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Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a prestigious co-educational private Roman Catholic Jesuit university in Los Angeles, California. The University is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and one of five Marymount institutions of higher education. LMU was created in 1973 by the merger of Marymount College and Loyola University in Los Angeles.

History

The names "Loyola" and "Marymount" have long been associated with Catholic higher education in countries around the globe. Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of The Society Of Jesus, sanctioned the foundation of his order's first school in 1548. The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary have conducted educational institutions since their establishment in France in 1849 by Father Jean Gailhac. These two traditions of education have come together in Los Angeles as Loyola Marymount University.

The present University is the successor to the pioneer Catholic college and first institution of higher learning in Southern California. In 1865, the Vincentian Fathers were commissioned by Bishop Thaddeus Amat y Brusi to found St. Vincent's College for boys in Los Angeles. Rev. John Asmuth, C.M. served as the first President Rector. The college was originally located in the Lugo Adobe House at the SE corner of Alameda Street and Los Angeles Street. The building was one of few two-story complexes in the city at that time and had been donated by Don Vincente Lugo. Although the building no longer stands, its original site is across Alameda Street from the current Union Station, on the Plaza near the southeast end of the city's historic Olvera Street. After two years, the school moved several blocks over. The campus was surrounded by Broadway, 6th Street, Hill Street, and 7th Street. St. Vincent's College folded into the Society of Jesus's newly founded Los Angeles College in 1911 as they simultaneously opened their high school division (Loyola High School). Richard A. Gleeson, S.J. served as the first Jesuit President.

Rapid growth prompted the Jesuits to seek a new campus on Venice Boulevard in 1917; with this move, the name of the school was changed back to St. Vincent's College. In 1918 the name was once again changed to Loyola College of Los Angeles. Graduate instruction began in 1920 with the foundation of a separate law school. The school relocated under then-President, Joseph A. Sullivan, S.J., to the present Westchester campus in 1929, and achieved university status in 1930 becoming Loyola University of Los Angeles. Loyola Law School did not move with the rest of the university, but remains to this day in a location just west of downtown Los Angeles. The current law school campus was designed by Frank Gehry. The formation of a graduate division occurred in June 1950, although the graduate work had formed an integral part of the Teacher Education Program during the preceding two years. Loyola University continued to be an all-male school until its merger with Marymount College in 1973.

In separate, though parallel developments, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary began teaching local young women in 1923. In 1933 Marymount Junior College opened as an all-women's school in the Westwood district of Los Angeles. The school became Marymount College of Los Angeles when it started awarding bachelor's degrees in 1948, and moved to the Palos Verdes Peninsula in 1960.

In 1967 Sr. Raymunde McKay, R.S.H.M., President of Marymount College had extended an invitation to Sr. Mary Felix Montgomery, C.S.J., General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, to join in their affiliation with Loyola University of Los Angeles. In 1968 the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange partnered in the governing and staffing of Marymount College—it was then that Marymount College moved to the Westchester campus of Loyola University as an autonomous institution.

Simultaneously St. Joseph College of Orange, a four year liberal arts college for women religious sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange, began an affiliation with Marymount College. It became one of two branch campuses of Marymount College. In 1970 St. Joseph College of Orange was renamed Marymount College of Orange. It remained operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and ceased to offer undergraduate degrees. College courses were offered to men and women during the summers. Both campuses of Marymount College remained all-female until the 1973 merger with Loyola University.

In 1970, the Student Governments of Loyola University (ASLU—Associated Students of Loyola University) and Marymount College (ASMC—Associated Students of Marymount College) joined to form the Associated Students of Loyola and Marymount (ASLM).

After five years of sharing faculties and facilities, Loyola University and Marymount College merged and formed Loyola Marymount University in 1973. Through this union, the expanded university maintained the century-old mission of Catholic higher education in Los Angeles. At this time, ASLM became known as the Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University (ASLMU).

With the merger of Loyola University and Marymount College in 1973, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange joined the Society of Jesus and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary as one of the sponsoring religious communities of Loyola Marymount University. Marymount College of Orange was renamed the Orange Campus of Loyola Marymount University. The Orange Campus offered continuing education and summer courses to men and women through the 1980s.

