Celebrating 20 Years of Interfaith Dialogue
Patti Ray was honored at a celebration on October 17, 2007—her 20th anniversary as director of Hillel (the organization of Jewish students and faculty) at Loyola. President Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., spoke at the celebration and presented Ray with a plaque commemorating her contributions to the University. In her time at Loyola, Ray has reached out to include people of all faiths in dialogue and collaborative programming. The March 29, 1990, issue of Loyola World chronicled Ray's involvement with an "Option for Peace" interfaith initiative to create what was then called "rare Jewish-Palestinian dialogue." In 1995, she received the prestigious Jacob Burns Award conferred by International Hillel for "exemplary achievement by a Hillel professional in fostering the understanding of values and the ideals that are consistent with the highest aspirations of the university." In 2005, Ray continued her commitment to understanding and dialogue, bringing together a "Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Dialogue" group coordinated by the Muslim Students Association and Hillel. She was the first recipient of the Office of Student Diversity Outstanding Professional Staff Member Award that same year.
Ray takes great joy in her work with members of the Hindu Students Organization, Muslim Students Association, and University Ministry Catholic students and chaplains. In 2007, she was named one of the 10 Jewish Chicagoans of the Year by the Chicago Jewish News. On the occasion of her 20th anniversary celebration, Lucien Roy, vice president of mission and ministry, said, "This is a great honor not only for Patti but also for our university. We are truly blessed to have Patti at Loyola University Chicago."
She will also be honored with the Dux Mirabilis Award at the 2008 Founders' Dinner in June.