Dear Loyolans,
As we move into the home stretch of the school year, here at Loyola we are shaking off the chill of a long winter and soaking up the renewing warmth of spring. The season was filled with milestones, including reaching the $300 million mark in our capital campaign, reflecting on the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, and commemorating 100 years of the School of Law. But in feting major events and achievements, we should not overlook what really makes Loyola remarkable: the persistent, dedicated work that all the members of our community engage in every day.
In this issue, we honor just a few of the faculty members who spend years working in their fields in order to add to our cumulative knowledge, change the way people think, and improve the world—in ways both big and small. We bring you the story of Matt Smith, an alum who spent years tracking the details of his uncle’s mysterious death in World War II so that he might better know a family member and understand the tragedies of war. And on page 16, read about a student project to learn about and record the life stories of the humble and devoted Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This issue of Loyola magazine is not about breakthroughs or fanfares. It is about the progress that results from accumulated years of dogged determination, inspiration, and hard work.
Finally, I would like to encourage all readers to send me your thoughts and reactions to the stories in this magazine. I invite letters on magazine content or Loyola happenings for publication in future issues, and please keep sending in your class notes. I hope you will use this magazine as a tool to learn about and remain connected with your alma mater and your fellow alumni.
Thank you for reading.
Anastasia Busiek
Editor