Webster U. President Elizabeth Stroble will have an extra accolade to tout when she presents her inaugural address on Sept. 25.
After Stroble completed her first year in her current position at Webster, she was honored Aug. 13 by the St. Louis Business Journal along with 24 others as one the St. Louis Business Journal’s 25 Most Influential Businesswomen of the Year. The other honorees represent an array of local businesses, including educational, medical and financial institutions.
Honorees for Business Journal awards receive nominations on the publication’s website. Stroble was presented with her award at a luncheon at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in downtown St. Louis.
“It was a total surprise when I received the call from (Webster Chancellor) Neil George’s office,” Stroble said of her nomination. “I’m very honored.”
Stroble received high praise from her business peers as well. Pat Whitaker, the CEO of architecture and design firm Arcturis, serves on the United Way’s 2010 board of directors along with Stroble, and believes Stroble’s award is well-deserved.
“She is constantly searching out the means to make the Webster experience better,” Whitaker said in an interview with the St. Louis Business Journal.
The award came on the heels of a busy year for Stroble business-wise. In her first year after succeeding George as the Webster’s president, the university has completed a $5.3 million transfer of land from Eden Seminary, furthering a long-term partnership between the two institutions.
Long-term plans for the land include converting the Luhr library into a science building. In the short term, Stroble said the university is looking into using the library space for additional classrooms, and also looks to utilize the seminary’s athletic fields, which would be used for recreation and intramural athletic events.
Webster also acquired the Wehrli Center and “White House” along with the 5.5 acre plot of land. Stroble said she and new provost Julian Schuster are forming a proposal to the City of Webster Groves to receive approval for Webster’s building plans.
The recent activity has Stroble optimistic for Webster’s future as she approaches her inauguration. Stroble has emphasized a desire for the inauguration to involve residents and businesses from Webster Groves, a leading factor in the inauguration being scheduled more than a year into her tenure.