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              THE MAROON A LOYOLA TRADITION SINCE 1 923 • "FOR A GREATER LOYOLA" ONLINE EDITION AT LOYOLAMAROON.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009 VOL. 86, NO. 15 Loyola deans create programs, combat retention By ANDREA CASTILLO SENIOR STAFF WRITER Loyola's freshmen retention has dropped 5 percent from its previous retention record, however, deans are developing plans to keep the connection between students and Loyola's community. According to Salvadore Liberto, vice president for enrollment management, freshmen retention in fall of 2008 was 73 percent a drop from 78 percent in fall of 2007. From 495 students that came to Loyola in 2008 only 363 stayed. In 2007,520 came to Loyola and 405 continued with their studies at Loyola. Liberto said it was hard to find specific reasons why students leave Loyola because each student was a different case. He said, the "New Orleans factor" and its fast-paced lifestyle could be one reason. "Sometimes students come here and get caught up in New Orleans. Maybe they don't focus as hard academically as they could," Liberto said. In a University Senate Meeting on Jan. 22, Liberto also said students may leave Loyola due to financial needs, and lack of connectedness academically and socially. "In terms of finding that magic bullet... that one thing that could PHOTO ILLUSTRATION TOM MACOM/THE MAROON Spring convocation reflects on past university achievements By MASAKO HIRSCH ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR The Rev. Kevin WiJdes's spring convocation speech emphasized Loyola's past achievements, and the improvements necessary to adhere to the university's mission. Students, faculty and staff filled Nunemaker Hall Friday, Jan. 23 to hear the university president highlight both long-term goals, as well as specific plans for the coming year. "It is worth noting that we have accomplished a great deal," Wildes said. He pointed out Loyola's rankings in U.S. News & World Report and in the Princeton Review as proof of the strides that the university has taken, as well as the 13 percent increase in freshman applicants for the coming .year and 30 percent increase in campus visits."We expect the fall class of next year to be as academically strong as this class and we expect them to be more geographically diverse than we have had," he said. In addition to undergraduate admissions, projected improvements in retention and the development of Loyola's graduate programs were mentioned as crucial to Loyola's success.These changes hinge, however, on more expansive goals.'The challenge before us, simply put, is to choose and create our future," Wildes said.The plan for development, he noted, consisted of several major parts, the first of which is the task of preserving Loyola's Jesuit and Roman Catholic identity, both within the classroom, particularly through the common curriculum, and in the community. "The two ought to be seamless and present our students with opportunities for continuous learning in this tradition," he said.The second challenge is to determine the right size for the university. Specifically, to choose the appropriate areas to enhance the undergraduate and graduate programs, he said. "Where are the opportunities for us in the university to expand?" he asked. The third facet of the plan is to understand the ways in which Loyola can take advantage of its location within a city Wildes described as a TOM MACOM/THE MAROON Dian Tooley-Knoblett, professor of law, walks onto stage along side colleagues to accept her 25 Year Service Award during the President's Convocation in Nunemaker Hall Jan. 23. see RETENTION, page 16 see SPRING, page 4 Life & Times * A commuter-friendly community see page Corrections: The Maroon printed in Kevin Welsh's column in the Jan. 23 issue that it was unknown if Adolph Grimes fired his weapon a the police more than once. Welsh originally wrote it was known. The Field House was not torn down in 1972. It was torn down during the mid 1980s. We at the Maroon regret these mistakes. MAROON DIRECTORY: CALENDAR, page 2 | EDITORIAL, page 14 | LIFE & TIMES, page 10 | SPORTS, page 6 | NEWS TIPS; 865 3535