In articulating a vision for this unique collegiate enterprise, the Board of Trustees turned to the history of the four-century old Jesuit educational philosophy, as well as to the history and traditions of the Marymount and St. Joseph's Sisters. They also recognized the riches of a variety of religious traditions represented among the dedicated faculty and staff, which complement and enhance the school's heritage of Catholic values.

During the summer, the LMU campus plays host to a large number of precocious children. It is the primary West Coast site for the Center for Talented Youth summer program operated by Johns Hopkins University.

Campus

LMU sits atop a bluff of 150 acres in the Del Rey Hills of West Los Angeles. The original 99 acres were donated to the university by Harry Culver. Xavier Hall, named for St. Francis Xavier, S.J., a companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, S.J., and St. Robert's Hall, named for St. Robert Bellarmine, S.J., a cardinal and Doctor of the Church, were the first two buildings to be built on the current Westchester Campus. Following their completion in 1929, Xavier Hall housed both the Jesuit Faculty and the students at the time while St. Robert's Hall served as the academic and administrative building.

Sacred Heart Chapel and the Regents Bell Tower were the next non-residential structures to be built on the campus (1953-1955). The Malone Student Center, named for Rev. Lorenzo M. Malone, S.J., an alumnus of the university and former Dean of Students and Treasurer of the University, was completed in 1958 and renovated in 1996. LMU now houses 36 academic, athletic, administrative, and event facilities as well 12 on-campus residence halls (dormitory and suite models) and six on-campus apartment complexes.

The campus also houses two large open grass areas not reserved for athletic play. Both Alumni Mall and Sunken Gardens provide aesthetically pleasing scenery to the campus that is already laden with views of the entire Los Angeles Basin, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, and the Pacific Ocean.

The university's recent acquisition of University Hall has brought to the campus a new entrance as well as much needed office and classroom space. University Hall is a facility unique to any academic institution, in that it was originally constructed for Hughes Aircraft as their world headquarters, and converted from an exclusively corporate facility, to a building thriving with academic life. Loyola Marymount University acquired the 1 million square-foot building in January 2000 from Raytheon, which bought Hughes Aircraft. LMU completed the interior remodel of approximately 250,000 square feet in April of 2001. The building itself, which houses the university's Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, is constructed of steel and concrete, and is divided into seven separate structures above ground. University Hall has over 500,000 square feet of floor space, and contains over 1,000 parking spaces in 3 underground levels. The 70,000 square feet of atrium space has, and will continue to be the venue for many LMU events.

Academics

In addition to being the parent school of Loyola Law School in Downtown Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount is also the home to six colleges and schools. LMU also offers an Air Force ROTC program, an Honors Program in which the students have a different core curriculum, and several year-long, semester, and summer study abroad programs across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Admission to LMU is extremely competitive. Students from every U.S. state attend LMU.

Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts

The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts includes twenty-five undergraduate programs of study as well as five graduate programs of study. It embodies the wider University goals of liberal education, which is the heart of the University's core curriculum for all undergraduates. The College's programs in the humanities and social sciences provide the cultural background and intellectual discipline characteristic of the liberally educated. In addition to a shared concern for ethical values, these programs develop the skills of communication, analysis, and problem-solving universally required to function well in today's diverse and inter-connected world.

College of Communication and Fine Arts

The College of Communication and Fine Arts offers majors in Art History, Communication Studies, Dance, Music, Studio Arts, and Theatre Arts as well as a graduate program in Marital and Family Therapy. It is also the parent college of Loyola Marymount's award winning Debate Team. The Debate Team frequently finishes in top positions in both national and international tournaments.

College of Business Administration

The College of Business Administration was started to assist inquisitive minds in learning more about the effective principles and practice of business through foundation building, undergraduate programs, and flexible graduate programs for advancing professionals. Along with helping students understand the basic tenets of the business world, the college's world-class faculty and staff prepares individuals to become good corporate citizens by educating the whole person and exposing students to a broad base of ethical and moral values that is essential in today's business environment. It is home to eight undergraduate programs of study as well as an MBA program for graduate studies.

Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering

The Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, sees its purpose to be the education of principled leaders. As new technologies and scientific breakthroughs emerge, LMU introduces curricular offerings that equip future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers with the integrated and cross-disciplinary skills they need to succeed in the global marketplace. It contains thirteen undergraduate programs of study as well as six graduate programs.

