Three Words
LEADERSHIP. SCHOLARSHIP. SERVICE. The spirit of the Jesuit mission brought to life by each medallion recipient.
Our History and Our Future
Three words are etched on the President’s Medallion: Leadership. Scholarship. Service. These words sum up the essential aims of a Jesuit education. They are also the qualities exemplified by President’s Medallion recipients.
Every year, we honor one student from each of our colleges and schools. This year’s recipients represent many fields of study and diverse background. They have in common commitment to our mission as demonstrated by superlative talent, high integrity, and deep compassion. They excel not only in the classroom but also in the world, and are dedicated to serving those around them.
The President’s Medallion tradition started more than 50 years ago to honor extraordinary Loyola University Chicago students. These students extend the legacy of our Jesuit, Catholic mission as traced from Loyola’s founder and first president, Father Arnold Damen, and extending through his twenty-three successors. In our 150th Anniversary Year, these honorees serve as beacons of hope and talent for the future of our communities and the world.
Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD
President
Karen Camargo
Arrupe College
Hometown: Cicero, Illinois
Major: A.A in Social and Behavioral Science
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
As Loyola students, we are told, 'Go forth and set the world on fire,' and to me, this means we must do what’s morally right and change the systems of today’s society.
Karen Camargo says she wants to be “a person who leads with confidence, love, and understanding.” It’s a philosophy she adopted after first-hand leadership experience, as vice president of the student government at Arrupe College, Loyola’s two-year associate’s degree program. She was inspired by her fellow student government leaders, who were all passionate about creating a safe and welcoming campus community. “Being part of student government has taught me that leadership is about how you live and treat others, and how this influences those around you,” says Camargo, who plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology and then pursue law school and a career as an immigration attorney.
At Arrupe, she maintained a 4.0 GPA while also balancing a part-time job and volunteer work at her church, in addition to her student government responsibilities. She is part of Arrupe’s Emerging Leader Program, as well as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Here, Camargo reflects on her future goals and how Arrupe has prepared her for what’s next:
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from your Loyola education?
The most valuable lesson I have learned while at Arrupe is to be a person for others and my community. Whether the community is Arrupe or my hometown, it is important to find understanding and acceptance for all people within that community and to be driven by that understanding to do what is right. Now more than ever, I believe we should care for other’s well-being, as we are facing many issues, like racial injustices. If we cannot find this understanding and acceptance for the many who face these inequalities, we are not living by the values that are deeply embedded in the greater Loyola institution.
What do you hope to achieve after college, and how has Loyola prepared you?
As an immigration attorney, I want to help those who come to America in search of more opportunity, and provide them with the resources they need. I also plan to bring change in the immigration system and encourage the immigration reform the United States has been needing for years now. As Loyola students, we are told, “Go forth and set the world on fire,” and to me, this means we must do what’s morally right and change the systems of today’s society that don’t uphold the Jesuit values we are continuously taught.
What does receiving the President's Medallion mean to you?
Receiving this award is just the beginning of the many ways I will continue to live by these Jesuit values as I finish my undergraduate years and begin to pursue my dream career. I am grateful for those who have helped me get through obstacles and continue to persist throughout the good and bad, and to me, this President’s Medallion would not be possible without these experiences.
Esther Durosinmi
College of Arts and Sciences
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Political Science
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
The most valuable lesson I have learned from my Loyola education is to care for self, others, and the community.
Esther Durosinmi was only 15 years old when she graduated from high school and enrolled at Arrupe College, Loyola’s two-year associate’s degree program. An immigrant from Nigeria, Esther was motivated to succeed and it didn’t matter that she was several years younger than her classmates. She excelled at Arrupe, where she has been a writing fellow, orientation leader, and student ambassador. Then, she transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Down the road, Esther hopes to attend law school and enact change in her home country, where she wants to increase access to education for women and girls, as well as advocate for women’s rights. She has interned for Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth twice, both in the senator’s Chicago office and as part of a remote legislative intern program, in lieu of an in-person Washington, DC, internship due to pandemic safety regulations. She also volunteers as a tutor for refugee youth with the organization Girl Forward and served as president of Sisterhood, a community service group that helped prepare meals for people experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
Here, Esther reflects on lessons learned at Loyola and how they have prepared her for life after college:
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
The most valuable lesson I have learned from my Loyola education is to care for self, others, and the community. It serves as a reminder and also a form of reflection for me.
