About Loyola

The story of Loyola College began with Rev. Fr. Bertram, S.J., its founder Principal. He had gone abroad after the end of the First World War to collect funds for the proposed Jesuit College in Madras. Due to the economic depression he received very poor response. He felt very depressed but as was usual with him he took out of another pocket his copy of the Imitation of Christ, the spiritual classic by Thomas A Kempis. Opening it at random his eyes fell on the words in Book II Ch.1. "When thou hast Christ thou art rich! He will be the faithful procurator in all things". This reading gave him great consolation. He exposed his problem to R.F. General of the Society in Rome, Rev. Fr. Ledochowski. Pope Benedict XV contributed 100,000 lire, which however in terms of the Indian rupee had little value after the First World War. The Superior General also assigned some lire. Fr. Bertram, who was just being relieved of his Principalship of St Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli in order to launch the new college in Madras, brought with him some senior members of the Staff of St Joseph's as the human foundation stones of the new ediface. Fr Bertram borrowed Rs.2 lakhs from St Joseph's to get things started. The search for a suitable site for the college had ended in the purchase of 50 acres between the Tank Bunk Road and the Railway line for about Rs.60,000/-.

His Excellency Lord (now Viscount) Willingdon, Governor of Madras, layed the foundation stone with 75 students on the rolls on March 10th 1924. The college began with the first year B.A. in Economics, History and Mathematics. Three blocks of hostels were constructed before the opening of the college in June 1925.
The Staff of the new College had been constituted:

Rev. Fr. G. Foreau, S.J., Rector, Rev. Fr. Bertram, S.J., Principal, Rev. Fr. H.J. Quinn, S.J., Rev. Fr. L.D. Murphy, S.J., M.A. (Oxon), Mr. N. Sundaram Ayyar, M.A., Rev.Fr. L. Vion, S.J., Rev. Fr. Basenach, S.J.,B.Sc., Rev. Fr. H. Burrows, S.J., M.A. (Cantab), Mr T.S. Subramanya Ayyar, M.A. (Cantab). On 12th October, Sir. A.P. Patro, then Minister of Education, solemnly inaugurated the institution. The College building construction was finished at the beginning of the academic year 1926-27, As there was neither time nor funds to construct more hostels, temporary sheds were put up.

On 1st July 1926 the college received from Rome a donation of Rs.10,000/- and on 3rd July the first sod was cut in the place where the fourth hostel block was to be occupied on 1st November.

The Government was approached with a request to pay a portion of the grant corresponding to the southern half of the College building. The request was favourably considered and granted. Money was borrowed, and six new blocks were started in December 1926.

Within three years after the starting of the College, affiliation was obtained for the prestigious three-year Honours courses following the Intermediate. First year Honours in Mathematics and Economics commenced in July 1927. The enrolment went up to 503. The first batch of Loyola graduates was presented at the University Convocation in August 1927, an event which the Principal named `its academic baptism'.

For the first time a retreat for Catholic students was conducted by Rev. Fr. Burrows, S.J. On 20th August 1927, there was a compulsory medical inspection of all the students. The first full-fledged College Day was celebrated on 27th January, 1928, which was presided over by the Governor of Madras, followed by the publication of the first College Annual.

The College by this time had ample facilities for sports - Tennis Courts, Football and Hockey Fields and a Cricket ground. Alleys were laid out lined with trees.

On 11th February 1929 Archbishop Aelen died at the age of 74 years. The College was closed the next day in honour of the deceased. It was Archbishop Aelen, who in February 1912, requested the jesuits to open a College in Madras and assisted in every way, by his influence, by his encouragements, lastly by a handsome donation of Rs.10,000/- from his private purse. Hostel No.2 bears his name, a standing acknowledgement of our gratitude to him.

In 1929 a tutorial system was started by which Tutors visited students in their hostel rooms with their weekly composition books as, basis for an encounter. In the same year, the College was given its first UTC contingent (ancestor of the N.C.C. of today). By then there were 11 Hostel Blocks with 316 single rooms.

