Dear Loyola,
Last Friday, I was having lunch with a few faculty members and our conversation turned to things that academics love to talk about–teaching, research, our students, and of course the challenges they face as they continue to navigate the post-pandemic world. What struck me about these conversations was that in spite of the challenges our faculty face, the sense of purpose they find in being at Loyola and teaching our students makes it a different experience than being at another institution. The passion with which they talked about our students and the promise of a Loyola education reminded me that being an educator is not what we do, it is who we are. This sense of purpose is of course not unique to Loyola, but I believe that it takes a new meaning at Loyola.
I have seen this sense of purpose reflected in meetings when we are discussing a new program, a new idea or a new initiative. I have seen it reflected in conversations about creating opportunities for our students that address their whole being. I have seen it reflected in our faculty’s intellectual endeavors. Whether they are researching the role of climate change on marine life, analyzing impact investing and economic justice, addressing race relations in the media, or working on grants to address maternal health or mass incarceration in Louisiana prisons, their work has a deep purpose. It is not merely an intellectual exercise–it is impactful and driven by a desire to develop solutions for the world we live in.
I often think about the rapid pace at which higher education is changing and the significant challenges we face. It would be naive to suggest that the headwinds facing higher education do not concern me. However, I am also reminded that, as Loyola Week draws to a close, an institution with a deep sense of purpose, one that remains rooted in its core promise, will always find a way to remain relevant. And, that is one of the many reasons why I find my work at Loyola to be purposeful.
AMDG,
Tanuja Singh, D.B.A.
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
P.S. Final Loyola Week activities include today's Jesuit-themed Kahoot! at 12:30 in Miller 114 (Cane's Chicken will be served) and tomorrow's Faculty Staff Wine Down at 4:00 p.m. For details see the Loyola Week website.
