Loyola University Maryland receives $1 million gift supporting aspiring educators, creation of reflection space

Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education received a $1 million gift from Elaine and Anthony Grillo to assist students pursuing education degrees and to support the renovation and expansion of Donnelly Science Center.

The Grillo Future Educators Fund is dedicated to covering the costs associated with certification exams and licensure fees, test preparation materials and courses, fingerprinting and background check expenses and other career start-up needs.

“We are deeply grateful to Anthony and Elaine Grillo for their extraordinary generosity and vision,” said Dr. Afra Ahmed Hersi, dean of the School of Education, in a news release. “The Grillo Future Educators Fund will have a transformative impact on our students by removing financial barriers that often stand in the way of becoming a teacher.”

The Grillo Family Reflection Space will be a dedicated outdoor space for reflection and prayer.

The Grillos became part of the Loyola community when their daughter, Elizabeth Grillo Palazzii, class of ’08, enrolled in the school and they joined the Parents’ Council.

After Elizabeth graduated, she followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a teacher. Elizabeth has been a lead toddler teacher at Gladwyne Montessori School in Pennsylvania, where she is currently the Toddler Department coordinator. Elizabeth credits retired School of Education faculty members Elena Rock and Cathy Castellan for helping her development as a teacher.

“Elizabeth wanted a Jesuit school, but one that was smaller and more intimate,” recalled Elaine Grillo in the news release. “We visited Loyola, and she loved the students and faculty that she met. She chose to go to Loyola, and we are ever so happy. She belonged there.”

Elaine Grillo served on the board of advisors in 2009 for the then newly launched School of Education and was also a member of the university’s board of trustees, a position she held for eight years.

“Our desire to give this gift to Loyola really comes down to faith, hope and love,” she said. “We have a lot of faith in President (Terrence) Sawyer and the direction that we see the school going. There is a oneness even when you walk around campus that you don’t see in other schools. We hope this gift allows Loyola to continue to admit wonderful students.”

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