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A group of Loyola students on the bridge leading into Maryland Hall.

Welcome to Loyola! Loyola students wrote and designed the articles on this website to give you the inside scoop about living at Loyola. You have a lot of information, for sure, but what you’ll read here is advice from students with your questions in mind. In The Mission they’ve given you information about the values we hold here at Loyola. They talk about the core, service opportunities, Messina, and your teachers. Within The Mission, you’ll find a special section entitled The Journey of Finding Your Calling, where you’ll find advice on choosing a major or a minor, about figuring out your values, and ways to discern your goals for after college. In On Campus, you’ll find articles with good things to know about campus living, including information about joining clubs, the Fitness and Aquatic Center, ALANA Services, and all sorts of campus resources. Off Campus includes pieces about great places to eat, The Senator Theater, visiting Camden Yards, and lots of places in between. In Advice, you’ll find some tips on managing your time and money, transitioning to college, and living with a roommate. Loyola has so many resources. One really handy resource is The Bridge, where you’ll find campus clubs and events. If you find you need something and you’re not sure where it is, don’t hesitate to ask. We are so excited that you’re here!

The Mission

“Strong Truths Well Lived”

Our mission here at Loyola University Maryland is to provide students with a warm environment that fosters creativity, academic excellence, and self-reflection. The Jesuit education is founded on the principle of “Cura Personalis”:  care for the whole individual. Students grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, both inside and outside the classroom, and the faculty are dedicated to their students’ success and well-being. The following articles detailing the Mission of our Jesuit university will give you a sense of what makes Loyola’s community so strong and diverse.

Caroline Blank“Impact Through Action: Serving at Loyola”
Jason Ciarrocchi “What Is a ‘Jesuit Education,’ Anyway?”
Tahlia Crowley “We Are a Community”
Sarah Hinteman “Messina Means Family”
Billy Malone “Welcome to Houndtown”
Joey Martino“Becoming a Jesuit:  The Core”
Kate McLaughlin “Messina is Family”
Elizabeth Ottenritter “How to Leave Home”
Kelly Pease “Are You Up for the Challenge? A Look at Loyola’s Values”
Makayla Smith “Diversity and Inclusion on Loyola’s Campus”

The Journey of Finding Your Calling

What’s your major? What do you want to do after you graduate? Are these questions you hear often? Whether you know the answers or you don’t, the essays in The Journey of Finding Your Calling offer practical advice that helps you to answer these questions. And if you already know the answers, these pieces will help you to know why. A key element of Loyola’s Mission is to “prepare students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for lives of meaningful professional service and leadership.” Figuring out your strengths, your values, and what you enjoy are the beginning steps to crafting a life of purpose.

Jace Blehar “Who Am I?”
Jack Glanz “It’s Not Easy–Take Your Time”
Yamil Hernandez “Messina: A Long-Remembered Experience”
Reilly Hylton “Discovering Your Passions”
Kayla Iwanowski “To Estimate a Career, Calculate a Calling”
France Jimenez “How to Choose Yourself”
Elizabeth Kosik “What’s Your Calling?”
Kylie Maddalena “Minimizing Major Stress and Maximizing Major Possibilities”
Matt Maforo “Iron Sharpens Iron: How ALANA Creates a Home”
Bella Martoccia “You’re on the Right Path”
Dennis McNamara “Got Talents?” 
Simone Sanchez “Don’t Stress, They Say, It’s Only the Rest of Your Life”
Jalen Taylor “Knowing Your Values”
 
 

On Campus

A group Messina photo from Welcome Weekend.
A group Messina photo from Welcome Weekend

A Place Like Home

Welcome to the family! As a new undergraduate on Loyola’s Evergreen Campus, keep in mind that you will be here until you fulfill your primary goal of graduating. Whether it’s for the next three, four, or more years, this place will not just be where you come to complete academics. The articles in this series will encourage you to seek out niches and cherish moments that make our campus feel like home. Here students will share ideas and resources that worked for them and might work for you, as well!

