$10 million gift to university from Ellen and H. Edward Hanway will support from science and nursing to business, risk management, and student scholarships

Loyola University Maryland has announced a new $10 million commitment from longtime benefactors Ellen and H. Edward Hanway, marking the second eight-figure gift in the university’s history and further cementing the couple’s standing as the most significant donors Loyola has ever had.

The contribution deepens a decades-long relationship between the Hanways and the Jesuit institution, one rooted not only in generosity but in sustained leadership, service, and a shared belief in education as a formative force for both individuals and society.

The gift will support a wide-ranging set of academic priorities, from science and nursing to business, risk management, and student scholarships. Central to the commitment is the renovation and expansion of the Donnelly Science Center, along with the creation of the Loyola Nursing Leadership Scholars program.

It also establishes the Hanway Endowed Professorship in Risk Management and the Hanway Risk Management Experiential Learning Fund, while providing additional operational and scholarship support across the university.

For Ed Hanway, a 1974 Loyola graduate, the gift reflects a personal journey that has been closely intertwined with the university for more than half a century.

A former trustee and past chairman of Loyola’s board, Hanway built his career in the insurance industry, culminating in his role as CEO and board chairman of Cigna Corp. His professional trajectory, coupled with his long-standing engagement with Loyola, has shaped both the focus and the philosophy behind the gift.

“Loyola has been a major part of my family’s life for many years,” Hanway said in a university statement. “I attended Loyola, as did my son. My respect for the institution has only grown. Loyola is an educational institution that truly focuses on developing students to be thinkers, not just learners. We wanted to be sure that Loyola would have the resources to continue to evolve, meet the needs of its students, and meet the needs of the world.”

Ellen and Ed Hanway’s philanthropic relationship with Loyola spans years and reflects a pattern of targeted, strategic giving aligned with the university’s long-term goals. In 2014, both were awarded honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees in recognition of their leadership and generosity.

Their earlier $5.2 million gift, once the largest in Loyola’s history, set a precedent for transformational support. Over time, their cumulative contributions have surpassed those of any other donor to the university.

Among their previous gifts is a $1 million contribution in 2019 that helped support the construction of the Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning, which opened in 2021.

Their philanthropy has also played a role in establishing Loyola’s Global Studies program and an endowed faculty chair, strengthening the York Road Initiative, creating the Hanway Lecture in Global Studies, helping launch the Messina program for first-year students, and expanding resources for faculty research and student scholarships.

University leaders have framed the latest commitment as both historic and emblematic of the Hanways’ broader influence on campus. Loyola President Terrence M. Sawyer described the gift as part of a sustained pattern of engagement that extends well beyond financial support. He noted that the Hanways’ involvement has helped shape the university’s direction at critical moments and continues to do so as Loyola looks toward the future.

A significant portion of the new gift is directed toward the Donnelly Science Center, where an 18,200-square-foot addition and full interior renovation are already underway. Groundbreaking for the project took place in the summer of 2024.

The addition is expected to open in spring 2026, with the fully renovated four-story facility scheduled to be ready by spring 2027. The updated center will provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities for several academic programs, including Loyola’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which launched in fall 2025.

The Hanways’ support of nursing education also includes the creation of the Loyola Nursing Leadership Scholars fund. Designed to supplement the endowed Loyola Scholarship and Mercy Grant Program, the fund will provide scholarships to high-performing senior nursing students. The initiative aligns with Loyola’s strategic plan, Together We Rise, which identifies growth in health and STEM fields as a priority through 2030.

Their gift also advances academic offerings within the Sellinger School of Business and Management, particularly as the school prepares to launch a Bachelor of Science in Financial Risk Management and Insurance in fall 2026.

As board chairman of Marsh Corp., a global professional services firm specializing in risk and strategy, Hanway brings firsthand knowledge of the growing demand for expertise in risk management and insurance. The new Hanway Endowed Professorship in Risk Management will enable Loyola to recruit and retain a distinguished faculty member in the field, with funding designated for salary, research, and professional development.

Complementing the professorship, the Hanway Risk Management Experiential Learning Fund will support students pursuing careers in financial services, insurance, and risk management. The fund is designed to provide immersive curricular and co-curricular experiences, emphasizing hands-on learning opportunities taught by expert faculty and informed by real-world practice.

Beyond Loyola, Hanway’s career and civic engagement reflect a broader commitment to education and health. Since retiring from Cigna in 2009 after more than three decades with the company, he has served on numerous boards and advisory groups, including America’s Health Insurance Plans and the Council on Affordable Quality Healthcare.

His philanthropic work has also included leadership roles focused on children’s health and Catholic education, such as his service on the board of trustees of Drexel Neumann Academy and as chairman of the Faith in the Future Foundation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Taken together, the Hanways’ latest gift underscores a philosophy of giving that blends gratitude, foresight, and institutional stewardship. Rather than a single, standalone donation, the $10 million commitment represents another chapter in a sustained effort to strengthen Loyola’s academic core, expand opportunity for students, and ensure that the university remains responsive to a rapidly changing world.