August 26, 2020

We are excited to announce Mr. Christopher “CJ” Ramirez ’82 as the newest President of the Loyola High School Alumni Association. CJ began his term in July 2020 and spoke with us about his goals for the Association, Loyola’s impact on him, his family and his outlook for the future.

 

Q: What do you hope to achieve in your new role as President of the Loyola High Alumni Association?

First, let me say I am thrilled to be serving as the new President. I’m following in the footsteps of Vic Harewood ’73 and Arturo Martinez ’87, who have worked diligently to form a great group of men who are committed to giving back to Loyola.

We represent over 16,700 alumni who consistently demonstrate their Grad at Grad values, which as we all know to be summarized as a “Man for and with Others.”  I’m looking forward to strengthening the bonds of community amongst alumni, both on and off campus, and extending the camaraderie and values we all learned during our time at Loyola. I believe that getting involved with campus activities serves as a recharge for all of us. There are many ways for us to reconnect to Loyola, and it’s important to me that we use all of our platforms (e.g. Cub Chronicles, social media, alumni affinity groups including the African-American, Asian-Pacific and Latino Alumni Societies) to do so, because our needs are as varied as our individual characteristics. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we’ve all become a bit more comfortable with technology, therefore the Association will be doing some of this work virtually, but my goal is to be able to help alums become a greater part of the fabric of our school. Loyola’s digital presence allows us to more greatly represent what Loyola and its alums offer to Los Angeles and the world.

Q: What inspired you to give back to Loyola in this important volunteer role?

I would have to say Fr. Charles Gagan, SJ, provided my first Ignatian inspiration, as he served as Principal during my freshman year. And if you know Charlie, then you know how the story goes.

Next, I would have to say Frank Kozakowski. He has been by my side for 42 years now. I met Frank in August of 1978, and since then, one thing has never left my thought process. And if you know “Koz,” then you know what I am about to say: “That’s just not good enough.” He has been in my head since freshman football (By the way, in his first year as freshman coach, we went undefeated, winning the league title in the very competitive Del Rey League!) and Algebra, always encouraging me to challenge myself to do more.

And last but not least, it has to be our fearless leader Fr. Greg Goethals, SJ ’73. If there is a way to help him and give back to the school that so thoroughly molded me into the man I am today, I’m in, no question.

Q: What is it that you do outside of this volunteer work at the High?

I’m a proud husband and father of three incredible children: Chancellor ’13, Sienna and Stephen ’24. If our children are into something, then my wife Heather and I are right alongside them. I’ve been an LHS class representative for the past 10 years, served on the Alumni Executive Council for three years prior to my current position and am an active Majorem Club member since 2013. Now that we are Loyola parents again, I’m looking forward to putting my Father’s Club shirt back on. I’m pretty sure that my wife is already signed up with Mothers’ Guild again as well. Away from Loyola, I currently serve on the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Communication Committee, where I lead campaigns that create awareness and raise funds for the RBAC. Last but not least, Heather and I have served USA Water Polo in various capacities over the past 18 years, with more years of service to come.

Q: Lastly, the Ramirez family is now a legacy at Loyola. Although your youngest, Stephen, is an incoming freshman, how has it been sharing the Loyola experience with him and also with your eldest, Chancellor ’13?

Being a Loyola parent has been a dream come true. All three of my children have been raised on the Loyola campus. Going through the Loyola parent experience the first time makes you fully aware of everything Loyola has to offer its students, parents and other family members, while the second time only deepens this incredible experience. AMDG.

Congratulations to our newest Alumni Association President, CJ Ramirez!