School of Education

The School of Education at Loyola Marymount has four undergraduate programs of study (Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Bilingual Education, and Special Education). A student wishing to receive their credential upon graduation majors in any other program and applies to one of the four undergraduate education minors during their sophomore year. Many students seeking a credential in Elementary Education major in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts' Liberal Studies program, which is designed to educate one in the various arts and letters they will be teaching children. The School of Education also offers nine graduate programs including a Doctorate in Education.

School of Film and Television

Among the best in the area, LMU's School of Film and Television offers undergraduate programs in Animation, Film Production, Recording Arts, Screenwriting, and Television Production. The school also offers graduate programs in Film Production, Television Production, and Screenwriting.

Organization

The governing body of Loyola Marymount is the school's independent Board of trustees, which is headed by a Chairman. The University's executive officer is the President. The Bylaws of the University state that the President must be a Jesuit. The President is assisted by the Chancellor, Assistant to the President, Assistant to the President for Mission and Identity, and Assistant to President for Intercultural Affairs. The President has five Vice Presidents (Academics—under who are the deans of the six colleges and schools, Administration, Business and Finance, Student Affairs, and University Relations. He is also assisted by the Dean of Loyola Law School, Director of Campus Ministry, and the Director of Internal Audit. The Jesuit Community headed by a Rector serving a six-year term.

Sponsoring Religious Orders

LMU is sponsored primarily by three Religious Orders that have long been associated with education, the Society of Jesus, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange. Although, other Religious Orders such as the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Carmelites) and the Sisters of Saint Louis also have members employed on campus.

The Society of Jesus

The Jesuit Community of LMU is one of the largest in the Cal Province of the Society of Jesus. The campus' Jesuits were housed in Xavier Hall until the recent completion of the new Jesuit Community Complex. LMU is home to 44 Jesuits (2005-2006 academic school year) holding various positions in administrative, staff, and faculty positions throughout the university. The LMU Jesuits also started and run Loyola productions, a non-profit creative media company that builds on the 450 year old Jesuit tradition of effective involvement in the communication arts. They also run the Center for Ignatian Spirituality which aims to serve the spiritual needs of LMU faculty and staff, especially through the process of discernment so characteristic of Ignatian spirituality.

The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary

The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary also house several religious sisters on campus. The Marymount sisters, like the Jesuit priests, hold various faculty, staff, and administrative positions throughout the university. They also run the Marymount Institute for Faith, Culture, and the Arts which attempts to preserve the transformative educational tradition of the Religious of the Sacred Heat of Mary and promotes a dialogue between faith and culture as expressed in fine, performing, literary and communication arts.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange

Like the Jesuits and Marymount Sisters, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange play a great role in preserving the Roman Catholic identity of the school. Several sisters of the order reside either on campus or in the surrounding community, working in administrative, staff, and faculty roles.

Campus Ministry

The Office of Campus Ministry is a vital component to the promotion of the university’s mission and identity. Campus Ministry seeks to accompany all in the LMU community toward becoming more fully alive through transformative experiences of faith.

As old as the University, the Division of Campus Ministry was originally titled University Chaplain, this division became known as Campus Ministry in 1973 with a stipulation that the Director would be a Jesuit. By 1986 this requirement was waived when Sr. Mary Margaret ("Peg") Dolan, R.S.H.M. became the Director.

Liturgical Ministries

Liturgy comes from the Greek word ‘’’leitourgia’’’ meaning "the work of the people;" and, it is quite literally the work of the students, faculty, staff and members of the greater university community that make worship at Loyola Marymount so meaningful.

There are currently nine lay ministries organized by students and staff: altar servers (acolytes), art and environment, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, lectors, liturgical movement (sacred dance), music, sacristans, and video ministry. Each ministry shares in shaping the worshiping experience here at LMU.

Individual ministries are coordinated by student leaders, who dedicate time to training and scheduling members of the university faith community as ministers of the Mass and other Catholic liturgies.

Altar Servers (Acolytes)
Formerly a minor order in the Catholic Church, today any lay man or woman can serve as an altar server. Servers assist with both the sacred mysteries of the Mass and their preparation and clean up. Servers assist the Sacristan whenever possible while anticipating the needs of each presider and liturgical element. Servers are called upon to serve on Sundays, Holy Days, and special feasts periodically throughout the school year. Most of LMU’s acolytes have recently discovered the joy that comes through the service of community in the Mass. No advance experience is necessary.

