News
From the Vatican to Loyola: Ethics and AI
Last week, President Mark C. Reed joined Chicago leaders for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where the pontiff noted his family’s Loyola ties. Reed called the experience “a grace-filled moment” and will return next month with Jesuit university presidents. The visit coincides with Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical on artificial intelligence, urging ethical innovation and human dignity. At Loyola, faculty are engaging these questions and examining how technology can serve the common good and shape our shared future.
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A Major Investment in Rogers Park’s Future Moves Ahead
In case you missed the news, Loyola University Chicago’s newest academic building has drawn attention from Crain’s Chicago Business, Tradeline, and Chicago YIMBY, an indication of just how significant this project is. It is one of the largest and most impactful developments in Rogers Park in recent years, and it reflects a strong, long-term commitment to the neighborhood.
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Powering Local Businesses One Student at a Time
With more than 16,500 students, 118,000+ annual visitors, and an estimated $285 million in student spending each year, Loyola plays a meaningful role in supporting the Rogers Park and Edgewater economy. One way we help connect that impact directly to local businesses is through the Ramblin’ Around program, which introduces first-year students to independently owned neighborhood shops and restaurants, encouraging them to explore, engage, and spend locally
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Loyola Achieves Platinum STARS Rating
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) awarded its 2025 Platinum rating to Loyola University Chicago. The AASHE ranks participating universities based on evaluation within a framework called STARS which stands for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. AASHE has awarded Loyola for more than a decade, but this is the first time Loyola earned the highest possible honor.
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1144 W. Loyola Construction Update
Construction of the new nursing and science building at 1144 W. Loyola Ave continues to make steady progress. Beginning the week of May 18, neighbors and onlookers will notice the installation of a large tower crane on site. To facilitate this work, a temporary crane will be assembled on Loyola Avenue and used to erect the permanent tower crane within the construction fence line. As a result, Loyola Avenue - from Sheridan Road to the alley - will be closed to through traffic during the crane installation.
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New Report from IRJ Focuses on South Side TIFs
A new report from the Institute for Racial Justice examines how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has played out in South Chicago, and why outcomes often fall short in neighborhoods that need investment most. After more than two decades, the report finds the system generates far less revenue in disinvested areas and may reinforce existing inequities. It also outlines a path forward, emphasizing community-driven goals over funding mechanisms.
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Improvements Underway on West Loyola Avenue
As shared last month in Loyola Neighborhood News, work is progressing on the 1200 block of West Loyola Avenue as part of Loyola’s ongoing commitment to reinvesting in the neighborhood and improving the overall look, safety, and functionality of the corridor. The project is moving steadily toward its next phase: transforming the site into project management hub for Loyola’s contract partners, delivering our capital projects. Neighbors can expect to begin seeing regular activity return to the street as work continues in the coming weeks.
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More Trucks, More Pickups, Less Overflow: Inside This Year’s Move‑Out
If you only notice one thing from this update, make it this: this year saw a significant expansion in waste removal during move-out, and it showed. Based on feedback from permanent residents, Hamlet Gonzalez, associate vice president for Facilities and Campus Operations, partnered with its waste services provider, LRS Waste Management, to increase both capacity and frequency during the busiest days.
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University Breaks Ground on 1144 W. Loyola
On May 1, Loyola University Chicago broke ground on 1144 West Loyola, a seven‑story, 195,000‑square‑foot nursing and sciences facility on the Lake Shore Campus. Nearly 200 campus and community partners gathered to celebrate a major milestone that will unite nursing and science programs in one state‑of‑the‑art learning space
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Get to know Kana Henning, vice president for Facilities and Campus Management
Kana Henning (BBA ’02, MBA ’04), vice president for Facilities and Campus Management, has called Loyola University Chicago home for nearly 30 years. A two-time graduate of the Quinlan School of Business, her career in higher education leadership at Loyola has involved responsibility for the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and community relations of the University’s three Chicago-area campuses. Following the 2024 release of the Campus Plan and amid several key projects coming to fruition, Henning discusses how the Campus Plan guides the University’s capital priorities and the importance of creating on-campus spaces that foster academic success and belonging.
