Media & Communications

Ignite a Brighter World
August 30, 2023

"Welcome back! As we embark on this fresh academic year, I share reflections on recent and upcoming milestones made possible through our collaboration, innovation, and commitment to excellence." Read more >

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
June 29, 2023

"Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned race-conscious admission decisions made at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. While these rulings criticized the affirmative action decision-making at Harvard and UNC, we will not allow these setbacks to undo the years of progress made by LMU in providing equal access to education for all students, regardless of race." Read more >>

Announcing EVP and COO Rosemarie Rae
April 11, 2023

"EVP Rae is an accomplished higher education administrator with four decades of experience in finance and administration spanning the public and nonprofit sectors." Read more >

Thank You and Congratulations, Dean Waterstone!
March 27, 2023

"With pride, enthusiasm, and mixed emotions, I share that Fritz B. Burns Dean of LMU Loyola Law School and Senior Vice President Michael Waterstone will be the next dean of the UCLA School of Law. He will transition into his new role in mid-summer." Read more >

Thank You, EVP and CAO Scarboro
December 5, 2022

"With hearty gratitude and a heavy heart, I share that Lynne B. Scarboro, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, will retire on June 10, 2023." Read more >

LMU Increases Base Compensation for Lowest-Paid Workers to $21 per Hour
October 25, 2022

"Today, I am pleased to announce that, beginning next April, the base compensation for LMU’s lowest-paid workers will be $21 per hour, along with living wage targets as part of a new multiyear plan." Read more>

Welcome Back, Lions!
August 31, 2022

"Welcome to the fall 2022 academic year. Whether this is your first year or you are returning to LMU, whether you are an undergrad, graduate, professional student, faculty, or staff, we are over the moon that LMU is the place to which you bring your creativity, your intellect, and your compassion." Read more >

Season of Reflection
September 17, 2021

"I share an encouraging development that exemplifies the solidarity and action we seek in our continuous journey toward inclusivity and realizing more fully our mission." Read more >

Solidarity and Action Must Persist
September 14, 2021

"Public Safety shared an advisory on Monday night with findings that concluded the investigation phase of the racist incident that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021." Read more >

Zero Tolerance For Racism
September 11, 2021

"Earlier this morning, our community received a notification from LMU’s Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) concerning reports of a bias incident against Black community members on our Westchester Campus." Read more >

Welcome Back, Lions!
September 1, 2021

"Welcome to the fall 2021 semester! Whether you are at LMU Loyola Law School, the Playa Vista campus, or on the Bluff, we are one LMU family and are eager to get into a new rhythm together with agility and grace." Read more >

Thank You, SVP Lane Bove
June 21, 2021

"The end of an era is upon us: Elena “Lane” M. Bove, Ed.D., LMU's senior vice president for Student Affairs, one of the most impactful Lions in our university’s history, shared with us that she will retire on Jan. 7, 2022." Read more>

Honoring George Floyd Through Progress and Action
May 25, 2021

"Today we join citizens across the globe in honoring the memory of George Floyd and in praying for his family. We also honor every life taken tragically through violence and systemic racism, and we pray for the generations of Black families who have suffered the damaging legacy of slavery, discrimination, and unjust exclusion." Read more >

Commencement Update
April 30, 2021

"As I shared in my video message earlier today, we have exciting news, and we believe it was worth the wait: LMU will host the 109^th Commencement Exercises at SoFi Stadium on July 31, 2021." Read more >

Thank You, Vice President for Intercultural Affairs Jennifer Abe
April 29, 2021

"Professor Jennifer Abe will complete her transformational two-year term as vice president for Intercultural Affairs in December 2021. She recently shared with me that she will return to the faculty full time in January 2022 to continue her teaching, scholarship, and service in LMU’s Psychology Department following a sabbatical." Read more >

Protect the Pride: Get Vaxxed
April 26, 2021

"As we prepare to reopen our campuses safely and responsibly, we are confident that vaccinations are essential to our community’s health and our return to in-person learning, living, and co-curricular activities in the fall." Read more >

The Chauvin Verdict
April 20, 2021

"Earlier today, we joined citizens across the globe and breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that the jury has weighed the evidence and reached a guilty verdict in the case of Derek Chauvin. Any other outcome seems unthinkable, especially amidst a history where prior verdicts remain, for many of us, hard to fathom." Read more >

