Loyola to inaugurate Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., as 25th president

Loyola University Maryland will hold a series of events culminating in an inaugural convocation Oct. 12, 2022, to formally inaugurate Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., as the 25th president of the University.

Sawyer began as president of Loyola on Jan. 1, 2022, as the first layperson to hold the position. A leader at Loyola for 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.

“This is a historic moment for Loyola University Maryland, the members of our Loyola community, and the communities of which Loyola is a part, including Baltimore,” said Gerry Holthaus, ’71, chair of Loyola’s Board of Trustees. “The inauguration is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate President Sawyer and look forward to being part of Loyola’s promising future under his leadership.”

The Inaugural Convocation and Luncheon will bring together the Loyola community, the Jesuit community, local and state leaders, and leaders in higher education throughout the country to formally inaugurate Sawyer as president of Loyola. The ceremony will take place Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. in Loyola’s Reitz Arena followed by a luncheon on the Academic Quadrangle.

Leading up to the convocation will be a series of inaugural events beginning with an invitation-only faculty reception followed by a public academic symposium, student celebration, and a Mass of Thanksgiving. All those events are free and open to the public; however, registration is required.

The Academic Symposium will follow the theme “Enacting Eloquentia Perfecta: Reimagining Academic Discourse and Building Community in the Modern University” and explore ways schools can renew eloquent and civil discourse focused on unification and positive action. Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D., professor of American studies and history and director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame, will deliver the keynote address. The keynote address will be followed by a faculty discussion moderated by Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, and featuring Martin Camper, Ph.D., associate professor of writing and director of the Center for the Humanities; Marie Heath, Ph.D., assistant professor of educational technology and faculty associate to the Center for Equity, Leadership, and Social Justice in Education; and John Michel, Ph.D., associate professor of management and Busch Chair. The symposium will take place Monday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m. in McGuire Hall in Loyola’s Andrew White Student Center. A light reception will follow.

The Student Celebration will be a festive evening of music by the Kelly Bell Band, activities, walking tacos and other treats, and a fireworks display. The Student Celebration will take place Monday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. on Loyola’s Academic Quadrangle.

The Mass of Thanksgiving will bring together the Loyola community of all faiths and beliefs to pray for Sawyer and his family the day before his inauguration in the University’s Catholic, Jesuit tradition. Archbishop William E. Lori, archbishop of Baltimore, will be the presider for Mass, and the Rev. Timothy Brown, S.J., director of mission integration, will be the homilist. The Mass will take place Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. in Loyola’s Reitz Arena.

For more information, including event registration and parking details, visit Loyola’s presidential inauguration webpage.