91��

Loyola University’s Filmmaking Program Earns Strong Showing at New Orleans Film Festival

clharve1 — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 02:25:04 +0000

Loyola University’s Filmmaking Program Earns Strong Showing at New Orleans Film Festival clharve1 Fri, 10/16/2026 - 21:25

Press Releases

College of Music and Media

Loyola University

Arts

Communication

Film And Television

Eight films with ties to the University’s Filmmaking program have been selected to screen at the Oscar-qualifying festival

A remarkable eight short films with ties to Loyola University’s Filmmaking program will premiere this weekend at the New Orleans Film Festival, an annual celebration of independent filmmaking that serves as a qualifier for the Academy Awards.

The festival, which is in its 37th year, takes place at theaters throughout the city from Oct. 22-27, with more than 250 filmmakers from around the world in attendance at more than 150 films. The event is a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work to global audiences.

Three of this year’s senior thesis films will screen at the festival, and one 2025 grad will screen a film at the festival for the second year in a row. In addition, four films produced or shot by Loyola faculty members will screen at the festival, and Loyola students worked on all four of those films, said Miles Doleac, associate professor and chair of the Filmmaking program at Loyola.

"Loyola Filmmaking’s significant presence at this year’s New Orleans Film Festival is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of our students’ work and our faculty's status as active practitioners of the craft,” Doleac said. “Having three of last year’s Senior Capstone films selected, alongside a film by another recent graduate, speaks to the talent, creativity and dedication of these young filmmakers.”

Both Doleac and Nathan Tape, professor of practice in Filmmaking at Loyola, are working to ensure students are getting real-world, hands-on experience in the film industry – and not just fetching coffee and picking up trash around film sites. In the four festival entries the professors produced and shot, Loyola students worked in key roles, serving as prop masters, and camera and boom operators, for example.

“The inclusion of films on which our faculty played key creative roles and students participated as crew members is equally gratifying,” said Doleac, whose professional film credits include a sizable body of work as an actor, writer, producer and director. “We pride ourselves on being a faculty of working filmmakers. That professional experience directly enriches our teaching and the student experience at Loyola.”

Like Doleac, Tape has significant experience in the industry, most notably as a cinematographer, writer, producer and director, and as a gaffer in major studio film and television productions. He is also well-versed in the world of film festivals, with his films having received significant juried festival recognition.

Doleac noted that students at other film schools rarely get the opportunities to work on professional film sets that Loyola students do. And it’s especially tough to find work on films in Louisiana these days, as a loss of tax credits for out-of-state filmmakers has brought film production here to an all-time low, he said.

“We have Loyola faculty members providing all of these opportunities for students in key roles on professional sets,” Tape said. “It’s kind of unheard of that you would graduate from a film program and have two or three professional credits. And now, when there is a dearth of jobs here, it’s remarkable that we’re still finding and creating those opportunities for kids. It’s amazing that Loyola is associated with eight out of 80 films at the New Orleans Film Fest. You just don’t see that anywhere else.”

Of the Loyola-affiliated films at the festival, all are narrative shorts, with the exception of Jonathan Presson’s “Stories from a One-Room School,” which is a documentary short. This is Presson’s second year in a row to screen a film at the festival. These are the films by Loyola students, alumni and faculty:

“We Were Girls Together,” written and directed by Cameron Adams
“New Red 40,” written and directed by Miles Caradine
“Aya,” written and directed by Maxii Ayala
“Stories from a One-Room School,” written and directed by Jonathan Presson
“Hustlevania,” produced by Miles Doleac and Nathan Tape, shot by Nathan Tape
“A Paradox of Quantum Superposition,” produced by Miles Doleac, shot by Nathan Tape
“On the Seventh Day,” shot by Nathan Tape
“The Worst Thing,” shot by Nathan Tape

For more information, screening schedules or to purchase tickets to the New Orleans Film Festival, visit https://neworleansfilmsociety.org/.

91�� the College of Music and Media

The College of Music and Media is comprised of two schools — the School of Music and Theatre Professions and the School of Communication and Design. Students who choose to study in the college prepare for careers in music, theatre, music industry, graphic design, motion design, UX design, filmmaking, strategy, mass media and more.