2021 Presidential Convocation Address Transcript
March 23, 2021

"Over one year ago, we closed our campuses. We thought our exile would be brief, perhaps just a few weeks or months. No one could have predicted all that has passed since that day, or that twelve months later, I would be delivering our convocation via video with Sacred Heart Chapel in the background, instead of being inside the Chapel with each of you." Read more >

LMU Stands in Solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
March 18, 2021

"We pray for the victims of the horrific shootings in Atlanta that took the lives of eight people, six of whom were Asian women. The torrent of violence and racism we have witnessed against Asian and Pacific Islander communities has no place in our home." Read more >

Cheryl Grills Appointed President's Professor in the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
March 16, 2021

"Dr. Grills, who holds the rank of professor in the Psychology Department, is an extraordinary teacher-scholar, leader, activist, and visionary who routinely inspires all who are fortunate enough to cross her path." Read more >

Marching Forward
March 10, 2021

"While our path to reopening provides more hope and clarity, we must also recognize that improving conditions will continue to depend on our enrollment forecasts and our ability to return to our campuses in fall for in-person instruction, co-curricular experiences, and residential living." Read more >

Announcing SVP for University Advancement Peter J. Wilch
February 2, 2021

"With excitement and anticipation, I announce that Peter Wilch will be our next senior vice president for University Advancement, effective March 29, 2021." Read more >

Hope and Healing
December 15, 2020

"As the end of this dizzying year approaches, I thank each of you for your courage and perseverance. The work you have accomplished and the contributions you have made since March are a testament to our community’s strength, promise, and potential." Read more>

#LMUThankful
November 24, 2020

"You amaze me. My gratitude for you is as limitless as your abilities and talents. I am #LMUThankful for your compassion, creativity, and resilience throughout this extraordinary year." Read more >

Spring Semester 2021 Update
November 19, 2020

"I write to share further information about our plans for spring 2021 and conditions that inform them as we continue to weather challenging circumstances. While we are ready to provide limited, low-density, in-person campus experiences as soon as feasible, coronavirus spread has increased since Provost Poon’s message last month, setting new records and prompting additional restrictions from health authorities in California and LA County." Read more >

Reopening Higher Education
November 4, 2020

"Despite the challenges the shutdown created, I believe we made the right choice to protect our students and communities. But now, as spring semester is approaching, with the stay-at-home order providing no immediate path to reopening, I urge you, our leaders, to take steps immediately that permit colleges and universities to reopen in a safe, responsible, low-density, and limited manner that protects our students and surrounding communities, ultimately improving public health throughout the county." Read more >

Post-Election Message to the Community
November 4, 2020

"The uncertainty of 2020 lingers as we now await the final results of our polarizing presidential election. The days ahead may be fraught. They will require patience, but the trials of the past year have prepared us." Read more>

Chancellor Announcement
October 6, 2020

"With enthusiasm, I announce the appointment of Rev. Michael Engh, S.J., as chancellor of Loyola Marymount University, effective Oct. 1, 2020." Read more >

Acknowledgement of Understanding and Commitment: LMU’s Response to Black at LMU’s Demands and the Black Faculty and Staff Association’s “Actions ‘Beyond Words’”
September 4, 2020

"The Black at LMU students’ and the Black Faculty and Staff Association’s (BFSA) respective demands are documents that will help change the course of our history. In conjunction with, and complementary to, LMU’s Anti-Racism Project, these demands provide a roadmap to guide and inform a comprehensive vision of what anti-racism means for, and at, LMU. Read more>

Welcome Back, Lions!
September 1, 2020

"Welcome to fall 2020 semester! The past six months have felt like a lifetime. But just as generations of Lions before us overcame other character-defining junctures, together, we will rise from this moment more united and stronger than ever." Read more > 

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Dreamers
June 18, 2020

"I am proud of our community for its steadfast support of our Dreamers since the Trump Administration announced in 2017 that it would end DACA. Our LMU Latinx community has been a source of courage and empowerment." Read more > 

Beyond Words
June 16, 2020

"I am honored to serve as your president as we uphold the values and mission for which we stand. In my letter “Speaking Up and Taking Action,” I promised that our reflection would lead to action." Read more >

Speaking Up and Taking Action
June 1, 2020

With sadness and outrage, we have witnessed the horrifying impacts of systemic racism. Most recently, the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have devastated our society as their murders paint an all-too-vivid picture of the persistent brutality, oppression, and violence toward African Americans that has plagued the United States since its founding." Read more >

