On Nov. 24, 2025, the Loyola community was informed of the loss of a one-of-one leader, friend, brother and son with the passing of former President Rev. Gregory M. Goethals, SJ ’73. For nearly two decades, Fr. Goethals was the heart and soul of 1901 Venice Boulevard, his joyful presence felt by everyone who set foot on campus. His impact is etched into the physical campus, the school’s traditions and the thousands of students who walked past him on the steps of Loyola Hall at graduation.
President Jamal Adams ’90, expressing gratitude for his predecessor, shared, “I’m honored that our paths first crossed at our 2005 new employee orientation as we both began our return to our Alma Mater. Over the next two decades, his mentorship was a gift of time and wisdom; he invested in me and my growth as a leader in ways I will forever cherish.”
“His parting instructions to me, as I transitioned into the presidency, perfectly captured his deep compassion. He asked two things: that I strive to ensure every member of our community feels God’s boundless, unconditional love, and that I work relentlessly to secure Loyola’s future as a perpetual institution. His humanity and vision continue to guide me every day,” Adams expressed.
Over his 19-year tenure as president, Goethals always remained steadfast in his commitment to ensuring that every student who walked through Loyola’s halls had the most profound experience possible.
As Goethals’ unshakable vocation came from a place of God’s unconditional love, Adams reflected on his faith-driven “execution of the $100 million Campaign for Loyola, which included shepherding the completion of the Hannon Ardolf building complex and the upgrading of Loyola Hall.”
Additionally, Goethals expanded Loyola’s campus footprint from 19 to its present 22 acres and increased Loyola’s endowment from $34 million to approximately $85 million today.
In Adams’ letter to the Loyola community, he wrote a far more extensive list reflecting the faithful actions of an “extraordinary man.”
Beneath his lasting impact that will continue to shape dozens of future generations of students, Goethals is a symbol of what is possible when we fill our daily actions with God’s unconditional love, where our actions reflect God’s work in the world. Whether connecting with the Mother’s Guild or guiding the school’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, “he was a larger-than-life personality who could captivate the whole room in just a single second.”
In light of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, The Loyalist can speak on behalf of everyone when we say that we are thankful for the opportunity to meet and interact with Fr. Goethals. His love for Loyola, or, as he called it, “the best damn high school in Southern California,” was unmatched. He went out of his way to make every student and faculty member feel special every day.
We thank God for a leader who selflessly gave his heart and his light, and whose actions will continue to impact the Loyola community far after his passing.
In gratitude for Fr. Goethals’ impact on our community, The Loyalist will continue to celebrate and feature his life in the upcoming edition, scheduled for release on Dec. 12.
To view President Adams’ newsletter, please click here
