Today, President Rev. Brian Linnane provided a State of the University address in the Alumni Memorial Chapel. Each year, the speech aims to “address the vision and the focus of the university,” Linanne said.

During the speech, Linnane explained the seven areas of focus that are “bringing our strategic plan to life.” Referred to as the “Ignatian Compass,” the university is working towards:

1. Ensuring institutional vitality and fiscal integrity
2. Improving yield and retention
3. Creating a culture of philanthropy
4. Engaging faculty and staff
5. Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion
6. Cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship
7. Enhancing brand

Additionally, Linnane highlighted some major projects that the university is setting into motion in the near future. During his talk, he gave a preview of the development of the Center for Innovative and Collaborative Learning. This will entail a complete renovation of Beatty Hall, the introduction of an entirely new building for additional office and classroom space, and a state of the art innovation center.

Linnane used this time to explain the recent creation of the Campus Master Plan, which “developed where the campus needs to go in the next twenty-five to thirty years, in terms of its physical presence.”

The President did not specify which locations on campus will be renovated, but he pointed out that buildings have a life cycle, and that hundreds of millions of dollars will be poured into updating certain parts of campus when necessary over the next few decades.

Another point of discussion during his speech focused on the fiscal state of the University. Linnane explained how the University, due to the smaller enrollment in the Class of 2021 and ‘22, is currently under budget. Yet, the administration is currently trying to diversify their revenue, which led them to reconsider the target class size the school should be aiming for. At the moment, the desired enrollment for each incoming class is 1,100, but the school plans to lower that number to 1,075 in order to “ensure financial viability as we go forward,” Linnane said.

The issue of yield and retention was a focal point of Linnane’s address. Both attracting and keeping students at Loyola is something the school has been diligently working on during Linnane’s presidency. “We have traditionally drawn from the Northeast, but the demographics are shifting dramatically. There are fewer eighteen-year-olds in the Northeast who are looking to go to college…the growth is in the South and in the West.”

To provide a possible solution to this problem, Linnane announced the recent hiring of two admission counselors who will be stationed year-round in both Atlanta and San Diego. These additions will allow the university to embed themselves in those areas, and more importantly, expand their recruiting net.

A recent success for Linnane and his administration was the Bright Minds, Bold Hearts campaign. At the conclusion of the 2017 fiscal year, Loyola successfully raised over 100 million dollars. These gifts added 50 million dollars to Loyola’s endowment, created 115 new scholarships, enhanced athletic facilities, and aided the overall Loyola experience through programs like Messina.

To conclude his address, Linnane referred to a vision of “refreshing the brand.” In order to sustain the successes of the past, Linnane believes the community must adapt and change to solidify Loyola as a premier destination for higher education. With the faculty and staff of the university looking on, Linnane reminded them of their immense impact on the community of Loyola, and how their efforts are appreciated by all, especially the students. The President urged the audience to envision a future at Loyola of continued growth, sustained academic excellence, and the dedication to the Jesuit mission.

Photos courtest of Evan Visconti