Loyola’s centennial class has the largest enrollment since Katrina. These men and women come from all over the world to study at Loyola University. The freshman class comes from as many places as Metairie, Louisiana; Plano, Texas and Madrid, Spain.
These incoming freshmen might not know it, but they’ve been greeted by a huge number of renovations. The C-Store has morphed into the Market. The ruins of a long abandoned beauty shop and salon became a modern eatery serving up pizzas and salads for hungry students bustling to their next class. Even the Orleans Room updated their carte du jour. With a variety of health-conscious foods now on the menu, students now fill up the Orleans Room instead of running out.
Freshmen and seniors alike should remember to explore the subterranean depths of the Danna Center. There, anyone may come across the remodeled Satchmo’s with its SGA supplied billiards tables and juke box, delicious food, modern furniture and an entertainment area which includes a performance stage and piano.
More significant to the students’ growth and education is the creation of the inter-organization space The Hub. What was once wasted space has now become a central lab for all student organizations to use. The Hub boasts itself as a command center for different organizations to network and assist each other. Where once an organization may have lacked the structure to complete a goal, the Hub brings people together of like interests, capable of exceeding past expectations.
With drastic change comes a lot of strong opinion. Students, staff and faculty had a lot to say about the construction while it was half-done, but the end result is surprisingly impressive. The Danna Center is brighter, more engaging and more consistent. The university took on the challenge to update the central student hangout, and they succeeded. The old Danna Center was grungy, neglected and tired. Students can say what they want about the carpet. At least it’s sparking conversation.
Student organizations should not be opposed to change, either. While students should fight to preserve what’s working well, they shouldn’t fear expansion. SGA provides students an opportunity for a voice, and the Hub assures student life that they will always be in control of their activities and organizations.
As for the centennial class, allow us to welcome you to your new home. Hopefully you’ll make our student body more diverse than ever before, and spark even more conversations and debates than in previous years.
