because a former student took the time to nominate him for it. Rossi’s passion for Jesuit educa-


tion, and for helping students from low-income communities, has also made him a supporter of the Cristo Rey Network of high schools. “It’s a wonderful model of giving kids from inner city schools the opportunity to get a really good Jesuit education, work experience, and get them ready for college,” he says. Many of Rossi’s former students are now administrators for Cristo Rey. And along with his wife, Diane (EdD ’05), a fellow Loyola alumna and School of Edu- cation faculty member, Rossi helps to provide financial aid for Cristo Rey graduates to attend Loyola through the Harry and Diane Rossi Scholarship Fund. Rossi’s ongoing commitment


to Loyola doesn’t end there. He’s been a longtime member of the National Alumni Advisory Board, serves as president of the School of Education Advisory Board, and was a member of the now-defunct Rambler Varsity Club Advisory Board. You can also often find him at men’s basketball games, where he’s been a season ticket holder for the past 40 years. These days, he’s starting to step


them saying he could do anything he wanted to do, and for Rossi, that meant making a difference in the lives of other young people. Rossi has done just about any-


thing he’s wanted to do; he’s held jobs across the educational spectrum from teacher to CEO of FED-ED, a group that advocates for more than 110 school districts and 500,000 students. He’s also taught Loyola students for more than 20 years as an adjunct professor in the School of Ed- ucation, teaching one or two courses each semester for graduate students with similar dreams of student advocacy. Earning a national honor like the Distinguished Service Award is especially meaningful, he says,


back from his leadership positions to spend more time with his family, all of whom are lifelong Ramblers. His children, Phillip (BBA ’00) and Elizabeth (BA ’01), both received Presidential Scholarships to attend Loyola, and even his infant grand- sons share in the Loyola legacy— Rossi beams with pride when he describes their Rambler onesies. Though he has chosen to slow


down a bit in recent years, Rossi isn’t likely to leave education ad- vocacy behind anytime soon. He insists that as long as he’s in good health, it will always be part of his life. “I’m not a person who just wants to sit in a rocking chair and move to Florida,” he says. “While I may step down from teaching, I will always be available to help my students.” L


FROM THE ARCHIVES


ALL ABOARD—THE LOYOLA FERRIS WHEEL?


No, this well-dressed couple were not out for a night on Navy Pier when this photo was taken. The shot, part of the Loyola University Archives collection, happened right on the Lake Shore Campus. But when—and more importantly, why—was there a Ferris Wheel on campus? That’s where you come in. We want to hear from


alumni who recognize what’s going on in this photo. Do you remember the Ferris Wheel on campus? Do you know the people in this shot and when it was taken? Have any memories of this event that you’d like to share? Send your comments to salessi2@LUC.edu or mail


them to Loyola magazine, 820 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Reader responses, and more details about the photo, will appear in our summer issue.


HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH THE ARCHIVES? University Archives is always looking to add to its collec- tion. In particular, the Archives is in need of any copies of the Loyola News student newspaper from 1963 and any newspapers from the transition years from the Loyola News to the Loyola Phoenix, 1969-1970. If you have copies to donate, contact Ashley Howdeshell at (773) 508- 2660 or e-mail ahowdeshell@LUC.edu.


SPRING 2017 37


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