2023 State of the School
Dear Alumni, Families, and Friends,
I am pleased to share with you this annual State of the School message—a summary of another monumental academic year at Loyola Blakefield. As we approach our 171st Commencement on Sunday, June 4th, I would like to share a few events and accomplishments that helped define the 2022–2023 academic year.
- In October, a group of students and alumni traveled to Estonia for the 2022 Cyber Battle of Estonia, a cyber competition that sets teams from around Europe against each other in the spirit of growing interest for cybersecurity in young people. Our Cyber Science program was invited to participate in the competition thanks to the U.S. Cyber Command DreamPort Cyber Innovation Program, a project of the Maryland Innovation & Security Institute (MISI).
- In December, Loyola was once again recognized by The Baltimore Sun as one of the region's "Top Workplaces." This marked the 11th year that we have received this prestigious regional honor. Loyola was also the recipient of a special award as the region’s Top Workplace for Communication.
- On the philanthropy front, we are pleased to report that as of mid-May, bolstered by our annual Day of the Don giving campaign, we have reached 100% of our $2.5 million Loyola Fund goal. This critical fundraising revenue supports every aspect of the student experience, including delivering valuable financial aid and scholarship grants. We are setting our sights on exceeding this goal as we approach the conclusion of our fiscal year on June 30.
- We remain grateful to all those who continue to support Loyola through major gift investments. In particular, we continue to grow various endowed funds that support scholarships, enhance our ability to attract and retain the region's finest faculty and staff, and bolster innovative academic and co-curricular programming. Over the last 15 months, we secured nearly $10 million in new gifts and pledges that support Loyola’s endowment, and we anticipate even bolder growth in this vital funding area over the next few years.
- Imbued with the spirit of Ignatius Loyola, our Ignatian service and justice efforts continue to form men to serve with and for others. In addition to our daily and summer service trips, we expanded our partnership with the SAFE Center, including weekly visits to share academic support and fellowship. We also opened a permanent Food Pantry on campus, which has expanded our relationship with St. Gregory the Great parish by providing regular food deliveries in addition to our annual Fall Food Drive.
- Loyola enjoyed another strong year of enrollment and will welcome 220 new Dons to the community in the fall. As we continue to experience a historically competitive acceptance rate, equally as impressive is our historically low attrition rate, signaling the satisfaction and excitement that can be felt on campus by students and families alike.
- Over the past two years, we have been engaged in a thoughtful and collaborative process that has inspired a bold vision for our next Strategic Plan, which focus on on four primary areas of growth. We look forward to sharing the details with you as our implementation unfolds.
In addition to these highlights, our students proudly served their community via thousands of hours of service with local partners. Additionally, many of our Dons traveled to various domestic and international destinations to immerse themselves in experiences that inspired them to serve and learn while connecting with people and places across the globe. We remain proud of every accomplishment garnered this year—from our musical and theater performers, speech and debate scholars, and student-athletes, to the extraordinary accomplishments of our graduating Class of 2023 who are fully prepared to Go Forth and Set the World on Fire.
This school year also introduced a period of transition to our community. As I prepare to begin my tenure at Fordham Preparatory School, our Board of Trustees remains engaged in the important work of identifying Loyola's next President. Stay tuned for additional updates as this collaborative process unfolds.
The successes we celebrate as a community are possible through the support of our generous benefactors, fruitful partnerships with our families, and the relentless dedication of our Ignatian educators. Thank you for being part of a faith-filled community that inspires young men toward lives of learning, leadership, and service.
On a personal note, I'd like to express my gratitude to all those who welcomed my family to this sacred community in 2008, and to those who have remained by our side throughout this incredible journey. As we set off on this next chapter of our lives, we take with us the relationships and memories forged here, where they will remain cherished and treasured.
Roll Dons,
Anthony Day
President
President
