Lions: Stronger Together

CONTINUITY OF COMMUNITY | On March 20, Terri Mangione, Ph.D., dean of students, asked the LMU community to support the Lion Emergency Fund, which provides critical resources to students faced with unforeseen hardship. The fund has received hundreds of requests from students facing financial need related to COVID-19, including food insecurity, unexpected travel expenses, work disruptions, and other unplanned expenses.

The LMU community responded to Dean Mangione’s request in a big way. After only one week, the fund amassed more than $53,000 in generous donations from alumni, parents and friends. And it keeps growing. It’s currently featured as one of four emergency funds on LMU’s crowdfunding site to support LMU and Loyola Law School students during this unprecedented time of need. Students such as Isaias Velez ’21, a political science major. As a commuter student, Isaias relied on his meal plan for food at school. He was able to use the grant to help pay for food, as well as two months of internet service so he could connect to classes online and not fall behind.

“I am truly grateful that these types of funds are available to students in moments of crisis,” Isaias said. “As a son of a single mother, it was truly relieving to hear there was help available from the LMU community. My mom was laid off from work without pay and it was really stressful to know that we didn’t have much food on the table, so I truly value all the efforts the school has done in these moments of crisis.”

One of the many alumni who have supported the fund is LMU Board of Trustee member Michael “Mike” Rue ’73, J.D. ’76, parent ’91, and president of Marketplace Properties. For Mike, the decision was personal.

“I am amazed at the courage and selflessness of so many at this time including health professionals, police and firemen, grocery clerks, medical researchers and numerous others,” said Mike. “I wonder where my part is in being of value to others. Helping a few students who are having a rough time dealing with unforeseen problems by donating a meaningful amount to the Lion Emergency Fund is one way I can be of service.”

To learn more about the ways you can make a meaningful impact on our students during this challenging time, visit giving.lmu.edu.

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