Alumni Awards
The Loyola University Chicago alumni community features action-oriented, values-driven individuals who embrace the Jesuit call to be “people for others.” They are organizational leaders and community advocates, teachers and preachers, servants and champions of human achievement.
All four alumni awards celebrate particularly exceptional efforts. Alumni award winners represent their alma mater with spirit and integrity. They enrich lives. They strengthen communities. They impact the world in positive ways.
Honorees are recognized during the Alumni Excellence Celebration, which is the Friday night kickoff event to Alumni Weekend.
Heart of Loyola Recipient
Michael Boyle (Med ’86, PhD ‘92)
The Heart of Loyola Award honors an alumnus or alumna for extraordinary commitment to Jesuit education.
Dr. Boyle is a nationally recognized leader in Catholic education, with expertise in inclusion, school leadership, and innovative strategies to strengthen faith-based schools. As Executive Director of the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education at Saint Louis University, he guides initiatives in research, professional development, and systemic school improvement. A double alumnus, Dr. Boyle earned his Master of education and PhD in School Psychology from Loyola. With over 30 years of experience, he has served as superintendent, director, principal, special education coordinator, and school psychologist. He previously led Loyola’s Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education and served as Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Joliet. A prolific author and speaker, Dr. Boyle has shaped national best practices in Catholic education. His work has earned numerous honors, including the C. Albert Koob Award and two Distinguished Alumni Awards from Loyola University Chicago.
Spirit of Felice Recipient
Giancarlo Turano (BBA ‘75, JFRC ‘71-’72)
The Spirit of Felice Award is named after the founding director of the John Felice Rome Center (JFRC), the Felice Award is presented annually to a JFRC alumnus who has shown exemplary leadership in business and community as well as support to the Rome Center.
Giancarlo is co-chairman of Turano Baking Company, a family-owned business in Berwyn, Illinois, and a respected leader in the American baking industry. He helped grow the company founded by his father from a neighborhood bakery into a national supplier serving 70 of the top 100 U.S. foodservice chains. Born in Calabria, Italy, Giancarlo emigrated to the United States and grew up working in the bakery. He earned a degree in Accounting from Loyola in 1975, where he also spent a formative year abroad at the John Felice Rome Center. That experience deepened his appreciation for global learning and Jesuit education—a connection that now spans three generations of his family. Under his leadership, Turano modernized operations and introduced artisan-quality breads to mainstream markets. In 2013, he and his brothers were inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame for their industry impact. A strong supporter of Catholic education, Giancarlo serves on the Big Shoulders Fund Executive Board and supports the Rome Center philanthropically. He and his wife, Karen, are proud that their sons now lead the third generation of the family business.
Spirit of Loyola Recipient
Dr. Michael Koehler (BS ‘82)
The Spirit of Loyola Award honors an individual who exemplifies the Ignatian spirit of leadership and service to the community.
Michael earned his BS in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science from Loyola in 1982 and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1986. Over four decades, he has applied his expertise to complex scientific and safety challenges. He spent 23 years in research, development, and management before transitioning to chemical accident investigation and litigation consulting. A Fellow of the American Chemical Society, Michael has advised Congress and federal agencies on chemical safety and regulations. Deeply engaged in his community, he has served on the Rolling Meadows City Council, chaired its Environmental Committee, and contributed to the Boards of the ACS Chicago Section and the National Museum of Danish America. Michael met his wife, Helen, on his first day at Loyola, and together they have five grown children. Guided by Jesuit values, he continues to mentor students, encouraging them to approach their careers as a mission in service to others.
Rambler on the Rise Recipient
Emily Prust (BA ’18)
The Rambler on the Rise Award recognizes alumni who have graduated from Loyola University Chicago within the past 10 years whose actions reflect the University’s mission and values. Recipients of this award have demonstrated a commitment to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith.
Emily is a dedicated nonprofit professional and fundraiser based in Washington, D.C., whose career reflects a deep commitment to social impact. A 2018 Loyola graduate, she cultivated her passion for public service as President of Inside Government, participating in the Semester in DC program, volunteering as a DJ at WLUW, and engaging in the 2016 presidential and Senate campaigns. Since graduation, Emily has advanced philanthropic initiatives at Freedom House, Grameen America, and the National Geographic Society. She remains deeply connected to Loyola, mentoring students and leading the DC Chapter of the Loyola Public Service Affinity Group.
Congratulations to our 2025 Rambler on the Rise Award finalists
| AWARD NAME | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rambler on the Rise | Taylor | Choy | BS ‘17 |
| Rambler on the Rise | Luna | Luna | AA ‘17, and current Loyola MBA student |
| Rambler on the Rise | Austin | Runde | BS ‘21, MS ‘23, and current Loyola Stritch student |
| Rambler on the Rise | Jacque | Stefanic | AA ’19, BBA ’21, and current Loyola MBA student |
The Loyola University Chicago alumni community features action-oriented, values-driven individuals who embrace the Jesuit call to be “people for others.” They are organizational leaders and community advocates, teachers and preachers, servants and champions of human achievement.
All four alumni awards celebrate particularly exceptional efforts. Alumni award winners represent their alma mater with spirit and integrity. They enrich lives. They strengthen communities. They impact the world in positive ways.
Honorees are recognized during the Alumni Excellence Celebration, which is the Friday night kickoff event to Alumni Weekend.
Congratulations to our 2025 Rambler on the Rise Award finalists
| AWARD NAME | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rambler on the Rise | Taylor | Choy | BS ‘17 |
| Rambler on the Rise | Luna | Luna | AA ‘17, and current Loyola MBA student |
| Rambler on the Rise | Austin | Runde | BS ‘21, MS ‘23, and current Loyola Stritch student |
| Rambler on the Rise | Jacque | Stefanic | AA ’19, BBA ’21, and current Loyola MBA student |