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Mapping Loyola’s future

John Warner Norton’s mural in the reading room, Cudahy Library, LSC, maps the influence of Jesuits in the Midwest.  Jesuit mapmaking is the theme of the new Founders’ Circle.

It began at the University of Paris in 1529.  Three college roommates—Ignatius Loyola, Francis Xavier, and Peter Faber—formed a close intellectual bond and friendship.  From that relationship, the Society of Jesus was born.

Although they came from vastly differently backgrounds, all three were inspired by God and wanted to share their progressive ideas with the world. With several other companions, the trio created the Jesuit order in 1541 and set out as pilgrims looking for opportunities to serve God through education and ministry.  They crossed the globe as missionaries, creating schools and universities wherever they went, thus beginning the Jesuit tradition of education that Loyola University Chicago is proud to carry on today.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Ignatius Loyola’s death and the 450th anniversaries of the births of Francis Xavier and Peter Faber.  In celebration of the jubilee, Loyola has created the Founders’ Circle, with three new giving societies honoring individuals and family foundations who have contributed $100,000 or more in their lifetimes.

“Our Founders’ Circle has shaped lives and mapped a course for a tremendous future for Loyola.” 

JON HEINTZELMAN
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT 

 

“The newly established Founders’ Circle is Loyola’s most prestigious giving society.  Its members are true visionaries who have helped to carry on the work of our Jesuit founders,” says President Michael J. Garanzini, S.J.  “These donors have invested generously in our academic and healthcare mission—the same mission Ignatius and his companions began centuries ago—to make the world better through education and service.”

The Founders’ Circle’s three societies are named for the inspiring men whose friendship and idealism created the Society of Jesus.

The Ignatius Loyola Society honors supporters who have contributed $1,000,000 or more over their lifetimes. The Francis Xavier Society honors supporters who have contributed $500,000-999,999, and the Peter Faber Society honors those who have contributed $100,000-499,999.

“Our philosophy of giving to Loyola is a simple one,” says Founders’ Circle member Marie Cowhey (MA '56), who attended Loyola on a scholarship and whose family’s lifetime contributions have included endowing several scholarships. “We want to create funds for students who want to attend college but can’t because they don’t have the money.”

Masters of mapmaking

Students help tea-stain a replica of a map (shown in finished form above) highlighting 16th-century Jesuit provinces in Europe.

The three traveling founders are frequently depicted in images featuring a globe or maps, and since their earliest days, the Jesuits have been known as “the mapmakers.”  For instance, through maps made during their missionary efforts in China, Jesuits played a special role in shaping Europe’s perception and portrayal of the country, according to Ronald Anton, S.J., who curates the rare maps collection at The Beijing Center, a consortium of Jesuit university programs managed by Loyola University Chicago.

“Because of the Jesuit influence as mapmakers, and the effect our Founders’ Circle members have had on the map of our educational and medical endeavors at Loyola, we’ve chosen vintage Jesuit maps as our Founders’ Circle theme,” says Alexandra Rodman, director of development.

Loyola students have been active in researching and creating the maps used to commemorate the establishment of the Founders’ Circle.  For instance, students tea-stained by hand a replica of a map showing Jesuit provinces founded between 1540-57 in Europe, including the route Francis Xavier traveled to establish missions between 1541-52. 

“Like the three founders, Loyola strives to teach and create great leaders in Chicago and across the globe,” says Jon Heintzelman, vice president for advancement.  “Our Founders’ Circle has shaped lives and mapped a course for a tremendous future for Loyola
University Chicago and Loyola Medicine.”   

GAIL MANSFIELD