Miami Alumni Chapter Happy Hour

mglandry — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:17:40 +0000

Miami Alumni Chapter Happy Hour

Friday, October 30, 2026 - 5:00 pm

mglandry Fri, 10/16/2026 - 15:17

Join the Miami alumni chapter for a happy hour with Loyola University President Xavier Cole! Registration is $10 and includes light bites on Loyola.

BLSA Gala

mglandry — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 20:35:53 +0000

BLSA Gala

Saturday, February 27, 2027 - 7:11 pm

mglandry Wed, 10/14/2026 - 15:35

Each year, this signature event brings together our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community leaders to celebrate our achievements and uplift the next generation of Black legal professionals. The gala serves as a cornerstone for our fundraising efforts, providing vital support for scholarships and programs that empower BLSA students to excel academically and professionally. If you would like to donate to BLSA, without purchasing a ticket, please click here.

Loyola University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance Tackles Immigration and Identity in “Alien Status”

clharve1 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:14:24 +0000

Loyola University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance Tackles Immigration and Identity in “Alien Status” clharve1 Wed, 10/14/2026 - 14:14

Press Releases

College of Music and Media

University News

Loyola University

Arts

The Department of Theatre Arts & Dance (TAD) at 91�� is pleased to present “Alien Status,” a hilarious new play set in the city’s Bywater neighborhood, where government agents hunt for aliens hiding in plain sight, from Oct. 22-30, at Marquette Theater, on the Loyola campus.

The play, written by James Bartelle and first produced as a NOLA Project PodPlay during the COVID-19 pandemic, explores immigration while skewering assumptions about race and refuge, said Helen Jaksch, chair of Theatre Arts & Dance at Loyola and a professor of practice in Theatre Arts.

“We chose ‘Alien Status’ because it uses humor to explore serious questions about immigration, identity and belonging, in a way that feels both accessible and deeply relevant,” Jaksch said. “Although James Bartelle wrote the play several years ago, its themes continue to resonate, challenging audiences to examine their assumptions about who belongs and what it means to find refuge. We want our students to engage with work that entertains while also inviting meaningful conversation about the world around them.”

The play’s lead character is undocumented, a premise that remains particularly relevant amid current federal immigration enforcement efforts, Jaksch said. The production includes staged violence, xenophobia, and discussions of immigration, citizenship and deportation that may be difficult for some audience members. For example, a group called the ERASERS pretends to fumigate homes but is actually there to wipe people’s memories.

Cristina “Cuba” Hatheway, who joined Loyola’s faculty this fall, is directing “Alien Status.” Jaksch said Hatheway is well-suited to lead the production, bringing expertise as an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, an organization that promotes the safe and effective dramatization of violence in the entertainment industry.

Performances will take place Oct. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 28-30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for students with an ID; $16 for senior citizens, and Loyola faculty and staff with an ID; and, $21 for adults.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit /events/oct-22-2026_alien-status-james-bartelle

91�� Theatre Arts & Dance

In Theatre Arts & Dance, Loyola helps students find their roles of a lifetime. Whether students are more comfortable on stage or behind the scenes, Loyola’s broad curriculum in the dramatic arts will ensure that students develop or enhance a sense of artistic and personal discipline, responsibility and a life-long commitment to theatre.

91�� the College of Music and Media

Rev. John Cunningham, S.J.

desiree — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:44:06 +0000

Rev. John Cunningham, S.J. desiree Wed, 10/14/2026 - 11:44

Vice President for Mission and Identity

Marquette Hall

Room 242

(504) 865-2327

jcunning@loyno.edu

John

Cunningham, S.J.

Ministry

Physics

91�� Explores Faith and Artificial Intelligence in NOLA.com Feature

asjuarbe — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:23:42 +0000

91�� Explores Faith and Artificial Intelligence in NOLA.com Feature asjuarbe Tue, 10/13/2026 - 14:23

Achievements

Artificial Intelligence

Press Releases

University News

Loyola University

Loyola Institute for Ministry Director Tracey Lamont discusses how AI is shaping young adults’ spirituality and how faith can help them navigate emerging technology.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 13, 2026 — 91��’ efforts to explore the intersection of faith and artificial intelligence were highlighted in an Oct. 11 NOLA.com article examining how young adults are responding to an increasingly digital world.

In the feature, reporter Bob Warren spoke with Tracey Lamont, director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry and an associate professor of religious studies, about conversations researchers held with young adults concerning AI, spirituality and ethical decision-making.

