Dear Returning Loyolan:

Welcome back to Loyola for the start of another exciting academic year! I hope your summer has been pleasant and restful.

It has proven to be a busy and productive summer around Loyola. Our facilities and residence life staffs have been working assiduously to have the residence halls, academic buildings, and campus grounds in top form for your arrival. With the renovations of Marquette Hall now complete, there will be over 3,800 students living on the LUC campuses. In addition, work on the Information Commons continues apace; the Commons will be ready for your use at the start of the January semester.

As you settle in for a new semester and catch up with old friends, please remember that your personal and academic development is of the utmost importance to us. In that spirit, I would encourage you to fully commit yourself to another year of study, the deepening of relationships with friends, service to the university community and beyond, and your own personal development. I hope you know that the talented and dedicated faculty, staff, and administration here are always available to assist you with whatever questions, concerns, and suggestions you may have.

As we do each semester, there will be an opportunity for you to bring questions and concerns to me directly. All students are invited to a Student Town Hall meeting on Monday, September 24, at 3 p.m. at Centennial Forum. This will be an opportunity for me to hear your feedback about how the school year is progressing and to listen to your hopes and dreams for Loyola. Previous town hall meetings have been an enormous help to me and my colleagues in formulating plans for the future of the university. I do hope you and your friends will attend.

In the meantime, I wish you much success and satisfaction in the new semester. With all of us working together, I am truly confident that we will have another extraordinary year.

Sincerely,
Father Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.