Magis Moment: November 2026

 A Message from the Vice President of University Advancement 

As we move toward Thanksgiving, we are reminded that gratitude is more than a feeling. It is an invitation to act with compassion, generosity, and care for others. We are called to recognize the gifts of our everyday lives and consider how we might use those gifts to help others, especially those facing struggles we may not see. 

At Loyola, one of the ways this spirit of gratitude comes to life is through the Medical Legal Partnership, a collaboration between Loyola University New Orleans College of Law’s Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Manning Family Children’s. Launched earlier this year, the partnership brings legal expertise into the healthcare setting, connecting patients and their families with free legal services and support. By working alongside medical and social work teams, Loyola helps families navigate challenges that can affect a child’s health and well-being.  

This work reminds us that caring for one another means seeing the whole person and recognizing that a family’s ability to thrive depends on more than medical care alone. Through this partnership, Loyola students and attorneys put their knowledge and experience into service, helping families find stability and hope when they need it most. 

As we embrace the coziness of the season and gather with those we love, may we also make room for those in need of a helping hand, a listening ear, or an act of kindness. May we give thanks not only for the blessings we receive, but for the opportunity to share them as we continue to live the Ignatian call to be people with and for others.  

Sincerely,

Stephanie Hotard '04, M.B.A. '10
Vice President of University Advancement