The conversations were part of a planning study supported by a $75,000 grant from Lilly Endowment’s Growing in Faith in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Participants, ranging from their 20s to early 30s, expressed concerns about AI’s effects on employment, creativity, relationships and their sense of self.

“They’re very concerned what it’s doing to creativity and imagination,” Lamont told NOLA.com.

Researchers also identified anxiety surrounding achievement and a perceived need to be perfect. Some participants described using AI tools because they worried about being judged for what they did not know. These findings raise questions about how Christian understandings of imperfection, grace and human dignity can inform the use of technology.

While public discussions about AI often focus on its economic and ethical implications, Loyola’s work brings spirituality and faith into the conversation. Participants expressed a desire to understand how their faith and their use of AI can coexist.

Building on the planning study, the Loyola Institute for Ministry has applied for a $2.5 million grant over five years. If awarded, the funding would support practices and programs that help students and faculty draw on Christian traditions and Catholic social teaching to navigate emerging technologies.

The NOLA.com feature highlights Loyola’s commitment to thoughtful dialogue about technology and its impact on the whole person, creating space for young adults to consider how faith can guide their choices in a changing digital landscape.

Read the NOLA.com article: “Loyola is asking young adults about life with AI, and how it affects their spirituality”

Learn more: Loyola Institute for Ministry Awarded Lilly Endowment Planning Grant

91�� Brings Attention to National Midwifery Week Through WGNO News Feature

asjuarbe — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:14:13 +0000

91�� Brings Attention to National Midwifery Week Through WGNO News Feature asjuarbe Tue, 10/13/2026 - 14:14

Press Releases

College of Nursing and Health

University News

Loyola University

College of Nursing and Health Dean Michelle “Shelli” Collins and Nurse-Midwifery Program Director Lillian Funke discuss the importance of midwifery and improving maternal health outcomes in Louisiana.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 13, 2026 — 91�� helped shine a spotlight on National Midwifery Week, observed October 4–10, through a special feature on WGNO-TV (ABC 26) highlighting the vital role nurse-midwives play in improving maternal health care across Louisiana.

As part of WGNO's Moving New Orleans Forward series, anchor LBJ visited Loyola's College of Nursing and Health to speak with Michelle “Shelli” Collins, Ph.D., CNM, dean of the College of Nursing and Health, and Lillian Funke, MSN, MPH, APRN, CNM, director of the Nurse-Midwifery Program.

The segment explored the growing need for certified nurse-midwives, particularly in Louisiana, where access to maternal health services remains a significant concern.

“There’s a crisis in our country in maternal child health,” Collins told WGNO. “Particularly in our state, we’re one of the worst states for outcomes for healthy moms and healthy babies. We have to fix that and this is one way that we can raise awareness to how we can address that.”

Funke discussed the important role nurse-midwives play beyond childbirth, explaining how these advanced practice providers deliver comprehensive health care and collaborate with physicians when additional medical intervention is necessary.

Loyola launched its Master of Science in Nursing Nurse-Midwifery program in 2023 to help address a shortage of educational opportunities for nurse-midwives throughout the South. The university is home to one of only two nurse-midwifery programs in Louisiana.

Through its commitment to Jesuit values and cura personalis, or care for the whole person, Loyola is preparing future health care professionals to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to families and communities in need.

The WGNO feature provided an opportunity to recognize the contributions of nurse-midwives while bringing greater public awareness to the importance of maternal health and expanding access to care.

Watch the WGNO segment: National Midwifery Week at 91��

Learn more: 91�� MSN Nurse-Midwifery Program

91�� to Showcase Student Talent, Book Acts at NOLA Funk Fest

clharve1 — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:20:07 +0000

91�� to Showcase Student Talent, Book Acts at NOLA Funk Fest clharve1 Tue, 10/13/2026 - 13:20

Press Releases

College of Music and Media

Loyola University

Music

Music Industry

Students in Loyola’s School of Music and Theatre Professions will mark their fourth year performing at Nola Funk Fest, taking place this year Oct. 16-18 at Audubon Aquarium Riverfront Park.

Loyola is once again sponsoring the “Passing the Torch” stage, which provides a platform for young, local musicians to perform and highlights the importance of music education, said Jonathan McHugh, Hilton-Baldridge Eminent Scholar/Chair in Music Industry Studies at Loyola.