Preserving Our Strength
April 20, 2020

"We live in extraordinary times, and how we continue responding to swiftly changing circumstances will determine our future." Read more >

Commencement Postponement
April 2, 2020

"With courage and grace, you have adapted swiftly to the sudden and disruptive changes in how we experience one another and our LMU education." Read more >

Extension of Onine Instruction Through the End of the Spring Semester
March 13, 2020

"In consultation and collaboration with LMU leaders and federal, state, and local public health experts and agencies, we have made the difficult decision to extend online instruction through the end of the spring 2020 semester." Read more >

Online Instruction
March 10, 2020

"The safety and well-being of each of you remains my highest priority and continues to guide our proactive planning and response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Fortunately, at this time, there are no suspected cases of COVID-19 on our campuses." Read more > 

Announcing VP for Intercultural Affairs, Jennifer Abe, Ph.D.
January 29, 2020

"I am pleased to announce that Jennifer Abe, Ph.D., will be our next vice president for Intercultural Affairs, effective immediately, for a two-year term." Read more >

Welcome Back - Spring 2020
January 21, 2020

"Last month our LMU community united to transform our campus into a world-class venue for the final DNC Democratic Presidential Debate of 2019." Read more >

2019 Convocation Address Transcript
October 22, 2019

"In yesterday’s LMU This Week, I shared a spectrum of recent achievements; today, I highlight a few of the many ways in which LMU is evolving to address the needs of our changing world. Read more >

Fall Highlights Message
October 21, 2019

"I am honored to collaborate with each of you in making LMU a force for good in the world. Reflecting on this past year, I offer highlights of what we accomplished together in pursuit of our shared vision." Read more >

LMU's New Visual Identity
December 13, 2018

"We are pleased to announce that we have approved LMU's new visual identity system of logos, marks, and colors. Thanks to the community's feedback and participation, we changed and improved the final product." Read more >

Jesuits West Releases Names of Accused Priests
December 7, 2018

"Earlier this morning, the Jesuits West Province released the names of priests and brothers who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults since 1950." Read more>

2018 Presidential Convocation Address
October 23, 2018

"Today I invite you to join me in contemplating our present and our future, to "globally imagine" two distinct pathways that the future could take, and how we at LMU can help make the difference between them." Read More >

Fall Highlights Message
October 22, 2018

"Today, I honor the faith, hope, and love that our LMU community generates. I celebrate our achievements and thank each of you for contributing to our thriving university." Read More>

Vice President for Intercultural Affairs Abbie Robinson-Armstrong
September 19, 2018

"Abbie Robinson-Armstrong, Ph.D., LMU's vice president for intercultural affairs, has informed me that she will retire on May 31, 2019. For nearly two decades, VP Robinson-Armstrong's leadership has transformed how LMU understands and cultivates educational equity." Read more >

Statement of Solidarity with the Immigrant Families
June 21, 2018

"Loyola Marymount University is devoted to upholding the dignity of every person, advocating for the common good in our world, and promoting a living faith that champions justice for all." Read more >

Statement of Solidarity with UCA and the People of Nicaragua
June 6, 2018

"Loyola Marymount University joins the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States in urging the Nicaraguan government to respect and uphold the human rights of its citizens, starting with freedom of expression and peaceful protest." Read more >

Welcome Back — Spring 2018
January 12, 2018

"As we begin the spring semester, I welcome you back to campus by sharing observations, by highlighting engagement opportunities, and by reaffirming our mission and values." Read more >

Tax Reform Impacts
December 15, 2017

"The proposed legislation, as it stands, would adversely impact our students, their families, and our university. I urge you to voice your perspectives to our Congressional leaders." Read more >

Rev. Robert Walsh, S.J., Named Chancellor
December 6, 2017

"I am pleased to announce that Rev. Robert Walsh, S.J., has been appointed as the next chancellor of Loyola Marymount University. He will succeed Rev. Patrick Cahalan, S.J., who will become chancellor emeritus, on June 1, 2018." Read more >

President's Convocation Address
October 17, 2017

"When I contemplate LMU's future, I am proud that we are poised not only to continue LMU's tradition of greatness, but to expand on that greatness." Read more >

Fall Highlights Message
October 16, 2017

"Today, I share with you my gratitude for what each of you contributes to our extraordinary campus community. I also highlight our recent accomplishments and our ambitions that catapult us toward exciting new opportunities, invigorating what makes LMU special and demonstrating that LMU is indeed the definitive center for global imagination and its impacts." Read More >