How have you been influenced by Loyola’s Jesuit mission?
Loyola’s Jesuit mission has influenced me to always look at the inner layer of things and actively work to make a change for the better. I am so thankful for the education Loyola has given me and I really couldn’t think of a better education, with staff who genuinely care about their students and work.
What do you hope to achieve after college, and how has Loyola prepared you?
What I hope to achieve after college is a sense of how to be independent, and I feel like Loyola has prepared me for this. Taking courses at Loyola, being involved in organizations, and so many more activities have shaped me to be an independent individual, as well as become better at seeking and using my resources effectively.
Lauren Hindt
Graduate School
Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota
Degree: Clinical Psychology Doctoral Degree
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
I have been grateful for examples set by mentors in always questioning how we can better live up to social justice ideals.
Lauren Hindt is committed to the well-being of families in difficult circumstances. Her work in Loyola’s Promoting Adjustment in Children through Evaluation (PACE) lab was the first of its kind, studying the negative effects on children who are placed in emergency shelters before foster care, and her other work focuses on the impact of parental incarceration and foster care on children and families.
Hindt is a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society and the Diversifying Clinical Psychology Committee, where she helps review course syllabi and make recommendations for integrating greater diversity into course content. In 2020, she received the Graduate Student Teaching Award. She is known for mentoring undergraduate and fellow graduate students in the research lab, and has been a volunteer guest lecturer for undergraduate courses and an instructor in Loyola’s pre-college summer scholars program.
Here,Hindt reflects on the influence of her Loyola community and the importance of advancing social justice:
What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?
I am grateful for my experiences with Illinois Birth Justice (IBJ), a nonprofit organization fostering the health and well-being of women who are incarcerated and their families. IBJ offers perinatal and parenting groups at Cook County Jail in Chicago, and also supports local and national advocacy efforts. Through my work in program development and evaluation, I have learned the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration with various stakeholders (e.g., doulas, nurses, public health workers, policymakers).
How have you been influenced by Loyola's Jesuit mission?
As an undergraduate student applying to graduate school, I was drawn to Loyola's social justice mission and faculty living up to this mission through their research. I have been grateful for examples set by mentors in always questioning how we can better live up to social justice ideals, which is the most valuable lesson I have learned at Loyola. I look forward to my life-long, active learning in advancing social justice.
What do you hope to achieve after graduating, and how has Loyola prepared you?
At Loyola, the relationships I have developed with my graduate cohort, mentors, and colleagues have laid the foundation for my future as a clinical psychologist. Beyond teaching me skill sets, they have shaped my experiences in working with individuals, families, communities, and systems. In tandem with my Loyola network, I have developed a commitment to strengthening families and supporting children from underserved populations through clinical work, research, teaching, and advocacy.
Diana Gutierrez
Institute of Pastoral Studies
Hometown: East Chicago, Indiana
Degrees: Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in Social Justice
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
My time at Loyola has not only provided me with a historical context of service, but also has given me the opportunity to be a witness to so many other people who work to make the world a more equitable and loving place.
Diana Gutierrez says she wants to change the world, but knows that to achieve such a lofty goal, she needs to start small, in her own community. “The value of changing one person’s world for the better is still a worthwhile endeavor,” she says.
One of Diana’s professors shares that she has a special gift for being present to and listing to those who are struggling, whether they are her own classmates, her English as a Second Language (ESL) students, or the elementary-age children she worked with during her social work internship.
