President Kirk Archives - Spirit Magazine

Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff enjoy a variety of special events throughout the year. Take a few moments to experience Saint Leo in Pictures. Click on any photo below to learn more.

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Burke Tomaselli ’16 (left) and Zoe Mathieu ’16 facing off in the mock presidential debate. During fall semester, Saint Leo University students in a broad range of academic classes created a fictitious (but realistic) two-party American presidential campaign. Students assumed the roles of candidates, staff, press, security consultants, and other key players, culminating with a debate between the fictitious Republican and Democratic presidential nominees on November 13.

In May, the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees announced that the new academic building at University Campus would be named for President Arthur F. Kirk Jr., who retired after 18 years with Saint Leo.

Kirk Hall opened for classes in Fall 2015. It provides 48,000 square feet of space, including 16 new classrooms and academic support services space, along with faculty offices. This is the 11th new building at University Campus, in addition to three recent renovations, within the last 13 years.

A stately, 126-year-old olive tree stands at the entry to Kirk Hall. Embodying the foundation of Saint Leo, it is symbolic of the tree of knowledge. The two smaller, 18-year-old olive trees represent peace and cooperation—key attributes of social justice. They represent the tenure of President Kirk, the building’s namesake and an advocate of social justice.