Art and Environment
Art and environment play an important role in expressing the meaningfulness of liturgy on a visual level. Ministers serve by dressing the chapels with color, light, living environment, and other elements that enhance the worship experience. Aside from creating and maintaining a constant environment for all masses throughout out the year, some of our larger undertakings include: Advent and Christmas Masses, the Triduum and Easter Masses, and the LMU Baccalaureate Mass.

Eucharistic Ministers
Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful. All are welcome to participate as Eucharistic Ministers and no prior experience is required.

Hospitality
Ministers of hospitality serve by welcoming and ushering members of the community during liturgies. Members of the Belles, Crimson Circle, Gryphon Circle, Ignatians, Sursum Corda, Magis and Marians service organizations serve as ministers of hospitality on a regular basis.

Lectors
As a lector, you have the task of making God present in the liturgy of the Word for our community. All lectors read at all university liturgies, as well as at several major Archdiocesan liturgies.

Liturgical Movement (Sacred Movement)
Through liturgical movement we express different parts of the liturgy through gesture, movement, emotions, and images. We welcome you to participate in the Sacred Dance Ensemble, a group that meets weekly to examine the rituals, text, and music for a particular liturgical celebration; and, to explore movement ideas with the intention of composing danced pieces that are prayerful and clear in meaning. The Sacred Dance Ensemble takes part in Sunday liturgies as well as other special events and celebrations throughout the year. Previous dance experience is helpful, but not necessary.

Music Ministry
Music is a beautiful and powerful way to express the prayers and texts of the Mass. In the chapel choruses, they seek to use the gifts God has blessed us with to add to the worship and prayer of the Mass.

Sacristans
The sacristans and student sacristans maintain a decades-old tradition as the caretakers of the university chapels. Along with the Head Sacristan, they oversee the day-to-day operations of the chapels and work to meet the liturgical needs of the university community. The service of the sacristan includes preparing all liturgies celebrated at LMU, serving as acolytes and extraordinary ministers when needed, ringing the bells of the clock tower, maintaining all liturgical vessels and vestments, and much more. The student sacristans also dedicate themselves to studying their ministry and the basics of Catholic liturgy. The student sacristans (formerly known as the Sanctuary Society) are the oldest student organization on campus, dating back to the days of St. Vincent’s College in the 1860s.

Video Ministry
Members of the Video Ministry serve the greater university community by carrying the liturgies of Sacred Heart Chapel to people beyond the campus who wish to share in the worship experience. Completely student organized, the Video Ministry uses student cameramen, sound engineers, directors and producers to broadcast the liturgy to several Los Angeles-area community channels.

Sacramental Preparation

The mission of Sacramental Preparation is to impel those individuals who choose to participate, and indeed the entire LMU Faith Community, to a conversion of heart, an orientation to prayer, a life of service, and a commitment to proclaim the Word in speech and action. It is a continuous journey into dying and rising in a Spirit-touched community. The Peer Ministry process provides all the baptized of the LMU Faith community with greater opportunities to share their charism to build up the body of Christ. This process goes beyond information to provide efficacious activities through the knowledge and skills useful to communal Christian living are transmitted, acquired and understood. In this way the entire Christian Community is transformed.

All those who participate in these experiences will acquire a deeper understanding of discipleship and the necessity of ongoing conversion. In an atmosphere of openness the participants are guided from within to interpret their life, to discover God's presence, and to be transformed through the Word proclaimed in order to establish a genuine and permanent interpersonal relationship with God and neighbor.

The Confirmation and RCIA programs on campus are facilitated by a group of students, alumni, and staff members known as the CORE Team.

Christian Life Communities

Christian Life Community (CLC) is a community of diverse people who seek a way of life based on the values of spirituality, community, and service.

Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, CLC strives to foster trusting relationships, find God in all things, and discover our calling in life.

CLC meets weekly in small groups of members to pray, reflect, and discuss issues of life and faith. Its members also gather for campus-wide activities: social events, service projects, prayer, and open conversations about following Jesus in today’s world. It welcome people of all faiths.