Here, Diana shares her future goals and how Loyola has inspired and prepared her for what’s next:
What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?
My experiences as an ESL teacher with Teach for America ultimately led me to pursue a master’s in Social Work and Social Justice. The trials and tribulations that existed for my students and their families could not be bridged by my work as a teacher alone. The needs of families in low-income communities are simply not being met, and many are at a loss at how to advocate for themselves and their children. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but seek the skills I needed to better serve, advocate, and empower the people I would consider my community.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons I have learned during my time at Loyola is that I am not alone. Oftentimes, I feel that people who wish to reshape the world for the better or work in service can feel a sense of isolation, and consequentially, they may struggle with the burnout, a sense of failure, or just feel that they haven’t done enough. My time at Loyola has not only provided me with historical context of service, but also has given me the opportunity to be a witness to so many other people who work to make the world a more equitable and loving place.
What do you hope to achieve with your degree, and how has Loyola prepared you?
I hope to one day create a halfway house for youth and young adults with limited resources—whether that’s due to their sexuality, past criminal records, immigration status, or disability—that helps better prepare them to engage with the world; a home that provides them not only with survival skills but that gives them an opportunity to explore different hobbies and career paths. I want to provide the support needed to succeed in a world that sets up the marginalized for failure. Loyola has been important in forming me as a leader and servant for this population, because it has given me the education, skills, and opportunities needed to begin to truly envision what this dream entails and the work needed to make it a reality.
James Dao
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
Hometown: San Mateo, California
Major: Nursing
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
Emphasizing the human component of health care and medicine, Loyola has given me the mindfulness to be a great health care provider.
James Dao’s professors praise both his leadership and communication skills, whether he is in a clinical nursing setting or in a community service role. It’s a far cry from his first year at Loyola, when he says he was timid in class, afraid to raise his hand and answer a question incorrectly. After four years at the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, including stints studying in Rome and England, he’s grown exponentially.
A Naval ROTC midshipman, James is part of the campus armed services support organization, the Blue and Green Society, and will serve as a nurse in the U.S. Navy after graduation. He is secretary of Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity and volunteers with Be the Match, a bone marrow donor program.
Here, he reflects on the influence of his Loyola education and the importance of serving others:
What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?
While volunteering with the organization Global Brigades, I traveled to Nicaragua for a 14-day mission providing health care to small, rural communities outside the city of Managua. It was eye-opening to work with people who did not have the same privileges I do. Later in my academic career, I made the important realization that you don’t need to travel far away to find people who are in need. There are many health disparities right here in our country that need to be addressed. My experiences working in Nicaraguan clinics and clinics here in Chicago have helped confirm my vocation of providing health care to underserved populations.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
It wasn’t until my sophomore year when I realized how important it is to ask questions. The fact is nobody knows everything, and in the interest of self-improvement and scholarship, one should always embrace that fact. What surprised me even more were the reactions and feedback that I received from others by my change in mindset. I discovered that people respond very positively to the authenticity of acknowledging that you are not perfect and even respect you for actively trying to better yourself and your environment.
How have you been influenced by Loyola's Jesuit mission?
Loyola taught me to care for people holistically and authentically. The faculty continuously encourage us to look at both people and situations through multiple perspectives, and as nursing students, we are taught to care for our patients physically, psychosocially, and spiritually. It is sometimes easy to fall into the habit of looking at your patients as a series of diagnoses, lab values, and tasks that need to be done. We, as citizens of the world, cannot afford to ignore our shared humanity. Emphasizing the human component of health care and medicine, Loyola has given me the mindfulness to be a great health care provider.
Eric Karney
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas
Major: Public Health
Major: Biology
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
My professors see me as a whole person, rather than only a student. Whether by creating community or encouraging wellness, Loyola has helped me to better care for other people and myself.
