Loyola receives $1 million gift to support the Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning
Loyola has received a $1 million gift from Jim and Hollis Forbes to support the construction of the Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning, which the University will break ground on in 2020.
The Forbes Idea Lab, which will be located on the first floor of the Fernandez Center, will be designed to house activities related to the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, which opened last year.
Jim Forbes is a 1980 graduate of Loyola and the chairman of Loyola’s Board of Trustees. He and his wife want to help advance the momentum around innovation and collaboration that they see growing at Loyola.
“Instead of traditional classrooms, the Fernandez Center will offer space for more interdisciplinary learning,” said Jim Forbes. “I would hope that other alumni would pause and reflect on the values they learned at Loyola and how Loyola has helped shape their careers.”
Jim and Hollis Forbes were inspired by the $5 million gift from Trustee Miguel “Mike” and Constance Fernandez and the Fernandez Family Foundation, which will contribute to the Fernandez Center and support need-based aid.
“On behalf of Loyola University Maryland and our students, I thank Jim and Hollis for this generous and transformative gift,” said Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., president. “I’m grateful to them for helping launch the Idea Lab, which will be a hub of entrepreneurial growth for our students, and for believing in the bright future of Loyola.”
The Fernandez Center, which will be located on the Evergreen campus, will be a dynamic, state-of-the-art building that will help Loyola advance its outcomes and reputation as a place for innovation. In addition to the Forbes Idea Lab, the Fernandez Center will include the expanded Dan and Kelly Rizzo Career Center, active learning classrooms, and innovative space for faculty.
Long-time generous supporters of the University, Jim Forbes, ’80, and his wife, Hollis, gave $1 million in 2012 to renovate and refurbish Reitz Arena. The basketball court was named Forbes Court to recognize their funding for that project.