We Stand with Our Dreamers
September 5, 2017

"Earlier today, President Donald J. Trump's administration announced an executive order rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy established in 2012. I disagree with this action, and add my voice to legion university, civic, business, and elected leaders who oppose it." Read more >

Statement from the President Regarding the Violence in Charlottesville
August 14, 2017

"Our LMU community stands in solidarity with the families impacted by the hate-inspired violence in Charlottesville. Racism, Fascism, and Nazism have no place in our society. As Lions, we celebrate, honor, and cherish diversity, inclusivity, and justice rooted in the belief that we are all sacred children of God." Read more >

We Stand for Our Students
April 19, 2017

"LMU stands unequivocally in support of all our students. As we continue to assess the impacts of governmental actions and seek to safeguard our community members, I update you with our progress and highlight initiatives that reinforce our longstanding values." Read more >

2017-18 budget
March 15, 2017

"Our Board of Trustees approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18. LMU remains on sound fiscal and academic tracks. Our twin strategies of setting a course of global imagination and ensuring that an LMU education remains cost-effective are succeeding. As we continue to forge the future together, I offer my gratitude and enthusiasm for our achievements this year." Read more >

Thomas Poon Named Executive Vice President and Provost
March 9, 2017

"I am pleased to announce that Thomas Poon, Ph.D., will be our next executive vice president and provost. After considering many factors, including feedback from our community, the search committee, and senior leadership, I am confident Professor Poon is the right person to lead our academic affairs and student affairs divisions, including responsibility for the university's educational, scholarly, and creative activities, student development, athletics, and enrollment management." Read More >

Announcing the New LMU Playa Vista Campus
February 9, 2017

"This week we finalized a long-term lease to establish the LMU Playa Vista Campus, part of our comprehensive strategy to strengthen our connection with Los Angeles as the University of Silicon Beach. We will fly our LMU flag proudly at 12105 West Waterfront Drive, where we will occupy approximately 50,000 square feet of space at The Brickyard Playa Vista. We will offer classes there beginning fall 2018." Read More >

In Support of Our International Students, Scholars and Families
January 29, 2017

"President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order titled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States" on Friday, Jan. 27, restricting travel and immigration of persons from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. We continue to assess the impacts of the order as government officials clarify its provisions." Read More >

Scholarship Initiative Goal Surpassed
January 19, 2017

"I share excellent news: We recently surpassed our Scholarship Initiative goal of $100 million by nearly $3 million. This effort has and will continue to enhance significantly our ability to attract and retain a high caliber, diverse student body." Read More >

Vice President for Mission and Ministry John T. Sebastian, Ph.D.
January 12, 2017

"I am pleased to announce that John T. Sebastian, Ph.D., will join LMU as our next vice president for mission and ministry. He will succeed Vice President Robert Caro, S.J., on June 12, 2017. Dr. Sebastian currently serves as vice president for mission and ministry at Loyola University New Orleans." Read More >

Special Assistant to the President
December 13, 2016

"I am pleased to announce Professor John Parrish will become special assistant to the president, effective January 1, 2017. Professor Parrish has served LMU in a variety of roles, bringing to each position the keen and thoughtful approach that he exhibits in his teaching and scholarship." Read More >

Organizational Changes and Updates
December 12, 2016

"I am instituting a change in our organizational structure that will be more responsive to our academic and student development needs and more efficient for our institutional operations. Our next executive vice president and provost must be fully focused on our academic and co-curricular priorities." Read More >

Statement of AJCU Presidents on Undocumented Students
November 30, 2016

"As Presidents of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities we feel spiritually and morally compelled to raise a collective voice confirming our values and commitments as Americans and educators. We represent colleges and universities from across our nation with more than 215,000 students and 21,000 faculty, and over 2 million living alumni." Read More >

 Affirming Our Support of Undocumented Student of All Community Members
November 18, 2016

"Yesterday, our students led a "Unity March: United Against Hate," a passionate show of solidarity. I was proud to participate with community members as we chanted, "Say it loud, say it clear: everyone is welcome here." In moments like this, our mission and our commitment to the dignity of all persons are pillars on which we rely." Read more >

Letter to the LMU Community: We Advocate for the Dignity of All
November 11, 2016