When the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for everyone, Eric Karney helped with the response in Loyola’s hometown of Chicago, working as an intern with the COVID-19 Bureau in the city’s Department of Public Health. On campus, he’s involved in Loyola’s COVID-19 Equity Response Collaborative, a University-community partnership that aims to minimize harm from COVID-19 to at-risk populations in Chicago. All work points toward his future goal of becoming a physician specializing in public health and infectious disease.
A member of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and an Admissions Student Ambassador, Eric has made the Dean’s List each semester and has a 3.83 GPA. He serves as the Vice President of Recruitment for the Illinois Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. He also volunteers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department and at Howard Brown Health, which specializes in providing culturally competent medical care for the LGBTQ+ community.
Here, Eric reflects on his experience at the COVID-19 Bureau and Loyola’s impact on his future in medicine.
What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?
My Loyola education has emphasized the importance of cura personalis, or care for the whole person. My professors see me as a whole person, rather than just a student. This semester in particular, faculty and staff members made changes to support our new learning environments and encourage participation in an online format. Loyola also emphasizes the importance of caring for yourself. Whether by creating community or encouraging wellness, Loyola has helped me better care for other people and myself.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
My Loyola education has emphasized the importance of cura personalis, or care for the whole person. My professors see me as a whole person, rather than just a student. This semester in particular, faculty and staff members made changes to support our new learning environments and encourage participation in an online format. Loyola also emphasizes the importance of caring for yourself. Whether by creating community or encouraging wellness, Loyola has helped me better care for other people and myself.
What do you hope to achieve after college, and how has Loyola prepared you?
I plan on pursuing a dual MD/Master of Public Health degree, with a current plan to specialize in infectious disease. Loyola has prepared me academically to pursue a future in medicine through rigorous science courses and a thorough education in the liberal arts to better understand and empathize with the perspective of others. In addition, Loyola has helped me appreciate the need for holistic care of patients and how to treat them first as people.
Varsha Kalangari
Quinlan School of Business
Hometown: Schaumburg, Illinois
Major: Information Systems
Minors: Accounting Information Systems
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
Loyola has an amazing support system that continually pushes its students to expand their worldview and be the best version of themselves to foster a healthy community.
Varsha Kalangari’s professors and mentors praise her for her empathy and service-oriented attitude.
She volunteers with the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute, a Chicago nonprofit that focuses on civic engagement initiatives within the South Asian community, and spearheaded its 2020 Census Outreach Project. She has also mentored fellow information systems students as a teaching assistant and tutor since her sophomore year.
A member of the Quinlan School of Business Honors program and the national business honor society Beta Gamma Sigma, Varsha has been on the Dean’s List every term. On campus, she is part of the Women in Business Club and Hindu Students’ Organization. Varsha also sings Indian Classical Carnatic music. She has performed at events to raise awareness about classical Indian music forms and taught other young Indian singers.
Here, Varsha shares the most meaningful aspects of her Loyola education and what receiving the President’s Medallion means to her:
What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in?
One of the most valuable lessons has been the importance of community when creating a socially just and equitable future. We must center and support the people most affected within the communities that we serve, so that they're prioritized every step of the way. You can’t create change for people—it must be with people. From teachers, nurses, and poets to community organizers, factory workers, and youth, everyone is needed in the creation of a future where everyone’s humanity is fully recognized and their needs are met.
How have you been influenced by Loyola’s Jesuit mission?
The Jesuit mission at Loyola has taught me how my personal education can be used as a meaningful action for serving others. The opportunities from my education are not restricted only to me; rather my education is a path to give back to the community. I have become a more compassionate and empathetic person through my Loyola education, which has continually pushed me to pursue meaningful work that has the potential to benefit people beyond myself.
What does receiving the President’s Medallion mean to you?
Receiving this medallion is a testament to the large support system I have had these past four years. I am extremely grateful for my parents, who have taught me the importance of education and have continually encouraged and supported me. In addition, I would not have received this medallion were it not for the guidance of my professors, in particular, Dr. Nenad Jukic, who first introduced me to the information systems field and has provided indispensable guidance and advice. I am incredibly grateful for the strong community I built here at Loyola.
