The following does not represent the views of Loyola University Maryland, The Greyhound, or Loyola University’s Department of Communication.

I can still remember the last hug I shared with two of my favorite high school teachers after a tearful conversation about my college commitment. I was optimistic about what the future had in store, but still anxious about leaving behind the comfort of my childhood hometown of Union, New Jersey. 

But, last June when I was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from Evergreens during summer orientation, I started to feel more at ease. Evergreens Kate Tourison ‘26 and Halle Basey ‘27 made me feel welcome by sharing their own experiences and putting in the effort to connect with each student in my group. It was on my three-hour car ride home from orientation that I was sure. 

I made the right decision. 

Now I am preparing to greet new first year students as a brand-new Evergreen.

Loyola Alumni Evergreen Luke Haus is a professional staff member in New Student and Family Programs who leads a group of about 90 student Evergreens. He defines the role as a first-year peer mentor who helps with orientation and the first-year living-learning program, known as Messina. He said at its core, an Evergreen builds relationships with students to help them feel seen, heard, and valued. 

“If you have someone invest in you, want to get to know you, talk, give you advice, and give you opportunities that connect with your interests, you’re hopefully naturally going to be inspired,” Haus said.

My Evergreens’ investment in me began immediately when I first met my Messina class during fall welcome weekend. Erin Sturgeon ‘26 and Izabella Borsukiewicz ‘27 were my co-Evergreens, who not only accompanied us to programming, but helped get us talking with a music playlist icebreaker that still stands out in my memory.  

Bethany Goodson ‘28 was in my Messina class and will also be starting as an Evergreen in the fall. As an active participant in extracurriculars back in Missouri, Goodson admits she felt lost and somewhat bored during her first semester. Her ambitions to get more involved and strong relationships with her Evergreens inspired her to apply for the role. 

“A big thing was that I really liked our Evergreens, especially Izabella. They both helped me with adjusting to Loyola and I would just love to be able to be that for someone. I think the notion of fully giving up your time and yourself to help first-years do something that is foreign for them is beautiful. I would love to be part of that,” Goodson said. 

At first, I admit I was intimidated stepping into my Messina class. That’s because from the moment I walked into our classroom it felt evident how different we all were. I came from a large public high school whereas my Messina classmate Nola Trosky ‘28 was one of 89 to graduate from a small all-girls Catholic school– yet, we became friends. She attributes the bond our Messina class shares to the dedication of our Evergreens. 

“Not to say our group didn’t click, but we were all very different people. I feel like Erin and Izabella both really helped us to find some common ground and aid in conversation between all of us. Messina pushes us to interact with our peers even more and for me that was really enriching,” Trosky said.

Collin Ambush ‘28 credits his Evergreens for planning activities that also brought his Messina group closer together. He said one of his favorite enrichment memories was attending an Orioles game alongside fellow Ignatius Scholars Program (ISP) students. He said Evergreens are a great resource that provide students support in both their academic and social lives. 

The political science major and ROTC cadette was a part of a similar program in high school where he helped new students adapt to boarding school. From being a “big sib” to starting in the fall as an Evergreen, Ambush said he is excited to support a group of first years during the big transition. 

Edele Brennan ‘28 said her Evergreens helped her discover communities on campus after a difficult adjustment period. The Bronx native said she was hesitant to fully engage in Messina because Loyola was her last choice. She shared how her Evergreens introduced her to organizations they thought would pique her interest. This led her to a space where she could stay connected with the culture of her own family and predominantly Irish community in New York. She now dances alongside her Evergreen, Sarah MacDougall ‘27, who introduced her to the Irish dance team. 

“It was a little scary at first to have my Evergreen be on a team with me because it’s different social groups. She definitely helped me get comfortable with our teammates and was my friend even outside of being an Evergreen,” Brennan said.

A common sentiment among the new batch of Evergreens recruits I spoke with is that we all want to pay it forward. Although we each had unique first impressions of Loyola and Messina, we all shared the same motivation to become Evergreens. Each of us wanted to create an equally memorable experience for the incoming class. 

So, I will be one of the Evergreens leading around first year students during summer orientation and will work all year to help them feel like I did. 

One of my suitemates could not believe that I am giving up three days of my summer to come back to campus to volunteer at Summer Orientation as an Evergreen. With that being said, my fellow Evergreens and I could not be more excited. Trosky received similar sympathy from her friends at home, but she responded with enthusiasm.  

“I am excited to come back on campus and catch up with everyone here who is an Evergreen. I am excited to get a glance into what the class of 2029 looks like. I am scouting out people…saying ‘Hmm you might be in our group, but you don’t know it yet!’”

I want to warn you, as a first-year student, I sometimes felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and homesick. But I got through it and so will you. Rest assured there are many people, including your Evergreens, who you can lean on.

So, my advice to first year students: Be open-minded! Whether Loyola was your first–or last choice—your Evergreen is here to help.