Loyola University - Wolf Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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JAZZ BRUNCH EGGS BENEDICT OMELH PONTALBA TROUT ALMADINE BAKED CHICKEN GUMBO SAUD BAR FRENCH BREAD PRALINE SUNDAE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE BON APPETIT Education cited job availability after graduation as a pri- mary concern. Others, such as freshman Stephanie Hart, used to the cold winters of Cape May, New Jersey, came to Loyola because it ' s warm here. It is only fair to mention, however reluctantly, that a large number of out-of-state students were drawn to Loyola not because of its academic standing or departmental strengths, but rather because of its location in The City That Care Forgot. Many had never been to New Orleans and thought that it would be an exciting city to live in, both interesting and culturally abundant. Some also ex- pressed a desire to participate first-hand in the annual tradition of Mardi Gras. As one can see, the responses are as varied as the people they came from. Loyola, or any university for that mat- ter, is a virtual melting pot of people, cultures and ideas, which in itself is a learning experience. So however bored one may get with first-week-of-school conversations, they are necessary and can be interesting if one takes the time to listen. One does not have to be endowed with a surplus of conversational skills to ask a few simple ques- tions. And for those who are, perhaps they can come up with a creative and different approach to academic intro- ductions, as the example of the T-shirt illustrates. So grit your teeth, put on a smile, and ask politely with some degree of genuine interest, Why did you come to Loyola? To a timid freshman it may mean the difference between beginning a fulfilling academic school year or turning on his heels and heading home. 23

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Why Did You Come To Loyola? Indulging in refreshments one evening at the famed col- lege night spot, The Boot, a combination Loyola-Tulane hangout, I noticed a girl wearing a most unusual garment. She was clothed in a white T-shirt, the back of which epitomized, in large black letters, the essence of a first- week-of-school conversaton: HI! WHAT ' S YOUR NAME? WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHAT ' S YOUR MAJOR? WHY DID YOU COME TO LOYOLA? It struck me as extremely amusing; an innovative approach to breaking the aca- demic ice. Unfortunately, these routine — and God knows, boring — questions are a necessary part of college introduc- tions. However redundant they may be, we all, at some time or another, will either be asked them or will be asking them. Alas, in my numerous social endeavors at Loyola University, I was no exception. However, I did take note of several replies, contrary to the popular practice of letting them go in one ear and out the other. My favorite question to ask was, Why did you come to Loy- ola? I received a variety of responses and numerous instances of eye-rolling and sighs, but nevertheless, the consensus stands as follows: Several Communications students were lured to New Or- leans by the fact that Loyola is known for its excellent Communications department. Another of Loyola ' s de- partmental assets is the Dental Hygiene Program, which incorporates vocational training with practical experience in the clinic. Still other students mentioned that Loyola has a good Music school, especially if one is interested in Jazz, and that New Orleans ' environment is one that would be con- ducive to musical endeavors. Some students were offered financial aid or academic scholarships and came to Loyola for this reason. Others preferred the environment produced by a small universi- ty, citing social and academic advantages to such an arrangement. For instance, Ursula Clarke, a freshman from Baton Rouge, enrolled here after viewing both Loy- ola and Newcomb because she felt Loyola had more to offer. Many students came to Loyola under recommendations from friends and relatives, and one sophomore in Special 22

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