All about Sr. Jean!
Perhaps you are still new to Loyola and don’t know about some internal famous people at Loyola. The first person on the list of famous people would be no one other than… Sister Jean!
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She is a living legacy here at Loyola University. At the current age of 98, she is an active nun and member of the school. Sr. Jean also participates in athletics too, being the guide for the basketball teams. She helps teammates focus on their academic and personal development and also sends them personal emails after the games.
She was born in California but came to Chicago later in her life. In 1961, she accepted a teaching position at Mundelein College, an all-women institution (now Mundelein is a part of Loyola University). In 1994, she became the basketball chaplain and become highly involved with the students in community work and participated in all the religious events on campus. She even handled out prayer cards to students during finals week, one point in her life.
Though she may be old, she understands the students and has a youthful personality and a sense of humer. “Bopping around the sidelines in my Nikes and trifocals, standing 5 feet tall, I’m towered over by the athletes, but they treat me like a queen,” she says. To say in the least, the students, staff, and faculty all love her very much. We tend to think she gives off positive energy and good luck too, so even seeing her or saying hi is enough for us to feel better.
She is currently responsible for the SMILE Program (Students Moving Into the Lives of Elderly), a partnership between Loyola students and residents of The Clare Retirement Facility. In her Regis apartment, she conducts a weekly Prayer Group composed of students from various halls. To say in the least, Sr. Jean doesn’t let her age stop her from serving the community of all ages!
Please continue to pray for Sr. Jean, especially at this time! Her work and energy is always appreciated and she is the key model to what our school spirit is all about!
