Loyola celebrates the inauguration of President Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D.
91łÔąĎÍř celebrated the inauguration of Loyola’s 25th president, Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., with a series of festivities that culminated in an Inaugural Convocation on Oct. 12, 2022, in Loyola’s Reitz Arena. The earlier events included an Inaugural Symposium and Student Celebration with fireworks on Monday and a Mass of Thanksgiving on Tuesday.
“This ceremony is a celebration. And this celebration is not about me—it’s about us,”
said Sawyer in his inaugural address. “It’s about this incredible university we all
believe in and love so passionately. It’s about each of you and the role you play
individually and together while writing the next chapter in Loyola’s history. Today
gives us the chance to reflect, a chance to dream, and a chance to look forward to
all we can achieve together.”
The inauguration brought together the Loyola and Jesuit communities, local and state officials, and higher education leaders from throughout the country. During the Convocation, several of these groups presented Sawyer with the following greetings and gifts:
- A copy of the first register of students as a reminder of Loyola’s beginnings and a “God Bless and Go Hounds flag,” in honor of Sawyer’s tagline, from students and alumni;
- A copy of the Ratio Studiorum, the first codification of the methods of Jesuit education, and a framed historical ad and photo of Loyola, from faculty, staff, and administrators;
- A personalized “President Sawyer" jacket and a dynamic, one-of-a-kind piece of wire sculpture by street artist REED Bmore, from Loyola Athletics representing the Patriot League;
- A piece of Ignatian artwork representing the apostolates’ impact, from the Rev. Bill Watters, S.J., president of the Loyola School, and Bill Heiser, ’95, M.Ed.’97, Ed.D., president of Cristo Rey, on behalf of local Jesuit apostolates;
- Two autographed framed bird prints of the York Road corridor murals, presented by Christopher Forrest, president of the York Road Partnership; Bill Henry, MBA ’06, Baltimore City comptroller; and Mark Conway, Baltimore City councilman;
- A statue of St. Ignatius, from the Most Rev. Denis Madden, auxiliary bishop emeritus, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Baltimore;
- A statue of Our Lady of Montserrat from a recent Ignatian pilgrimage by members of the Loyola community, presented by the Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J., USA East provincial assistant for higher education, on behalf of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.
“Our city of Baltimore faces many challenges but also has many wonderful strengths.
Loyola has been a committed and enthusiastic partner in working to address those challenges
and embrace the opportunities—always seeking to strengthen our city,” Henry said during
the presentation. “I am confident that under your leadership, Loyola will continue
to partner with all those who love and believe in our city and help us bring about
more positive transformation.”
Rev. Timothy Brown, S.J., special assistant to the president for mission integration, closed the Convocation with a prayer:
“May President Sawyer’s answer to a call inspire each of us. Infused by the Spirit and loved by our Creator, let us embrace this moment as a time of renewal, a time of opportunity, and a time of hope.”
Sawyer began as president of Loyola on Jan. 1, 2022, and he is the first layperson
to hold the position. He begins during a year when the University welcomed its largest-ever incoming
class this fall and will lead a campus that now enrolls a total of 5,238 undergraduate
and graduate students, employs more than 1,200 faculty, staff, and administrators,
and collaborates with numerous campus and community partners.
A leader at Loyola for nearly 24 years, Sawyer has served the University in several roles as an administrator and taught as an affiliate faculty member. Prior to becoming president, he was the University’s senior vice president.
Learn more about Sawyer on his bio page and more about the festivities on the inauguration website.