Over the course of the last decade, a thriving Christian Life Community has developed at LMU. At the encouragement of Father Jim Erps, “CLC@LMU” began in 1991 with one group that met bi-monthly. Gradually, the organization has grown into a cohesive unit comprised of 45 groups involving over 500 diverse members. Its growth has been fueled by the Spirit’s formation of spirited, dynamic, and fun-loving leaders who embody the CLC Way of Life in a manner that is both attractive and imaginable. Currently, CLC@LMU is shaped by an Executive Council (ExCo) consisting of Program Directors from the Campus Ministry Staff and 9 student council members, 2 student Program Assistants, 65 student Coordinators, 21 adult Guides, activity heads, musicians, and numerous others whose gifts and energy fashion CLC@LMU into the welcoming community of disciples that it is today.

CLC is essentially a group of “friends in the Lord” who come together to support one another, serve their local and world communities, and deepen their own spirituality. CLC seeks to find Christ’s presence in one another, and to discern God’s call in everyday lives. Just as the first disciples were consoled by the Risen Christ learned to be attentive to the will of God, we too are called be open to the many joys, challenges, and gifts that the Spirit offers us as a community of believers the mission to console and reconcile.

Retreat Programs

LMU’s Retreat Programs are an integral part of Campus Ministry’s work to allow and encourage students to integrate the principles of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises into their own lived. LMU’s retreats strive to develop the students’ faith individually and communally. LMU offers several retreats throughout the year including the First Year Retreat (for freshmen and transfer students), the Emmaus Retreat (a retreat open to freshmen, sophomore, and junior students), the Senior Retreat, and the Silent Retreat (a four day experience based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola). All of LMU’s retreats are led by current students, alumni, and staff members.

Social Justice and Community Service

Social Justice & Community Service programs have a way of transforming those who participate. Together we learn about the role we individually and collectively play in promoting a mere just society. Together we mobilize to act in concrete and effective ways to impact public policies that can make a difference in areas such as homelessness, hunger, violence, poverty, and fair trade.

All of our service and justice activities and opportunities are designed by student leaders, with assistance from staff. Student leadership development is a high priority. Theological reflection is a key component in all our community service programs. Reflection—through prayer, discussion and meditation—leads to a greater understanding and integration of the role of service in our lives.

Ultimately we see service and justice as an on-going commitment of lifestyle, a commitment to integrate faith and justice, to live in love with the poor and each other.

The De Colores program allows students to travel to the slums of Tijuana, Mexico and work with the people of that area to improve their community. Other programs include Feed the Hungry (a program for the inner-city homeless), Fright Night (a Halloween event for school students in at risk neighborhoods), and Spring Eggstravaganza (an Easter event for school students in at risk neighborhoods).

Ecumenical and Interreligious Services

Ecumenical & Interreligious Services welcomes students, faculty, and staff of differing religious denominations and spiritual beliefs. LMU seeks to create a vibrant community of individuals desiring to grow in their individual faith journeys and learn from the diverse faith experiences of others.

In accordance with the university mission to encourage learning, educating the whole person, and the service of faith and the promotion of justice, we serve to meet the spiritual needs to the LMU Community and promote religious understanding.

In partnership with the LMU Jewish Community, the Muslim Students Association, Catholic and various Protestant denominations, Campus Ministry seek to encounter God’s presence through prayer, fellowship and worship services, and spiritual direction.

Spiritual Direction

Campus Ministry also offers Spiritual Direction to those students interested. Spiritual Direction is an integral part to the spiritual development and growth of the individual as they journey in his or her relationship with God. Spiritual Direction is common to the traditions of the Society of Jesus, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Athletics

The 2005-06 academic year will mark the 99th year of competition in intercollegiate athletics for the Loyola Marymount University Athletics Department. Just one year shy of a century, the LMU Lions have had some memorable moments in the world of collegiate athletics, showing they have been "Building Champions" for nearly a century.

A lot has changed since 1906 when LMU, then known as St. Vincent's College, began fielding a basketball team. The initial season of LMU athletics offered a glimpse of things to come as the Lions posted a 5-0 record in that first season. (Although, prior to 1906 St. Vincent's fielded football and baseball teams that played YMCA and other similar teams.)

Since that time, LMU has grown considerably and offers a diverse range of 18 varsity sports, 16 of which compete at the Division I level within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Twelve sports, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's crew, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball, compete in the prestigious West Coast Conference.

