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 also talk about the core, Messina, and your teachers. We have a special segment dedicated to service at Loyola, Hounds Serve, and you’ll find The Journey of Finding Your Calling, where you’ll get some advice on choosing a major or a minor, how your values help you find a career, 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. This past year, at the Leadership Summit, Loyola student leaders offered their advice on leadership at Loyola. You’ll find it as you look through the Advice articles. 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!

“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.

Jason Ciarrocchi “What Is a ‘Jesuit Education,’ Anyway?”

Tahlia Crowley “We Are a Community”

Sarah Hinteman “Messina Means Family”

Joey Martino “Becoming a Jesuit:  The Core”

Kate McLaughlin “Messina is Family”

Kelly Pease “Are You Up for the Challenge? A Look at Loyola’s Values”

Ternell Rogers “The Mission: Cura Personalis”

Makayla Smith “Diversity and Inclusion on Loyola’s Campus”

Hounds Serve

Service is a key value here at Loyola. You’ll have the opportunity to serve one time a week, during spring break, every week, and through your classes. The Center for Community Service and Justice has a full list of opportunities. The great part about service is building connections:  you serve our Baltimore community members and they serve you. Starting service right away might feel like a lot, but getting involved during your first semester really helps you to build those connections you’re looking for as you create your new home at Loyola. Lots of students say that service becomes the best part of their week!

Grace Cannon “The Importance of Service-Learning”

Emerson Cozine “A Sneak Peek into Your New Home:  Experience Baltimore”

Caroline Drennan “Finding Your Definition of Service”

Casey Fradkin “‘Hound-Town” Serving Around Town: Service-Learning at Loyola”

Nora Gilmore “Spiking Interest: Check Out the Service Clubs at Loyola”

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” 

France Jimenez “How to Choose Yourself”

Matt Maforo “Iron Sharpens Iron: How ALANA Creates a Home”

Bella Martoccia “You’re on the Right Path”

Dennis McNamara “Got Talents?” 

Jalen Taylor “Knowing Your Values”

 

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”

Malone Christian “Grab a Bite! A Guide to Eating on Campus”

Emily Coccovizzo “Friends and Family Under the Spotlights”

Destiny Garrison “Leading the Pack: The of SGA at Loyola University”

Sophia Graney “Oh! The Things You Can Do!” Join a Club!

Sylvia Gredzinski “Thank You Loyola Badminton”

Leslie Mayeregger  “ALANA Services:  A Place to Find Community”

Olivia Pare “It’s Ok to Freak Out: Resources on Campus to Help You”

Josie Sedgley “Row Hounds”

Esha Shinh “Immerse Yourself in the Ambiance: Finding the Perfect Place to Study”

Matt Smith “Why You Should Be a Rugger”

Kelly Terjensen “Surrendering:  Visiting the Counseling Center” 

Isidor Vujinovic “Utilize the FAC”

 

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”

Fiona Hickey “Hungry Hounds: Kooper’s Tavern”

Riley  McCarthy “Don’t Judge York Road by Its Cover: Community at Belvedere”

Noah Parcover “New Hounds: Why You Should Visit Camden Yards”

Quinn Robbins “R House”

Kat Zranchev “The Yellow-Brick Road: Finding a Home in Baltimore”

 

 

Things You Need to Know

The transition to college can be both great and difficult:  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.  Balance is key. These articles give you advice about how to manage this transition and hope to ease any discomfort and nerves you might have. At the end, check out the advice our student leaders have for you. Here’s one idea to start you off:

“At Loyola, we care about people, their innate talents, and who they will become. There is something unique that drove you here. There is something so incredible about you that you should foster it and share it with our community. Find your own light and shine as bright as you can.” Yamil Hernández

Kate Callahan “This is YOUR Journey!” Finding Community

Danny Ceribelli “Dealing with Homesickness”

Aidan Daura “The Best College Experience:  Time Management 101”

Amaya Jones-Core “Life as a Biology Major: Using Your Resources”

Grace Dwyer “Get Sick at College? Never Fear, the Student Health Center is Here!”

