Summer 2021

LMU Magazine Summer 2021 Cover Image
Cover Story

Crowning Achievement

By Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn ’90

For her senior capstone project, Stephanie Bell ’20 made a documentary film about Black women and the race-based discrimination they face for wearing their hair in natural hairstyles. The film, “Defending Our Crowns,” has brought increased attention to the issue and won awards while doing so.

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The Dogs That Save Us

The human-dog lovefest may be 15,000 years old, and the pandemic has given it a shot in the arm. Are they our most faithful friends, or are we theirs?

Amped Up

An executive producer with the Obamas’ Higher Ground Audio amplifies voices and stories that are too rarely heard. An interview with Mukta Mohan ’14.

Cougar Town

Native mountain lions risk their lives to cross the U.S. 101 freeway. A wildlife crossing, in the form of a bridge, could save them.

Western Waters

The watering holes of the Western U.S. have saved many a summer for vacationers needing to cool down. Check out the favorite western water sites of Chris Liedle ’12, outdoor photographer.

Stage Rights

In 1963, James Baldwin masterminded a tense nighttime meeting with Robert F. Kennedy to break down the Kennedy administration’s reluctance to act on civil rights. Baldwin’s summit changed RFK forever after.

Black and White

George C. Fatheree III, who teaches at the LMU Loyola Law School, helped close a deal involving photographic images that document much of Black American history in the 20th century.

Court Extension

With President Joe Biden being urged to take steps to expand the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, FDR’s attempt in 1937 may offer valuable lessons.

The Bones of St. Peter

James T. Keane ’96, an editor at America magazine, recalls a trip he led with a group of students to the catacombs of the Church of San Silvestro in Capite in Rome.

Our Lady of the Qur’an

For students in Amir Hussain’s Intro to Islam course, nothing is more surprising than learning of Islam’s esteem for Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The Rector Testimonies

Pam Rector’s passing elicited a trove of memories of her impact on many in the LMU community. Here are some that came in through LMU channels.

Getting To Buy-In

Aarika Hughes, new women’s basketball coach, says the path to success is built on culture and product.

Press Forward

Journalism, already under siege, has been emaciated by the pandemic, but two young alumni are adapting to the field’s post-COVID-19 future.

Summer Glass

A guide to summer fiction reading, by Julia Lee, professor of English in the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts.

Moving Home

Monica LaBelle ’96, who has lived in villages and large cities on two continents, describes how she has come to identify home.

Holding Back Kids

Redshirting, a common practice in Div 1 athletics, is now being practiced by parents of young athletes in the eighth grade to improve — so they hope — their child’s prospects for future athletic success.

Coastal View

May Knight Rindge (1864–1941) fought with ferocious determination a railroad and the State of California while resisting the development of her Malibu property.

Leimert Park Village

Ethan Smith ’11, M.S. ’16 sings the praises of a part of town that he considers the proverbial heart of South Central Los Angeles.

Unmasked

The COVID-19 pandemic may be in its final stages. Will the experience leave us with enduring lessons?

Dispatches Summer 2021

It’s the stuff of life — our alumni keep us all up to date with news, developments, work, achievements, accomplishments and more.

Harmonizing

Music brought Alyssa Cosindas ’04 and Chris Jahnke ’02 together. Years later, they’re still singing the same melody.