At the end of January, Loyola University Maryland received its largest ever commitment of $12 million from Bill and Susan S. Bloomfield MBA ‘94.
The gift will support the expansion of the Donnelly Science Center and create Bloomfield Hall in recognition of the generous donation. The 18,200 square-foot addition broke ground in the summer of 2024 and opened this past spring 2026 semester. The hall added research and teaching labs, student lounges, and study spaces. The commitment will also fund the creation of The Bloomfield First-Generation Scholarship.
Susan S. Bloomfield, former general manager of Neutrogena Corporation, earned her MBA from the Sellinger School of Business in 1994 and has served on the university’s Board of Trustees since 2022.
The main reason she chose Loyola for graduate school was the resume of the faculty. Her commitment to Loyola’s growth stems from gratitude of having amazing professors that impacted her success and personal growth.
“I was highly impressed. Another thing that sticks out for me the most was how they really took interest in their students,” Bloomfield said.
Bloomfield invested in STEM because she saw there was a need, not just at the university, but in the world. She understands that the STEM program is already a strength of Loyola, but growing it creates a competitive advantage.
“A proper STEM education fosters critical thinking skills and collaboration. You have to think more broadly and if properly taught, it can benefit all majors. It really is how Loyola teaches STEM,” Bloomfield said.
For Bloomfield Hall, she wants the space to be the foundation for the nursing program. Bloomfield toured it last fall and notes how it was designed with the flexibility for technological changes. She is certain that the school will maintain the state of the art facility and technological advancement, but she also wants the space to be a collaboration hub for students.
“I believe discussion and the evolution of conversation enrich experiences and better outcomes in students’ studies by getting different perspectives. The personal college experience comes from student-on-student relationship building,” Bloomfield said.,
Being a first-generation college student, Bloomfield feels grateful that she can give back and that she was raised with the values to do so.
“Being able to provide a little more access is extremely rewarding. It is important to me to see increased success and graduation rates on campus,” Bloomfield said.
Bloomfield understands the unique challenges the students face and believes that education changes lives generationally.
“My hope is that this also helps with this cycle, and that those helped with this scholarship give back to Loyola,” Bloomfield said.
For the future of the university, Bloomfield wants Loyola to stay laser-focused on being student-centered and highlight that unique aspect. She understands that change is constant and that it is crucial for the school to stay dedicated to its core values.
“I want Loyola to be one step ahead, be proactive, lead innovation, and appropriately prepare students for the unknown. That is all done by teaching,” Bloomfield said.