Catholic school leaders. 

The Center will be led by executive director Michael Boyle, Ph.D., an advocate for students with disabilities who has researched and published extensively in the domain of Catholic education. With expertise in educational leadership, Dr. Boyle has fostered collaboration and driven innovation through coaching, and has facilitated collaboration with archdioceses, schools, and organizations.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Boyle pairs faith with research-based, best educational practices. After serving as director of the Greeley Center for Catholic Education at Loyola Chicago, he served as the superintendent for the Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., and most recently as a consultant for Inclusion Solutions, LLC.

“I am honored to serve as the executive director of the Herrmann Center,” Dr. Boyle said.  “Together, we will create a vibrant community of educators committed to excellence and equity in Catholic education.”

Dr. Ritter reflected on the opportunity provided by Dr. Herrmann’s generosity.

“With these funds, we have been able to hire an exciting leader in executive director Mike Boyle who will be able to realize Ginny’s vision,” Dr. Ritter said. “We will be able to immediately launch the research work we believe needs to be conducted.

“This gift will support many existing programs at SLU, allowing us to improve on those initiatives, and it's going to allow us to dive into new ventures that we would not have otherwise been able to do.” 

Establishing the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education also kicks off SLU School of Education’s celebration of 100 years of educating educators. Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, the School of Education will hold events commemorating this milestone, including hosting a principal’s conference in October, an educator appreciation event in February, a women’s history month panel in March and more.