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Commencement 2026: The Details
We would like to thank our neighbors for your support and patience during student move‑out week. As we celebrate the close of the academic year, we also want to remind you that commencement activities are taking place this week May 5-9. Please visit our website for details on ceremony dates and any associated parking restrictions. Commencement ceremonies may also be viewed via live stream on our website
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Loyola Softball Claims First-Ever A‑10 Regular Season Title
Loyola Chicago earned its first Atlantic 10 softball regular season title in program history, finishing with a 18-6 record in league play to capture the No. 1 seed for the upcoming 2026 Betterment Atlantic 10 Softball Championship. The double-elimination tournament begins Wednesday, May 6 at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Mo.
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Celebrating Earth Day at Loyola and in Our Community
This Earth Day, Loyola University Chicago celebrates sustainability in action through hands‑on community events and campus‑wide initiatives supporting our shared environment. Join neighbors and campus partners at the School of Environmental Sustainability’s Annual Plant Sale, April 29-May 1, walk to campus to support the Urban Agriculture Program, and take part in Earth Week activities ranging from clothing swaps and food recovery efforts to community celebrations and performances. Together, Loyola is growing a greener future both on campus and beyond.
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Spring Move-Out and Commencement Reminder
Neighbors may notice increased traffic and temporary parking restrictions around Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus during student move‑out April 27–May 4 and Commencement week May 5–9. We appreciate your patience as students, families, and guests wrap up the academic year and celebrate our graduates. The Move-Out Letter provides details about dates and parking restrictions. Questions or concerns? Contact the Dean of Students Office at 773‑508‑8890 or deanofstudents@luc.edu. After hours, Campus Safety is available at 773‑508‑SAFE.
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Community Meeting: St. Ignatius Mission Center
The St. Ignatius Mission Center Planning Team invites community members to a public meeting on Thursday, April 23, from 7:00–9:00 pm to share their long-term vision for Rogers Park. The team will discuss plans to establish an Ignatian Mission Center Society and outline proposed expansions of services and programs to better serve the community. Location: Loyola University Chicago, Flanner Hall Auditorium, Room 133 1068 W. Sheridan Road.
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Nursing, Opportunity, and Loyola’s Investment in What Comes Next
Nationwide workforce shortages have only intensified the need for well-trained nurses and health professionals. In this climate, individuals need be prepared not just with technical skills, but with a deep understanding of care, ethics, and service. Loyola’s response has been both deliberate and forward-looking. In a recent Wall Street Journal analysis, nursing ranked high as a profession offering strong demand, competitive wages, and resilience amid economic uncertainty. Among the highlights, a Loyola student who left a career in business to return to school, drawn by the promise of meaningful work and a clearer professional future.
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1200 Block of West Loyola Avenue and Loyola Red Line Station Planning Update
As previously shared, Loyola, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the 49th Ward remain committed to keeping the neighborhood informed as planning continues for the 1200 block of West Loyola Avenue and how it is impacted by the planning for the Loyola Red Line Station. After the recent demolition of the building at 1224–1236 West Loyola Avenue, Loyola currently has no immediate plans to redevelop the site. By late summer, Loyola expects to complete several site improvements, including enhanced lighting, new security cameras, upgraded fencing, improved signage, and added landscaping along the sidewalks.
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National Alumni Day of Service: April 18-19, 2026
National Jesuit Alumni Day of Service takes place April 18–19, with volunteer opportunities across Chicago. One local site, Ignatian Mission Center in Rogers Park, will host a food pantry and cleanup project. Serve locally, meet new people, and make a real impact. Registration required.
