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.
Two alumni awards—Rambler on the Rise and Spirit of Felice—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
Kevin Conway (BA '73, JD '76)
The Heart of Loyola Award honors an alumnus or alumna for extraordinary commitment to Jesuit education. Kevin Conway, a past president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, is an accomplished mesothelioma trial lawyer shaped by his Jesuit education at St. Ignatius College Prep and Loyola University Chicago. Deeply committed to service and equal opportunity, Kevin's firm, Cooney and Conway, supports Cristo Rey High School with student worker programs and contributes to the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund, helping high school students across the Chicago region achieve their goals.

Spirit of Felice Recipient
Janet Myers (BS '93, JFRC '89-'90)
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. Janet Myers, a passionate John Felice Rome Center alum, exemplifies the values of hard work, devotion, and community. As President of the Rome Center Alumni Network and a member of Loyola’s Alumni Association Board, her leadership has left a lasting impact. Janet spearheaded fundraising for the Rome Center and now serves as Senior Director of Principal Giving at Endeavor Health. Beyond Loyola, she dedicates her time to service, chairing the Development Committee for Storycatchers Theatre and contributing to organizations like The Children’s Place Association and the Chicago Architecture Center.

Spirit of Loyola Recipient
Sr. Donna Marie Wolowicki (BSN '71, MSN '75)
The Spirit of Loyola Award honors an individual who exemplifies the Ignatian spirit of leadership and service to the community. Sister Donna, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of the Resurrection Immaculate Conception Province of Chicago, leads her community in addressing needs in health care and education. With over four decades as an intensive care nurse at Resurrection Medical Center, including 22 years as executive vice president/CEO, she later served as President of Resurrection College Prep High School, empowering young women through education. Collaborating with Loyola’s School of Nursing, Sister Donna introduced students to nursing careers and spearheaded philanthropic support for Loyola Nursing, funding scholarships and establishing an endowment for the CARE Pathway to a BSN, exemplifying her lifelong dedication to service and leadership.

Rambler on the Rise Recipient
Wayne Kimball Jr. (MBA '14)
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. Wayne is a philanthropist and executive dedicated to eradicating poverty through education and economic development. As Head of Strategy & Operations, AI at Google Cloud, he has also led initiatives like Tech AMPLIFY and advised Google’s Black and Latino Founders Funds. He serves on multiple boards, including North Carolina A&T, Christel House International, and Alpha Phi Alpha, and actively supports educational and community organizations. At Loyola, Wayne contributes through mentorship, alumni events, and strategic initiatives, embodying servant leadership and a commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.
Congratulations to our 2024 Rambler on the Rise Award finalists
AWARD NAME | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | DEGREE |
---|---|---|---|
Rambler on the Rise | Abena | Boamah-Acheampong | MEd '18 |
Rambler on the Rise | Ugochi | Emenaha | MEd '14 |
Rambler on the Rise | Megan | Fulton | BSN '22, JFRC F'19 |
Rambler on the Rise | Judith | Dominguez-Ramirez | AA '18, BBA '20 |
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.
Two alumni awards—Rambler on the Rise and Spirit of Felice—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 2024 Rambler on the Rise Award finalists
AWARD NAME | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | DEGREE |
---|---|---|---|
Rambler on the Rise | Abena | Boamah-Acheampong | MEd '18 |
Rambler on the Rise | Ugochi | Emenaha | MEd '14 |
Rambler on the Rise | Megan | Fulton | BSN '22, JFRC F'19 |
Rambler on the Rise | Judith | Dominguez-Ramirez | AA '18, BBA '20 |