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On Friday afternoon, thousands of first-year students clad in maroon and gold T-shirts streamed through the pale green doors of Loyola University Chicago’s Cudahy Library in a longstanding ritual representing their first walk as students of the University.
“These doors open only twice a year—at new student convocation and at our senior toast… New Student Convocation represents your entrance into higher education at this special Jesuit university,” said Astrid Beltrán, MS Ed, assistant vice president of Division of Student Development, just moments before the students paraded through the doors, many cheering and pumping their fists.
Emerging proudly from the library’s west-facing entrance, Tate Franti, a first-year student from outside Los Angeles, California, looked out at the East Quad, brimming with excitement. “I’m really just getting this sense of freedom that I can do anything in this giant city and learn whatever I want, and I just feel free right now,” he said as the bells of Madonna della Strada Chapel sounded across the quad.
Franti’s enthusiasm echoed that of many of his peers in an incoming class of 3,336 students, who hail from 48 states and 53 countries, and were selected from more than 42,247 applicants—a figure representing 70 percent growth across the past 10 years. With an average grade point average of 3.87 among first-year students, the class includes 1,122 students eligible for financial assistance under Federal Pell Grants, and 472 transfer students.
Top represented states included Illinois, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and Indiana; and top declared majors were biology, nursing, psychology, finance, and forensic science. In interviews with Loyola Today, incoming students said they decided to come to Loyola because of its attractive Chicago location; focus on Jesuit, Catholic values; inclusive atmosphere; and strong academic reputation.
“The energy of the school felt really good,” said Sam Dove, a first-year student from Houston, Texas, who plans to study theater and visited the University during Loyola Weekend in March. “I felt like it would be really easy for me to be myself here at Loyola. And, also, I liked that there was an option to study abroad in Italy.”
A breakout year
The Class of ’29 arrives at Loyola on the heels of a breakout year, in which the University hired 78 new full-time faculty; achieved the highest research classification, Research 1 (R1) by The American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (Carnegie Foundation); welcomed the most diverse class in at least a decade; and unveiled plans for a new academic building on the Lake Shore Campus to accommodate growing nursing, chemistry and biochemistry, and forensic science programs.
U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Loyola #132 in its Best Colleges report, and #81 as far as value. And among Loyola’s 2023 students, the most recent cohort for which data is available, the Office of Research and Institutional Analysis reports that 96 percent of graduates were working or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
The first-walk ceremony caps an action-packed week that saw students move into campus dormitories, explore the city, and make new friends at Welcome Week events, including game and craft nights at the Damen Student Center Den, an ice cream social at Ignatius House, a West Quad BBQ, and karaoke and bingo nights overflowing with students.
“I would say the energy is definitely up this year,” said Ingrid Decesaris (BS ‘29), a Welcome Week leader at the University’s Center for Student Engagement. “I don’t know what’s in the air, but the first years are showing up. This year we’ve had more people in these events than we’ve expected, so it’s been a great turnout. I see a lot of people show up with their roommates, and that’s terrific because they’re still trying to get to know each other.”
New Student Convocation
On exiting Cudahy Library, a veritable river of students in maroon and gold strolled past parents, staff, and alumni who formed a cheer tunnel, animated by Loyola’s mascot, LU Wolf, and the Rambler Cheer team. Just after 3 p.m., students entered Gentile Arena for New Student Convocation.
Amid the roar of first-year students, President Mark C. Reed took the podium to welcome the Class of ‘29, emphasizing the significance of their college years and the University’s Jesuit educational mission. “Loyola is yours as of today,” he said. “You may not believe that. You may not feel it; it may take a few weeks, but embrace it, it’s yours. And for now, try to relax.”
“You are now part of a vast Jesuit educational network that has benefited millions of people and we are thrilled to welcome you,” he continued. “I’m excited to see all you’ll accomplish during your time here, and I wish you all the best on this incredible journey.”
After Reed’s remarks and a short invocation, Abeena Boamah Acheampong (MEd ‘18), an alumna and founder and CEO of the skincare company, Hanahana Beauty, delivered a stirring keynote address centered on four core Ignatian values: cura personalis (care for the whole person); magis, the pursuit of more, or “asking deeper questions and showing up even when you don’t feel like it,” as Acheampong put it; navigating faith and doubt; and the importance of community and social justice.
“This is not the time to play small,” she said. “Take up space, be intentional, be confident not only in knowledge, but also in understanding. Step outside yourself, outside your comfort zone. Care for someone. Care for yourself. Fall in love. Who knows?”
“Today, you’re more than just a student at Loyola,” she added. “You’re part of a community of people who believe in purpose, in justice, in faith, in service, and in care.”
