Meet the Class of ’23: Grads share their favorite Loyola memories
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Vida Opoku
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Hometown: Nkoranza, Ghana
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “I think every day was my favorite. Why? Waking up in the morning and coming to school and knowing that I am part of this great institution meant so much to me. I get to go to many events and study groups and getting to meet and see Sister Jean many times on campus is something that is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.”
What will you miss the most? “The support system at Loyola. At Loyola, the support system is super amazing, and I cannot believe how radically my life is so different right now. The professors at Loyola do not just teach you the book but prepare you for real-life experience. You feel inclusive in class and in every group activity.”
What are you doing next? “At Loyola, I have learned so much and the impact of making a change in the world. I am excited to continue my intellectual journey to thrive and excel in the real world.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “I would encourage each one to make good use of all the tools and resources that the school and the professors are providing. The networks with the real world, students organizations, sports, study groups, the great internship opportunities, and reach out for help when needed.”
Nazia Azizi
Arrupe College
Degree: Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts
Hometown: Kabul, Afghanistan
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “Being at Arrupe College was an incredible experience for me, and one of my fondest memories from my time there was spending time with my friends in the math fellow center, where I worked as a math fellow. Helping students improve their math skills was truly rewarding, and I cherished every moment of it.”
What will you miss the most? “The professors. They demonstrate genuine concern for their students, both in and out of class, providing unwavering support through every challenge.”
What are you doing next? “I will continue my academic pursuits to acquire a bachelor’s degree in the field of biology.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Use your time wisely. Time management is essential in college. Prioritize your tasks, plan ahead, and refrain from putting things off.”
Evan Jamal Nave
School of Communication
Degree: Master of Science, Global and Strategic Communication
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “Becoming a part of the Graduate and Professional Adult Council. The organization taught me how to be an effective leader on campus and advocate for other graduate students.”
What will you miss the most? “I will miss the students in my cohort the most. We all formed a little family during our time in the program and I will miss that connection.”
What are you doing next? “I am going to start my own online marketing business.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “My advice for the incoming class is to use effective time management and meet deadlines.”
Alfredo Arreola Pérez
School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Management
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “My favorite moment at Loyola was being able to make connections with my online colleagues. Given that this was an online course, forging these connections was motivational. They kept me coming back with eagerness to see everyone get a step closer to their goals.”
What will you miss the most? “I will miss the interactions with my professors and the avid conversations that taught me so much. I will also miss the challenges that pushed me toward becoming a better version of myself. ”
What are you doing next? “I will continue to grow in my current job and enjoy my recent milestones with family and friends. They were my motivation and gave me unconditional support to finishing my degree.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Believe in yourself and your potential. Take one assignment at a time and enjoy the journey.”
John Gorman
School of Environmental Sustainability
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science; Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry
Hometown: Wooster, Ohio
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “From road-tripping to Pittsburgh to see Loyola play in March Madness, to making countless batches of Biosoap in the Biodiesel Lab, to working with first-year students as a Peer Advisor, to playing in the Jazz Ensemble here, it’s almost impossible to pick a single favorite moment. However, if I had to choose, it would have to be spending three weeks at LUREC the summer prior to my senior year, helping with the summer classes. I got to know some of my best friends there, work with faculty both in and out of classroom settings, and learn far more about the local environment than I could have from a textbook or lecture. ”
What will you miss the most? “I’m going to miss the camaraderie throughout the environmental program here at Loyola. Environmental issues are enormous and can often start to feel overwhelming. Seeing the passion that all the students bring in and the different ways people come up with to address these issues is very encouraging for the future and makes approaching these problems seem much more manageable.”
What are you doing next? “I plan to start a Ph.D. program this fall focusing on environmental chemistry, specifically looking at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) water contamination detection, quantification, and remediation.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Curiosity and tenacity are two of the most important attributes you can have coming into Loyola. A desire to learn and to make your community a better place is essential, but determination is key to getting the most out of your experience here. Some of my best memories tied to Loyola – working in the Biodiesel Lab or interning with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – began with rejections. The important thing is to remember to learn something from these rejections and continue to persevere.”