And for the first time, students in Loyola’s Howl Entertainment class booked the acts on the stage, he said. In addition, Grammy Award-winning musician Gregory Davis, co-founder of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, will be the stage’s MC this year, McHugh said.

“Loyola is once again sponsoring the ‘Passing the Torch’ stage, which provides the biggest fall semester platform for our talented students to perform, as well as intern, at the festival,” he said. “This practical learning is what music and music business education needs to be today.”

Howl Entertainment is one of several classes under the umbrella of a creative collective at Loyola known as Wolf Moon Entertainment, which gives students the chance to put their creativity to work through real projects and experiences.

“With Howl Entertainment, students get to be part of the process of bringing live music to an audience, from booking the artists to promoting the shows,” said Reid Martin, executive director of Wolf Moon Entertainment and Howl Entertainment instructor. “Our students are responsible for booking shows all over the city and the region, and through that process, they learn valuable skills in the live music business.”

Twenty musical acts composed of some 80 Loyola students will appear on the “Passing the Torch” stage at NOLA Funk Fest, performing sets of music spanning genres from funk to jazz to hip-hop and R&B:

Friday, Oct. 16:

Miss Mexia, Laura Walls, Vienna Notarianni – 2-3 p.m.
Delvin and the Shades, Judah Rue, Gavin Eckler Organ Trio, 4-5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17:

Roadway, Slow Burn – noon-1 p.m.
Nikaness, Don’t Hurt ‘Em – 2-3 p.m.
Brayden Owens, DIZZY! – 4-5 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18:

Juliette Johnson, Amelie Cecile, James Wyrtzen & The Barnburners – noon-1 p.m.
Mac NL, Azure Skyz, Ja Fearce – 2-3 p.m.
Left Hook, Surco – 4-5 p.m.

The festival, which showcases some of the city’s and nation’s best funk acts for three days on three stages, aims to draw attention to the forthcoming Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience and help make it a reality. The museum will be dedicated to the preservation of the state’s rich musical history.

The lineup for the 2026 festival includes Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph, George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners Supa Set, A Tribute to Allen Toussaint featuring Irma Thomas and Ivan Neville, Dumpstaphunk, Cimafunk, Anders Osborne, River Eckert, Neal Francis, Marc Broussard, the New Orleans Suspects and many more.

For more information about NOLA Funk Fest or to purchase tickets, visit nolafunkfest.com. For more information about the Louisiana Heritage & Music Experience, visit lmhe.live.

91�� the College of Music and Media

Loyola Week: Iggy Cup

jeyanson — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 18:18:36 +0000

Loyola Week: Iggy Cup

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 - 6:00 pm

jeyanson Tue, 10/13/2026 - 13:18

Join Campus Recreation and Athletics in a celebration of our physical health through some friendly competition. The inaugural "Iggy Cup" will be held in the Res Quad and will feature a competition between Res Halls, Greek Life, Faculty/Staff, and Commuter Students. In line with the Jesuit value of Cura Personalis, St. Ignatius taught that well-ordered physical exercise and caring for the body are acts of prayer and stewardship that please God and better equip the soul to serve.

91�� President Xavier Cole Reflects on Faith, Leadership and a University on the Rise in NOLA.com Feature

asjuarbe — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:48:23 +0000

91�� President Xavier Cole Reflects on Faith, Leadership and a University on the Rise in NOLA.com Feature asjuarbe Tue, 10/13/2026 - 11:48

Achievements

Press Releases

University News

Loyola University

In a wide-ranging interview with The Times-Picayune, President Cole discusses meeting Pope Leo XIV and Pope Francis, Loyola's strong enrollment, the move to NCAA Division II and the Jesuit values guiding his leadership.

91�� President Xavier A. Cole, Ed.D., is reflecting on the experiences, values and institutional progress shaping his presidency in a recent feature published by The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com.

In the article, titled “‘Clear about our mission’: Loyola’s Xavier Cole on faith, education and meeting Pope Leo,” reporter Bob Warren offers readers a personal look at the university's 18th president, from his extraordinary encounters with two popes to the deep sense of responsibility he feels for Loyola's students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The interview also highlights encouraging news for the university, including a second consecutive year of strong first-year enrollment, growing selectivity in Loyola's College of Law and the university's anticipated transition to NCAA Division II athletics.

