November 9, 2001

Reunion weekend honors and entertains alumni

Loyola Reunion Weekend, full of festivities, was the perfect setting to honor Salvador G. Longoria, B'80, L'83, with the prestigious Adjutor Hominum award during the alumni luncheon on Friday, October 19. This award is presented annually to an outstanding alumnus whose life exemplifies moral character, service to humanity and unquestionable integrity, qualities that Loyola seeks to form in its graduates.

Cuban-born Longoria is a graduate of Loyola's undergraduate program and law school. As an undergraduate, he was active in the Loyola University Community Action Program and graduated cum laude. While in law school, he was president of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, and a participant in the Trial Advocacy Program, Mock Trial, and Loyola Law Clinic. After graduation, Longoria joined a local New Orleans law firm and eventually opened his own firm, Gaudin & Longoria.

Longoria exhibits the Jesuit tradition through his extensive community work. He serves on the boards of the Hispanic Apostolate, Cervantes Foundation of Hispanic-American Art, and the Loyola University Alumni Association. He has also served on the U.S. States Commission on Civil Rights since 1992, and is a past president and vice-president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Louisiana. He was selected Outstanding Young Lawyer for 1991 by the Louisiana State Bar Association.

Before Longoria was presented with the Adjutor Hominum Award, alumni began the weekend with the Golden Wolves reception and induction ceremony, honoring the Class of 1951. Friday festivities ended with an evening welcome reception hosted by University President Bernard P. Knoth, S.J, and deans in Dixon Court.

Alumni were entertained Saturday with an interactive library seminar, which introduced visitors to genealogical research on the Internet. Later, former RAs, DAs, HAs, MCs, and OAs reunited in the Residential Quad for a BBQ and a special recognition for Director of Residential Life Robert Reed, who celebrated 20 years at Loyola. At 7 p.m., alumni gathered to dance, mingle, and celebrate while listening to the Rebirth Brass Band and Groove Pocket in the Peace Quad.

On Sunday, a special blessing was offered for married Loyola couples in Ignatius Chapel, followed by a continental breakfast.