Class of
Welcome
Baccalaureate Mass
begins at 1:00pm CSTfollowed by the2020 Commencement Ceremony at 3:00pm CST.
School Ceremonies follow.
Baccalaureate Mass Loyola University Chicago gathers in prayer to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. Join us for this live-stream Mass on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. central. Attend the mass
Remarks and Congratulations
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD • President
Norberto Grzywacz, PhD • Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Sr. Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM • Resident Chaplain
Celebration package reveal
Processional & National Anthem
Address
Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J., MA ’95 • Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Download program here.
School Commencement Ceremonies
Join your school's commencement celebration.
Arrupe College
College of Arts and Sciences
Quinlan School of Business
School of Communication
School of Continuing and Professional Studies
School of Education
The Graduate School
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
School of Law
Stritch School of Medicine
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
School of Social Work
Institute of Environmental Sustainability
Institute of Pastoral Studies
A letter from President Rooney
Congratulations to each of you, members of Loyola University Chicago’s 2020 Sesquicentennial class!
I am grateful to gather with you and your family members and friends in a vibrant virtual celebration as you go forth into the world as Jesuit-educated leaders and Rambler alumni.
Read President Rooney’s full letterCongratulations to each of you, members of Loyola University Chicago’s 2020 Sesquicentennial class!
I am grateful to gather with you and your family members and friends in a vibrant virtual celebration as you go forth into the world as Jesuit-educated leaders and Rambler alumni.
Beginning with your first days as a Loyola student and continuing through a historic spring, you inspired us with your accomplishments, creativity, and determination in achieving so much while navigating—with remarkable resilience—a time marked by change and uncertainty.
We join together on August 8, blending both tradition and innovation, to celebrate you.
Convening from many locations, backgrounds, experiences, and traditions, we are called together to celebrate your achievements and to wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Your contribution to meeting the world’s greatest needs is the essence of our Jesuit mission. Our gathering, even in virtual space, exemplifies our Jesuit heritage of bringing together disparate disciplines, perspectives, and voices in search of greater truth and greater good. In Loyola’s Student Promise, students pledge to care for themselves, for their community, and to be persons for others. At this Commencement, many of our graduates have also signed a pledge to advance social justice and environmental responsibility in their lives and careers. This act is a commitment and re-affirmation of our values and our interdependence.
In our 150th year as Chicago's Jesuit, Catholic university, we are called to lead, to serve, and to act. We are called to meet the challenges of our times—especially now—with hope, creativity, humility, tenacity, and love.
May you go forth and set the world on fire.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD
President
Keynote Address
Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J., MA ’95 • Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Sister Norma Pimentel has worked extensively with immigrant and refugee families, tackling the ethical dilemmas of our current immigration policies. As one of the nation’s strongest champions of immigrants, Sr. Norma asks the difficult questions about social responsibility and addresses the multidimensional issues related to the crisis at the border.
Read full bioKeynote speaker
Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J., MA ’95 • Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Sister Norma Pimentel has worked extensively with immigrant and refugee families, tackling the ethical dilemmas of our current immigration policies. As one of the nation’s strongest champions of immigrants, Sr. Norma asks the difficult questions about social responsibility and addresses the multidimensional issues related to the crisis at the border.
Born in Texas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, and raised along the Mexico-U.S. border, Sr. Norma grew up crossing from Brownsville to Matamoros, Mexico and back — the very location where she now dedicates her life’s work.
A sister with the Missionaries of Jesus and a licensed professional counselor, Sr. Norma is executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley where she oversees the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville by providing oversight of the different ministries and programs in the areas of emergency assistance, housing assistance, counseling, and pregnancy care to all four counties in the Rio Grande Valley.
Chair of the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program there, Sr. Norma ensures that federal funds are distributed to the local agencies that provide assistance to the area’s poor. She also leads efforts in the community to respond to emergency needs and provide relief in times of disaster and crisis. Instrumental in organizing community resources to respond to the surge of Central Americans seeking asylum in the United States, Sr. Norma helped set up Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, in June 2014.
