Sophia Renzi

Regina “Gina” Kendall helps a customer at the post office.

Loyola has been Regina “Gina” Kendall’s second home since she was 12-years-old when her mother began working in telecommunications for the university. Kendall said she grew up on the campus.

If you’ve ever gone to pick up a package or mail a letter at the university post office in the Danna Center, you’ve probably interacted with Kendall, who has been a postal clerk for over two decades.

Kendall said she worked in the Danna Center post office as an undergraduate student before the full-time position “fell into her lap” after graduation in 2001.

While Loyola always felt like a second home to her, she said New Orleans didn’t become home until August of 2005 – when tragedy struck many New Orleanians as Hurricane Katrina made its devastating impact on the city.

Kendall said she had the opportunity to return home to Tulsa, Oklahoma but realized that New Orleans was her real home, so she stayed.

Little did she know, this decision to stay led her to serve the Loyola community for many years after.

For senior Dylan Noe, Kendall has been instrumental in her time at Loyola, as Noe began working at the post office during her freshman year.

Noe recalls when previous postal supervisor Joe Porter retired unexpectedly in 2022. Kendall stepped into his role, which led to her running the office by herself for two years, unable to take a vacation and with limited sick leave.

“That was very impressive to me,” Noe said. “She has been a friend and a role model throughout my time here.”

Kendall said it means a lot to her to be able to serve the Loyola community, but her favorite part is serving students.

“I love getting to know the students and watching them learn and grow during their time here,” she said.

However, she said her favorite part of her job is also her least favorite part because students eventually have to leave. Still, her primary goal is helping and uplifting students in any way she can.

“If I can help anyone, or at least be a bright spot in their day, I feel like I’ve done my job,” she said.