2025 Belize Summit
June 5–7, 2025 | Saint Louis University | St. Louis, Missouri
"Hope & Companionship: Reflecting on a Decade of Ignatian Partnership in Belize"
Join members of the Belize2020 network from Belize and St. Louis for a special summit gathering this June at Saint Louis University. Over the course of three days, we’ll reflect on the last decade of collaboration and set priorities for the future.
This summers’ 2025 Belize2020 Summit is an opportunity to celebrate friendships, highlight shared accomplishments, and look ahead with hope. Hosted by the SLU School of Education and the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education, the summit will bring together educators, Jesuit partners, lay leaders, and community members.
Retreat themes of “hope” and “companionship” will continue to guide our conversation, anchored in the Jesuit mission of building community across borders.
📍 Location
SLU's Tegeler Hall (next to the School of Education)
3550 Lindell Blvd
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, Missouri
🗓️ 2025 Belize2020 Summit GENERAL Schedule
June 5–7, 2025 | Saint Louis University - SLU School of Education and the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education
Note: schedule subject to change.
Parking instructions: Parking is available at both the Laclede Garage located at 3602 Laclede Ave (Google map) and Olive Garage (by Compton Ave) located at 3338 Olive St. Please bring your ticket for validation.
Thursday, June 5
8:45 AM – Coffee and Pastries
9:00 AM – Welcome and Opening Prayer
Dr. Michael Boyle, Executive Director, Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education
9:15 AM – Greetings from the Belize2020 Co-Chairs
Dale Auffenberg and Mark LaBarge
9:30 AM – Keynote Address
Fr. Jeremy Zipple, S.J., St. John’s College, Belize
10:00 AM – Coffee Break
10:15 AM – Work Group Directives and Review
Dr. Gary Ritter and Dr. Bryan Sokol, SLU School of Education
10:45 AM – Work Group Break-Out Meetings
12:00 PM – Lunch, Tegeler Hall
Sponsored by SLU Partners: Department of Aviation Science, Chaifetz School of Business - Service Leadership Program
1:00 PM – Nigel Encalada, Historian
Perspectives on Belizean Life and Culture
1:30 PM – SLU Herrmann Center’s Service-Immersion Experience in Belize
2:00 PM – Break
2:15 PM – Work Group Break-Out Meetings:
Discussion and Consolidating Priorities
3:00 PM – Work Group Reports:
Co-Leaders to Describe Process and Priorities
4:15 PM – Daily Mass, Fr. Jeremy Zipple, S.J.
Catholic Studies Center, Boileau Hall, 38 Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
5:00 PM – Break
6:00 PM – Reception and Dinner
Angad Arts Hotel, 3550 Samuel Shepard Drive near Powell Hall on Grand
Sponsored by the SLU Center for Social Action
Friday, June 6
98:45 AM – Coffee and Pastries
9:00 AM – Welcome and Opening Prayer
Dr. Gary Ritter, Dean, SLU School of Education
9:15 AM – Allison Doerr, American Jesuits International
Fe y Alegria and Potential Partnerships
Introduction by Fr. Brian Christopher, S.J.
10:00 AM – Coffee Break
10:15 AM – Marie Kenyon
Social Outreach Coordinator, Archdiocese of St. Louis
10:45 AM – Fr. Matt Ruhl, S.J.
The Lighthouse Bike Ride Fundraising Effort
11:15 AM – Dr. Alice Peralta
President of St. John’s College University
12:00 PM – Lunch
Sponsored by SLU School of Education
1:00 PM – Ben Smyth and Brittany Ludwig
Service Leadership Program, SLU School of Business
1:30 PM – Panel Discussion: “Belize2020 Movers & Shakers”
Moderated by Mark LaBarge, Belize2020 Co-Chair
2:00 PM – Break
2:15 PM – Action Plan Report & Discussion
Summation of Work Groups
3:00 PM – Walk to SLU Jesuit Center Chapel
Located on the north side of Laclede Ave., just west of Spring Ave.
3:15 PM – “Sharing of Graces”
Led by Angie Doerr
4:15 PM – Daily Mass, Fr. Brian Christopher, S.J.|
SLU Jesuit Center Chapel
5:00 PM – Reception and Dinner
SLU Jesuit Center
Sponsored by Belize2020
Saturday, June 7
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Tours and FUN in St. Louis!
5:15 PM – Go Forth Mass, Fr. Matt Ruhl, S.J.
St. Francis Xavier (College) Church
6:00 PM – Reception for “Friends of Belize”
St. Francis Xavier (College) Church Ballroom
Join us for refreshments and heavy hors d’oeuvres at this special closing reception. Open to all! Feel free to invite guests who would enjoy mingling, connecting, and celebrating the Belize2020 network!
A more detailed schedule will be posted soon.
🧭 Event Purpose
Celebrate over 10 years of Belize 2020 partnerships
Deepen our collective understanding of the mission
Strategize next steps for collaborative efforts in education, health, and community outreach
SLU School of Education and the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education
💬 Questions and RSVP? Please contact:
Dr. Bryan Sokol, Associate Professor of Psychology, Herrmann Center Fellow for Community Engagement
📧 bryan.sokol@health.slu.edu
