By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Former Saint Louis University President Thomas Fitzgerald died Monday in Washington D.C.
He was 82 and reportedly died of heart problems.
Fitzgerald was SLU's 30th president, serving from 1979 to 1987. School officials say the university had a big deficit, aging buildings, and declining enrollment before Fitzgerald took over.
Current SLU President Lawrence Biondi says Fitgerald's financial responsibility and strategic planning allowed for the school's growth during the past 17 years.
Services are today (Wednesday) in Washington.
During his presidency, the university spent about $90 million to enhance facilities, including the schools most ambitious single building project at the time: A nearly $60 million expansion and renovation of the Saint Louis University Hospital.
SLU also built a new law school building during Fitzgerald's tenure. He also oversaw the closing of West Pine Avenue from Grand to Spring to create a pedestrian mall on campus.