Camille Jackson
School of Communication
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Film and Digital Media, Sociology
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
“Loyola has allowed me to think critically about all the systems and institutions that I navigate within this world and what I can do to challenge them and create positive change.”
Camille Jackson found her home at Loyola University Chicago in the STARS (Students Together Are Reaching Success) program hosted by Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. The program provided “solace and connection,” she says, during her first year. As a sophomore and junior, Camille served as a mentor in the program, helping students of color and first-generation college students utilize campus resources to thrive academically, connect with others, and become a part of the Loyola community.
She has also been a college coach in Loyola’s Pre-College Summer Scholars program for high school students and an orientation leader, all while earning a 3.83 grade point average. Plus, Camille interns at Full Spectrum Features, a Chicago nonprofit committed to increasing diversity in the independent film industry by supporting BIPOC, LGBT+, women, and minority filmmakers.
Here, Camille talks about her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling:
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
One of the most valuable lessons has been the importance of community when creating a socially just and equitable future. We must center and support the people most affected within the communities that we serve, so that they're prioritized every step of the way. You can’t create change for people—it must be with people. From teachers, nurses, and poets to community organizers, factory workers, and youth, everyone is needed in the creation of a future where everyone’s humanity is fully recognized and their needs are met.
What do you hope to achieve after college, and how has Loyola prepared you?
After college, I want to continue being a storyteller, combining art with advocacy in everything that I do. I want to write and develop content, including television shows, documentaries, and podcasts that center and uplift BIPOC and other systemically marginalized voices. I would love to work in educational children's media one day, creating inclusive and dynamic stories where young children can see positive reflections of themselves. Loyola has been a significant part of my journey by allowing me to think critically about all the systems and institutions that I navigate within this world and what I can do to challenge them and create positive change.
What does receiving the President's Medallion mean to you?
[It means that] the work that I’ve done, and will continue to do, to make people feel seen and listened to within social structures and institutions that often make us feel small is being recognized. It's a really beautiful feeling.
Chad Kingsbury
School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Psychology
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
“This award reaffirms that my mission to do better, be better, and act better is working. My passion is helping people recover from addiction and learn how to lead a sober and happy life.”
When Chad Kingsbury learned in his theology class about the life of Ignatius of Loyola, he saw parallels to his own journey; especially connecting with Ignatius’ conversion to spirituality from a life of leisure, excess, and violence. Chad is currently navigating through recovery from addiction and plans to work with others in recovery in the future, advocating for more resources and mental health support for those struggling and their families.
After a 25-year career in sales and management consulting, Chad enrolled at Loyola University Chicago to complete his undergraduate degree in Psychology. He plans to pursue a master’s in counseling after graduation. Chad served as an ambassador in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS), acting as a liaison to new and prospective SCPS students and aiding in their transition to studying at Loyola.
Here, Chad reflects on his future goals and what receiving this award means to him:
What was the most meaningful volunteer, service, or student organization activity you’ve been involved in? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?
My most rewarding community activity is my work in the addiction community. I have some years of recovery under my belt and I am active in sponsoring men in AA and working with men in the Lakeview sober house, RCOSA. My passion, and I believe my personal calling and mission in life, is helping people recover from addiction and learn how to lead a sober and happy life.
What do you hope to achieve after earning your degree?
Not only do I want to help people achieve sobriety, I want to set up shelters and homes for people in recovery and be an advocate for people who struggle. I want more resources for the families of addicts, in particular the children who suffer through the pain of having parents who struggle with addiction. There is more that the government and communities can offer in assistance. There is a desperate need for more mental health options for people in recovery. Addicts are not bad people—they suffer from a disease and they need to be treated with respect and dignity and get the same treatment as other people suffering from deadly diseases.
What does receiving the President’s Medallion mean to you?
