Fostering Innovation

With a generous Second Century Campaign gift to support the development of a new STEAM lab and think tank, Sue and Tim Sullivan are helping Ramblers develop the skills that they need to lead and succeed in the 21st century.
From DNA mapping to self-driving cars, new technologies are disrupting almost every industry and creating a demand for a “liquid workforce” that is flexible, agile and able to adapt to constant innovation.

Thanks to the foresight and generosity of graduate parents Sue and Tim Sullivan—the benefactors behind Loyola’s recently completed STEAM lab and think tank—Ramblers will have new opportunities to develop the liquid skills that they will need to compete in a fluid marketplace, such as the ability to think critically, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, solve problems creatively and acquire new knowledge as technology evolves.

These skills are familiar ones to the Sullivans, who both hold engineering degrees.

“The analytical and quantitative skills that we developed during our engineering studies have stayed with us throughout our lives and helped us immensely in all of our pursuits,” states Sue Sullivan. “Tim and I believe that this type of training is even more important in the 21st century. All young people today need to be comfortable with technology because it’s such a major part of our world.”

The Sullivans are also fans of the new STEAM trend in education, which incorporates the arts into the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Creativity fuels problemsolving and innovation,” says Sullivan. “The arts also teach students how to approach problems from different perspectives and develop a design mindset to solve complex problems. Because of the way that Loyola’s new STEAM spaces are designed, creativity will be incorporated into every aspect of learning—as students work toward a common goal in the chemistry lab, brainstorm in the think tank and engage in project-based learning in the makerspace.”

STEAM-powered learning is already a big hit with Loyola’s Ramblers.

“STEAM is bringing the best of 21st-century learning to Loyola Academy by incorporating communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation into every step of the learning process,” notes Loyola Academy Principal Charles W. Heintz.

“We are deeply grateful to the Sullivans—who have long supported our Jesuit educational mission through their board and volunteer service and financial contributions—for funding the development of our STEAM facilities,” adds Vice President of Advancement Robert O. Miller. “Their generosity will help prepare the next generation of Ramblers for the challenges of our changing world.”
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