I’m really proud to belong to Loyola University New Orleans.

The New Orleans part of this equation is outstanding – uptown New Orleans is an incredible setting with Audubon Park just across the street; the weather here from September to May is some of the best in the country during those months; we have great food (obviously), amazing music (even more obvious), a burgeoning movie industry, and kind-hearted and giving people; and New Orleans is in the throes of a great renaissance that shows no signs of stopping.

The other end of our name – Loyola University – means we are one of the 28 Catholic and Jesuit Universities in the United States. We have a wonderful identity, rooted in St. Ignatius of Loyola’s vision of God, education, and community. Take that and blend it with our location and we arrive to the “are-you-kidding-me?” moment. What a great place!

I had the honor of speaking at our 100th anniversary celebration a few weeks ago and in my talk I mentioned our great students – creative, dynamic, intellectually curious, and (most importantly) open to growth. I mentioned our great faculty – committed, brilliant, driven to research and teaching (look around, this is a rare combination!). I mentioned how even without our Ignatian values we are a very good private school. But with them, we have something very special.

These are the 12 ideals to which Loyola aspires:

• Pursuit of excellence
• Respect for the world, its history and mystery
• Learning from experience
• Contemplative vision formed by hope
• Development of personal potential
• Critical thinking and effective communication
• Appreciation of things both great and small
• Commitment to service
• Linking faith with justice
• Special concern for the poor and oppressed
• International and global perspective
• Finding God in all things

These are not just slogans to be carted out every few years, dusted off, admired and then again returned to the archives. These are living, breathing testaments of an education grounded in universal truth. They are expressed in our curriculum, in the way we conduct business, and relate to one another. They are at the cornerstone of our community, in our leadership programs, in how we define and direct the formation and development of our students, faculty, and staff.

In sum, these ideals reside at the highest levels of consciousness. Open to all persons of all faiths, they are the application and manifestation of the dream of human unity. They are why Loyola is so important to this community and all of the persons and places all of us at Loyola interact with.  We seek to live these ideals every day, as a reminder of what is best in all fields of human endeavor. They live at the very heart of change, for both one’s self and for the greater good.

As we cycle through these ideals, we arrive at the end right where we started, at the very heart of creation. Here we find God in all things. I can hardly imagine an education without this constant reminder, for this is the very essence of transformation and this is why we have Loyola University New Orleans; this is why we have a history to honor, a future to look forward to, these courses, this research, these clubs, these volunteers, these mentors, these advisors, this website, this blog, and so on.

For every day at Loyola, we change the world.

March and April are big months for colleges and universities across the United States. Many prospective students will be choosing where to spend their next four years. College admission offices are abuzz with activity as families proverbially “kick the tires” (I never understood how kicking the tires of anything proves its merit. Locals will most assuredly recall the grainy low-def video of a commercial in which a little girl kicks the tires of an auto at her grandfather’s dealership and announces, “That’s a good car, PAW PAW!” But, again, that’s for another entry.) of any number of would-be institutions via tours, classroom visits, friendly chats with admissions personnel, informal discussions with current students, a sampling of the fare in a dining hall, conversing with faculty, clicking through dozens of web site pages, and, yes, chancing upon the occasional blog.

At Loyola, we are blessed to be able to utilize a full complement of activities to ensure that students and families receive an authentic and three-dimensional glimpse of what we have here. This is why we love when people come to see us and we work very hard to make sure that they get what they need. Our entire admissions and financial aid staffs have worked some very long hours to make sure we have been able to provide a window to Loyola for many hundreds of families across the United States, and the world. If you have not been to campus yet, schedule your visit by clicking here!

Decisions as to where to attend college often fall into some general categories, but each person has the right to make their own personal choice, which means they get to own the complexity of their decision. And, it’s ok for a decision to come down not so much to a clincal, or sanitized review of the facts, but a feeling, and impression, an ethos. Yes, facts help, but our relation to the schools we attend are multi-layered, and bound to experience, past, current, and potential.

I wish everyone good luck in choosing the school that is right for them this year. As we’ve said in this space time and again, a Loyola education is a great value, a remarkable long-term investment. Of course, it works both ways: students enroll to enjoy a great eduction, and we gain the honor of delivering it to them. And, we are simply in awe of the extraordinary students and families who have come into our lives this year, and, therefore, we expect to enroll a brilliant and diverse class in fall 2012.

For this, in one of the most revered of Ignatian traditions, we are most grateful.

Around this time of year I start to hear this phrase, “Well, we didn’t do a FAFSA. We won’t qualify for any assistance anyway.”

