Fall 2022 Welcome Back
09.01.2022
Dear LMU Community,
I am filled with gratitude and inspiration as we begin another semester on our beloved campus. This summer I had the privilege of attending the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) conference in Boston, joined by hundreds of colleagues from Jesuit institutions around the world. The IAJU connects approximately 170 Jesuit colleges and universities, providing an opportunity for us to learn from and with each other, and attending the conference helped me reflect on the rich diversity of our own campus and what we have to look forward to this academic year.
This fall we enrolled one of our most diverse undergraduate classes in university history with 1,700 incoming first-year students and 450 transfer students. Our students came from 45 U.S. states and 46 countries, including many from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Kuwait.
We also welcome 29 tenure-line and many new term and part-time faculty members to campus this fall who bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will surely complement and enhance the Lion community’s global imagination. They are one of the most diverse groups of incoming faculty in our institution’s history, and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the work our campus has done to create an inclusive, supportive, and anti-racist learning and working environment. I applaud our deans and the hiring committees for bringing us the best and brightest teacher-scholars to grow our already outstanding faculty community.
There are many recent and upcoming institutional accomplishments to celebrate and look forward to, including:
I am filled with gratitude and inspiration as we begin another semester on our beloved campus. This summer I had the privilege of attending the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) conference in Boston, joined by hundreds of colleagues from Jesuit institutions around the world. The IAJU connects approximately 170 Jesuit colleges and universities, providing an opportunity for us to learn from and with each other, and attending the conference helped me reflect on the rich diversity of our own campus and what we have to look forward to this academic year.
This fall we enrolled one of our most diverse undergraduate classes in university history with 1,700 incoming first-year students and 450 transfer students. Our students came from 45 U.S. states and 46 countries, including many from Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Kuwait.
We also welcome 29 tenure-line and many new term and part-time faculty members to campus this fall who bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will surely complement and enhance the Lion community’s global imagination. They are one of the most diverse groups of incoming faculty in our institution’s history, and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the work our campus has done to create an inclusive, supportive, and anti-racist learning and working environment. I applaud our deans and the hiring committees for bringing us the best and brightest teacher-scholars to grow our already outstanding faculty community.
There are many recent and upcoming institutional accomplishments to celebrate and look forward to, including:
- This fall we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the LMU Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, a landmark anniversary for the university;
- The LMU School of Film and Television welcomed a new dean this summer and was ranked eighth in the nation by the Hollywood Reporter;
- The LMU College of Business Administration’s Hilton Distinguished Entrepreneur lecture series kicks off next week with red helicopter’s founder James Rhee, an acclaimed impact leader, entrepreneur, educator, investor, and goodwill strategist;
- The LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts is launching a new degree program this fall—a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design which will provide concentrations in 3D studies, art education, drawing, painting, photography, visual communication design, and multimedia arts;
- The LMU School of Education’s highly impactful Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, and remains one of the pioneering leaders on the study of educating second language learners;
- The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy & Innovation hosted new students and alumni of its Law Fellowship to the LMU Loyola Law School for its first in-person event in three years this summer to present research on legal issues faced by people with disabilities;
- The LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts will host its annual Bellarmine Forum with the theme, “Looking Back to Move Forward,” featuring engaging lectures, conversations, and opportunities for critical reflection;
- 143 students will embark on a semester abroad this fall, and we enjoyed a successful summer of LMU faculty-led programs in Greece, England, Italy, France, Germany, Hungary, and Croatia.
And in case you have yet to RSVP, the Mass of the Holy Spirit will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 4 p.m. This mass ushers in the academic year for LMU and for Jesuit institutions around the world. I hope you will join us, regardless of your religious affiliation or belief, to take part in this time-honored tradition.
We have much to be excited about this year, and I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities to learn, explore, create, and celebrate at LMU. I look forward to learning and growing with you this academic year.
With gratitude,
Thomas Poon, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
We have much to be excited about this year, and I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities to learn, explore, create, and celebrate at LMU. I look forward to learning and growing with you this academic year.
With gratitude,
Thomas Poon, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost