Elaine and Anthony Grillo make $1 million gift to support aspiring educators and create outdoor reflection space

A $1 million gift from Elaine and Anthony Grillo will provide critical assistance to students pursuing degrees in education and support the renovation and expansion of Donnelly Science Center. The Grillos’ contribution will create the Grillo Future Educators Fund and create and name the Grillo Family Reflection Space, a dedicated outdoor space for reflection and prayer.

“This transformative gift will empower the next generation of educators through the Grillo Future Educators Fund and support student wellbeing and cura personalis—care for the whole person—with the Grillo Family Reflection Space,” said Brian M. Oakes, ’99, MBA ’10, vice president for advancement. “Elaine and Anthony Grillo are people of faith, character, and vision who continuously live their commitment to Jesuit education—including through their generous partnership and steadfast support of Loyola.”

The Grillo Future Educators Fund will cover the costs associated with certification exams and licensure fees, test preparation materials and courses, fingerprinting and background check expenses required for employment in schools, as well as other essential career start-up needs.

“We are deeply grateful to Anthony and Elaine Grillo for their extraordinary generosity and vision,” said Afra Ahmed Hersi, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education. “The Grillo Future Educators Fund will have a transformative impact on our students by removing financial barriers that often stand in the way of becoming a teacher. Access to excellent preparation is essential to recruiting and retaining strong educators, and this gift helps ensure that more aspiring teachers can enter the profession fully supported and ready to champion student success in every classroom.”

Elaine and Anthony Grillo became a part of the Loyola community when they began serving on the Parents’ Council when their daughter, Elizabeth Grillo Palazzi, ’08, was a student. After Elizabeth graduated, she followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a teacher. Elizabeth has been a lead toddler teacher at Gladwyne Montessori School in Pennsylvania, where she is currently the Toddler Department coordinator. Elizabeth credits retired School of Education faculty members Elena Rock, Ed.D., and Cathy Castellan, Ph.D., for helping her development as a teacher.

“Elizabeth wanted a Jesuit school, but one that was smaller and more intimate,” recalled Grillo. “We visited Loyola, and she loved the students and faculty that she met. She chose to go to Loyola, and we are ever so happy. She belonged there.”

Elaine continued her involvement with Loyola after her daughter’s graduation. When the University prepared to launch the School of Education in 2009, she accepted an invitation to serve on the Board of Advisors. She was then invited to become a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, and she served as a trustee for eight years.

“It was a fabulous experience getting to know the professors and how well they live all their truths for the students,” shared Elaine, who remains involved and interested in the University under the leadership of Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., Loyola’s president. “Our desire to give this gift to Loyola really comes down to faith, hope, and love. We have a lot of faith in President Sawyer and the direction that we see the school going. There is a oneness even when you walk around campus that you don't see in other schools. We hope this gift allows Loyola to continue to admit wonderful students.”

The Grillos endowed the School of Education’s first graduate fellowship to support student research and continue to be active members of the Loyola community, having participated in multiple Ignatian pilgrimages.

About the School of Education
Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education offers leading undergraduate and graduate education programs for aspiring and current educators, educational leaders, and counselors, who are called to work with K-12 learners but require certification and training or improved teaching and leadership skills. Loyola’s mission-driven approach inspires and engages a community of accomplished educators who bring about ethical and fundamental change to help all children reach their full potential.

About the Donnelly Science Center Addition and Renovation

In the summer of 2024, Loyola University Maryland broke ground on the 18,000-square-foot addition and renovation of the Donnelly Science Center. The project involves a complete interior renovation of the four-story building. The plans maximize teaching and research lab space while also focusing on providing increased student collaboration areas. The addition will add research labs, teaching labs, and student lounge/study space to the building, including state-of-the-art facilities for Loyola's STEM programs and new nursing program.