2024 at Loyola: A year of milestones, achievements, and community impact

Photos by Lukas Keapproth

December 2, 2024

As the year comes to a close, Loyola University Chicago reflects on the milestones, achievements, and community moments that defined 2024. From advancing academic excellence to celebrating the vibrancy of campus life, here’s a look back at some of the stories and events that made this year unforgettable.

This year, Ramblers…

Reached new heights in academics and engaged research

Loyola’s commitment to the pursuit of knowledge shone through in 2024. The university celebrated the achievements of a student who earned a perfect score on the MCAT, highlighting the depth of Loyola’s pre-medical programs. Meanwhile, groundbreaking research into the potential of diabetes medications for treating addiction underscored the faculty’s innovative contributions to public health.

The Quinlan School of Business achieved a major milestone, with its undergraduate business program ranked #1 in Chicago. Loyola also earned top rankings in online education and was recognized for social media engagement, reflecting the University’s leadership in digital innovation.

From labs to lectures, Loyola students collaborated with peers and faculty to further their studies.

Welcomed new leaders to our community

Loyola welcomed a slate of new deans this year, each bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to their respective schools. Patricia Findley (Social Work), Fr. Martin Connell, S.J., (Arrupe College), Virginia McDermott (Communication), and David McIntosh (Education) joined Loyola’s leadership team, along with Jim Parenti (Continuing and Professional Studies).

Douglas Woods also joined the Loyola community this year as provost and chief academic officer following Margaret Callahan’s return to teaching and research. Woods, who serves as both a faculty member and University administrator, brings a background in Jesuit higher education and a commitment to driving academic success.

At the University Convocation, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate achievements and learn about Loyola’s goals for the academic year. During the Faculty Convocation, Loyola’s academic community recognized new faculty members and honored outstanding scholarly achievements.

Provost Douglas Woods kicked off his tenure at University Convocation and Faculty Convocation alongside new deans.

Explored the world and furthered our Jesuit mission

Loyola’s global reach was on display in 2024, with students immersing themselves in study abroad programs in Italy and France, exploring local cultures and histories. A group of nursing students participated in a service immersion trip to Lourdes, France, assisting pilgrims visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Jesuit traditions took center stage when Loyola leaders joined an Ignatian pilgrimage and met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The University also hosted Father Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, further strengthening its ties to the global Jesuit network.

Whether in Lourdes, France, Rome, Italy, or at home on the Lake Shore Campus, students immersed themselves in global studies and connected with Loyola's Jesuit mission.

Cherished every moment, big and small

From vibrant campus events to moments of reflection, life at Loyola thrived in 2024. Faith-based traditions brought the community together, with observances like Ash Wednesday fostering moments of spirituality and connection. Students celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, marking the arrival of spring. A near-total solar eclipse brought hundreds of Ramblers to the East Quad to witness the rare celestial event.

The Class of 2024 toasted their accomplishments with joy and pride during Commencement Week, while Sister Jean’s 105th birthday was honored with a campus block party and a Presidential Proclamation recognizing her lifetime of service.

Students gathered for numerous events and celebrations throughout the year, including Holi, the solar eclipse, and Commencement Week.

Hundreds gather to celebrate Sister Jean's 105th birthday in the Damen Student Center on August 21, 2024. Before singing her happy birthday, attendees were invited to a luncheon on the West Quad. (Photo: Lukas Keapproth)

Shared visions for the future of Loyola

This year marked significant progress on Loyola’s Campus Plan, an ambitious project to enhance student experiences and create state-of-the-art facilities. The plan includes input from students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding Rogers Park-Edgewater community to build a stronger and more inclusive campus community.

Guided by a commitment to sustainability, Loyola also achieved its goal of carbon neutrality this year, becoming the first university in the Chicago area to achieve net-zero emissions and reinforcing its role as a leader in environmental stewardship.

The Campus Plan seeks to address the evolving needs of the University community.

Set the standard in athletics and academics

This past year, Loyola student-athletes excelled both in their sports and in their studies. A total of 143 Ramblers earned spots on the 2023-24 Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, reflecting their dedication to academics. Loyola’s presence in the A-10 Conference continued to grow. The Men’s Basketball team secured a share of the A-10 regular season title, while the Women’s Cross Country team celebrated their sixth consecutive conference championship. The Women’s Volleyball team capped the season with an A-10 Championship victory, sweeping Dayton to earn an NCAA tournament berth.

Loyola's presence in the A-10 Conference continued to grow with Men's Basketball securing a share of the regular season title, while Women's Cross Country and Women's Volleyball won their A-10 championships.

Served our local community and beyond

Service remained a cornerstone of the Loyola experience. The University earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification recognizing its ongoing work in addressing food waste and supporting programs like Camp Independence.