WTC Block Party: A Loyola Tradition
The staff and students at Loyola University Chicago are in high spirits at the beginning of the fall semester. One of the reasons is the WTC Block Party, a decade-long annual Loyola tradition. Hosted by the Division of Student Development’s Graduate, Professional, & Adult Student Life, this iconic event unites the Loyola community every fall semester on Pearson Street between State and Wabash.
“The WTC Block Party is open to staff, faculty, students and alumni. It is a marquee Welcome Week program that involves the full Loyola Chicago community,” says MacKenzie Rotherham, program director, Graduate Professional, & Adult Student Life within the Center for Student Engagement, as she takes us behind the scenes of this event. “The program, is designed to foster a sense of community and celebrate the Loyola Chicago experience.”
She shares that the program introduces students to campus resources, while encouraging them to cultivate community through games, entertainment, and sharing a meal.
The Block Party is an extravaganza involving food, entertainment and fun, but with the large scale of the, event there are many stakeholders involved. Working with the city of Chicago to secure a festival permit is an integral part of the process, Rotherham notes.
“Part of the permit includes working with community stakeholders such as: city sanitation, the alderman, the department of transportation, the police, the health department, and the central business district,” she elaborates. “In addition, we work with local food vendors to create a unique menu for attendees to enjoy.”
True to Loyola tradition and culture, honoring Sr. Jean was at the center of this joyous event.
It is also a tradition to celebrate Sister Jean's birthday, and this year we celebrated her 105th birthday,” Rotherham says. “In keeping with tradition, attendees were able to take a photo with Sister Jean and sing happy birthday to celebrate her continued legacy.”
“The program would not be possible without the time and energy of our Welcome Week leaders, Campus Partners, and Center for Student Engagement staff to support in the execution of the program.”
Keep an eye out every fall for the iconic Loyola balloon sign that proudly signals the kickoff of the annual Block Party tradition — one that has united Ramblers over decades.
September 2024
The staff and students at Loyola University Chicago are in high spirits at the beginning of the fall semester. One of the reasons is the WTC Block Party, a decade-long annual Loyola tradition. Hosted by the Division of Student Development’s Graduate, Professional, & Adult Student Life, this iconic event unites the Loyola community every fall semester on Pearson Street between State and Wabash.
“The WTC Block Party is open to staff, faculty, students and alumni. It is a marquee Welcome Week program that involves the full Loyola Chicago community,” says MacKenzie Rotherham, program director, Graduate Professional, & Adult Student Life within the Center for Student Engagement, as she takes us behind the scenes of this event. “The program, is designed to foster a sense of community and celebrate the Loyola Chicago experience.”
She shares that the program introduces students to campus resources, while encouraging them to cultivate community through games, entertainment, and sharing a meal.
The Block Party is an extravaganza involving food, entertainment and fun, but with the large scale of the, event there are many stakeholders involved. Working with the city of Chicago to secure a festival permit is an integral part of the process, Rotherham notes.
“Part of the permit includes working with community stakeholders such as: city sanitation, the alderman, the department of transportation, the police, the health department, and the central business district,” she elaborates. “In addition, we work with local food vendors to create a unique menu for attendees to enjoy.”
True to Loyola tradition and culture, honoring Sr. Jean was at the center of this joyous event.
It is also a tradition to celebrate Sister Jean's birthday, and this year we celebrated her 105th birthday,” Rotherham says. “In keeping with tradition, attendees were able to take a photo with Sister Jean and sing happy birthday to celebrate her continued legacy.”
“The program would not be possible without the time and energy of our Welcome Week leaders, Campus Partners, and Center for Student Engagement staff to support in the execution of the program.”
Keep an eye out every fall for the iconic Loyola balloon sign that proudly signals the kickoff of the annual Block Party tradition — one that has united Ramblers over decades.
September 2024