that every day beckons students to put into practice the Jesuit ideals of being a “person for others”—whether serving the poor or acting to usher in a more just society. The academic rigor and discipline that are the foundation of any
institution of higher learning are integral to a Jesuit education, of course. The campus is buzzing with intellectual exploration, rep- resenting ideologically diverse viewpoints not constrained by the school’s Catholic foundation. What sets it apart is the emphasis on community service, social
justice and responsibility, and ethics. Those threads are woven throughout courses leading to any earned degree. Students and alumni of Jesuit institutions are called to carry on Ignatius Loyola’s legacy of applying knowledge to improve the lives of others. This calling is something that was infused in my coursework, in my inter- actions with professors, and in my time with other students. The Loyola Chicago Literacy Center, located in the rich residential
tapestry of Rogers Park, where students live among immigrants, is an emblem of this. Staff and volunteers provide adult students with everything from free tutoring in English to preparation for GED or citizenship exams. My time as a weekly volunteer at the center— what I saw, what I experienced, what I learned—changed me. It would be one of many such lessons. Indeed, you learn at a Jesuit school that learning isn’t just about
a classroom, a point brought home during a trip to impoverished Duran, Ecuador. I joined about a dozen other Loyola students living in solidarity with our neighbors—no electricity, running water, or hearty meals—for two weeks. As is the case with many stricken populations around the world, poverty in Duran was fed by systemic oppression and injustice. When we returned to Chicago, the experi- ence was translated into more academic terms, but it remained rooted in the conversations we shared and the indelible faces of those we met. On that trip we encountered a former nun who threatened to
“take us down at heaven’s door with a cement bat” if we walked away and did nothing to improve the plight we’d seen. To this day, I’m challenged by her passion and personal investment. That’s the thing about a Jesuit education: The impact doesn’t
leave you. I’ve spoken with fellow alumni from all walks of life, and to a person they’ve told me that they feel called to something greater than themselves. We learned and lived this at Loyola, and it’s why I’m not surprised to see this in the acts and words of Pope Fran- cis. He continues to challenge the people of the world to see beyond their spheres, to consider the impact that one life has on another . . . and another . . . and another. Author and theologian Frederick Buechner wrote, “The place God
calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” The world’s first Jesuit pope, and our Jesuit institutions, are intent on helping each of us find that place. L
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Monica Hortobagyi Siniff (JFRC Spring ’05, BA ’06) graduated from Loyola with a degree in journalism and international relations. After a brief stint at National Geographic Traveler, she headed to USA TODAY, where she edited the website before joining the Travel team. She left in 2014 to pur- sue freelance opportunities. Monica now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, young son, four cats, and a spunky black Lab named Lola.
STATUS UPDATE
What’s your best winter memory at Loyola?
Snowpocalypse of 2011 is one of my favorite memories.
— Amy Christine (BA ’11)
This is what I remember: Snowmaggeddon, January
2011, and being trapped in Baumhart Hall for 2 days. — Iesha Mona Wilson (MASJ ‘11) @SheThrives11
In the 1967 blizzard, I worked all day at Cudahy Library.
By the time I walked south across campus to my apartment at 6330 N. Winthrop, there were about 11 inches of snow on the ground . . . and several cars and a cab abandoned on Winthrop. By next morning, there were 25+ inches on the ground. And we could walk down the middle of the Sheridan curve all weekend! — Mary Carroll (BS ’67)
Freshman, 2007—the 1st snow! Still making snowballs
with these 2 each winter @Kimber- loch @samsleva (pictured at right) — Monica Harris (BASC ’11) @HarrisMonica4
Monica Harris and friends.
I just remember how beauti- ful it looked by the lakefront
and the Madonna della Strada and in the midst of all the snow how peaceful it was. — Ruth Ann Snook (BA ’89)
Snowball fight in front of Mertz at 3 am freshmen year.
— Nisha Baxi (BBA ’87) @nishers
My freshman year in ‘07, the dorm nearly emptied and we
have a massive snowball fight in the lot btwn Coffey and the chapel. — Bob Vail (BASC ’11) @bobvail
January of 1979 the city was shut down. The el stopped
running and school was closed. They
used the athletic field as a snow dumping ground. You could walk down the middle of Sheridan road because no cars were coming. The local alderman dropped off coal shovels, and we dug out the cars so they could plow the side streets. I still have that shovel. — Dave Corradino (BBA ’81)
1992 snowball fight on the old soccer field during finals
week . . . even some of the faculty got in on the fun. — Nick Bretl (BS ’96)
Join the conversation: Twitter: @Loyola_Alumni
Facebook.com/LUCalumni
Snowmaggedon 2011 (courtesy Iesha Mona Wilson)
WINTER 2016 47
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