In addition, women's swimming participates in the Pacific Collegiate Swimming Conference and men and women's water polo compete in the Western Water Polo Association. Women's softball competes in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference to round out the 16 programs competing at the NCAA D-I level. Men's crew is affiliated with the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association and the LMU cheer program was added as a varsity sport in 2005.

There have been recent reports of hazing by the Women's Swim Team, with photographic evidence posted available through online photo-hosting communities. School officials deny that the behavior is hazing, although reports and photographs seem to say otherwise.

The success of Lion Athletics has never been stronger, claiming some its crowning moments since 2000. For the second year in a row LMU combined to send five teams to their respective NCAA postseason tournaments, and since the start of the 21st century, the Lions have sent 20 teams to the NCAA tournament while winning 14 conference championships in the process. With the success, 34 individual student-athletes have earned All-America honors since 2000.

Of late the women's water polo program has burst onto the scene, winning five straight Western Water Polo Association Championships and making five consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. Their second place finish in the 2004 NCAAs and final No. 2 ranking in the polls was the best finish ever by an LMU program. Add men's water polo and their three championships in the last four years, the water polo program as a whole has become of the top in the nation with eight championships since 2001.

Putting together a string of titles is not new for the Lions. Prior to women's water polo and their string, baseball and volleyball had been the standard bearer for consecutive titles. Baseball did it from 1998-2000 while women's volleyball did it from 1994-1996.

One of the most memorable runs in NCAA history was that of the Paul Westhead-led men's basketball programs from 1985-1990. The Lions won two WCC tournament titles, and two regular season titles. As the Lions set the all-time NCAA Division-I record with 122.4 points per game in 1990, it was the people that made the Lions special.

Playing for fallen teammate Hank Gathers, who died of a heart condition while playing for the Lions in the WCC tournament in 1990, the Lions did the impossible with a run at the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight and capturing the hearts of the nation.

What Bo Kimble, Hank Gathers, Jeff Fryer and the rest of the up-tempo Lions did for the men's basketball team continued a long-standing tradition of a basketball legacy at LMU. Two Loyola basketball alumni, Pete Newell and Phil Woolpert, have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Newell coached the 1960 U.S. Olympic basketball team to a gold medal and led California to the 1959 NCAA Championship. Woolpert coached the University of San Francisco to the 1955 and 1956 NCAA Championships and a 60-game win streak, the second longest in college basketball history.

Speaking of championships, Bob Boyd, former Loyola football and track great, captured the 1950 NCAA men's track championship in the 100-yard dash. He later played seven seasons as a tight end for the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams, and led them to the 1951 World title.

The 1980s saw LMU's athletic success propel to the national and international level. Just four years after pitching the LMU baseball team to the 1986 College World Series, Tim Layana was a vital member of the 1990 World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds. Five members from the 1986 LMU team eventually played in the major leagues.

Like Boyd in the NFL and Layana in MLB, many former LMU student-athletes have gone onto the next level in their respective sports. Entering the 2005-06 season, 16 former baseball players currently play professional baseball, including the most recent to hit the majors in C.J. Wilson with the Texas Rangers and Billy Traber with the Cleveland Indians. Additionally, four men's soccer players have played in the MLS the last four years, including Arturo Torres playing for Chivas USA.

Over the years six former women's volleyball players have played professionally, including 2000 Olympian Sarah Noriega. The 1996 first-team All-American was just one Lion to make an appearance in the Olympics. This past 2004 Summer Olympics former and three-time men's volleyball All-American Reid Priddy burst on the international scene and led the U.S. Men's Volleyball team. Current women's water polo players Rachell Riddell and Christine Robinson both played for the Canadian National Team in the Olympics.

Although LMU no longer has NCAA programs for Football, Ice-Hockey, and Men's Volleyball the school once had programs for these sports and several efforts have been made to return these sports to the campus. In 1967, Loyola University sponsored a club football team in the National Club Football Association (NCFA). Loyola was one of four schools from California (Saint Mary's College, the University of San Francisco and the University of San Diego) to play in the NCFA. The entire association comprised of at least 125 teams nation wide and was held in the same regard as the three main levels of the NCAA and the NAIA. In 1969, the Loyola University football team won the NCFA National Championship. LMU currently fields both a club Men's Volleyball team and Ice-Hockey team. LMU also fields club teams in the following sports: Men's Baseball, Cycling, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Lacrosse, Men's Rugby, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Surf Team, and Women's Volleyball.

