A new scholarship fund has been created for Loyola Maryland rising juniors and seniors thanks to a $2.5 million gift from Joanna Armiger Edwards and her husband Stuart W. Edwards. Joanna Armiger Edwards received her MBA from Loyola in 2000, and planned the gift to be bestowed upon Loyola after the couple passes away. This planned gift is one of the largest that Loyola has received for a scholarship.

Armiger Edwards, 73, is a clinical psychologist and has owned her own practice in Maryland since 1980. Her husband Stuart worked most of his life as a computer system integration consultant, and spent several years as an officer in the United States Navy. Much like Joanna, Mr. Edwards always worked to continue his education and learn, and at age 69 he is currently enrolled in Loyola’s Master of Theological Studies program.

The bequest is part of Loyola’s Bright Minds Bold Hearts campaign, which has a goal to raise $100 million to better the campus community.  Father Linnane described the importance of the campaign when it first began in 2011, stating “Through the financial support of those who have such faith in Loyola and the Jesuit education we offer, Bright Minds Bold Hearts will ensure that the Loyola we know and love will only be strengthened and enhanced.” Stuart and Joanna Edwards’ generous gift brings the total fundraised as of February 2016 to $66 million.

Why did the pair decide to give such a significant contribution? “Educated men and women raise educated families,” Armiger Edwards explained. “Both of us feel very committed to the idea that education is the answer, and the more access to education there is to a much wider variety of people, the better our community and our nation will be.”

Photo courtesy of Loyola News/Howard Korn