The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. was beginning his second year as University President when Hurricane Katrina hit Loyola University and the city of New Orleans.

“On Friday, I welcomed our new first-year class. We were scheduled to begin classes on Monday. By Sunday, I made the decision to delay the start of class and started to evacuate campus. It was the beginning of a long journey,” Wildes said.

The journey was longer than expected.

Loyola anticipated a brief amount of time off, but when the levees broke, the campus was faced with a new discovery: that they would be gone for the whole semester.

With the help from the members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, an alliance of the 28 Jesuit institutions around the country, displaced students and faculty were able to attend different schools for the remainder of the semester.

The following spring semester, students were able to return to campus to complete the academic year. What would usually be seen as a time of despair, Wildes didn’t see it this way; he believed that the hurricane only made Loyola stronger.

“It forced us to focus on our mission and our identity. It also provided many opportunities for faculty, staff and students to become involved in the work of rebuilding,” Wildes said.

On Monday, Aug. 24, Loyola held an Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Louis Cathedral. Members wore maroon and gold to the event to represent Loyola’s everlasting presence in the rebuilding of the city.

The following Saturday, Aug. 29, Loyola will hold an interfaith day of service. Members will clean and embellish the Einstein Charter school. This citywide event is expecting an estimated number of 10,000 volunteers. To show its resilience, Loyola’s goal is to send at least 200 volunteers to represent the Wolf Pack spirit.

“Community service, as you know, is a key element of the Loyola mission. We will participate in the Day of Service as a way of giving thanks and showing our appreciation, not only for our beloved city, but for all who helped to put us on the road to resilience,” Wildes said.

Even 10 years later, Loyola is still thriving from the opportunities that have been created since the storm, such as improvements for education, city government, and businesses.

“We are Loyola University New Orleans. New Orleans is part of who we are. So, as I believe, the city improves and thrives, Loyola will benefit from these improvements. I think the effects of Katrinia that we live with now are positive effects. I think the city is better than it was before Katrina,” Wildes said.