Lion Mascot

Although its origin is somewhat clouded, the Lion mascot, known as Iggy the Lion after St. Ignatius of Loyola, S.J., has been synonymous with Loyola Marymount University for more than 70 years. According to the Oct. 5, 1923 edition of the school newspaper, the Los Angeles Loyolan, the Lion mascot was suggested by an enthusiastic fan after 1919 when St. Vincent's College became Loyola College. Noting the Loyola football player's fierce competitiveness, that unknown fan described the Loyola players as Lions. The name did not generate too much popularity and the Loyola athletic nickname remained "Loyolans" until 1923.

During the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s Loyola University shared its mascot Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The MGM Lion was brought to campus on the days of athletic events and university ceremonies to serve as the official school mascot (Leo the Lion was the first in the 1930s). Today, student rumors hold that the lion would stay overnight in Xavier Hall and others hold that the lion's permanent home was on the campus' bluff between Xavier Hall and Sacred Heart Chapel. Louis B. Mayer had been a major contributor to the university when the school first moved to the Del Rey Hills and began building its first buildings.

Student Government

Loyola Marymount's Student Government is known as ASLMU (The Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University). The body is comprised of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch.

Center for Service and Action

Unique to Loyola Marymount is its Center for Service and Action (CSA). Dedicated to fostering the Jesuit principles of the service of faith and promotion of justice, CSA offer students opportunities to serve the campus and surrounding communities. The mission of CSA is to educate and form men and women with and for others, especially with and for the disadvantaged and the oppressed. Through direct personal contact between students and the marginalized in service experiences, CSA fosters a solidarity with the poor that will lead to intellectual inquiry, moral reflection and social action.

One of the many opportunities provided by CSA to students looking to do service work is the Alternative Break Program. LMU's Alternative Breaks program promotes service and cultural exchange on the local, national, and international level through hands-on, community-based learning. Students are immersed in diverse contexts throughout the world with concrete challenges that heighten social awareness and inspire lifelong social action.

Service Organizations

CSA also oversees LMU's student service organizations. The seven service organizations work to help the university and surrounding community of Los Angeles.

Each Service Organization has its own unique mission, history, charism and organizational structure. The members of these organizations make themselves available for on-campus service as well as on-going commitments to serve at specific non-profit agencies in Southern California. Each organization has a moderator and a chaplain.

The Center for Service and Action works with the service organizations in fostering on-campus service and community service as well as reflecting upon their experience of service. CSA coordinates communication between the leadership of these organizations, the Service Organization Council. CSA also coordinates the distribution of the On-Campus Service Requests.

The organizations and their respective dates of founding are Crimson Circle (1929), General Ira C. Eaker Squadron (Arnold Air Society) (1955), Belles (1960), Gryphon Circle (1968), Ignatians (1981), Sursum Corda (1992), Marians (2003), and Magis (2003).

Campus Greek Life

LMU is also home to a number of campus Greek Organizations. The campus fraternities are as follows: Alpha Delta Gamma (1952), Lambda Chi Alpha (2002), Sigma Chi (1991), Sigma Phi Epsilon (1996), Sigma Lambda Beta (1999), and Beta Theta Pi (2005). The campus sororities are as follows: Delta Gamma (1981), Alpha Phi (1976), Pi Beta Phi (2002), Delta Zeta (1986), Sigma Lambda Gamma (2000), Kappa Alpha Theta (1999), Delta Sigma Theta (2000) and Delta Delta Delta (2005).

Notable alumni

Noted professors

  • Reverend William Fulco, S.J.
  • Teri Schwartz (Dean of the School of Film & Television, whose credits include such hit films as the Golden Globe nominated Sister Act, Beaches, The Out of Towners, Nuts, and Hope, also partnered with Goldie Hawn to create Cherry Alley Productions.)

External links

Independent Colleges of Southern California | Jesuit universities and colleges in the United States | Los Angeles area colleges and universities | Loyola Marymount University | Roman Catholic universities and colleges in the United States | Universities and colleges in California | Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

St. Vincent's College

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Loyola Marymount University".

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