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Celebrate Holy Week at Loyola University Chicago
Join us at Madonna della Strada Chapel as we enter the most sacred days of the Christian year. From Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, our campus-community is invited to encounter prayerful liturgies, devotions, and moments of reflection throughout Holy Week, March 29–April 5, 2026.
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Author's Book Talk: Dr. Tikia K. Hamilton
Please join Loyola’s Department of History to hear Dr. Tikia K. Hamilton discuss her new book, which offers a critical analysis of African Americans’ collective efforts to obtain educational equality before Brown v. Board of Education. Q & A will follow the discussion, and light snacks and beverages will be provided. The book is available for pre-order by the University of Chicago Press. This event is free and open to the public. Event takes place on April 14th at 6:00pm in the Information Commons, 4th Floor.
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2026 Community Advocacy and Violence Prevention Summit
Have you registered for the Community Advocacy and Violence Prevention Summit? This year, neighbors, leaders, and scholars come together to turn shared concern into collective action. Centered on Power in Partnership, the Summit features keynote speaker Arne Duncan and voices from across Chicagoland who are working every day to build safer, more hopeful communities. Be with us on April 7 at the Health Sciences Campus, or virtually, for a morning of insight, courage, and collaboration. Together, we can move from dialogue to meaningful change. Free and open to all.
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Loyola's Community Relations Team Shines at the 49th Ward Townhall
Loyola’s Community Relations Team was proud to join neighbors at the 49th Ward Town Hall Meeting on March 4. We brought along some Loyola spirit with a raffle of our signature Loyola swag, which added a fun boost to the evening. Congratulations to our two winners: Coach Harry Hodge of Sullivan High School and Sharon Hyson, Art Therapist and Educator. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect with us! Watch the raffle drawing here!
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Community Garden at Loyola Embarks on 15th Year
After an abundant 2025 growing season, the 184-plot Vedgewater Community Garden, on a vacant Loyola-owned property at Rosemont and Broadway Avenue and sponsored and supported by Loyola, is preparing another spring awakening. The past year was defined by connection, learning, and shared stewardship. With 173 plots tended by local residents and Loyola students, including 39 first‑time gardeners, the garden serves as a place to learn how to grow organic food, support pollinators, and build community.
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Ramblin' Around Our Neighborhoods
The Office of Community Relations is refreshing the annual Ramblin’ Around Guide as we get ready to welcome our newest Loyola students for the 2026–2027 academic year. This guide is created with our whole community in mind, a friendly, practical resource that helps students, faculty, staff, and neighbors explore the vibrant areas surrounding our Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses. Featuring more than 700 locally owned and community‑serving businesses, the guide celebrates the people and places that make our neighborhoods unique. It also offers helpful tips on public transportation, nearby study spots, and ways to save by using a Loyola I.D., making it easier for our newest Ramblers to feel at home and support the communities they’re joining.
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Celebrate Women's History Month at Loyola
March is Women’s History Month, and Loyola is honoring the trailblazers who shaped our past and continue to inspire our future. Visit Cudahy Library to explore a new exhibit from the Women and Leadership Archives and University Archives, featuring Mundelein College student‑athletes breaking barriers in basketball, fencing, equestrian sports, and more. Want to dive deeper? Join scholars, community partners, and changemakers at the 2026 Chicago Women’s History Conference, co‑sponsored by Loyola, as they explore this year’s theme: Women’s Health Justice — Recovering the Past to Shape Our Future
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Construction Careers Open House Power Construction and Loyola University
Loyola’s campus plan is creating fresh opportunities for work at nearby construction sites. Now’s the perfect time to get registered and get involved.
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Deconstruction Begins on W. Loyola Avenue
As shared in the last issue of Loyola Neighborhood News, a demolition permit was issued for 1224–1236 W. Loyola Avenue. Deconstruction work began this week, so you may notice crews and activity at the site. Once deconstruction is complete, neighbors will see site improvements that include updated lighting, new fencing, and refreshed landscaping. If you have any questions about this project, please reach out to us at neighborhood@luc.edu.
