For 148 years of its more than 150-year history, a Marianist has guided the fortunes of St. Mary’s University and its predecessors as head of the school.

Brother Andrew Edel organized the original school, built St. Mary’s Institute, and later added to it. He obtained Mission Concepción where crops were raised to feed Marianists and students. Superiors in France held a dim view of the Marianists’ Texas project. Edel convinced Rev. John Reinbolt, United States Provincialate for the Society of Mary, to visit San Antonio. That visit saved the work at St. Mary’s Institute from being abandoned.

Brother Charles Francis was a practical man of sanctity and scholarship who, according to Brother Joseph Schmitz, S.M., in his book "The Society of Mary in Texas," "more than any other single person is to be credited with the growth, development and prosperity at St. Mary’s Institute." Francis supervised substantial growth, including the erection of a "four-story skyscraper" on the Institute’s property.

The Rev. Francis Feith had a remarkable ability to elicit the best efforts from the Institute’s faculty. He organized sports and introduced honor rolls and prizes to motivate the students. Also, Feith arranged for the building of St. Louis College when, in 1891, the Marianists purchased land northwest of the city from The West End Development Co.

Brother John Wolf tightened the organization of St. Louis College, introduced uniforms (if only briefly) and obtained the right to issue degrees as a junior college. He led both the downtown and Woodlawn campuses. During his tenure, the Marianists observed 50 years of educating students in South Texas.

The Rev. Louis Tragesser built Reinbolt Hall on the St. Louis College campus, emphasized cultural events and inculcated the important Marianist characteristic of Family Spirit. Brother Joseph Schmitz, S.M., wrote in his book that "His prime purpose was to promote the happiness of all."

The Rev. August Frische organized and promoted the Sodality, a group of mainly young people dedicated to the Immaculate Conception Blessed Virgin Mary. He created the first league for basketball and, in 1916 hired Dwight D. Eisenhower as the St. Louis College football coach. Frische also helped the religious and priests fleeing the persecution in Mexico.

The Rev. James Canning held things together during the devastating flu epidemic that besieged San Antonio. He encouraged advertising the school and built Chaminade Hall to accommodate the growing number of boarding students at St. Louis College.

The Rev. Robert Mayl changed the name of St. Louis College to St. Mary’s College and then to St. Mary’s University. He obtained recognition from the Association of Texas Colleges in 1925 and the University charter in 1926. According to Schmitz, under Mayl "academic and scholastic foundations were firmly established." Mayl was the first president of St. Mary’s University.

The Rev. Alfred Rabe continued the organization of Mayl. While president he added the ROTC program, assumed administration of the San Antonio Law School, and opened the Graduate School. Rabe supervised the completion of Alumni Gym, the construction of which had begun in 1929.

The Rev. Walter Golatka upgraded the University and obtained qualified personnel, especially among the Marianists, by insisting they have post-graduate degrees. Through his initiative, the University was kept afloat during the low enrollment period of World War II.

The Rev. Louis J. Blume obtained membership for the University in the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities. He supported the construction of both the first library building on campus and Charles Francis Hall, a residence for student brothers, and the addition to Chaminade Hall.

The Rev. Walter Buehler established the University’s first Board of Directors; the vice presidencies for academics, development and finances; and the Office of Civic (Public) Relations. He separated the offices of University President and Director of the Marianist Community, which up to that time had been the same person. He added Marian Hall for boarders and the Marianist Residence, and awarded the first honorary doctorate degrees.

The Rev. Charles Neumann was responsible for bringing renowned people to the University, including the return of former President Eisenhower who had coached football at St. Louis College almost 50 years previously. Neumann insisted on academic excellence and allowed for the admission of women to the University with permission of the Dean of Faculties.

The Rev. Louis J. Blume returned to St. Mary’s for a second term as president and directed the "Education 6000" development program, which added nine buildings to the campus. Blume moved the School of Law from downtown, added the Division of Engineering and approved the first Faculty Senate.

The Rev. James Young expanded the University’s Board of Trustees to include several lay people. He fostered and intensified inter-university cooperation through the United Colleges of San Antonio and pushed for more frequent and wider contacts with alumni. Young obtained Treadaway Hall, then the Marianist Scholasticate, from the Society of Mary.

The Rev. David Paul added the Albert B. Alkek Business and Sarita Kenedy East Law Library buildings, Casa Maria Marianist community house, and the Lourdes and Anthony J. Frederick residence halls. He initiated the President’s Club, introduced a new University logo, and began the beautification of the campus. Under his leadership accreditation for the Division of Engineering was obtained.

The Rev. John A. Leies approved the creation of the Marianist Forum to continue the implementation and development of the Marianist charism and heritage at the University. He signed agreements with Del Mar, Laredo and St. Philip’s junior colleges for course recognition. Under his guidance the Treadaway Hall quadrangle was renovated and John A. Donohoo and Archbishop Flores residence halls were built.

The Rev. John Moder added the University Center and the Andrew J. Cremer residence hall to campus. He initiated the fund-raising campaign to build the Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center and renovated Chaminade Tower. During his tenure, the first Ph.D. program at a San Antonio four-year institution was created, as were several studies abroad programs and reconnect programs for alumni. Accreditation for the School of Business and Administration was secured during his presidency.

Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., was selected by the University’s Board of Trustees as St. Mary’s first lay president. He supervised the completion and opening of the Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center and added the Herbert and John G. Leies residence hall to campus. Cotrell signed cooperative medical school admissions and nursing program agreements with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.