Dear Members of the Loyola Community,

Our academic year begins with excitement and abundant hope. We may be separated physically, but I trust you can feel the energy and enthusiasm as we all connect and reconnect for the start of the semester. Even while learning and interacting remotely, we have much to look forward to as a community.

In this moment, I encourage you to reflect on what it is you appreciate most about being part of the Loyola community. Much as we all love our campus, I believe what defines Loyola most are our people and our purpose. Our mission as a Jesuit, Catholic university calls us to focus on the ideals of liberal education, the development of the whole person, and inspiring students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world. Our faculty, staff, and administrators have certainly leaned into that mission as they have worked diligently and creatively to prepare to welcome our students. We continue to work actively toward bringing our community back to our campuses for the spring semester, and we look forward to that time.

Affirmation of our mission
I am delighted to share that last week, Loyola received word that our Catholic and Jesuit identity has been confirmed by the Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who reviewed the Mission Priority Examen our community submitted earlier this year. This is both an accomplishment and a reminder of the importance of living out our mission—particularly through our renewed focus on Ignatian formation, environmental sustainability, and equity and inclusion. This year we will engage in conversation, contemplation, and action around these and other topics, and I hope you will participate.

Blessing on the Academic Year
As we begin the new academic year with gratitude and joy, I ask for God’s blessing on each of us.

May God bless our talented faculty, who impart such a depth and breadth of knowledge, as they teach, mentor, and guide our students. 
May God bless our dedicated staff and administrators, who serve with great care and concern for every person in our community. 
May God bless our students with strength of body and spirit, compassionate hearts, and minds open to wisdom. 
May this be a time of connection, growth, and wonder for each of us as we support one another and work toward greater peace and justice in our community and in our world. 
I ask this in the name of Emmanuel, God with us, for God is, indeed, with us today and every day. Amen.

I hope you have a fulfilling, enriching, and enjoyable semester and look forward to connecting with you soon.

Sincerely,

Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J.
President