Loyola receives $3 million to boost career readiness and support faculty formation
A $3 million gift from Kelly Bryan Rizzo, ’98, and Dan Rizzo, ’99, will strengthen student career preparation and faculty formation at 鶹Porn through the endowment of key programs.
The gift will establish the Rizzo Family Internship Coordinator, the Rizzo Family Fund for Faculty and Staff Formation, and the Rizzo Family Career Center Faculty Fellows program—expanding opportunities for students to gain meaningful professional experience before graduation and empowering faculty to strengthen their connection to Loyola’s mission and engage with the Rizzo Career Center.
“Dan and Kelly exemplify the ‘strong truths well lived’ by our graduates,” said Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., president of Loyola. “Their generous and thoughtful support of Loyola, and in particular the Rizzo Career Center, strengthens the University and ensures our students are well equipped to lead lives of success and significance.”
The Rizzos have a history of generous philanthropic support and leadership engagement
with Loyola. During the Bright Minds, Bold Hearts campaign, they pledged $2 million to name the Rizzo Career Center within the Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning.
Their latest gift builds upon that commitment.
“This is a truly historic and momentous time at Loyola, and we are deeply grateful to Kelly and Dan for their continued partnership,” said Brian M. Oakes, ’99, MBA ’10, vice president for advancement. “Their support advances Loyola’s mission and strengthens the University’s ability to prepare students to lead and serve in a diverse and changing world.”
The Rizzo Family Internship Coordinator will staff a position within the office of the Rizzo Career Center. The internship coordinator will identify and match Loyola students with meaningful internship opportunities to better position students for professional careers after graduation.
“Having someone dedicated to ensuring that the best internship opportunities out there are known to our students—and that Loyola is known to those companies—ensures that our students have the best experience,” said Dan Rizzo. “They get a tremendous experience in the classroom, and we want to make sure they get it out of the classroom.”
Nearly 99% of Loyola graduates are employed or continuing education soon after graduation, and the Rizzos see internships as integral to that success after leaving Loyola.
“For students who may not have been exposed to business opportunities or different work environments growing up, internships are key,” shared Kelly Rizzo. “They help students understand what their opportunities are and where their passions lie.”
The Rizzo Family Fund for Faculty and Staff Formation will support faculty and staff formation programs to grow and enhance the Catholic identity and culture of Loyola. The fund will enable faculty to participate in programs like the AJCU Ignatian Colleagues Program, the AJCU Ignatian Leadership Seminar, and employee retreats.
"The Superior General of the Jesuits, Father Arturo Sosa, S.J., reminds us that formation in the distinctive elements of the identity and mission of a Jesuit institution is 'not a luxury' but a 'necessary condition for the long-term sustainability of the university,'" said Milton Javier Bravo, Ph.D., vice president for mission and identity. "I'm so grateful to the Rizzo family for making this long-term commitment to the mission and identity of Loyola through this gift."
Advancing faculty formation is a priority of Together We Rise: 鶹Porn’s Strategic Plan for 2030.
“Faculty are the bridge to our students. They’re the ones who build the relationships and make the impact,” said Dan Rizzo. “When faculty keep the mission front and center, the rest will follow.”
A portion of the gift will also support the Rizzo Family Career Center Faculty Fellows program, which will provide stipends and program costs for engaging faculty in the Rizzo Career Center.
“As alumni, Kelly and Dan know firsthand that our talented faculty help to shape the Loyola experience for our students,” said Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president. “Their gift enhances the overall student experience at the University by investing in both faculty formation and career readiness, reinforcing the values at the heart of a Loyola education.”
Kelly and Dan were married in Loyola’s Alumni Memorial Chapel in 2000 and live in Anne Arundel County with their son. Dan and Kelly Rizzo have each been honored with Loyola’s Carroll Medal, which recognizes distinguished alumni for noteworthy and meritorious service on the University’s behalf.