Her efforts there brought her recognition as a recipient of the 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. “Keep the Dream Alive” Award from Catholic Charities USA and as a finalist for the 2014 Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year Award. In March 2015, she spoke at the UN Headquarters in New York City at the invitation of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
First introduced to Pope Francis during a 2015 virtual town hall meeting arranged by ABC News, which aired on “20/20,” Sr. Norma met with him later that year in New York City and presented him with one of her original paintings depict-ing an immigrant mother and child. Catholic publisher Our Sunday Visitor recognized her as one of eight Catholic “men and women, religious and lay — who made an indelible mark in 2015.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas; a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio; a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and an honorary PhD in humane letters from Holy Family University in Philadelphia.
Processional & National Anthem
The Loyola community extends its thanks to the director and student musicians for offering their time and talent to the 2020 graduates. View participants
Loyola Wind Ensemble
Director Frederick Lowe, DMus
Piccolo Ava Jennings, Class of 2022
Bass Clarinet Mandy Weaver, Class of 2015
Clarinet Anna Dexter, Class of 2020
Trumpet Chelsea Moore, Class of 2020 and Samantha Jones, Class of 2021
Horn Clarinet Ethan Wang, Class of 2022
Trombone Matthew Hufano, Class of 2020
Tuba Courtney Jean Carmack, Class of 2020
Singing of the National Anthem
Samuel Mason, Baritone, Class of 2020
Prayer for Graduates
May God bless you and sustain you on this your graduation day.
May the Creator of this vast universe keep you safe as you go forth from this place that has nourished your mind and your soul.
May the Almighty look down upon you and give you success in all your endeavors, courage in all your struggles and challenges, understanding in all that is new to you, wisdom to choose what is right and do what is good, perseverance in all you undertake, serenity and peace in the knowledge that you are not alone, that you are loved.
May the Lord of All look kindly upon you this day and forever.
Amen.
Celebration Package Reveal
The Loyola community gives thanks to the 2020 graduates who offered their time to partake in the celebration package reveal.
View all of the school celebration package reveal hostsCollege of Arts and Sciences Michael ‘Mikey’ Anthony Garcillano Cabrera, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, Cum Laude and Helen Tasho, Bachelor of Science in Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience, Magna Cum Laude, Alpha Sigma Nu
Arrupe College Egypt Isis Watson, Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, Cum Laude and Valeria Denisee Plascencia, Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, Summa Cum Laude
Quinlan School of Business Javier Arturo Ayala Goncalvez, Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship, Information Systems, Management and Supply Chain Management and Elizabeth Rucker O’Donoghue, Master of Business Administration
School of Communication Marlon Alexander Vargas, Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism and Ioanna Kekatos, Master of Communications in Digital Media & Storytelling
School of Continuing and Professional Studies Sabrina Hughes, Bachelor of Arts in Management, Cum Laude
School of Education Paula Katrina Rosana Camaya, Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education, Magna Cum Laude
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health Julia Nowik, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Magna Cum Laude and Lucia Helena Garcia, Master of Public Heath
The Graduate School Paige J. Gardner, Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education (Assistant Dean of Students and CARE Case Manager, Loyola)
School of Law Lily Lorean Ealey, Juris Doctor
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Youna Byun, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Michelle Eileen Jordan, Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
School of Social Work Naomi Marie Gargiulo, Bachelor of Social Work, Summa Cum Laude and Joy Noel Powell, Master of Social Work
Institute of Environmental Sustainability Isabelle Sophia Abbott, Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy
Institute of Pastoral Studies Maria Laura Marino Camargo, Master of Arts in Social Justice
Virtual Celebration Kit
While we won't be gathering in person, we hope you will use these digital backgrounds and social stickers to show your peers your Rambler pride
Digital Backgrounds
DIgital Animations
Search your favorite social media platform for GIF stickers to add on posts and remember to use the hashtag #GoForthLUC. Visit Giphy
Notes from the Community
Frequently asked questions
When will the Virtual Commencement 2020 be held?
The Virtual Commencement will be held Saturday, August 8. The University ceremony begins at 3:00 p.m. Central, and school ceremonies begin immediately following.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Virtual Commencement 2020 be held?
The Virtual Commencement will be held Saturday, August 8. The University ceremony begins at 3:00 p.m. Central, and school ceremonies begin immediately following.
What will happen during the Virtual Commencement?
The University ceremony will include remarks by Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD, President; Norberto Grzywacz, PhD, Provost; Sr. Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM; and keynote speaker Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J. (MA ’95), Executive Director for Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, as well as a degree acknowledgment. We also invite all graduates to open their Celebration Package together with us during the ceremony. The school ceremonies, which will be available immediately after the University ceremony, will feature remarks by the dean and student speaker, as well as a recognition of all graduates individually by name.
