Magis Moment: October 2026

 A Message from the Vice President of University Advancement 

Fall is a time that reminds me to slow down… to be patient. As the days grow shorter and gumbo weather approaches, I have to remind myself not to rush. Not to spend the days wishing time away in the promise of upcoming sweater weather. To remember to be grateful for this moment.  

I am grateful for the students who fill our campus with energy and curiosity, for the faculty and staff who encourage, challenge, and accompany them, for our alumni who carry the Loyola spirit into their community, and for the families, friends, and donors who believe in the transformative power of a Loyola education. You can read stories of some of those donors in our recent Donor Impact Report.

I am grateful there is so much to celebrate. In the weeks ahead, our Loyola community will come together for reunions, traditions, performances, athletic events, lectures, service opportunities, and countless informal moments of connection. We will gather around tables, cheer for the Wolf Pack, reconnect with old friends, welcome new members of our community, and create memories that will stay with us long after the season has passed. These moments are more than events on a calendar. They are reminders of what it means to belong to something larger than ourselves.

I am especially grateful to be part of a community that continues to show up for one another, year after year and generation after generation. Thank you for being part of the Loyola story and for helping make this place so special.

There is so much to be grateful for. And there is so much more to come. In the spirit of St. Ignatius, may we pause to recognize the many gifts woven into our everyday lives and respond with generous hearts.  

Sincerely,

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