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Bridges to Health - A Free Community Health and Wellness Event
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health is hosting a free wellness event for people of all ages and stages. Get connected with local health resources, free screenings and healthy foods. Details: Saturday, March 14, 10:00-1:00 p.m., Damen Student Center, 1032 W Sheridan Road
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Forging the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Courage
Leading for Good is an extraordinary gathering of established and emerging leaders accelerating social and environmental impact. Together, we strive to create thriving communities, in an inclusive economy, on a healthy planet. The 2026 theme “Forging the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Courage” to life. This era of uncertainty and possibility requires more than vision—it demands innovation, collaboration, and the courage to act. Details: Thursday, March 19, 9:00-4:00 p.m., Schreiber Center, 16 E. Pearson St., Chicago.
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Save the Date: Construction Trades Job Fair and Hiring Expo
Loyola’s implementation of the campus plan is underway, and this first step is all about opening doors for our neighbors. The first career fair will be held on March 5 at 9:30 a.m. at Loyola's Lake Shore Campus. Please complete the form to be added to our list for more information.
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Take the 2025/2026 Community Engagement Survey
In 2024, Loyola asked neighbors in Rogers Park and Edgewater to share their hopes and priorities for the future of our shared community. That feedback continues to guide the campus planning team as we imagine what’s next for the Lakeshore Campus and how it can best serve the neighborhood. As part of our ongoing commitment to open dialogue, this year’s survey returns to several key questions to understand what may have shifted and where we can continue strengthening our partnership. We’re also sharing a brief look at highlights from the past year to help us learn whether our updates are reaching you. To ensure as many voices as possible are included, the survey deadline has been extended by three weeks. Your perspective remains essential as we move forward together. Deadline Extended: February 20
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Loyola’s Food Recovery & Equity Programs: Students Leading Community Impact
Twice a week, students from Loyola’s Food Recovery Network collect, sort, store, and deliver unserved food donations to A Just Harvest, St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, North Shore Housing and Supportive Services, and other nearby locations. They also staff pantry shifts, support community education on food waste, and collaborate with Chicago-area organizations to strengthen the city’s food recovery efforts. Loyola students and community partners are proving what’s possible when a university commits to reducing waste, expanding food access, and supporting its neighbors, one recovery shift at a time.
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Loyola’s National Girls & Women in Sports Day February 7
Join Loyola Athletics for their annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day event on Saturday, February 7, for a free pregame youth clinic and women’s basketball game vs. VCU! Clinic participants get a free t-shirt and free ticket to the game. The clinic begins at 12:30 p.m. with the game tipping off at 2:00 p.m. at Gentile Arena (6526 N Sheridan).
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Loyola Magazine: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Sister Jean
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, was a beloved figure whose faith, joy, and service embodied the spirit of Loyola. From Ramblers basketball chaplain to trusted advisor to generations of students for more than 60 years, her example continues to shape our community and leave a lasting impact. In remembering Sister Jean, we celebrate a life that was “a living ode to God’s love.” May her legacy inspire us all. A commemorative issue of Loyola magazine honoring the legacy of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, is arriving in mailboxes and can be viewed online.
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Loyola Unites in Service to Honor Dr. King
Each January, Loyola joins community partners across Chicago and the western suburbs to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through service rooted in justice, dignity, and the beloved community. This year’s MLK Day of Service brought volunteers alongside organizations such as Misericordia, Chicago Lights, Labre Homeless Outreach, and Loyola’s Street Medicine partners, supporting programs that advance disability inclusion, housing security, and compassionate care for neighbors experiencing hardship. These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to strengthening community well‑being—work that extends far beyond a single day and continues to guide how Loyola shows up for and with its partners.
