news roundup

God, Spirituality, and Engaging Gen-Z

Dr. Tracey Lamont, interim director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry, or LIM, recently received a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that will allow LIM to train and support parish ministry teams in research and practices that will help them create a more engaged and participatory church, especially in relation to young adults.

Lamont is a top-flight expert on what Gen Z-ers are seeking from their churches as they transition from young adult life to adulthood. With this grant, she and her team will explore how the Catholic Church can listen better to young people; strengthen their leadership potential; and help them to engage in deep and meaningful relationships with God, themselves, and others. LIM will serve as an innovation hub, helping parishes become more welcoming communities for young adults, capable of developing innovative ministries for and with them.

New Dean of Loyola Online & City College

As the inaugural dean of Loyola Online and City College, Dr. Paul Cesarini will further establish Loyola as a regional leader in online education. He and his team will expand the availability of creative new online programs in applied, professional fields. Dr. Cesarini and City College already have greatly expanded educational access and opportunity for the region through partnerships, continuing education, and certificate programs designed for working adults. His team oversees the prestigious Women’s Leadership Academy at Loyola.

Learn more at online.loyno.edu and pacs.loyno.edu.

LaunchU

In September, The Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development held the inaugural Wolf Pack LaunchU Pitch Competition, where eight finalist teams pitched their business ideas to win their share of $35,000 in seed funding. Uniquely, LaunchU is open to the entire Loyola family – students, alumni, faculty, staff, and parents. Fourteen participant teams engaged in a five-month boot camp and incubation program, where 35 alumni and New Orleans professionals either instructed or mentored them.

The Wolf Pack LaunchU Pitch Competition was an evening event that started with a happy hour and brought people from all over the city to see the Wolf Pack pitch their big ideas. David Price ’23, a Loyola senior who launched the Safety Pouch during the pandemic (see p. 6), won $7,000 to expand his business. Srinee Bajaj ’15, won $7,500 to develop Port Lookout, software developed to streamline port activities.

Other winning big ideas included Beaucoup Beauty, natural hair and beauty products for women of color from Andreca Johnson ’22; Presson Productions, a video production company working with lawyers to develop marketing strategies from Jonathan Presson ’25; Ceres, a plant-based high-protein cereal company operating on a subscription model from Rich Simmerman ’21; the Lovelace, a fully immersive popup theater experience in development by Loyola theatre and dance faculty member Salvatore Mannino; Ate It First, an app developed to create better relationships and food reviews for both foodies and restaurateurs, from Andrea Alarcon ’17, M.B.A. ’22; and SMOse, an essential oil-based wearable product for people with olfactory issues from Aubin Duchier ’22.

New Dean of Libraries

Dr. Deborah Prosser is now serving as the dean of libraries at Loyola University. Prior to joining the administration here, she served as the dean of the library at Rollins College, the dean of library services at the University of North Georgia, and the dean of libraries at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her academic background is in American studies, art history, and material culture. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware, a master of arts degree and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.L.S. from Southern Connecticut State University. Her most recent article is Access and Deaccessioning in the Academic Library: Feelings About Books and Place, which was published in Library Trends’ Winter 2020 issue.

As dean of libraries, Dr. Prosser is charged with envisioning and leading the growth and direction of the awardwinning J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library and its service to the Loyola community. Dr. Prosser’s current priority is creating an engaged, collaborative work environment within the library. To this end, she is focused on ensuring that the library provides students with targeted resources and services in support of their learning – and a welcoming environment for work and study. As a member of the Provost's Council and President's Leadership Team, Dr. Prosser also works collaboratively with other members of senior leadership to further the strategic direction of the university.