Celebration of Students
Learning That Transforms Lives
Thursday, April 16 - Thursday, April 23, 2026
A Celebration of Students shares the story of the Loyola experience and demonstrates how integrated learning can transform students’ lives and communities. Cosponsored by Student Development and Academic Affairs, this week-long celebration honors the scholarly and creative excellence, outstanding co-curricular contributions, and inspiring civic work and service of Loyola’s students. It recognizes that relationships—among students, faculty, staff, and the wider community—are central to advancing learning and building community.
Many events are invitation only, however, some are open to the public including the Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium, performances by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and events in Madonna della Strada Chapel. Please reach out to the academic events team in the Office of the Provost at events@LUC.edu with questions.
Feature Events
Achievement
Graduate School Interdisciplinary Research Symposium
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.| Palm Court, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
The Graduate School and the Graduate Student Advisory Council host the Annual Graduate School Interdisciplinary Research Symposium on the Lake Shore Campus organized around the diverse research methods exhibited in scholarly work. The symposium is an excellent forum for Loyola graduate students to present their scholarly work. Any current graduate student within The Graduate School is eligible to submit a presentation. Monetary awards will be given based on research category and student’s program status.
LEARN MOREAchievement
Achieving College Excellence Spring Banquet
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Sr. Jean Multi-Purpose Room South, Damen Student Center, Lakeshore Campus
The Achieving College Excellence (ACE) program's annual spring semester academic achievement & senior celebration.
Achievement
Excellence Awards Ceremony
Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Sr. Jean Multi-Purpose Room, Damen Student Center, Lake Shore Campus
Every year, outstanding Ramblers are recognized for their commitment to excellence in exemplifying Loyola's mission and values at the Excellence Awards Ceremony. The Division of Student Development is proud to work with Arrupe College, Athletics, Career Services, and the Office of Sustainability to coordinate the annual Excellence Awards Ceremony.
LEARN MORECreative Works
Spring Music Celebration
Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Spring Music Celebration, Lake Shore Campus
The Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and Wind Ensemble come together for this year-end concert, featuring the winners of the 2026 Concerto/Aria Competition.
LEARN MORECreative Works
Jazz Showcase
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Newhart Family Theatre, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
The final Jazz Showcase of the school year features several jazz combos and the Jazz Ensemble, and will include a variety of music selections.
LEARN MOREScholarship
Undergraduate Research & Engagement Symposium
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Rooney Hall, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
A symposium celebrating undergraduate research and community engagement over the course of the past year, including class projects and co-curricular research.
LEARN MOREAchievement
Undergraduate Research & Engagement Symposium Awards Presentation
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 3:45 p.m. - 5 p.m. | McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, Lake Shore Campus
A celebration and recognition of students, faculty, community partners for their outstanding work in research, mentoring and community engagement.
LEARN MOREScholarship
Honors Senior Celebration
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Damen Den, Damen Student Center, Lake Shore Campus
A dinner with speakers and award ceremony for graduating Honors Program seniors.
More Events
Creative Works
Rent
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Newhart Family Theatre, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Tower Campus
Lower East Side of New York City. End of the millennium. Mark and Roger are roommates, and they can’t afford rent (again). But they don’t let that stop them from enjoying life while they can. They find solace in their community of fellow artists and activists who are also trying to make ends meet as they struggle through life, love, their art, the AIDS crisis, and paying (or not paying) rent. Jonathan Larson’s final musical still resonates today about the importance of trying to get your voice heard, even if it seems no one is listening.
LEARN MORECreative Works
Rent
Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | Newhart Family Theatre, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
Lower East Side of New York City. End of the millennium. Mark and Roger are roommates, and they can’t afford rent (again). But they don’t let that stop them from enjoying life while they can. They find solace in their community of fellow artists and activists who are also trying to make ends meet as they struggle through life, love, their art, the AIDS crisis, and paying (or not paying) rent. Jonathan Larson’s final musical still resonates today about the importance of trying to get your voice heard, even if it seems no one is listening.
LEARN MOREAchievement
School of Education Excellence Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Beane Hall, Lewis Towers, Water Tower Campus
The Loyola School of Education celebrates Faculty, Staff, and Student Excellence, with an awards presentation to a group of individuals who are recognized for their outstanding work in the Teaching, Research, and Service.
LEARN MOREAchievement
Military Science/ROTC year end award ceremony
Thursday, April 26, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, Lake Shore Campus
The Military Science department will host their annual ROTC Awards Ceremony, honoring the achievements of invididual cadets.
Scholarship
School of Communication Honors Reception
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Regents Hall, Lewis Towers, Water Tower Campus
The School of Communication event will be an award ceremony for outstanding students in all SOC majors, as well as both graduate programs.
Achievement
Student Veterans Honors Banquet
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Newhart Family Theatre, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
Achievement
Arrupe College Honors Convocation
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Kasbeer Hall, Corboy Law Center, Water Tower Campus
An event to celebrate and recognize Arrupe College students' academic achievement.
Spiritual
Sunday Mass
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Madonna della Strada Chapel, Lake Shore Campus
All are welcome. Reception to follow in McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall.
Scholarship
Psi Chi Induction
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, Lake Shore Campus
Induction of new members into Loyola's chapter of Psi Chi, the international honorary society in psychology.
LEARN MOREScholarship
Psychology Honors Ceremony
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall, Lake Shore Campus
A celebration and recognition of students who have earned honors in the Psychology major.
Creative Works
April Organ Concert
Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Madonna della Strada Chapel, Lake Shore Campus
Creative Works
Lecture with Daniel Hayden, Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Monday, April 20, 2026| 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Skowronski Music Hall, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
An Ámmoꞌnaka̱ event. Sponsored by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts and the School of Environmental Sustainability. This event is free. RSVP encouraged.
LEARN MORECreative Works
Lecture with Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson), Anompa’ Chokma’si’: Poetry in Chickasaw Language Revitalization
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Skowronski Music Hall, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
The Chickasaw people began to engage in language revitalization in the 1970s. Today, the modern Chickasaw language revitalization movement is active and dynamic, as new speakers are created and new forms of life for the language emerge. One of these forms is Chickasaw poetry. Lokosh (Joshua D. HInson) will discuss his creative process and poetics in the greater context of Chickasaw language revitalization in 2026.
LEARN MOREAchievement
Sustain Loyola’s (b)Earth Day Party
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Irelands, Damen Student Center, Lake Shore Campus
An end of year celebration of our common home and all the folks at Loyola doing their best to protect it.
Creative Works
Panel Discussion, The Creation of Ámmo'naka̱
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Palm Court, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
In this pre-concert panel, join composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, librettist Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson), American Indian music scholar Brandy Berry Benson, and conductor Kirsten Hedegaard as they discuss the collaborative process in the creation of Ámmoꞌnaka̱.
LEARN MORECreative Works
Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate's Ámmoꞌnaka̱ (World Premiere)
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 7:30p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Rooney Hall, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Lake Shore Campus
Ámmoꞌnaka̱ (In a Beginning) is a new work composed for the Loyola Choirs and The EcoVoice Project by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate. With new poetry entirely conceived in the Chickasaw language by Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson), Ámmoꞌnaka̱ combines Western technique and Chickasaw folk music to explore American Indian ecology and creation. Additional works by Andrew Balfour, Brent Michael Davids, and Sherryl Sewepagaham will round out the program. This commission is supported by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
LEARN MORESpiritual
Evening Prayer in the Style of Taizé
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Madonna della Strada Chapel, Lake Shore Campus