Recognition - Celebrating changemakers
Celebrating changemakers
Each year, the School of Education honors leaders and pacesetters, innovators and educators, scholars and stewards of social justice. From alumni events to award ceremonies to commencement, we celebrate the achievements and milestones of our students, alumni, and partners who serve students, transform lives, and advocate for more just and inclusive educational environments.
Wozniak Lecture Series
Established in 2009, the Wozniak Lecture Series spotlights a topic of significance in the ever-changing world of education. The series, which honors John Wozniak, founding dean of Loyola’s School of Education, has featured expert speakers discussing issues such as school reform, racial inequality, and gender in education.
In 2025, the Wozniak Lecture Series welcomed Steven Isoye, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, as well as Michael Lubelfeld (EdD ’05) and Nick Polyak (EdD ’07), two public school superintendents and coauthors of Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today. The trio discussed the contemporary educational climate and shared practical strategies for educational leaders to navigate change, foster innovation, and build school cultures supporting both educators and students.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
The Loyola School of Education’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration honors dedicated alumni who have made profound impacts in their fields and embody the Jesuit ideal of being a person for others. School administrators, classroom teachers, school counselors, researchers, policymakers, educational psychologists, and others, past Distinguished Alumni Award winners represent Loyola’s mission in action. They are advancing educational practices and combatting social inequalities locally, nationally, and globally. Their dedication to service, equity, and leadership highlights the transformative power of education to shape communities and uplift others.
Commencement
The School of Education’s annual commencement event celebrates the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of graduates. Reminding students they have been entrusted with a profound calling to serve others, commencement encourages the school’s newest graduates to enter their professional lives with a genuine desire to build more equitable educational systems and communities.
“Trust your ability to push through life’s twists and turns as you begin your own journey, And don’t let others—or even yourself—put you in a box. Let your professional goals reflect your purpose.” Amber Hewitt (PhD ’13), chief equity officer for the Government of the District of Columbia
On May 7, 2025, Amber Hewitt (PhD ’13), chief equity officer for the Government of the District of Columbia, delivered an inspired address to the Class of ’25. Hewitt challenged the School of Education’s newest alumni to “shape a more just and sustainable world.”
“Trust your ability to push through life’s twists and turns as you begin your own journey,” Hewitt said. “And don’t let others—or even yourself—put you in a box. Let your professional goals reflect your purpose.”
Alumni Excellence Celebration
Kicking off Loyola University Chicago’s annual Alumni Weekend, the Alumni Excellence Celebration is a university-wide event recognizing action-oriented, values-driven Loyola graduates who embrace the Jesuit call to be “people for others.” At the 2025 edition of the Alumni Excellence Celebration, Loyola honored School of Education alum Michael Boyle (MEd ’86, PhD ’92) with the Heart of Loyola Award for his extraordinary commitment to Jesuit education.
Boyle, who earned his master’s in education and PhD in school psychology from Loyola, serves as executive director of the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education at Saint Louis University, where he guides initiatives in research, professional development, and systemic school improvement. Boyle’s expertise in inclusion, school leadership, and innovative strategies to strengthen faith-based schools has shaped national best practices in Catholic education.
Celebrating changemakers
Each year, the School of Education honors leaders and pacesetters, innovators and educators, scholars and stewards of social justice. From alumni events to award ceremonies to commencement, we celebrate the achievements and milestones of our students, alumni, and partners who serve students, transform lives, and advocate for more just and inclusive educational environments.
Wozniak Lecture Series
Established in 2009, the Wozniak Lecture Series spotlights a topic of significance in the ever-changing world of education. The series, which honors John Wozniak, founding dean of Loyola’s School of Education, has featured expert speakers discussing issues such as school reform, racial inequality, and gender in education.
In 2025, the Wozniak Lecture Series welcomed Steven Isoye, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education, as well as Michael Lubelfeld (EdD ’05) and Nick Polyak (EdD ’07), two public school superintendents and coauthors of Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today. The trio discussed the contemporary educational climate and shared practical strategies for educational leaders to navigate change, foster innovation, and build school cultures supporting both educators and students.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
The Loyola School of Education’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration honors dedicated alumni who have made profound impacts in their fields and embody the Jesuit ideal of being a person for others. School administrators, classroom teachers, school counselors, researchers, policymakers, educational psychologists, and others, past Distinguished Alumni Award winners represent Loyola’s mission in action. They are advancing educational practices and combatting social inequalities locally, nationally, and globally. Their dedication to service, equity, and leadership highlights the transformative power of education to shape communities and uplift others.
Commencement
The School of Education’s annual commencement event celebrates the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of graduates. Reminding students they have been entrusted with a profound calling to serve others, commencement encourages the school’s newest graduates to enter their professional lives with a genuine desire to build more equitable educational systems and communities.
On May 7, 2025, Amber Hewitt (PhD ’13), chief equity officer for the Government of the District of Columbia, delivered an inspired address to the Class of ’25. Hewitt challenged the School of Education’s newest alumni to “shape a more just and sustainable world.”
“Trust your ability to push through life’s twists and turns as you begin your own journey,” Hewitt said. “And don’t let others—or even yourself—put you in a box. Let your professional goals reflect your purpose.”
Alumni Excellence Celebration
Kicking off Loyola University Chicago’s annual Alumni Weekend, the Alumni Excellence Celebration is a university-wide event recognizing action-oriented, values-driven Loyola graduates who embrace the Jesuit call to be “people for others.” At the 2025 edition of the Alumni Excellence Celebration, Loyola honored School of Education alum Michael Boyle (MEd ’86, PhD ’92) with the Heart of Loyola Award for his extraordinary commitment to Jesuit education.
Boyle, who earned his master’s in education and PhD in school psychology from Loyola, serves as executive director of the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education at Saint Louis University, where he guides initiatives in research, professional development, and systemic school improvement. Boyle’s expertise in inclusion, school leadership, and innovative strategies to strengthen faith-based schools has shaped national best practices in Catholic education.