Magis Moment: January 2024
A Message from the Vice President of University Advancement聽
An annual feature in many newspapers and magazines when I was younger was the list of what was 鈥渋n鈥 and what was 鈥渙ut鈥 as the calendar flipped from December of one year to January of the next. Because these types of lists are still being generated and are popular again online, to start the new year, I thought I would try a short one focused on Loyola. Here goes:
IN for 2024: The new . Construction should be complete by summer with a consecration and opening to follow shortly thereafter.
OUT from 2023: When the new chapel opens in late summer or fall, our beloved Ignatius Chapel on the first floor of Bobet Hall will be deconsecrated with a new use for the space still to be determined. Over five decades, thousands of people have made Ignatius Chapel into a special place for worship, reflection, ceremonies, and even plays (with beloved friends and under the direction of Steven Vaughn '84, I was in a production of Godspell there in 1986). Its passing will be a poignant one for many of us.
IN for 2024: Major progress on Loyola's first newly constructed residence hall in over 20 years. The new $90 million hall will open its doors in 2025. The new construction will also allow for a year-long complete renovation of Biever Hall.
OUT from 2023: To make room for the new residence hall, we said goodbye to Mercy Hall, home to the Jesuit Social Research Institute, the Center for International Education, the Whelan Center, and other classrooms and offices. Mercy was so named because it was originally built as Mercy High School, a Catholic school for girls.
IN for 2024: New leadership in key positions at Loyola. This year we will be welcoming a new head of enrollment management as well as Interim Dean of the College of Business Bobby Savoie, M.B.A. '81, in addition to some other new leaders.
OUT from 2023: Okay, "OUT" sounds misleadingly harsh when it comes to people, but Loyola continued its reputation for developing leaders when our dean of the College of Music and Media departed to take up the presidency of the IYRS School of Technology and Trades, and our dean of the College of Business became dean of Business at the University of South Alabama. We wish Kern Maass and Michael Capella the best in their new endeavors.
IN for 2024: More , crawfish boils, days of service, career networking opportunities, , and WINNING Saints game watch parties.
OUT from 2023: Losing Saints game watch parties. Our hometown team has had an up-and-down season, so some of those alumni watch parties didn't end up with the result we wanted. Like the Saints, we are putting all that behind us and looking forward to a winning 2024.
What's on your IN for 2024 / OUT from 2023 list? What are you happy to leave behind? What are you eager to add or improve?
础惭顿骋,听
Chris Wiseman '88