The President’s Medallion is recognition for the hard work I have put into my studies, but I think what I am especially proud of is the mention of my helping others and that I am viewed as supportive and complimentary of my classmates. It means that I am living the sober life I strive for. What I am most proud of in my sober journey is the strong desire to do the next best right thing. This award reaffirms that my mission to do better, be better, and act better is working. My passion, and I believe my personal calling in life, is helping people recover from addiction and learn how to lead a sober and happy life.
Ryan Evans
School of Education
Hometown: Homewood, Illinois
Degree: Education Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
Loyola has prepared me to achieve my goals by blessing me with one of the largest professional networks in the Midwest, if not the country.
Ryan Evans has big goals—including serving as part of a presidential cabinet as Secretary of Education—and Loyola has given her the confidence and preparation to achieve whatever she sets her mind towards accomplishing. She attributes that to the support of the faculty in the school psychology program, who she calls, "Some of the most supportive, creative, and game-changing folks."
Ryan earned her MEd in Education Psychology from Loyola in 2019 and served as president of the Loyola Association of School Psychologists (LASP). She led the way in planning new anti-racism programming for LASP, as well as efforts to bring more anti-racism education into the local partner schools that work with the School of Education. Ryan has also conducted research on school psychologists’ response to racial- and identity-based hate speech and presented her work at a national conference. She is also part of the School Psychology Urban Fellows program for educators who plan to work in complex educational systems that serve a diverse student population.
Here, Ryan shares the impact of Loyola’s Jesuit mission and more on her future goals in education:
How have you been influenced by Loyola's Jesuit mission?
As most Loyola students and graduates know, there are five pieces of Loyola’s Jesuit mission: commitment to excellence, faith in God and the religious experience, service that promotes justice, values-based leadership, and global awareness. Personally, the characteristic that guides me most is the fourth: values-based leadership. In short, I interpret this call as a need for leaders to be invested in the idea of continued self-improvement, humility, collaboration, and the cultivation of a values-based, whole vision.
What do you hope to achieve after graduating, and how has Loyola prepared you?
My biggest goal, what I refer to as my “grab-the-star” goal, is to one day enter the highest-level leadership in education possible. It sounds lofty, but I would not even mind going so far as becoming Secretary of Education for the United States. My “land among the moon” goals are along the same line—I believe it is totally within my capacity to become a superintendent, director of Special Education, or CEO of a large school district. Loyola has prepared me to achieve these goals by blessing me with one of the largest professional networks in the Midwest, if not the country.
What does receiving the President’s Medallion mean to you?
I am incredibly humbled. I am honored. This medallion is recognition of my efforts just as much as it is of the efforts of those who have supported me thus far. It is saying, "You have done something that matters; keep doing things that matter."
Natasha Gonzalez
School of Environmental Sustainability
Hometown: Warrenville, Illinois
Major: Environmental Policy
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
Our school’s Jesuit mission encourages students to speak up for any injustice we see.
Natasha Gonzalez isn’t just studying environmental policy and sustainability—she’s living it. She founded a community garden in her native DuPage County, outside Chicago, as part of the Sustain DuPage sustainability initiative. She’s developing a program called the Treehouse to promote positive mental health for students concerned about the climate crisis. And she also worked as a legislative intern for U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, a vocal supporter of clean energy and action on climate change.
When Gonzalez transferred to Loyola University Chicago from another institution, she was nervous about starting over. But here, she says she found a community “always there for support and encouragement.” Gonzalez will continue at Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability next year, pursuing a Master of Science degree in environmental science and sustainability, with a concentration in environmental law and policy.
Here, she shares how her Loyola courses and the Jesuit mission have impacted her, and what receiving the President’s Medallion means to her:
What was the most meaningful course you’ve taken at Loyola? How has it influenced you or shaped you as a person?
I was lucky to have my first courses as a transfer student be Climate Change and Human Health, with Sasha Adkins, and STEP: Climate Action with Tania Schusler. These two courses introduced me to creative discussion while focusing on actionable solutions for our own communities on campus and throughout Chicago. Getting out of the classroom and into different neighborhoods in Chicago and meeting and learning from different faculty members and guest lecturers has influenced me to pursue a career in higher education.