My response: “How do you know?”

The FAFSA, the free application for federal student aid, entitles qualifying students for many different kinds of funding, which, of course, include need-based Loyola grants, government grants like Pell and TOPS, but also a host of federal loan options, too. By not completing a FAFSA, families severely limit their options even to learn about what might be out there, and, of course, they lose their access to it.

The Department of Education has simplified the FAFSA application process. Sending us your completed FAFSA – which you can do online – lets us review with you all of your financing options. We have great information on our website at http://www.loyno.edu/financialaid/completing-fafsa  to assist you if you have questions as you complete the form. The 7 easy steps piece is super helpful, too.

So, here’s the link for FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov If you have not yet done so, complete one today if you intend to enroll as a new student in fall 2012.

If you are a returning student with financial assistance, you have to complete a new FAFSA every year. So, be sure to complete yours soon. Our priority deadline is May 1.

Learn more – so much more – on our financial aid and scholarships webpage.

Ok, thanks for coming back for part two (if you missed part one, look below) on my thoughts on choosing a college. Here are the last 4 of the 8 BIG THINGS to be thinking about to narrow your search.

5. ENERGY. Does the campus have the kind of vibe you are looking for? I know this is such a subjective measure, but consider this: energy will determine so many of your individual choices in your life. You will graviate toward the poeple, places, activities that inspire you – if fact, they seem to be choosing you as you are choosing them! As you meet the students on a prospective campus, can you see yourself hanging out with them, learning from them? Did you like the professors and the staff? Do you know any alumni of the school. Do they inspire you? What about student life? Do they have a club for you, student government, the student paper? Is it easy to get involved? These are very important considerations.

6. ACADEMICS. For many, academics will be at the top of the list. And it should be, this is the number one reason to attend university. Academics is learning to learn; it’s critial thinking applied over and again; it’s gathering a set of skills for professional use; it’s problem-solving; it’s the lifeblood of what universities do. No one is ever asked to leave a university because they did not join enough clubs, but certainly students have been asked to leave for not having attended enough classes. Faculty and students are at the core of what we do, so make sure your future college has a program (a major) that appeals, and several others that could appeal (some students change majors during the course of their enrollment).

7. ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES. Academics gets two spots in our list of eight because of its importance to the campus and the student experience, and it’s not just lectures and papers. It’s study abroad opportunities; it’s undergraduate research; it’s internships; and opportunities for career networking; it’s mentoring and advising. It’s all the things that we talk about when we say Loyola offers a holeistic experience.

8. LEARN FROM OTHERS. Families, counselors, and teachers can help students answer this question: can this university prepare me for life and work in an ever-changing world? Sometimes we don’t see things clearly for ourselves, so it’s always good to rely on the experience of those who know us and who can see how our expierences might play out on a given campus. Don’t be afraid to ask for help on this journey! Call our admissions office, too. We’re here to help!

Good luck as you choose your college. It’s an exciting time in your life, and I know you’ll make the most of it!

I’m honored each year to speak to dozens of students – and often their families – as they think about where to enroll as an undergraduate student. I thought I’d increase my reach this year and post some of my thoughts about this important topic in this space.

Despite some of the uncertainty that remains in our economy and the recent wave of contrarian opinions from columnists and talking heads, college remains a must for almost all of those who aspire toward a professional life and a life full of great choices and opportunities. At Loyola, we often talk of the development of the whole person as part of our university’s mission and so we see college as not just a stepping stone to financial and career success but, in fact, it is the open door to the rest of one’s life, the equipping of one with the tools to ask the right questions, navigate change, and affirm one’s callings.

This is heady stuff, and so the college choice is an important one. I’m going to give you 8 BIG THINGS to think about in your college search. I don’t see any one of these as necessarily more important than any other, but each individual has their own opinion and after some thought, you might do well to rank these on your own to discern what’s most important to you. Here are the first 4. Check back next week for the sequel and the final 4:

1.SIZE. At Loyola we think we are the right size. Next fall we’ll have about 5700 students; 3200 undergraduates or so. We have the resources and facilities of a larger institution, but class sizes that average in the 20′s. But some students want larger schools; some want smaller schools. Again, there is no objectively correct choice, just one that makes the most sense for you.  Be sure to look at the size of the physical campus, class sizes, and the way the facilities are laid out to see if a school is to your liking.