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Strengthening Chicago's Future: Loyola students in Civic Dialog with Mayor Johnson
Loyola continues to serve as a gathering place for civic dialogue and public service. In December, student leaders from SGLC and Inside Government hosted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for a “Lakeside Chat” on the Lake Shore Campus. The conversation highlighted Loyola’s commitment to preparing students to lead with purpose — through listening, civil discourse, and engagement with the city we call home. By connecting students directly with Chicago’s leadership, events like this strengthen Loyola’s role in shaping thoughtful, community‑minded leaders.
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2025 in Review
2025 was a landmark year for Loyola University Chicago. We achieved carbon neutrality, supported local schools, released our Community Impact Report, published the award-winning Ramblin’ Around Business Guide, broke ground on our new Nursing + Science Building, and revitalized the intersection planter at Sheridan and Devon. Through a community town hall and countless partnerships and collaborations, we strengthened the bonds that sustain us. As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to building a stronger, safer, and more connected community together.
Celebrate 20 Years of Art and Faith at LUMA
For two decades, the Loyola University Museum of Art has welcomed visitors to Art & Faith of the Crèche, a beloved holiday tradition that transforms the galleries into a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the season. This 20th Anniversary exhibition honors the legacy of James and Emilia Govan, whose extraordinary collection of crèches from around the world continues to inspire reflection, connection, and joy across cultures and faiths.
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Impact Through Alliance: Building Inclusive Economies Across Chicago
This year, Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center, the Institute for Racial Justice, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce joined forces to launch the Impact Through Alliance Series—a citywide journey into how business, policy, and community leaders can unite to strengthen Chicago’s economic future. Through immersive tours of Englewood, Rogers Park, and Little Village, guided by Chicago historian and storyteller Dilla, participants experienced firsthand how history, entrepreneurship, and collaboration shape thriving local economies.
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Vision to Reality: Loyola Alumni Revitalize South Shore Housing
Join LaJune and Jay Yancy (BS ’84) on their mission to reimagine distressed properties, creating beautiful, affordable spaces where Chicago’s families can thrive.
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Winter Break Schedule
As the semester winds down, please note Loyola’s Winter Break schedule: residence halls will close on December 14 at noon and reopen on January 11 at noon. University offices will be closed from December 24 through January 1, reopening on January 2.
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Holy Rivalry in Rogers Park: Cubs, Clergy, and Community
In a moment that Chicago sports fans are still chuckling over, Pope Leo XIV and Mar Awa III, head of the Assyrian Church of the East, made headlines for a playful exchange with a Cubs jersey. The lighthearted gesture, a wink to the city’s beloved baseball teams, prompted one observer to ask, "Is Rogers Park the new epicenter of papal sports diplomacy?
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Twinkling Traditions: A Bright Holiday Debut at the Lakeshore Campus
On a crisp November evening, snowflakes danced above St. Ignatius Community Plaza as Loyola University Chicago welcomed the holiday season with its annual tree and campus lighting celebration. Students, faculty, staff, and neighbors gathered in joyful anticipation, sipping hot chocolate and listening to carols performed by the University Chorale.
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Food Pantries Offer Support—and a Call to Action
Food insecurity is a reality for many college students across the country, and Loyola is meeting that challenge head-on. With free, accessible food pantries on the Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses, Loyola is living out its Jesuit mission of cura personalis—care for the whole person—by ensuring no Rambler goes without a meal.
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Ignatian Heritage Month: A Daily Invitation to Reflect
As part of Loyola University Chicago’s celebration of Ignatian Heritage Month, Mission Integration invites our campus community to engage in a powerful spiritual practice: the Daily Examen.
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New Nursing + Science Begins with Campion Demolition
Loyola University Chicago has officially begun demolition of Campion Hall, the University’s oldest residence hall, to make way for a new six-story facility that will house the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, the Forensic Science Program, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This transformative project marks a major milestone in Loyola’s Campus Plan to modernize facilities and strengthen its leadership in healthcare and the sciences.
