Loyola Blakefield Celebrates 173rd Commencement
Under sunny skies and a spirit of celebration, Loyola Blakefield proudly conferred diplomas to the Class of 2025 during its 173rd Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 1st. This is the 43rd consecutive year that graduation was held in the Hollow. We were also excited to welcome back Dons from the Class of 1975 in celebration of their 50th reunion.
During the commencement ceremony, welcome remarks were presented by Hunter Simms, and this year's commencement speech was provided by Peter Hopkins. You can watch the entire ceremony below.
As they venture forth to colleges and universities across the country — and into careers, vocations, and service — the members of the Class of 2025 carry with them the Ignatian values that have shaped their time at Loyola. Their journey is only beginning, and their legacy as Dons endures.
Photos from the ceremony may be viewed here. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
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During the commencement ceremony, welcome remarks were presented by Hunter Simms, and this year's commencement speech was provided by Peter Hopkins. You can watch the entire ceremony below.
As they venture forth to colleges and universities across the country — and into careers, vocations, and service — the members of the Class of 2025 carry with them the Ignatian values that have shaped their time at Loyola. Their journey is only beginning, and their legacy as Dons endures.
Photos from the ceremony may be viewed here. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
COMMENCEMENT AWARDS
The following awards were presented before the conferral of diplomas.
THE REV. FATHER LLOYD D. GEORGE, S.J. AWARD is presented to that member of the graduating class who has achieved the highest grade-point average through the mid-point of his senior year. This award was presented to James Lukish.The following awards were presented before the conferral of diplomas.
THE REV. ANTHONY J. ZEITS, S.J. AWARD, presented by the Loyola Mothers’ Club to a Senior who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and leadership on and off the athletic field. This award was presented to Eddie Webb.
THE DOCTOR FORD LOKER AWARD is presented by the Loyola Fathers’ Club to a Senior who holds a varsity letter and is outstanding for academic excellence. This award was presented to Will Coyne.
THE MATTHEW J. RUSSELL AWARD, established by the graduating Class of 1986, is presented to a Senior whose commitment to God, family and friends has been exemplified by a quiet, sensitive, and selfless concern for others. The recipient of this award was Ryan Beveridge.
THE MICHAEL J. IAMPIERI AWARD was established to honor Mr. Michael Iampieri, a beloved member of the Loyola Blakefield faculty from 1966 to 2007. During his tenure, Mr. Iampieri founded the School’s art department and taught art to generations of young men over four decades. The Michael J. Iampieri Award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated personal and spiritual growth through his pursuit of creative self-expression and his achievements in the arts. This award was presented to Vance Tyree.
THE REV. JAMES F. SALMON, S.J., AWARD is presented to that graduate who has demonstrated leadership in student activities and scholarship in Science and Religious Studies. This year’s recipient was Matthew Cattaneo.
REV. ALOYSIUS P. MCGONIGAL, S.J., was a chaplain whose extraordinary service to his fellow men ended with his death in Vietnam. The Rev. Aloysius P. McGonigal, S.J., Award is presented by the Loyola Fathers’ Club to a Senior who has worked to full capacity in and out of the classroom but has received little recognition for his tenacious spirit. The award was presented to Oliver Black.
THE DENNIS B. WOOLFORD “CURA PERSONALIS” AWARD is given in loving memory of Dennis B. Woolford class of 2010. Although Dennis was a gifted athlete who started on 8 MIAA championship teams including the undefeated 2008 Football team, Dennis will always be remembered for his kind heart, free spirit and a smile that would light up the room. He considered every Don his best friend and every teammate his brother. This award is given to a student or faculty member of Loyola Blakefield who best represents "care for the individual person." This award was presented to Patrick Loester.
THE JOHN H. WEETENKAMP III AWARD is presented to a graduating senior who has been caring to his peers and demonstrated dedication to the mission of Loyola Blakefield. He is a young man who has embodied the words of Saint Ignatius by his actions and has served his fellow Dons and others generously through the Campus Ministry and Service programs as well as other opportunities. The recipient of this award was Matteo Borrello.
THE KENNETH C. MONTAGUE SERVICE & JUSTICE AWARD was established in honor of Mr. Ken Montague ’60, a dutiful public servant and attorney admired for his ethics and courage. The first Black student to attend Loyola Blakefield, Mr. Montague is a pioneer who inspires current and future Dons to pursue a life dedicated to justice and social leadership. His service in the Peace Corps inspired a lifetime of dedication to a variety of civic, social, and humanitarian causes. The award is presented to a graduating senior whose words and deeds embody the bravery, spirit, and commitment to service demonstrated by Mr. Montague’s life and career. The recipient of this award was Zion Zackery.
THE KENNETH C. MONTAGUE SERVICE & JUSTICE AWARD was established in honor of Mr. Ken Montague ’60, a dutiful public servant and attorney admired for his ethics and courage. The first Black student to attend Loyola Blakefield, Mr. Montague is a pioneer who inspires current and future Dons to pursue a life dedicated to justice and social leadership. His service in the Peace Corps inspired a lifetime of dedication to a variety of civic, social, and humanitarian causes. The award is presented to a graduating senior whose words and deeds embody the bravery, spirit, and commitment to service demonstrated by Mr. Montague’s life and career. The recipient of this award was Zion Zackery.
THE LOYOLA ALUMNI AWARD is presented to the Senior who is most conspicuous for school spirit, leadership and excellence in studies. The recipient of this award was Peter Hopkins.
THE DAVID A. KENNEDY AWARD was established by the Alumni Association to honor Mr. David A. Kennedy, teacher and registrar at Loyola from 1937 to 1977. This award is presented annually to that member of the graduating class who, through unselfish contribution of academic skills, personal talents, and social values in service to Loyola Blakefield and to the community at large, best embodies the Ignatian principle of “men for others.” This award was presented to Isaac Koffi-Moyet.
THE JESUIT SCHOOLS NETWORK AWARD is presented to the ideal graduate of Jesuit education for being Open to Growth, Intellectually Ambitious, Religious, Loving, Committed to Diversity, and Dedicated to Doing Justice. This award was presented to Tyler Rineer and Mitch Villavaso
THE DANIEL McNEAL AWARD, presented in honor of Dan McNeal, member of the Class of 1990 who was tragically lost in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. It is awarded to one who embodies the characteristics that we hold dear in Jesuit education - one who lives his faith in word and deed, displays academic excellence, is actively engaged in the community, and most of all, exemplifies being a man for others. This award was presented to James Lukish.
THE JESUIT SCHOOLS NETWORK AWARD is presented to the ideal graduate of Jesuit education for being Open to Growth, Intellectually Ambitious, Religious, Loving, Committed to Diversity, and Dedicated to Doing Justice. This award was presented to Tyler Rineer and Mitch Villavaso
THE LOYOLA AWARD, founded in honor of the Rev. John F. Dustin, S.J., is awarded to the most representative member of the graduating class for excellence in scholastic achievement and participation in extra-curricular activities. This award was presented Hunter Simms.