2.LOCATION. City or rural? Right in a bustling downtown, or on the edge of town? Look to see what’s around the college. Do you like ample park space? Are you more of a cement and skyscrapers kind of person? Do you need to be near the mountains, an ocean? Location can really matter when you want a break from campus and head out to a museum or a restaurant; you’ll want to make sure there are cultural choices to your liking. Also, think about the culture of the city or town you are going to? Does it resonate, at least a little, with what you like and would like to experience? If so, are you prepared for everything else it could bring you? I went away to a cold climate for college after growing up in New Orleans. My hair froze one day when I did not dry it well enough after a morning shower. Wow, didn’t see that coming.

3.MISSION. What is the school all about? At Loyola, we have some definite ideas about education -that we should treat others with kindness and offer them our assistance; that we should develop our whole selves; that God is everywhere and in all people; that we should strive for excellence; that we should all possess an international perspective as a means to connecting to all of God’s people. Sound good? Great! If not, that’s okay – keep looking until you find the school that promulgates values and ideals that work for you.

4.VALUE/PRICE. Wow. I know this is THE big one for many families and I know that families make their decisions based on their priorities and what they think is possible. That said, here’s my advice: always look past the initial price. Think about what financial aid and scholarships might be available to offset costs and think long-term. Think 30 years long term. I would not trade my Catholic-Jesuit education for anything (high school, undergrad. and graduate school). Did it cost some money? Yes. Was it worth the investment? Yes!! My education has prepared me for so many opportunities that I’ve lost count. As important, it’s prepared me for things I could never have anticipated. It encouraged me to utilize all my skills and talents, and I’m still developing them every day. Attend a college that will help you become a life-long learner and a full time participant in your own life. Here’s your timeline: First, apply to schools. Second, see where you are accepted. Third: complete a FAFSA. Fourth: assess your financial aid. Be sure to ask questions of your aid counselors; and explore financing options. Fifth: Make a decision based on what’s feasible at the time, but be sure to have a long-term horizon.

Ok, start with these and you can begin to narrow down your search some. See you next week.

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

My mother and father tried every year to coax out of each of us what we were thankful for, as we all salivated around the table on the precipice of consuming the best meal of the year. By “us,” I mean grandparents to toddlers. And, we would normally report from oldest to youngest (well, at least that is what my memory is telling me; maybe that’s just how we were seated). So, first the octogenarians would opine about what family means to them and, eventually, my brother and I would be on the hot seat. Young kids love to sabotage these kinds of things, despite the heartfelt intentions of their parents, and there I’d be shouting out something like, “Football in the fall…..and food!”

Despite my flippant treatment of what was obviously a very mannerly endeavor, ironically, both football and food remain among the things I am most thankful for. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that my family -Amy, Lilly, and everyone I am connected to by blood – is the one thing that enriches my life more than any other one thing. I’m a pretty reflective person (there’s that Jesuit influence), so I do not need a big holiday to know that.

But, I do need a big holiday to remind me of what is right in my life, in our culture, in our economy, on our tables. Despite the challenges each of us faces, each of us has been bestowed with many skills and opportunities. I marvel each day at the wonderful talent that comes across our desks in the form of applications for admission to Loyola; and I marvel at the incredible talents of our faculty, our staff, and our students.

I appreciate the diversity of people I have had the chance to meet in my time in New Orleans and at Loyola. I am reminded that although everywhere in America Thursday is Thanksgiving, we all might celebrate it a little differently. Some of us will go down the line and have a traditional meal (though I bet you will have a hard time getting two people to agree of what every detail of that means). Others will weave in their own variations. My Italian relatives will, no doubt, add pasta and meatballs and sauce (locally, sauce is called gravy-see, another variation). Here in New Orleans, oyster dressing replaces the traditional stuffing. Cranberry sauce? Well, lots can happen there. Apple pie? Sure, but how about some homemade blackberry gelato? Turkey? No doubt, but is yours prepared like our university photographer Harold Baquet’s turkey, infused with garlic seasoning and slow-cooked…for 22 hours?!?!?

The point is, Thanksgiving is ours. This nation is ours. Our creativity is ours. Harness it, use it, share it, challenge it. What makes each of us unique, collectively, makes us great. Thank God we live in a country where expressing oneself is more than a right, it’s an expectation.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

At Loyola, people are always talking about creativity and expression. Our provost, Ed Kvet, likes to use the phrase “creative campus” to describe this progressive and distinct place.

There are obvious places where one might expect to find expression–in music classes, on the stage, in the art studio. But at Loyola, creativity cannot help itself. It’s infectious. It’s everywhere!