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Growing Minds: Join Loyola's Child Development Research
The Loyola Center for Research on Child Development (CRCD), currently located on Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus, is dedicated to exploring how children think, learn, and grow. Led by Dr. Elizabeth Wakefield and Dr. Maggie Guy, the CRCD combines the Cognitive Development Lab and the Movement & Learning Lab to study how young minds engage with their world.
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Sister Jean: A Graceful Testament to Divine Compassion
On October 16, church bells tolled just before 10 a.m. as hundreds of members of the Loyola University Chicago community and broader public gathered at Madonna della Strada Chapel to honor the life and memory of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, who passed away on October 9, 2025, at the age of 106.
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Loyola University Chicago Joins Open House Chicago 2025
Loyola University Chicago invites you to explore two iconic sites during Open House Chicago 2025! Discover Frank Lloyd Wright’s Emil Bach House and the vibrant Mundelein Center for the Arts. Free and open to the public, October 18–19. Experience architecture, history, and creativity in action!
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Clery Act Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report Available
The 2024 Loyola’s Clery Act report demonstrates its dedication to community safety through transparent crime reporting, victim support, and proactive campus security policies—reinforcing trust and collaboration with local partners
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Three-Time Winner: Loyola Nursing Honored with HEED Award
The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing earned the 2025 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award for Health Professions Schools from Insight Into Academia magazine. The award recognizes American health colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community building across all levels of campus life.
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Quadalotta: A Vibrant Celebration of Community and Music on Loyola's West Quad
On September 6, Loyola’s West Quad came alive with Quadalotta—a new campus-community event co-hosted with former Archie’s owner Roberta Schmatz. Local bands, vendors, and neighbors gathered for an afternoon of music, connection, and celebration on the quad’s green lawn. Photo credit: Justin Peabody, Loyola Phoenix
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A Transformative Garden Project Takes Root at Sheridan, Devon and Broadway Intersection
Loyola University Chicago and CDOT are teaming up to transform the neglected planter into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden. This project reflects neighbors’ calls for more beauty along the campus edge and marks a major win for collaborative placemaking.
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Watch the re-cap of the in-person Campus Plan Meeting
Loyola's campus planning team is committed to unprecedented transparency by proactively engaging the community throughout every step of our planning processes for the Lakeshore Campus in Edgewater and Rogers Park. We are sharing our next steps and listening for community feedback in our fourth townhall meeting hosted on September 4, 2025. Watch the full re-cap on YouTube!
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Loyola and Archie's Present: Quadalotta!
Mark your calendars! We are excited to team up with @ArchiesCafe to present the first ever Quadalotta! - A music festival with a smashing lineup of local music and vendors on the Lakeshore Campus, West Quad. Kick off the 2025 school year with neighborhood camaraderie and a great time on the quad! Campus and neighbors come together, mix and mingle! Saturday, September 6, 4:00-8:00 p.m. West Quad, LSC Cost: Free - open to students, staff/faculty and general public Pro tip: Bring a picnic blanket, grab your crew, and make a night of it! Band Line-up: 4:00 PM – @lundsurk 4:45 PM – @greenttea.tempos 5:30 PM – @laceforleisure 6:15 PM – @northcoastband 7:00 PM – @current.union.tm * times subject to change Contact: Summur Lawson, Director or Neighborhood Initiatives at 312-371-1981 or slawson1@luc.edu for more details. Also check out @Archiescafe on Instgram for more details.
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Loyola Welcomes Students Back to Campus
As we enjoy the last months of summer, move-in activities at Loyola University Chicago for the 2025-2026 Academic year have now completed. August 16-23, 2025, approximately 3000 first-year and transfer students have joined the Loyola community, with a total of approximately 4,800 students moved into on-campus housing. The annual letter to our neighbors detail the extensive plans in place to ensure a safe and efficient process that offers minimal disruption to our neighbors.
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Organ Concert Series
Sunday, December 15 | 3:00 pm | Madonna della Strada | Come and hear all 3,747 pipes sing in the beautiful setting of Madonna della Strada Chapel. Parking and Admission are always free and open to the public!