Aidan Doyle
School of Education
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education; Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “This is perhaps the hardest question I’ve ever encountered outside of a math class, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the presidential inauguration for Dr. Reed. The campus felt so alive and I love a good opportunity to dress up. There was such a mood of celebration; it was a very unique day and I’m lucky to have been here for it.”
What will you miss the most? “I’m definitely going to miss the sense of community the most. I feel so at home on campus and that has allowed me to branch out more than I ever would have imagined. I just love how everyone is doing their own thing but we all support each other in whatever that thing is.”
What are you doing next? “I’ll be attending the University of Notre Dame to study for my Masters of Education through the Alliance for Catholic Education. As a part of the program, I will be teaching math in Sacramento, California, at a Jesuit Cristo Rey high school.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “There is no such thing as being ‘cool’ in college, so don’t even try to be. Go talk to that person in your class, eat dinner in the dining hall alone, nerd out about your major, I could go on and on. Don’t inhibit yourself to seem cool because you’ll just miss out on so many awesome experiences. ”
Janese Nolan
The Graduate School
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Cultural and Educational Policy Studies
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “The day of the solar eclipse was also my orientation day. It was a cool way to spend my first day as Rambler.”
What will you miss the most? “I will miss the Lewis library staff. Vanessa, Tracy, and the rest of the librarians are saints.”
What are you doing next? “I will be joining the faculty at Illinois State University as an Assistant Professor in Pk-12 School Leadership.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Use the knowledge you gain at Loyola to bring people together. We’ve got enough folks tearing us apart.”
Callie Kutasi
School of Law
Degree: Juris Doctor
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “Arguing in front of an esteemed panel of judges during the 2022 Intraschool Moot Court Competition and finishing the competition as the runner-up. This opportunity fostered my love for Loyola’s Moot Court Program and encouraged me to continue to compete and become further involved in the program as a board member. I will always look back fondly on my time as Chief Justice, as an oralist on the National Moot Court Competition Team, and as an oralist and brief writer on the Billings, Exum, and Frye Competition Team.”
What will you miss the most? “I will miss being an academic tutor for Professor Paradise and Professor Breen the most because I built strong relationships with both professors and the students in each of the sections that I tutored. I was also very lucky to be able to co-tutor with some of my closest law school friends. I really enjoyed being a resource for the students when they had questions about classes, extracurriculars, or jobs and hope that I can continue to be a resource for them after graduation.”
What are you doing next? “I will be working at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner following graduation. I worked for the firm as a summer associate after my 2L year and I am really looking forward to returning as an associate in October.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Find your people at Loyola because, while the law school environment is incredibly competitive, finding others with similar study habits, interests, and goals can help create a sense of community. As someone who usually prefers to study alone, I am very appreciative of the study group that I formed in my first year of law school. Legal concepts can be difficult and confusing so talking through them with others will help to ensure that you are understanding the information and cases properly.”
Kelly Fahrendorf
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
Degree: Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “The Dedication to the Nursing Profession ceremony. After the pandemic threw us for a loop and sent my classmates and I away from each other, this ceremony genuinely brought energy back into our academic as well as our clinical experiences. Not only did it bring us together, but it revived our ‘nursing spirits’ and reminded us that we have a blessed power to care for the life of another human being.”
What will you miss the most? “I will miss the close-knit community found within my fellow nursing class. Whether it be our late hours of studying for numerous exams or arduous trek to lectures in Chicago weather, we became a family over these four years. Creating a home away from home at Loyola’s campus helped nurture my overall educational experience; for this, and my classmates, I am grateful.”
What are you doing next? “I plan to work at Almost Home Kids Chicago (AHK) through Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. AHK is a transitional care unit that provides respite care and education to families of kiddos with medical complexities as they leave the inpatient setting and get ready to go home. I am proud to currently work here as a Student Nurse Assistant, and I look forward to growing in my passion of holistically caring for others within and beyond the walls of a health care facility.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “I advise the incoming class to get out and explore the city of Chicago as much as possible. Loyola’s location in a bustling city allows for perspective, humility, and resilience as one truly has the ability ‘go forth and set the world on fire.'”
