Students on Loyola University’s Rogers Park campus reflected on Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt’s long life and legacy Friday, celebrating her warmth and capacity for acceptance and encouragement.

Fiyinfoluwa Olaniyi, a sophomore computer science major from Chicago, said he felt grateful to be part of the class of 2028, which he described as the last group of students to actively engage with Sister Jean, who stepped back from her regular duties as men’s basketball chaplain on her 106th birthday in August.

“A fundamental piece of Loyola culture just isn’t there anymore,” Olaniyi said. “It’s like a gap that I don’t think anybody could fill. She meant a lot to both the sports world, and Loyola as a whole, and the alumni and students. It’s tragic, but I’m glad that she’s in a better place.”

Nov

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