Register now to join us for this anniversary event. SHARE YOUR MEMORIES! As part of our celebration, we will be displaying photos collected from the University's archives and directed to us by our alumni, faculty, staff, and friends. To submit your favorite memories of classmates, faculty, places (Water Tower, Lake Shore, Rome, or Mallinckrodt campuses), internships, courses, study abroad opportunities, etc., click here. Please be sure to include your full name, your place of current or most recent employment, city/state, and your graduation year/s. Forward this page on to other classmates and encourage them to offering their treasured experiences. If you would prefer to mail your remarks and mememtoes, please send them to the Alumni Association, c/o SOE 40th Anniversary, 820 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611. All items received by the Alumni Association will become the property of the University and will not be returned. *************************************************************************************************************** Below are remarks from SOE graduates who are proud of their education and the experience that the School offered them. *************************************************************************************************************** In the late 60s, I came to Chicago from Canada, a stranger in a foreign country. My goal? A graduate degree in education. My first encounter at Loyola was with Dr. John Wozniak who immediately made me feel welcome, excited about my chances for success as a teacher. Dr. Wozniak became my mentor, the one I hoped to be like when I became a teacher. And during my 30 plus years as a high school teacher, I thought always of dear Doctor John and imagined him giving me advice on those dreary days of teaching when nothing seemed right. I am forever indebted to him for his grace, his kindness, his modeling of how a teacher should treat students. Bill Leece, M.Ed., 1971 *************************************************************************************************************** Seeing those pictures of John Wozniak and Philip Carlin stirred a tingle of warm memories and fond experiences I was most fortunate to have for so many years. From the scared freshman of 1963 to the doctoral commencement of 1992, my God given educational experience at Loyola is an extraordinary story. The thirty years of guidance, intellectual and insightful knowledge, and my adoration and “wannabee” admiration of these guys in the School of Education has provided me with the foundation and hunger to pursue the next day. I remember my first faculty meeting after becoming a principal at age 25. It’s scary being the youngest on your staff. Or forever parking free in the Cardinal’s parking lot for years. And I remember stepping on Jane Byrne’s foot at some appearance at the Water Tower. I loved it all. Last month I celebrated my 40th wedding anniversary …………to a girl I met as a junior at Lake Shore campus. Memories of Loyola can not be separated from my life and from the many staff and students I have impacted over these 42 years in Illinois education. I am in my eighteenth year as school district superintendent in the same district. Do I miss Loyola….Yes and No. Yes, of course, but No in reality... because all these years are in the very fabric of my 64 year old body and shall never be forgotten. George B. Kokaska, BS, 1967, M.Ed. 1972, Ed.D. 1992 *************************************************************************************************************** Dr.Wozniak was my mentor and one whom I sought to emulate. Hopefully, I've succeeded. My most recent career after leaving Chicago has been as a Counselor and math teacher in the public schools of San Francisco. I've been retired from SF for 23 years. While working at Loyola I taught courses in Tests and Measurements and functioned in the role of Student Teaching Supervisor. Herbert I. Greenwald, Ed.D. 1969 *************************************************************************************************************** When the opportunity to travel to South Africa with Dr. Ernestine Riggs and other Loyola alumni became available, I knew it would be a trip of a lifetime. Dr. Riggs had traveled there previously and was able to connect with fellow educators outside of Cape Town. The teachers wanted to show us their schools, exchange methodologies, and most importantly, have us teach several lessons to their students. Once we arrived at the host school, I knew this was going to be an educational and inspirational experience. In the morning, the teachers shared stories and compared issues we face in education over hot tea and pastries. Then the students arrived! They were so excited to meet Americans. The students were on holiday break, but still wanted to meet us and go through half a day of school. After teaching in the morning and having a South African barbeque lunch, we took some pictures with the kids and teachers. We had seen such happy faces and positive enthusiasm from the students and teachers. We had also seen much poverty and struggle that they face on a day-to-day basis. Our trip to South Africa reinforced the idea of having an education with a social justice background and truly seeing how teachers can inspire the lives of others! Maureen West, MEd ‘08, BS ‘03 Chicago Public Schools, Spanish Teacher Chicago, IL *************************************************************************************************************** As I look back at my days at Loyola’s School of Education, here are some things that come to mind…
Retired Chicago Public Schools Principal *************************************************************************************************************** I guess my fondest memory of the School of Education was actually traveling to the Mallinckrodt Campus for the first time or a small charter van going from Lakeshore on a cold and icy day to meet with Dr. Lowe about possibly declaring education for my major in undergrad. She was the best advisor for me at that time because I was really struggling with focusing on a major and career focus. From this meeting, a very spectacular relationship formed. Dr. Lowe ultimately became my mentor, I and owe a lot of what I have achieved in education to her. Kevin Tate, BSEd ‘99 King College Prep, Assistant Principal Chicago, IL *************************************************************************************************************** I have many memories that I wish I could share with you, but I will limit it to one. I have been employed in the School of Education since July 1974. I came to Loyola to earn my degree in Business Administration, but I earned much more, including a Masters of Education in Human Development. I have many personal relationships with faculty, staff and students that have developed throughout the last 30+ years and that will continue to grow throughout my lifetime. My special memory is my advisor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Carol Harding. Carol believed in me and encouraged me to go into Human Development and develop my interests in Diversity and Spirituality. She told me, “you have a story to tell and people will listen.” I carry those words with me everyday. Unfortunately, Carol left this earth in September 2006, but she left a mark on everyone she touched—students, faculty, and administrators. Carol was a Professor who had a gift for teaching, but also a gift of learning from her students. I feel blessed to have had her in my life (if for only a short time). Happy 40th Anniversary to the School of Education! Valerie J. Collier, M.Ed., 2000, BA, 1995 Senior Program Coordinator, School of Education Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL *************************************************************************************************************** There are many reasons why today, I am a successful teacher. I will not attempt to expound on any of those qualities or attributes. I would rather give notice to Loyola University and the man who stood for the standards of that outstanding institution. Dr. Berlin believed in me, as a person, a student and as a future teacher. He was one of the most instrumental people in my educational development. When people ask me to this day, who was the teacher who made a difference in your life, I shout out the name of Dr. Berlin. He was as an advisor, a mentor, an educator and a believer. Although I never was privileged to have him as an instructor, he will always be at the very top of my list. I am honored to call Loyola University my alma mater. I thank you Dr. Berlin. Patricia Sexton Walsh, BSEd 1973 Sullivan Elementary School Prospect Heights, IL *************************************************************************************************************** I began my doctoral work in Curriculum, Instruction, and Educational Psychology in 1990....I gained a great deal of knowledge from Dr. Ron Morgan, Dr. Jack Kavanagh, Dr. Barney Berlin, and Dr. Phil Carlin...We always worked as a team and used the case study approach, too...I will always cherish Loyola University, the staff, and the fellow students for enriching my life. Paulette A. Nement-Dittrich, Ed.D. '04 |