Nana Anim Asante-Apeatu
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Degree: Master of Science, Exercise Science
Hometown: Amanokrom, Ghana
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “Organizing a dry triathlon with my classmates. The idea of applying the knowledge acquired from our sports nutrition class in such a practical setting was so fulfilling.”
What will you miss the most? “The camaraderie I get to share with my classmates in labs and trying to figure out the modalities as well as collaborating to interpret lab results.”
What are you doing next? “I will be working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the Cardiac Diagnostics department.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Be curious. Ask as many questions as you need. Your professors are always ready to provide you with guidance or direction to find the answers you are looking for. Research on your own as well. You will be equipped with the skills to do good efficient research.”
Ternan Monteiro
Institute of Pastoral Studies
Degree: Master of Arts, Pastoral Counseling
Hometown: Mumbai, India
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “My favorite moment was my internship practice and supervision which has given me an opportunity to understand myself better and bring together all that I have learnt from the program.”
What will you miss the most? “I will definitely miss the wisdom, support and enthusiasm of my professors; and the fellowship and sharing of my classmates that reflected such a diversity in age, culture and experience.”
What are you doing next? “I will be working as a pastor, counselor, and retreat director and I want to use everything I have integrated to be a healing presence through who I am and what I do.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Let the study material talk to you and transform you so that you can always bring your personal experience and lived-out knowledge to your work and ministry.”
Irina Voloshina
Quinlan School of Business
Degree: Master of Business Administration
Hometown: Yakutsk, Russia
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “My favorite moment during my time at Loyola was when I went to Southeast Asia for my study abroad class. It was such an incredible and exhilarating experience where I got to learn and immerse myself in other cultures. I’m so grateful I was able to travel for a month there, along with being able to meet other students who were on the trip as well.”
What will you miss the most? “I will mostly miss the students I got to know during my time here at Loyola along with the professors who taught each and every class with dedication and determination.”
What are you doing next? “I’m focusing on starting up multiple online businesses in different industries and hoping to progress them over the years. I’m also currently working on launching a store that will cater to pet supplies. This has been my passion for a while, so I’m very excited to hit the ground running with these projects.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Take each class with an intention of what you would like to get out of the class and what you would like to learn that will help you later in your career and personal life.”
Camille Morhun
School of Social Work
Degree: Master of Social Work, Migration Studies
Hometown: Glenview, Illinois
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “This semester, I participated in the U.S. Mexico Border Spring Break Immersion with the School of Social Work, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, and the Stritch School of Medicine. Traveling to the San Diego/Tijuana border with my mentor Dr. Vidal and my peers was a beautiful culmination of my studies at Loyola and in the migration studies track. Traveling with this group and applying my research and studies was such a rewarding and special experience that I will hold close as I transition into my career.”
What will you miss the most? “I’ll miss the community and mentorship at Loyola! I’ve been so fortunate to have wonderful mentors and friends that have included me in life changing opportunities. I’ll miss being Dr. Vidal’s student!”
What are you doing next? “I am still in my job search and am hoping to work with immigrants and refugees either in a healthcare or therapeutic setting or doing policy work and advocacy. In a few years, I plan to return for my PhD where I hope to study the connection between mental health and immigration policy, and how to promote communal integration.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Be curious, ask as many questions as you need. Your professors are always ready to provide you with guidance or direction to find the answers you are looking for. Research on your own as well. You will be equipped the the skills to do good efficient research.”
Cesar Montelongo Hernandez
Stritch School of Medicine
Degree: Doctor of Medicine
Hometown: Las Cruces, New Mexico
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola? “Match Day, it was amazing seeing years of hard work pay off and knowing the next step in my training ”
What will you miss the most? “The community, especially the faculty and staff that I’ve known for almost a decade.”
What are you doing next? “I will be starting Psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern in Dallas.”
What advice do you have for the incoming class? “Keep an open mind and try to enjoy yourself, you can’t plan or anticipate many of the life choices/changes during your training. I was surprised by how often unpredictability ended as a net positive.”
