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Loyola Academy Celebrates 116th Commencement Exercises
At the 116th Commencement Exercises of Loyola Academy on Saturday, May 23, the Class of 2026 was celebrated not simply for earning diplomas, but for the people they have become — women and men prepared to lead lives of purpose, faith, service, and intellectual curiosity.
Held at Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena before family members, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends, this year's graduation ceremony reflected on four transformative years marked by academic achievement, spiritual growth, resilience, friendship, and a deep commitment to becoming "women and men for others." Throughout the ceremony, school leaders challenged graduates to embrace commencement not as an ending, but as a beginning.
Following a beautiful presentation of the National Anthem from the Loyola Academy Choir, the Invocation was delivered by Campus Minister Rev. Arek Ciemiega, SJ. Fr. Arek gave thanks for the many ways God has guided and formed the graduates throughout their Loyola journeys — through family, teachers, friendships, mentors, and everyday experiences that helped them grow in faith, character, and purpose. He also offered prayers for the Class of 2026 as they begin a new chapter, asking that they walk with courage, serve others with compassion, and always remember that they are loved by God and supported by the Loyola community.
Next, Tim Devine '88 delivered his final commencement address as Loyola Academy Principal to the Class of 2026. He encouraged the 443 graduates to approach adulthood with courage, purpose, and openness to continual growth.
"A commencement is a beginning…not an ending," Principal Devine told the Class of 2026. "Today is when you turn to a new, blank page in the story of your life. This commencement marks your birth into adulthood. This commencement marks your birth into a bigger, more beautiful world."
Drawing from literature, poetry, and Jesuit tradition, Devine reminded students that while Loyola Academy has prepared them academically for college and careers, the deeper work ahead lies in discovering who they will become and how they will serve others.
"The unfinished business of life is to discover the values that inform our decisions, the ideas that drive our actions, the motivations that move us to discover and promote the good in the world," he said. "Your unfinished business is a matter of identifying meaningful pursuits and to give yourself fully to them."
The ceremony also featured an address from valedictorian Griffin Huntington '26, who reflected on the shared journey of the Class of 2026 — from uncertain freshmen navigating the halls of Loyola to graduates ready to make an impact in the world.
"Loyola has taken each and every one of us at face value and has formed us into who we are today," Huntington said. " Whether it be the classes, our peers, the teachers, or the experiences and memories we have made, Loyola has transformed us from naive freshmen into seniors ready to make a difference."
Huntington also encouraged his classmates to carry forward Loyola's call to "be more" and "do more," reminding graduates that their Jesuit education extends far beyond academic success.
"As we walk across the stage this afternoon and prepare for the next chapter of our lives, I want us to stop and think: How can I be more? How can I do more?" he said.
Several students and faculty members were recognized during the ceremony for embodying the mission and values of Jesuit education.
The Graduate at Graduation Awards are presented annually to two seniors who exemplify Loyola's RIPLOC values of being religious, intellectually competent, physically and socially-emotionally fit, loving, open to growth, and committed to doing justice. Principal Devine reminded us that "These traits were rooted in the first Jesuit high school founded in Messina, Italy, in 1548, and they continue to be the cornerstone of all Jesuit schools worldwide." This year's distinguished recipients of the Graduate at Graduation awards were Emilia Nelson '26 and Teddy Kurtzweil '26.
This year, eight graduates entering military service academies or Reserve Officer Training Corps programs also received the Loyola Academy St. Michael's Medal, honoring their commitment to serving the nation. Loyola Academy President Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, who served in the Navy for 13 years before entering the Society of Jesus, bestowed these medals on the following Ramblers:
Continuing the recognition, each year, Loyola recognizes a teacher for the lasting impression they have made on students' lives. This year's winner, selected by the entire student body, has been a dedicated and beloved member of our faculty for 24 years. In that time, he has impacted thousands of Rambler lives. The student-selected 2026 Ignatian Educator of the Year Award was presented to longtime Social Studies teacher Bill Brandstrader '88.
In his President's Address, Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, challenged graduates to carry Loyola's mission into every aspect of their lives.
"Whatever you do, do well and do good," Fr. Greg said, repeating the Latin phrase Quodcumque agis, age bene et bonum. "We, your teachers at Loyola Academy, expect that you will do well as our graduates… But as graduates of Loyola Academy, we also expect you to do good."
Diplomas were proudly presented to the graduate candidates by Fr. Greg and Chair of Loyola's Board of Trustees John Livingston '85. In addition, as is tradition, graduates who are the sons or daughters of Loyola Academy alumni or Marillac High School alumnae, and those of trustees, faculty, and staff, received their diplomas from their parents and, in some cases, from their grandparents. Following the conferral of diplomas, the Class of 2026 officially joined Loyola Academy's global alumni community. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the alma mater and a final blessing over the graduates and their futures.
The Class of 2026 now leaves Loyola Academy prepared not only for academic and professional success, but also for lives grounded in faith, compassion, leadership, and service — ready, as St. Ignatius called them, to "go forth and set the world on fire."
Watch the 2026 Graduation Ceremony.
View the 2026 Graduation program booklet, featuring other senior awards, honors, and distinctions.
Read the Sending Forth Mass story.
