Renewal is a running theme for New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast two years ago. It has also been a running theme for Loyola University.
The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, opened the academic year with the President’s Convocation for faculty and staff while focusing on renewal, stability and growth for Loyola and the city. Within those areas, there is a growing emphasis on the importance of enrollment, institutional advancement and campus facilities.
The need to achieve stability for the university has been accomplished and there is now a need to work toward growth and rebirth, Wildes said. This stability is complemented by the renewal of the university.
Wildes emphasized the importance of this revitalization of Loyola. “The university is renewed by the addition of new faculty and staff members who are joining us. We are also renewed by the new students … who come to join us…. With these arrivals, Loyola is remade yet again.”
Enrollment of first-year students remains the same as last fall and stands at 527 students. While the number remained the same, there were improvements in other areas, Wildes said. The number for undergraduate out-of-state enrollment increased six percent since last year. This 54 percent still falls short of the pre-Katrina out-of-state enrollment level of 75 percent.
Loyola, like most other universities, is dependent on strong enrollment for financial stability, but Wildes said there has been progress.
Another factor in Loyola’s restoration was the hiring of 36 new faculty members, the largest group in recent years, according to Wildes. These new faculty hires were accompanied by new staff hires. The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs also saw several new appointments – George Capowich as vice provost, Melanie McKay as special assistant to the provost for professional development and Roger White as vice provost for academic programs.
Growth and improvement in the quality of life for students and faculty is another aim for this academic year. With long-term plans being formed, the short term plan includes the refurbishment of the Danna Center, a renovation of food services, undertaking issues of deferred maintenance and classroom needs as well as improvements to residential housing.
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has also given a new emphasis on development and institutional advancement. To address this issue, Wildes said the Department of Institutional Advancement has been reorganized and will work to plan a new capital campaign.
Tara Templeton can be reached at [email protected].
