Audrey G. Ratner Endowment Awarded to 16 Loyola Student Cadets

Loyola’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) chose 16 cadets as recipients of the Audrey G. Ratner Endowment scholarship in a ceremony held at the Madonna della Strada Chapel on Oct. 27.

Loyola’s military science department mostly selected first and second year cadets to receive a $1,525 scholarship, courtesy of the Pritzker Military Foundation Audrey G. Ratner Endowment according to ROTC Captain Andrew Toaddy.

The ROTC program highlighted three top-performing student cadets for their achievements in and outside of the program, for categories such as the color guard, ranger challenges, academics and service oriented activities, according to Toaddy. 

Loyola student cadets Brittany Pritchett, Wesley Yuen and Kendall Kick were additionally recognized for their leadership and contributions among the 16 recipients at the event. The endowment commemorates Audrey G. Ratner (BSEd ’78), mother of Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker (BA ’79), and was established to support service-oriented cadets who are called to act, according to Loyola’s website.

Jennifer Pritzker was the founder and president of the TAIWANI Foundation, dedicated to raising money for the Loyola military community. Pritzker and Ratner both have become recognized alumni for their contributions to the military and Loyola community, according to Toaddy. 

Pritzker has previously been recognized at Loyola prior to the endowment ceremony. She was inducted into Loyola’s military wall of fame, located in the military science department hallway in Champion hall and spoke at the previous ROTC ball held last spring, according to Toaddy. 

This year’s award recipients were accompanied by Department Chair Lieutenant Colonel April Jenkins and the military science faculty. Peter Schader, dean of the College of Arts and Science, congratulated the students at the ceremony recognizing all sixteen cadets receiving the Ratner endowment this year, according to Lieutenant Jenkins. 

Toaddy said the cadets exceeded physical, mental and academic standards through the year, which are all aspects the department prides itself on.

The cadets were selected according to their completion of technical training, service in leadership positions, participation in exercises, and academic standings. Each of the highlighted cadets were well rounded students according to Toaddy. 

“The ceremony surprised us, I didn’t know we were going to be in front of the chapel in the echo chamber,” said Pritchett, a first year student. “The ceremony was very peaceful, and we shook hands with the dean and took some pictures in front of the water.” 

Pritchett said her “rejuvenating” experience with the ROTC program was overwhelming at first, but helped her stay occupied with activities not school related. 

Yuen, a 19-year-old criminal justice and criminology major, started his career in ROTC this year and was also recognized at the ceremony.  

“The first couple of months have been challenging, yet also exciting, since it was my first year participating and I felt I was already behind, but the faculty and students were welcoming,” Yuen said. “I feel like I have already grown so much,” Yuen said. 

Yuen said he was excited to have received the award alongside his peers while being given the opportunity to grow in his first year participating in the program. 

The dean for the College of Arts and Science, Peter Schrader presented the cadets with certificates commemorating them for taking another step in the direction of commitment to service in the military, according to Toaddy. 

“The program is a great way to have a wide range of opportunities and meet a diverse group of people,” Kick said. “The endowment has helped me pay for extra classes, which normally I would not have the means to do so.” 

Toaddy works with student cadets regularly in the ROTC program.  

“I have great students and admire them for taking it upon themselves to not only complete their bachelor degree, but also take on the mantle of joining the military,” Toaddy said. 

Near the end of the ceremony, Jenkins commended the cadets for making a difference in the ROTC program.

This story was written by Hannah Daniel