2024 President’s Medallion Recipient
President’s Medallion Recipient
David Tanner, 2024 medallion winner
David A. Tanner’s journey to Loyola University Chicago was far from typical. Beginning as a young volunteer firefighter, David commenced a dynamic career rooted in service and leadership. When he was younger, he began a degree program in fire protection engineering, but life had other plans. He found himself pursuing a career in computer programming and finance.
Pursuing the dream
After several successful decades in banking, including key leadership roles, David decided it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream: returning to school to complete his degree. “It was more personal than anything else,” he shared. “I wanted to do this for myself.”
Loyola’s Jesuit values and the program’s alignment with his technical background were key reasons he enrolled in the BA in Applied Psychology program at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). “Given my experience, Applied Psychology seemed like a great fit,” he said. “But I was scared to death about going back to school after so many years.”
“It was more personal than anything else. I wanted to do this for myself.” David Tanner, School of Continuing and Professional Studies Presidential Medallion Winner
Embracing core values
That fear quickly turned into fulfillment. From the moment he sat in orientation, David knew he had made the right decision. “SCPS has been a perfect fit—prestigious, well-recognized, and everything I hoped for.”
For David, going to Loyola was more than just earning a degree; it is a journey of self-reflection and growth helping him find his purpose beyond his career. “I have had the opportunity to share my life experiences, which adds perspective to my studies. Loyola has given me the language to express the core values I have always held—service, humility, and seeing God in all things. I want to use this experience to inspire others—especially older students—who may be hesitant to return to school. It is worth every bit of effort.”
Guidance and support
His most memorable moments include a poetry course with Dr. Rydel and a theology class with Dr. Cummings, which helped him uncover a deeper sense of spirituality. “That course encapsulated why I was here—it was about using my personal growth to lead for good.”
David’s journey has also been about giving back and inspiring others. His experience in the SCPS community has allowed him to support fellow students, drawing from his extensive life and career experiences to offer guidance and encouragement. Whether it’s reading classmates’ discussion posts and sharing insights or engaging in spirited debate, David has a passion for helping others.
David’s future includes using his degree to mentor and inspire others, as an SCPS Ambassador, especially as an ambassador for SCPS. His advice? “It is never too late to take that leap of faith. You are never too old to learn.”
Applied Psychology
Undergraduate Degrees
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Loyola's BA in Applied Psychology focuses on preparing adult learners for occupations that apply psychological theory and methods to promote evidence-based practical solutions that benefit individuals, organizations, and society.
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LEADERSHIP. SCHOLARSHIP. SERVICE.
Those three words are etched onto the President’s Medallion that Loyola awards annually to its most outstanding students, one from each of its 14 colleges, institutes, and schools. And they also sum up the 2023–24 President’s Medallion recipients—students who excel not only in the classroom but also in the world and are dedicated to helping those around them.
Pursuing the dream
After several successful decades in banking, including key leadership roles, David decided it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream: returning to school to complete his degree. “It was more personal than anything else,” he shared. “I wanted to do this for myself.”
Loyola’s Jesuit values and the program’s alignment with his technical background were key reasons he enrolled in the BA in Applied Psychology program at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). “Given my experience, Applied Psychology seemed like a great fit,” he said. “But I was scared to death about going back to school after so many years.”
Embracing core values
That fear quickly turned into fulfillment. From the moment he sat in orientation, David knew he had made the right decision. “SCPS has been a perfect fit—prestigious, well-recognized, and everything I hoped for.”
For David, going to Loyola was more than just earning a degree; it is a journey of self-reflection and growth helping him find his purpose beyond his career. “I have had the opportunity to share my life experiences, which adds perspective to my studies. Loyola has given me the language to express the core values I have always held—service, humility, and seeing God in all things. I want to use this experience to inspire others—especially older students—who may be hesitant to return to school. It is worth every bit of effort.”
Guidance and support
His most memorable moments include a poetry course with Dr. Rydel and a theology class with Dr. Cummings, which helped him uncover a deeper sense of spirituality. “That course encapsulated why I was here—it was about using my personal growth to lead for good.”
David’s journey has also been about giving back and inspiring others. His experience in the SCPS community has allowed him to support fellow students, drawing from his extensive life and career experiences to offer guidance and encouragement. Whether it’s reading classmates’ discussion posts and sharing insights or engaging in spirited debate, David has a passion for helping others.
David’s future includes using his degree to mentor and inspire others, as an SCPS Ambassador, especially as an ambassador for SCPS. His advice? “It is never too late to take that leap of faith. You are never too old to learn.”