A Historic Encounter with Pope Leo XIV

President Cole and his wife, historian Dr. Susanne DeBerry Cole, recently traveled to Rome with fellow leaders from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, where they met Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.

During the meeting, Cole personally invited the pontiff to visit 91��, noting the pope's family ties to the city.

Cole described the experience as an unexpected blessing and spoke about the significance of Pope Leo's understanding of Jesuit higher education, particularly its commitment to guiding young people toward a hope-filled future.

The interview also revisits Cole's earlier meeting with Pope Francis, during which the two discussed the role of Catholic leaders in responding to international conflict. Cole recalled the profound spiritual impact of praying alongside Pope Francis.

Together, the encounters reinforced the importance of faith, service and moral leadership in Catholic higher education.

A Jesuit Mission That Provides Clarity and Purpose

Throughout the interview, Cole emphasizes the enduring relevance of Loyola's Jesuit, Catholic identity.

At a time when colleges and universities face complex challenges, Cole describes Loyola's mission as a source of clarity, providing a framework for institutional decisions and a foundation for students as they develop their own values and sense of purpose.

He also reflects on the personal responsibility of leading the university and the relationships that make Loyola such a meaningful part of his life.

His comments offer a portrait of a president whose leadership is grounded not only in institutional priorities, but also in a profound commitment to the people who make up the Loyola community.

Strong Enrollment and Momentum for the Wolf Pack

The interview also provides an encouraging assessment of Loyola's institutional health.

Cole reports that the university is experiencing its second consecutive year of strong first-year enrollment, while Loyola's College of Law continues to attract strong classes and has become increasingly selective.

These developments reflect continued progress in strengthening the university's academic community and its long-term future.

Cole also discusses Loyola's planned transition to NCAA Division II athletics, describing the decision as the result of two years of thoughtful consideration centered on the university's mission and the student experience.

The move, which includes joining the Gulf South Conference in fall 2027, represents an important new chapter for Wolf Pack Athletics.

The Musician Behind the President

Beyond his responsibilities as president, the interview offers a glimpse into Cole's lifelong love of music.

A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Cole is an accomplished musician and avid collector of musical instruments and recordings. His campus office reflects that passion, with trombones, a euphonium and a collection of albums spanning jazz and popular music.

Cole discusses his love of big band jazz, his experience performing classical and ensemble music, and the importance of making time for the interests that bring balance and joy to life.

It is a personal dimension that resonates particularly strongly at Loyola, where music, creativity and the arts are integral to the university's identity.

Looking Ahead with Confidence and Purpose

From conversations at the Vatican to the everyday work of supporting students and strengthening the university, Cole's interview reflects a consistent commitment to Loyola's people and its mission.

The feature offers an opportunity for the broader New Orleans community to learn more about the president guiding Loyola through a period of meaningful progress and to celebrate the values that have distinguished the university for more than a century.

As Loyola continues to build on its academic strengths, welcome new generations of students and prepare for its next chapter in athletics, the university remains firmly rooted in the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person and preparing graduates to lead lives of purpose.

The original interview, “‘Clear about our mission’: Loyola’s Xavier Cole on faith, education and meeting Pope Leo,” was reported by Bob Warren for The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

91����

Loyola University’s Filmmaking Program Earns Strong Showing at New Orleans Film Festival

Miami Alumni Chapter Happy Hour

BLSA Gala

Loyola University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance Tackles Immigration and Identity in “Alien Status”

Rev. John Cunningham, S.J.

91���� Explores Faith and Artificial Intelligence in NOLA.com Feature

91���� Brings Attention to National Midwifery Week Through WGNO News Feature

91���� to Showcase Student Talent, Book Acts at NOLA Funk Fest

Loyola Week: Iggy Cup

91���� President Xavier Cole Reflects on Faith, Leadership and a University on the Rise in NOLA.com Feature

91��

91�� Explores Faith and Artificial Intelligence in NOLA.com Feature

91�� Brings Attention to National Midwifery Week Through WGNO News Feature

91�� to Showcase Student Talent, Book Acts at NOLA Funk Fest

91�� President Xavier Cole Reflects on Faith, Leadership and a University on the Rise in NOLA.com Feature