How have you been influenced by Loyola's Jesuit mission?
Our school’s Jesuit mission encourages students to speak up for any injustice we see. I am proud to go to school with students who are coming together to advocate for Loyola’s divestment of fossil fuels.
What does receiving the President's Medallion mean to you?
I am so honored and humbled to be selected to receive the President’s Medallion. I have been an advocate for the earth, animals, and people my whole life. I will continue to serve others and work towards a more fair and just society within our ecosystem. Receiving the President’s Medallion affirms that the work I do and life I live is for a much greater purpose than myself.
Rebecca Bavlsik
School of Law
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Degree: Juris Doctor
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
Loyola has challenged me to think of the bigger impact each case I work on may have on individual people's lives and well-being.
Rebecca Bavlsik might be ranked first in her class at the Loyola School of Law, but she doesn’t see herself above others. She stands alongside them.
She volunteers as an orientation leader, advocates for children in Loyola’s ChildLaw Clinic, and has organized events to educate her fellow students about free flu shots as the director of events for the Health Law Society. When a classmate had to take a leave of absence because of a family member’s possible deportation, Rebecca shared all her class notes and material so that student could catch up.
Consistently praised by professors for her thorough and thoughtful work, Rebecca has a 3.957 GPA, is on the Dean’s List, and is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the international Jesuit honor society. She is also the editor in chief of the Loyola Law Journal and was chosen as the Hong Kong Fellow for the Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition.
Here, Rebecca shares her plans for after law school and how Loyola has prepared her for success:
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
I've learned that there's so much more to learning than just going to class. While reading cases and participating in the classroom is fundamental, so much of my learning has happened elsewhere. Studying for exams with my classmates helped me master the material, but also opened my eyes to diverse perspectives and challenged me to question how the law should be. With the ChildLaw Clinic, I've had the chance to actually practice those skills in a real courtroom for real clients. By continuing the exploration of the law beyond the casebook and classroom, I've been inspired to continue learning and growing in so many different ways.
What do you hope to achieve after law school, and how has Loyola prepared you?
I'm looking forward to clerking for Magistrate Judge Andrew G. Schopler in the Southern District of California in San Diego, CA, for one year before returning to Chicago to work at the law firm Dentons as an associate in the litigation practice group. Loyola has instilled in me the critical thinking, writing, and advocacy skills essential to success. Most importantly, Loyola has challenged me to think of the bigger impact each case I work on may have on individual people's lives and well-being. That perspective will allow me to have a law practice that works to make the world a better place.
What does receiving the President's Medallion mean to you?
I'm incredibly grateful and humbled by this award. I know that I am a product of my surroundings, so receiving the President's Medallion is a reflection of all the kind and generous people who have helped me become the best student and future lawyer I can be. From my mom, dad, brothers, and sisters, to my classmates, professors, mentors, and advisors, I have been blessed to have so many people selflessly support me, and this award recognizes all of that kindness.
Marissa Latini
School of Social Work
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
Degrees: Master of Social Work, Mental Health Specialization, and Master of Women’s Studies and Gender Studies
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
What I most appreciate about the Jesuit mission is the desire to take my knowledge and share it with as many people as possible, with the hope that a deeper knowledge of oppression and privilege will lead them to more discovery and more action as it has for me.
Marissa Latini worked for the likes of Red Bull, Variety, and the American Film Institute during her marketing career in Los Angeles. But she left that world behind in 2018 to enroll in Loyola’s School of Social Work. Now, in her final year of a program that she called “life-altering and validating,” Marissa is ready to work as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
A member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society, Marissa has a 4.0 GPA. She volunteers as a sexual assault advocate in the Loyola Wellness Center and worked with another graduate student to create an elective course to train students as advocates for survivors of sexual violence. An internship at First Star Academy, Loyola’s weeklong camps for adolescents in foster care, became a labor of love, and she volunteered to help adapt the programing to a hybrid digital model during the pandemic.
