Faculty in Focus

Mike Denison and Tom Gallagher THE VETERANS:

BY JASON CRUZ ’12

STEP INTO ROOM A203 on the second floor of Ardolf Hall and your eyes will immediately be met with a colorful, dizzying pattern of college pennants and university flags decorating the walls.

Turn to your left, take a few steps towards the end of the room and you’ll then find a pair of corner offices directly adjacent to one another—one belonging to Tom Gallagher and the other to Mike Denison. If you’ve been around Loyola long enough, then those names will almost certainly ring a bell.

Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Denison are the two longest tenured counselors at Loyola High, with the former now in his 37th year and the latter in his 33rd. Having worked together for more than three decades, the two veterans know the ins and outs of the department and have grown in their positions together every step of the way. And their similarities, most notably in their laid-back demeanor and good-natured approach to counseling, are what have made them so effective in handling today’s teenagers.

At the center of their mentorship is transitional counseling, helping students traverse the peaks and valleys experienced at a rigorous college preparatory school such as Loyola. Personal and academic counseling is emphasized foremost, with college counseling beginning junior year.

“We care about their adjustment to high school first and all the things that come with being a teen— dealing with friendships, teachers, family issues, etc.,” said Mr. Denison. “It’s easy to get caught up with going to a big-name college, but our job is to help them navigate and find the place where they fit best.” Since their arrival at Loyola in the mid-80s, much has evolved with the rise of social media, the ultra-competitive college admissions process and the unique, growing list of pressures facing this generation. Yet, the core of their roles has not changed.

“It’s still always about the students,” said Mr. Gallagher. “There are a lot of different things that go on during those four years of high school and it can be overwhelming. But, we want them to know that we are here, working for them, with their best interest in mind.”

“Part of our mission is also fulfilling the aspects of Loyola’s Grad at Grad,*” Mr. Denison added. “I think we inherently try to support that and be role models for these young men to help them in any way possible.”

Take a peek into their offices and that familial sense of love and care for others is evident. Photos with their children and colleagues hang on the walls. Corkboards are covered with Christmas cards sent from former students and families. Even a pair of couches are made to be the focal point of each room, creating a relaxed and comfortable environment that encourages direct engagement.

With their students’ wellbeing at the forefront, the idea of Loyola’s Cura Personalis, or “care for the whole person” shines through.

“Yes, we’re in the business of education, and being outcomedriven is part of what we do as counselors,” said Mr. Gallagher. “But we also care a lot about the process and getting our students prepared for life beyond college. We hope to launch them into a good place as they mature and become the best young men they can be.”

With 70 years of experience between them, there’s a lot of wisdom packed into those corner offices. Just step in and see for yourself.