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Loyola Launches Most Ambitious Campaign in its History

Loyola University New Orleans is embarking on the most ambitious campaign in its history, “Faith in the Future: The Campaign for Loyola University New Orleans.” The university publicly launched the historic $100 million effort, which has raised nearly $45 million so far in its “leadership phase.” Local donors as well as alumni and supporters from around the world via video from Panama, China, Salt Lake City and Dallas joined in for the historic announcement.

Overall, the Faith in the Future campaign will enhance academic programs, enrich campus life, ensure financial aid for deserving students, transform Loyola’s physical campus and strengthen its Jesuit identity. Those fundraising priorities for the campaign stem from the university’s new strategic plan, “Transforming Loyola 2014,” which is being presented to Board of Trustees this week. 

“Loyola is making history in its efforts to transform the lives of students—both now and for years to come. The Faith in the Future campaign is first and foremost designed to benefit our students, who are at the heart of the university,” said Loyola President Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D. 

In fact, students are already benefiting from the historic campaign. For example, Loyola’s Monroe Hall—included in the campaign’s funding priorities—is undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation. The completion of the interior construction of the building is set for December 2014 and will result in a complete transformation of Loyola’s signature teaching facilities, creative spaces and science laboratories.

“Students are excited to be able to conduct research in a new, well-designed space with cutting-edge equipment. The rewards that will come from this support are immeasurable as future generations of students, from all types of backgrounds, choose to engage in science and conduct research that can contribute to dramatic improvements in people’s lives,” said Rosalie Anderson, Ph.D., Loyola associate professor of biological sciences. 

One recent multimillion-dollar gift is also supporting students in Loyola’s College of Law. The university announced the latest news of a generous gift: the receipt this week of a $1 million disbursement from the estate of the late Clement Tricon “Tric” Sehrt, a 1971 College of Law graduate who followed in the charitable footsteps of his father, a 1932 College of Law graduate who also supported Loyola. The payment this week brings Sehrt’s estate gift to a total of $2.5 million in funding for law student scholarships.

“This gift highlights what an impact planned giving has on the real lives of our students. Mr. Sehrt knew he would never see the impact of his generosity. This represents the highest ideals of philanthropy, a true statement of faith about Loyola's future from someone who was thinking of Loyola even before this campaign began,” said Bill Bishop, Loyola's vice president for institutional advancement.

Other major gifts to the campaign are already affirming faith in Loyola’s future and its commitment to transforming the lives of its students. Those major gifts include $13 million from the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation funding student scholarships and to establish the Tom Benson Jesuit Center; more than $2 million from the J. Edgar Monroe Foundation supporting the Monroe Hall renovation; and $1.2 million from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation for scholarships for first-generation college students. 

Loyola also launched a new Faith in the Future campaign interactive website with real-time campaign progress tracking as well as information on each of the campaign’s priorities.