Lauren Ficon “How To:  College Edition”

Anisa Fox “A Family of Your Choosing”

Declan Healey “Usefulness of Clubs at Loyola”

Emma Hean “Time Management in College”

Lee Le “Commuting Life at Loyola”

Frebruk Mikre “Frisbee, Friendships, and Family”

Isabella Passalacqua “$mart Money Moves”

Eduardo Rosa “Commuting”

Dowtiana Vazquez “How to Thrive (Not Just Survive) During College”

Sofia Viganola “Greyhound Guide:  Picking Your Packmate at Loyola”

Samantha Vitale “How to Live with a Roommate”

Kamryn Williams “How to Make Loyola Your Home Away From Home”

Narihisa Yamamoto “Use Campus Resources: A Guide for International Students”

Leadership at Loyola

This past fall, during a Leadership Summit session, Loyola student leaders wrote some advice for you as you start your leadership journey at Loyola. Here’s what they said…

“Don’t be afraid to join clubs you think you would enjoy. Also, don’t feel scared to start your own club there are so many people with different interests; there will be people who want to join. Make sure you are proactive, though, because you can only create clubs for a certain period of time.”

“At Loyola, we care about people, their innate talents, and who they will become. There is something unique that drove you here. There is something so incredible about you that you should foster it and share it with our community. Find your own light and shine as bright as you can.” Yamil Hernández

“Dear First Years, Leadership may or may not be natural for you and that’s okay. Here at Loyola, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, and find leadership. That doesn’t mean you have to be class president or in every club. Rather, I encourage you to think deeply into how you can lead others, maybe in class during a group project, or with your friends about an activity. Leadership comes in all shapes and forms, and once you discover what that looks like for  you, you will find opportunities to lead all around you. You got this! You are Loyola Ready.” Sincerely, Lauren Hayes

“When you find what interests you, take that first step! It may be scary at first but you never know who you’ll meet or what opportunities will come your way. It may make Loyola feel more like a home!” Alyssa Kitz

“Dear future leaders, The prospect of leading always seems daunting. Sometimes there is a voice in the back of our head that says we can’t do it or we’re not adventurous enough. My advice:  never let those doubts stop you from trying something new. It is okay to make mistakes–it is an essential way to learn and grow. Make connections with your faculty and fellow students. I can’t wait to see you lead on campus!! Nora Foley

“When you experience a tragic loss during your time as a leader, don’t ignore your own needs. It’s important that you take a pause to take care of yourself. The best way to show up as a leader amidst loss is to be raw, authentic, and honest with your group. Ask for help, for support, for grace, and for patience. You’ll be surprised with the love and support you’ll get.”

“When you find a leadership opportunity that truly excites you and follows your passion, give it all you have. Make sure you show how much it means to you and work hard for and at it.” Kate Izzo

“Get out of your comfort zone! Even if taking on a leadership role seems daunting, you will learn skills you never knew you had and improve skills you already have. Take a leap of faith and just go for it! You owe it to yourself to believe just a little bit.” Kate McLaughlin

“It takes time. Don’t rush, and trust the process. There are so many opportunities and it can be hard to pick which ones to do. Or maybe we are too ambitious, thinking we have to do everything right now. That is not true. Do not overwhelm yourself. You will find what you are meant to lead and I can tell you it’s not everything.” Jacqueline Corcoran

“Go to the events and connect with people. Set aside time to meet with people outside of events. Always have a question to ask and ask it. Get multiple perspectives, even if it’s on the same topic, and learn.”

Advice From a Student Leader:  Get UNCOMFORTABLE! The most growth you’ll experience is when you step out of your comfort zone–however that looks for you (going to an interest session, reaching out to a friend, introducing yourself to someone new). It’s okay to feel afraid or apprehensive. Know that someone at Loyola is cheering you on no matter what! You have support in this community. Julia Ayroso

GO HOUNDS!