What’s in the Celebration Package?
The package includes several keepsakes from Loyola University Chicago, including a fragile item. It will be mailed to your permanent address on file with the University. Please update your address in LOCUS by July 1. Please don’t open the package until the Virtual Ceremony when we will open the packages. International shipments will take longer. Please contact commencement@LUC.edu if you have questions regarding your address on file or if you do not receive a package by early August.
What if I can’t attend the Virtual Commencement on August 8?
All the ceremonies will be available online afterward, so you can watch – or re-watch – the ceremonies at your convenience. The videos will be posted to LUC.edu/Commencement.
When will I receive my cap and gown?
Pre Order or Rental through Jostens
If you preordered a cap and gown, you should receive them in late July or early August. Regalia ordered through Jostens will be shipped to the permanent address on file with the University. Any address changes for Jostens needed to have been submitted by the deadline of May 29.
Bookstore
Regalia ordered through the bookstore will be delivered to homes by July 29 if orders are placed between July 6 and July 17. If you’d like to order regalia, please see the separate FAQ named “Can I still order a cap and gown for the Virtual Ceremony?”
Caps and gowns will not be available for pick up.
What about my honor cords?
If you are eligible for individual school honor cords, those will be mailed to the address on file with the University.
Can I still order a cap and gown for the Virtual Ceremony?
Purchased Regalia (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialists, and non-Law Certificate programs)
Graduating students in Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialist’s, and Non-Law Certificate programs who did not pre-order their regalia can order through the Loyola Bookstore to have their cap and gown shipped.
To order and ship your regalia, please visit loyolachishop.com or call 773.508.7350 between July 6 and 17. Students will be charged based on the shipping speed they select: Ground (7-10 business days): $7.50; 2nd Day Air: $13.50; Next Day Air: $18.00. International students will be charged for international rates and all applicable taxes and fees.
Rental Regalia (Doctoral Students – EdD, PhD, DNP, DBe, and School of Law Students)
Graduating students in other programs have been contacted by their specific schools and will receive regalia to the address provided in late July and early August. Regalia will need to be returned in the pre-labeled return device to Jostens by August 14.
How can international students get their regalia?
Unfortunately, Jostens cannot ship internationally. If you pre-ordered your regalia and did not provide an address within the United States before the May 29 deadline, your regalia will be sent directly to the Loyola Bookstore. The Loyola University Bookstore can ship internationally; you will be responsible for all international rates and all applicable taxes and fees. Please call the Loyola Bookstore at 773.508.7350 between July 6 and 17 to coordinate your regalia shipment.
If you’d like to order regalia, please see the separate FAQ named “Can I still order a cap and gown for the Virtual Ceremony?”
Can I get a refund on my cap and gown?
If we did not receive a refund request before the deadline of May 29, your regalia will be mailed to the permanent address on file with the University. If you still wish to receive a refund, you will need to send the regalia back to the address provided by Jostens with the regalia in the unopened package.
If you submitted a refund request before May 29 and received a confirmation email, your refund is currently being processed. You do not need to submit an additional request. Refunds will take approximately 6 weeks.
How do I submit a photo to be included in my school’s Commencement ceremony?
An email was sent from GradImage the week of June 22. Photo submissions were due by July 1.
Will there be an in-person Commencement celebration?
Yes! We are holding a Virtual Commencement on August 8, 2020. We are planning to hold an in-person celebration in late spring 2021 if conditions allow. We will share more details in the coming months as they become available.
When did I officially receive my degree?
All degrees were conferred in May or June as previously scheduled, and diplomas have been mailed. In other words, graduating students are officially Loyola alumni in May or June.
What about my graduation fee?
The one-time graduation fee accessed to students covers the cost of the diploma and cover, mailing fees, and other expenses associated with graduation. All graduates must pay the fee, regardless of attendance at the ceremony.
Why am I being asked to “pledge to reflect deeply and critically upon the social and environmental impacts…”?
In Spring of 2020, Student Government of Loyola Chicago passed a resolution to invite all students to make a commitment at graduation to bring the social and environmental justice values they engage with during their time at Loyola into their careers and future endeavors. Learn more