Here, Marissa reflects on her career change to social work and how Loyola has prepared her:
How have you been influenced by Loyola's Jesuit mission?
I cannot imagine pursuing an education in social work and gender equality without the lens of social justice that Loyola's Jesuit mission provides. What I most appreciate about the Jesuit mission and what I have most embodied is the desire to take my knowledge and share it with as many people as possible, with the hope that a deeper knowledge of oppression and privilege will lead them to more discovery and more action as it has for me.
What do you hope to achieve after graduating, and how has Loyola prepared you?
As a dual master's student, I have had the pleasure of taking elective courses that will inform my ability to be a well-rounded social worker on both a micro level as a mental health clinician, and on a macro level as an advocate for more just policy. When I entered graduate school in 2018, I envisioned working in domestic violence and find myself, now in 2020, as a domestic violence advocate in my hometown of Gainesville, FL. My education has prepared me to deeply understand cycles of abuse, systems contributing to our clients' needs, and to hold space for the very deep and personal stories shared with me on a daily basis. I plan to remain in Gainesville and become more involved in local and state policy as it pertains to the lives of all people affected by interpersonal violence.
What does receiving the President's Medallion mean to you?
Receiving the President's Medallion is incredibly flattering. Returning to graduate school was a big risk in that I ended a fairly successful but unfulfilling career path, packed up my home, and moved to a city where I had limited connections in my 30s. To receive this honor means I have been able to contribute to the community that has helped me to build a life and career that fills me with joy and meaning.
Herbert Stride
Stritch School of Medicine
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois
Degree: Doctor of Medicine
Expected date of graduation: May 2021
Loyola has provided me with a strong clinical foundation and the tools to continue to grow as a physician. Loyola’s focus on faith in medicine has also helped shape my understanding of medicine as my vocation.
Herbert Stride was in his third year of medical school at Loyola when the COVID-19 pandemic struck Chicago and all clinical rotations were suspended. With unexpected spare time on his hands, Herbert worked with three of his fellow medical students to create and manage a COVID-19 hotline for Loyola Medicine patients. They served hundreds of patients a day by providing updated information about the virus and referring high-risk individuals for testing. And when he wasn’t manning the hotline, Herbert was helping schedule primary care telemedicine appointments.
An active member of the Stritch community, Herbert serves on the Class of 2021 Class Board, helps with curriculum evaluation and admissions, and organizes service events through the New Life Volunteer Society. He is also a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and the Research Honors Program.
Here, Herbert reflects on how Loyola’s Jesuit mission has developed his approach to medicine and shares his next steps in the field:
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your Loyola education?
Loyola Medicine is well known for treating the human spirit. This aspect of patient care is emphasized throughout our Stritch curriculum. Some of the most important care we learn to provide is unrelated to clinical decision making. Patients often come to Loyola during episodes of intense need and vulnerability. In these moments, we have the opportunity to listen to our patients and comfort them. This not only allows us to support our patients, but also provide individualized care best suited for each person.
How have you been influenced by Loyola's Jesuit mission?
Walking into the medical school, I was greeted daily by a poster with the quote, “The end of all knowledge should be service to others,” by Cesar Chavez. This sentiment perfectly captures how I feel about higher education, particularly medical education. We are given the gift of knowledge that should be passed on to our patients in our daily practice. This is specifically tied to Loyola’s Jesuit mission of service to others. This mission is woven into the fabric of the curriculum, and it has allowed me to develop as both a physician and a person.
What do you hope to achieve after medical school, and how has Loyola prepared you?
Once I complete my medical education, I will pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. Loyola has provided me with a strong clinical foundation and the tools to continue to grow as a physician. Loyola’s focus on faith in medicine has also helped shape my understanding of medicine as my vocation. I will carry these lessons with me as I move forward in my career.
