Loyola senior celebrates Commencement with classmates following life-threatening accident
Julia Mikulska, ’26, celebrated Commencement with her classmates on Saturday, May 16, months after a life-threatening off-campus accident left her with severe spinal cord injuries. Her peers, faculty, staff, administrators, and families attending the ceremony rose to their feet in a standing ovation for Mikulska when her name was read.
"Your classmate, Julia Mikulska, is here with us today, Loyola strong and getting stronger every day," said Carrie Fox, '01, founder and CEO of Mission Partners, who delivered the Commencement address. "Julia, on behalf of this entire class, our hearts are full at the sight of you here."
Mikulska was walking near her off-campus apartment in November 2025 when she was injured by falling construction debris, sustaining a broken vertebra and spinal cord injuries that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down.
Over the past several months, Mikulska has undergone multiple spinal surgeries and has been working intensively on her rehabilitation. She has since regained limited movement in her arms and some movement in her right leg.
“It hasn’t been easy. Often, I forget and reach for something, only to realize I can’t. But in a way it keeps me going. I want to move, I want to be independent, and I will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal,” she said. “When I close my eyes, I can see myself doing all the things I used to love like running, rowing, traveling, and cooking, and I know I will get back to it sooner rather than later. I need to make sure I keep my promise of dancing with my friends again.”
Despite the severity of her injury, she remains optimistic about her prognosis and is determined to continue to make strides in her rehabilitation.
“I've been told by my therapist that people with this level of injury don't usually get much return in their arms, so the amount that I already have is surprising. In the next few months, I want to gain more use of my hands and better control of my fingers,” she said.
Originally from Silesia, a historical region that is now largely located in southwestern Poland, Mikulska has received an outpouring of support from those close to her—including at Loyola—as she navigates her injuries and rehabilitation.
“Everyone in my life is supporting me and hoping for the best. Even when I was still in the hospital, priests and professors visited me multiple times,” said Mikulska. “Every week I get a call from my best friend, I get messages from my family in Poland, and my parents and my brother are taking care of me as much as possible, whether it is getting me ready for the day, taking me to rehabilitation, or stretching me to help reduce muscle spasms. I am especially grateful to my parents for pouring their hearts into every task and not doing it only out of duty. They do everything in their power to help me stand up on my own once again. I can't imagine doing it without them or my brother.”
A biology and psychology double major, Mikulska received her diploma in January. Despite the challenges she has faced over the last year, she still treasures her time at Loyola.
“From the very first time I visited Loyola, I knew I felt comfortable here. I loved how many trees and flowers were visible from every corner of the school. I've met many people who made these years unforgettable. The memories—the good and the bad—will always be there to look back on,” she said.
Motivated by her own experience with injury and rehabilitation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in either psychology—to become a therapist—or neuroscience—to conduct research.
“There are a lot of unknowns about this topic,” she said. “In the last few months, I've been surrounded by people with spinal cord injuries or who have suffered a stroke; many are frustrated when doctors or therapists say that there is no way of knowing which part of the body will get better next, or if it will get better. Maybe there is a way to know but we just don't know it yet.”
One of the professors who visited Mikulska in the hospital was Maiju Lehmijoki Wetzel, Ph.D., BSN, R.N., Loyola’s director of pre-health programs. Wetzel, who is from Finland, spoke with Mikulska about master’s programs in Finland, advising her and providing guidance on how to achieve her educational and career goals. Wetzel visited Mikulska in the hospital in Baltimore several times, and sat with her during Commencement.
“Julia has been an inspiration to me personally, and I know many others feel the same way. She has shown me how important it is to focus one’s eyes on the flicker of light even in the darkest of the days and follow that light to where it leads. I know that Julia’s direction is toward living a full and meaningful life surrounded by friends and family who support her in her recovery. I will always treasure the memory of Julia and her peers’ Commencement. The whole arena of people came together to applaud Julia. She, in her turn, followed keenly as her classmates were recognized on the stage, clearly enjoying every moment of the ceremony,” said Wetzel.
For Mikulska, attending Commencement was not only a major milestone in her recovery, but an opportunity to celebrate with her Loyola friends and classmates. She also had a message for her fellow graduates.
“As cliché as it is, find your passion,” she said. “It's easy to focus on what's easy and already in your routine, but if your heart isn’t fully in it, it's just not it. In the end, whether because of an accident or old age, one day you won't be able to do it anymore and you will be left with only memories. Right now, tears fill my eyes when I think of sculpting in clay or dancing the night away—that at least means I truly loved it. I wouldn't have the strength to keep fighting if I didn't have these memories.”
Follow Julia’s recovery journey.