Here it is in the business program in the way executive mentors relate to their students (one mentor, MBA graduate Darryl Glade used a session of paintball to bond with his mentees) and in the quest for responsible entrepreneurship. Here it’s in the School of Mass Communication where Dr. Bob Thomas takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching environmental communication and approaches to sustainability. It’s in the effort that brought to Loyola an evocative sculpture garden between Marquette and Bobet Halls, a renovation to Thomas Hall, the forward-thinking and student-centered Master Plan of the university, which includes a renovation of our main classroom building on campus, Monroe Hall. Here it is in in the chemistry lab, where Dr. Thomas Spence, associate professor of chemistry and chemistry department chair, leads students to collaboration in a research-rich setting.

Creativity is in our DNA, and in the Jesuit commitment to developing the whole person. At Loyola everyone has the opportunity to tap their fullest potential. The whole person concept allows athletes to be scholars; scholars to be artists; and artists to be accountants.

Despite the irksome tendency of our society to label each of us as one thing or another, the whole person concept tells us to be daring in our attempts at personal growth (you can learn how to play the piano at age 18, for example, as I did). People are not simply the jobs they do, but also how they relate to others, how they harness their potential, and how they dream about…what’s next? What’s that next skill to cultivate? Creative people…just…don’t…stop. They ask what’s the most win-win way to solve a problem? What’s that next cause worth supporting?

Equipped with such zeal to learn, grow, and create, Loyola’s students and graduates do more than just beautify our Uptown New Orleans campus. They change the world.

Greetings from beautiful uptown New Orleans!

Thank you for your continued interest in Loyola University New Orleans and our College of Music and Fine Arts (CMFA).

You probably know that Loyola offers a challenging and engaging curriculum—The World is our Blackboard. Our College of Music and Fine Arts is the premier college of its kind among the network of 28 Jesuit College and Universities in the United States. As you might expect – we take our New Orleans heritage and its mighty contributions to the arts – very seriously. Students the world over benefit from this rich history, along with the tremendous instruction and support they receive in their time at Loyola. CMFA prides itself on maintaining a low student to faculty ratio (6:1) and our faculty are leaders in their fields, GRAMMY winners, and dynamic mentors!

In the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, our College of Music and Fine Arts combines the performance opportunities and professional training normally associated with a conservatory with a solid liberal arts and sciences academic foundation. This academic foundation is further enhanced by our location in one of the nation’s premiere venues for the visual and performing arts. Loyola also draws nationally and internationally acclaimed performers to campus to provide master classes for our students.

In CMFA, we have a two step application process:

The first step is to complete the application for admission to the university. Another option in applying is the Common Application. Loyola accepts the Common Application in lieu of our application. We waive the application fee for the online Common Application and we have no supplements.

The second step is scheduling your audition. We will host on campus auditions on December 3, January 21, or February 11. We look forward to you joining us on one of these dates.

You’re into the arts. You want to shine – and you’re looking for the school that’s going to give you that shot; a place that nourishes your creative spirit; a place that pushes you always to soar higher; a place pulsating with inspiration around every corner. That’s the Loyola College of Music and Fine Arts. I hope that you will take these first steps in joining our class of 2016. We look forward to your application.

I hope to see you on campus soon!

I’m excited.

On Saturday, November 12, we are hosting our annual Jazz Brunch Open House for prospective students and their families. I suppose we could just have an open house, but this is New Orleans and Loyola we are talking about – our guests deserve the best we can offer! So, ours includes a jazz brunch, outstanding music from our students and faculty, and a litany of opportunities to learn more about our creative and dynamic professors, our brilliant and convivial students, and the many others who comprise the Loyola community, a team passionate about each student’s success.

You can register here.

I hope to see you in beautiful uptown New Orleans on November 12!

I’m sitting in my office right now on a gorgeous early September morning looking out over Audubon Park and ruminating about what a nice city we have and how very special Uptown New Orleans is and I just want to say to you: COME VISIT!

New Orleans is a great place, as millions of new tourists each year discover. We have great food, great weather from September to May, great parties and parades, outstanding parks, wonderful and mysterious bodies of water, friendly people, a pretty good football team, and, well, Loyola!

Loyola is located in beautiful uptown New Orleans, home to the world-famous street car (one is gliding by my office window as I write this), three hundred year old oak trees, Audubon Park and Zoo, a few celebrities (Brad Pitt, Sanda Bullock, Drew Brees, James Carville, the Mannning family, John Goodman), and many resplendent mansions lining either side of St. Charles Avenue.

We are always ready to reserve your tour and information session with an admissions counselor. Consider this your sign to make the call. Click here to schedule a visit.

We’ll see you soon!

A glorius almost-autumn day in Aububon Park!