Read the Baccalaureate Mass story.
Read the Honors Convocation story.
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Following a beautiful presentation of the National Anthem from the Loyola Academy Choir, the Invocation was delivered by Campus Minister Rev. Arek Ciemiega, SJ. Fr. Arek gave thanks for the many ways God has guided and formed the graduates throughout their Loyola journeys — through family, teachers, friendships, mentors, and everyday experiences that helped them grow in faith, character, and purpose. He also offered prayers for the Class of 2026 as they begin a new chapter, asking that they walk with courage, serve others with compassion, and always remember that they are loved by God and supported by the Loyola community.
Next, Tim Devine '88 delivered his final commencement address as Loyola Academy Principal to the Class of 2026. He encouraged the 443 graduates to approach adulthood with courage, purpose, and openness to continual growth.
"A commencement is a beginning…not an ending," Principal Devine told the Class of 2026. "Today is when you turn to a new, blank page in the story of your life. This commencement marks your birth into adulthood. This commencement marks your birth into a bigger, more beautiful world."
Drawing from literature, poetry, and Jesuit tradition, Devine reminded students that while Loyola Academy has prepared them academically for college and careers, the deeper work ahead lies in discovering who they will become and how they will serve others.
"The unfinished business of life is to discover the values that inform our decisions, the ideas that drive our actions, the motivations that move us to discover and promote the good in the world," he said. "Your unfinished business is a matter of identifying meaningful pursuits and to give yourself fully to them."
The ceremony also featured an address from valedictorian Griffin Huntington '26, who reflected on the shared journey of the Class of 2026 — from uncertain freshmen navigating the halls of Loyola to graduates ready to make an impact in the world.
"Loyola has taken each and every one of us at face value and has formed us into who we are today," Huntington said. " Whether it be the classes, our peers, the teachers, or the experiences and memories we have made, Loyola has transformed us from naive freshmen into seniors ready to make a difference."
Huntington also encouraged his classmates to carry forward Loyola's call to "be more" and "do more," reminding graduates that their Jesuit education extends far beyond academic success.
"As we walk across the stage this afternoon and prepare for the next chapter of our lives, I want us to stop and think: How can I be more? How can I do more?" he said.
Several students and faculty members were recognized during the ceremony for embodying the mission and values of Jesuit education.
The Graduate at Graduation Awards are presented annually to two seniors who exemplify Loyola's RIPLOC values of being religious, intellectually competent, physically and socially-emotionally fit, loving, open to growth, and committed to doing justice. Principal Devine reminded us that "These traits were rooted in the first Jesuit high school founded in Messina, Italy, in 1548, and they continue to be the cornerstone of all Jesuit schools worldwide." This year's distinguished recipients of the Graduate at Graduation awards were Emilia Nelson '26 and Teddy Kurtzweil '26.
This year, eight graduates entering military service academies or Reserve Officer Training Corps programs also received the Loyola Academy St. Michael's Medal, honoring their commitment to serving the nation. Loyola Academy President Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, who served in the Navy for 13 years before entering the Society of Jesus, bestowed these medals on the following Ramblers:
- Adam Carpenter '26: Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Clemson University
- Marie Castiglioni '26: United States Air Force
- Zachary Cherwin '26: Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Marquette University
- Tallulah Holton '26: Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at the University of Michigan
- Liesel Klein '26: Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Creighton University
- Henry Newton '26: United States Air Force Academy
- Andrew Schwitzenberg '26: United States Air Force Academy
- Alexander Strnad '26: United States Naval Academy
Continuing the recognition, each year, Loyola recognizes a teacher for the lasting impression they have made on students' lives. This year's winner, selected by the entire student body, has been a dedicated and beloved member of our faculty for 24 years. In that time, he has impacted thousands of Rambler lives. The student-selected 2026 Ignatian Educator of the Year Award was presented to longtime Social Studies teacher Bill Brandstrader '88.
In his President's Address, Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, challenged graduates to carry Loyola's mission into every aspect of their lives.
"Whatever you do, do well and do good," Fr. Greg said, repeating the Latin phrase Quodcumque agis, age bene et bonum. "We, your teachers at Loyola Academy, expect that you will do well as our graduates… But as graduates of Loyola Academy, we also expect you to do good."
Diplomas were proudly presented to the graduate candidates by Fr. Greg and Chair of Loyola's Board of Trustees John Livingston '85. In addition, as is tradition, graduates who are the sons or daughters of Loyola Academy alumni or Marillac High School alumnae, and those of trustees, faculty, and staff, received their diplomas from their parents and, in some cases, from their grandparents. Following the conferral of diplomas, the Class of 2026 officially joined Loyola Academy's global alumni community. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the alma mater and a final blessing over the graduates and their futures.
The Class of 2026 now leaves Loyola Academy prepared not only for academic and professional success, but also for lives grounded in faith, compassion, leadership, and service — ready, as St. Ignatius called them, to "go forth and set the world on fire."
Watch the 2026 Graduation Ceremony.
View the 2026 Graduation program booklet, featuring other senior awards, honors, and distinctions.
Read the Sending Forth Mass story.
Read the Baccalaureate Mass story.
Read the Honors Convocation story.
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