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Jesuit Superior General Speaks at Mission Day Gathering During U.S. Visit
Jesuit leader reaffirms the order’s commitment to collaboration in ministry.
The Very Rev. Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus, spoke at Loyola Marymount University Feb. 2 during a nine-day visit to the Jesuits’ California Province.
“Complex problems can’t be met except through companions in mission,” Nicolás said in an address titled “Companions in Mission: Pluralism in Action.” He emphasized the dual need for a strong identity and a willingness to enter into dialogue with those outside the Roman Catholic faith. “The Jesuit identity is the greatest contribution you bring to any endeavor,” Nicolás said. He went on to say that the tension between identity and diversity will be resolved by deeper understanding and conversation.
The California Province celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and Nicolás’ visit coincided with LMU’s Mission Day, an annual day of symposia, presentations and conversations that deal with the LMU mission. Workshops examined faith, Jesuit education, the environment, globalization and justice and the history of Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits.
Born in Spain in 1936, Nicolás studied theology in Tokyo, where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1967. He taught at Sophia University in Tokyo, directed the East Asia Pastoral Institute in the Philippines and speaks five languages. As superior general, Nicolás oversees the worldwide order of Jesuits.
“Coming from his many years in the Far East, Father Nicolás brings a global perspective to his leadership of the Jesuit order,” said Robert Caro, S.J., LMU vice president for Mission and Ministry. Nicolás, Caro added, has a strong commitment to the idea that “‘faith doing justice’ means working side by side with many who may not share our beliefs but who nonetheless share our goals for a more just and peaceful world and a more sustainable environment.”
During his stay in the Los Angeles area, Nicolás met with Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles. He visited Homeboy Industries, a job-training program for former gang members located in Boyle Heights and founded by Gregory Boyle, S.J., a 1985 LMU alumnus. He also visited the Guadalupe Homeless Project at Dolores Mission Catholic Church, also in Boyle Heights, and celebrated Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood.
Loyola Law School Names Victor Gold New Dean
Victor J. Gold was named Loyola Law School’s 16th dean Dec. 12. He was most recently acting dean and senior vice president.
“Under Victor Gold’s excellent stewardship as interim dean, the school has continued on a course of innovative programming and expansion. With his selection, we believe that our long-held commitments to legal ethics and community service, as well as academic expansion, will continue to thrive,” said Robert B. Lawton, S.J., LMU president.
A former tenured law professor at Arizona State University and associate at the Los Angeles firm of Nossaman, Krueger & Marsh, Gold served as the law school’s associate dean of academic affairs from 2000–05. He joined the law school faculty in 1984 and held the position of professor and William M. Rains fellow when he was named dean. He has earned accolades as an educator and administrator, including an Excellence in Teaching Award from Loyola’s graduating class of 2007.
Gold has written six books on the Federal Rules of Evidence, and articles on evidence and advocacy law. He is a member of the American Law Institute and the author of bar exam questions on contracts, remedies and evidence in California and Arizona. Gold also has served as a legal analyst for CBS News and provided legal commentary to The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, ABC News, NBC News, CNN and other media outlets.
Gold graduated Order of the Coif from UCLA School of Law, where he was an editor of the Law Review. He succeeds David Burcham, who became provost and executive vice president of Loyola Marymount University in January 2008.
Seaver College Professor Named California Professor of the Year
Ray Toal ’86, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, was named California Professor of the Year in November. The award program is sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Toal, an alumnus of the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, attributes much of his success to being part of the LMU community. “When you’re in a good place, you’re happier overall,” he said. “And when you’re happy, you’re going to do well.”
Candidates for the award are nominated by their students and peers. Barbara Marino, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science and former department chair, nominated Toal for the award. “Ray is an outstanding teacher,” she said. “His teaching evaluations are consistently outstanding — occasionally even perfect. He is well-deserving of such a prestigious honor.”
Toal has taught at LMU since 1986. In 2006, he received the President’s Fritz B. Burns Distinguished Teaching Award, an LMU honor for which he was selected by his peers.
“Ray exemplifies the sort of faculty member that defines Seaver College,” said Richard G. Plumb, dean. “He is exceptionally student-centered. He likes to say, ‘I work for them.’ I respect his attitude and appreciate that he is such a good teacher.”
LMU Confers Honorary Degree on U.S. Greek Orthodox Leader
Loyola Marymount University conferred an honorary doctorate in humane letters on Archbishop Demetrios, head of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, on Nov. 13 in Sacred Heart Chapel. The degree was given in recognition of his role in the growing rapprochement between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. Archbishop Demetrios is an international humanitarian leader who has reached out to Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders, and he is the spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in the United States.
“I warmly congratulate LMU for its ongoing effort to promote substantive ecumenical relations among the churches,” said Archbishop Demetrios. “These relations, especially today, in view of the conditions in the world and the urgent need for peace, reconciliation and dialogue among religions and cultures, take on great importance. I’m honored to receive this honorary doctoral degree from the renowned Loyola Marymount University.”
Fostering greater ecumenical dialogue and exchange between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is the primary purpose of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute, launched at LMU in 2007 with the support of philanthropist, film producer and political activist Michael Huffington.
“We applaud the work His Eminence has done to contribute to the interfaith dialogue among all religions, and it is our honor to bestow this degree on him,” said Robert B. Lawton, S.J., LMU president.