Mubarak Ayantayo “The FAC Experience”
Amanda Belmont “Hounding the Incoming: Finding a Community in Club Sports”
Rebecca Berry “Faith, Friendship, and Fun”
Madison Betsill “The Freshman Guide: Dance Team Edition”
Morgan Binkis “The Art of Asking for Help”
Emily Coccovizzo “Friends and Family Under the Spotlights”
Jonah Goodman “Weight Room Warriors”
Sophia Graney “Oh! The Things You Can Do!” Join a Club!
Chloe Hamilton “Dining at Loyola”
Leslie Mayeregger  “ALANA Services:  A Place to Find Community”
Francesca Michener “Which Building is the Best to Live in for First-Years?”
Olivia Pare “It’s Ok to Freak Out: Resources on Campus to Help You”
Cindy Pino “The Cost of College: Working on Campus”
Esha Shinh “Immerse Yourself in the Ambiance: Finding the Perfect Place to Study”
Kelly Terjensen “Surrendering:  Visiting the Counseling Center” 

Off Campus

Flowering trees on Loyola's Quad.
Beautiful flowering trees on the Quad

The City that Holds You

Whether going out with friends or going on a school-sponsored “Options” trip, there’s plenty to do in “Charm City”! You may think you know Baltimore, or feel as though certain stereotypes are all you need to know, but Loyola will encourage you to explore and view Baltimore through different lenses. The following articles have been written by Loyola Undergrads to direct you towards opportunities within your new surroundings. Hopefully, you will use them to consider what Baltimore has to offer outside of what you already know (or think you know).

Katelyn Budzich “Are You Sure We’re Not in Italy? Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop”
Emily  Colyar “The Height of Baltimore: Federal Hill”
Alex Corazzini “Familiar Fish: The Baltimore Aquarium”
Maeve Clow “Step Back in Time: A Visit to The Senator Theatre”
Dom DeSantis “The Unspoken Leader of the Chicken Sandwich World: BRD”
Fiona Hickey “Hungry Hounds: Kooper’s Tavern”
Alex Laubach “Baltimore’s Best: Taking in an O’s Game”
Riley  McCarthy “Don’t Judge York Road by Its Cover: Community at Belvedere”
Quinn Robbins “R House”
Kat Zranchev “The Yellow-Brick Road: Finding a Home in Baltimore”
 
 

Advice

A group of welcoming WR100 students
A group of welcoming WR100 students

Things You Need to Know

College can be a difficult transition for some students:  adjusting to living away from home, having to balance your time with schoolwork and extracurricular activities, staying healthy, and managing your money take some getting used to.  Students have written articles on various aspects of the transition process, and hope to ease any discomfort and nerves you might have–along with some quick advice along the way.

Christian Belgin “How Not to Get Kicked Out by Your Roommate”
“Communicate with your professors, advisor and Evergreens if you need support on anything. They are always there to help and they give great advice.” Ribka Fisehaye
Jake Bredow “Breathe Easy: Advice on Time Management”
“Whether you do or you don’t identify as an ALANA student, go to the ALANA hosted events (i.e. Latin Fest, Asia Fest, etc.). They’re super fun and a great way to meet people.” Kat Zranchev
Kate Callahan “This is YOUR Journey!” Finding Community
“Try the smiley fries from Iggy’s :)”
Amaya Jones-Core “Life as a Biology Major: Using Your Resources”
“Set spending limits for yourself and don’t blow all your money first semester.” Tomas Kearns
Grace Dwyer “Get Sick at College? Never Fear, the Student Health Center is Here!”
“Explore what the city of Baltimore has to offer! There are so many cool things in this city so explore!”
Markus Dudley “Do I Have a Room to Myself?”
“Do not be afraid to take advantage of all of the resources that this school has to offer.” Zach Eisenmann
Ribka Fisehaye “Life as a Baltimorean Commuter to Loyola”
“Use resources at Loyola like the Writing Center and/or the Counseling Center if in need of help!” Dayanna Medina
Matt Gray “Loyola Student-Athlete Stress Management”
“Go to the Career Center for your resume, cover letters, and interview prep. They answer all of your questions & are so helpful!” Kayla Iwanowski
Emma Hean “Time Management in College”
“Work first and you’ll have time to play later.” Victor Mompoint
Marley Holt-Williams “The Guide to Surviving Your First Year in Loyola”
“With homesickness as a feeling while entering college, time will heal that wound; everything will be okay. You’re not alone.” Caitlyn Snoddy
Jonathan Ramos “The Importance of Maintaining Balance in College”
“Try to be involved but don’t feel pressured to do everything; put yourself first.” Jayden D.
Quinn Vaughn “Guide to Not Losing Money”
“Get colorful pens to take notes with; it will brighten up a boring task.”
Mike Watkins “You Never Know” Join Lots of Clubs
“Establish a relationship with your professors. It will help you out in the long run.” Jacob S.
Narihisa Yamamoto “Use Campus Resources: A Guide for International Students”
“You get three chances to make a new impression on everyone around you in life. The start of high school, the start of college, and when you enter the real world. College is a place where you can recreate yourself, so take advantage of it and become something amazing!!”