Dear Loyola Community,
President Cole has often spoken of “radical hospitality” as a way to characterize our Loyola community. Hospitality helps ground our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity. It draws inspiration from the hospitality that Abraham showed angelic visitors (Genesis 18:1-15) and that Martha and Mary showed Jesus (Luke 10: 38-42).
It is fitting, then, that we celebrate Homecoming with gratitude for our Loyola home, a community of students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends all learning together to grow closer to our ultimate home in God. Homecoming is therefore a joyous time! It's a time where we are quite literally called back to the place we called home, or are calling home, during our studies.
This year, I have first-handedly seen our SGA Homecoming Committee work tirelessly since September to ensure this year's homecoming is a huge success! They have released a 40 under 40 alumni list, created marketing campaigns, and coordinated events throughout the week that exemplify our Jesuit identity, celebrate New Orleans culture, and embody the “joie de vivre” that we find on our campus.
Our committee was fearlessly led by Lauren Kohlman who worked nonstop during the weeks leading up to homecoming while also juggling work and school. Please join me in gratitude to Lauren and all members of our committee, who worked just as hard and with similar commitments, for their endless efforts to ensure Homecoming 2024 is enjoyable for all students: Amelie Huval, Esther Effiong, Jolie Matherne, Maxwell Mendez, Tori Johnson, and Zalaila Laird…thank you, thank you, thank you. Without this committee Homecoming 2024 would not have happened.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sydney Begoun
Associate Director of Student Life