"We just concluded an eventful week at LMU and in our nation and world. As we collect our thoughts and commit our spirits to the future, I remind you of our enduring commitment to our Jesuit and Marymount mission. While our institution does not take political positions, I am compelled to address the concern, fear, and uncertainty expressed within our community." Read More >

President's Convocation Address
October 18, 2016

"I know that I created some chatter when I termed this speech "Out-of-Body Experience" and I know that some of you enculturated in and during the '70s view that with some special mind ... I hate to disappoint you but I'm not going to talk about either of those types of out-of-body experiences much to the delight of the rest of us." Read More >

Fall 2016 University Highlights
October 14, 2016

"I look forward to sharing my convocation address with you next Tuesday, Oct. 18. In the spirit of the magis, I titled my speech "Out-of-Body Experience," so we may further explore our inclusivity, our creativity, and the distinctive foundations of our Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount educational philosophy." Read More >

Welcome Back; Marketing and Communications Changes
September 1, 2016

"Welcome back for what promises to be an exciting 2016/2017 Academic Year. I had the pleasure of keynoting the Academic Convocation which starts the year for our incoming first-year class and, not only do they have the highest academic profile of any entering class in LMU history, they were palpably energetic about their desires to soak in all of the LMU experience. We are fortunate to have these exceptional new students joining our thriving campus community." Read More >

OCR Complaint Notification
July 6, 2016

"I am writing to inform you that we were recently notified by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that LMU is being investigated regarding its handling of a sexual assault case involving an incident that occurred off campus in 2014. As of June 27, 2016, OCR has 247 active investigations underway at 195 colleges and universities, including 20 California colleges and universities and eight Jesuit universities. Read More >

Toward a More Inclusive LMU
April 26, 2016

"As we move swiftly toward the end of our academic year, I offer this update to highlight our diversity and inclusion efforts, inspired by our continuing dialogue to improve our campus climate. I am encouraged by the emerging partnerships formed among students, faculty, academic leaders, student development professionals, and staff to respond to incidents throughout the year, and more importantly, to promote candid dialogue and constructive progress toward achieving inclusivity for all." Read More >

Loyola Law School's 18th Dean
April 13, 2016

"I'm am pleased to share with you that Michael Waterstone will serve as our next senior vice president and dean of Loyola Law School, effective June 1, 2016. After considering the search committee's recommendations and hearing resounding support from law school faculty and staff colleagues, I am confident Professor Waterstone is the right person to lead the school into the next phase of its proud evolution." Read More >

Thank You, Provost Hellige
April 6, 2016

"Joseph Hellige, Ph.D., LMU's executive vice president and provost since 2012, has decided to step down from his position at the end of the 2016-17 academic year. Joe, who has been responsible for the academic and operational aspects of the university, including academic affairs, administration, business and finance, and student affairs, plans to take a yearlong sabbatical, then return to teaching psychology." Read More >

Our Mission; Our Unity
April 5, 2016

"Tonight marks the second report from BIRT, our Bias Incident Response Team, concerning two recent occurrences on our campus. Each of these require us to examine deeper our actions and our purpose as a Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount institution dedicated to the service of faith and the promotion of justice and, as part of that, an unwavering pursuit of truth." Read More >

Transition in the Office of Mission and Ministry
March 28, 2016

"Rev. Robert V. Caro, S.J., who has served as the inaugural vice president for mission and ministry since 2001, has informed me he will step down from his position in summer 2017." Read More>

2016-2017 Budget
March 8, 2016

"The type of teaching and educational environment that LMU delivers every day is exceptional, admitting no low-cost substitute. Our student-teacher ratio remains 11 to 1, and the average class size is 20, which supports our teacher-scholar model and strengthens our academic environment." Read More >

Exploring Possibilities: Playa Vista and Silicon Beach
December 9, 2015

"In my inaugural address, I observed that Los Angeles is the most creative city in humankind's history, and I sketched out an ambition to strengthen the connection between Loyola Marymount University and L.A. I called on the community to be bold and imaginative. Today, I share an initiative that fits this model." Read More >

Our Core Values of Diversity and Inclusion
November 13, 2015

"Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with a class of first-year students, where we explored the responsibilities of universities to make the educational environment open to and supportive of all. Racially biased incidents have no place in our community." Read More >

Presidential Inauguration Address
October 6, 2015

"When we imagine as LMU, a Jesuit and Marymount institution, we imagine restlessly, engaging St. Ignatius of Loyola's magis, seeking to partner with each other, and with God, to do better for those here, for those to come, and for the Earth itself." Read More >