The College Annual records that, at the Preliminary Honours Exam of 1931, the only distinction obtained was by Douglas Gordon, future Rector and Principal of Loyola and later Provincial of Madurai Jesuits. The outstanding event of the January-March term was the opening of the new College Chapel, on March 6 th . This sacred edifice stands out, in all its beauty, elegance and slimness, with its harmonious lines clear cut on the blue azure, towards which walls, turrets, buttresses, parapets, roof, spire all soar and converge, carrying aloft with them the soul of the onlooker. On 6th March, our "Schola cantorum", or choir, made its first public appearance.

In 1934 Rev. Fr. Vion, S.J., became Acting Principal since Rev. Fr. Bertram, S.J., had to act as Vice - Chancellor of the University. Annexes were built for the Physics Department. Rev. Fr. Honore, S.J., an eminent scientist of St. Joseph's fame, who had aided Fr Bertram in drawing up the master-plan for Loyola, passed away that year. For the first time 2 of our students appeared for the ICS.

In 1937-38, Sri Rajagopalachariar presided over the College Day celebrations and a local newspaper reported that `The Chief Minister was clearly impressed by the orderliness and the comfortable arrangements of the celebration and went on to suggest that it would be a good thing if it could have been possible to film the celebration so that the less fortunate schools in the mofussil could see the right way of conducting such displays'.

1938-39 was the year of improvement. Lecture Halls for B.A. classes were built up. A Mansfield Gas Plan was put up. The third storey of the building was started. A new block for hostel, and building of a large dining hall and new bathing rooms were taken up. The cricket field, it's pavilion and the P.T. field also came into existence.

Rev. Fr. Murphy, S.J., was Rector and Principal between 1937 - 42, a period of remarkable expansion for the College. The provision of three sections in Intermediate Science led to a great increase in the strength of the College.

Rev. Fr. Jerome D'Souza, S.J., took over as Rector & Principal in 1942. During his tenure, courses were expanded by the introduction of Hindi and French in Part III of B.A., the re-introduction of Latin and Natural Sciences in the Intermediate and Botany and Zoology in B.Sc., B.Com. (Honours) & B.Sc (Honours) in Chemistry. Simultaneously, a much needed storey was added to the Father's Bungalow. Two new Hostels each of 3 storeys were also completed. A Chemistry Block was constructed and finally, a colossal library cum auditorium to be known as `The Bertram Hall' was finished in time for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

The Silver Jubilee Celebrations commenced on October 27th 1950. The then Chief Minister of Madras, Sri P.S. Kumaraswami Raja inaugurated the function. Rev. Fr. Yeddanapally, S.J., lectured to a very select audience on the fundamental principles of the chemical processes involved in modern industry.

On the evening of the first day there was a reunion of the Alumni at a Dinner Meeting. Mr Gopala Reddy , Finance Minister unveiled a portrait of Sri C. Rajagopalachari . The second day began with `popular sports' and in the evening there was a tea party. The portrait of Fr Bertram was unveiled by Sri A. L. Mudaliar, Vice - Chancellor of Madras University. On the third day, Sunday, there was a Pontifical High Mass by the Bishop of Mylapore and Solemn Benediction in the evening. The last item of the Celebrations was a `free for all' Variety Entertainment.

In 1956-57, after an initial hesitancy, Loyola enthusiastically adopted PUC.

The rush for admission was greater than usual. In 1957-58, two Research Schemes were subsidised by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - one for Chemistry and Phenolic Resins and the other for the Chemical Re-activities of the wide proteins. Postgraduates courses M.A. and M.Sc. were also started.

In 1961-62, the College Social Service League did heroic work during the year's floods in the neighbourhood, besides their usual weekly service in the way of cleanliness and feeding the needy.

In 1962-64, changes were made by the University authorities at both Pre - University and degree levels due to the poor performance of students at the IIT entrance exam.

1965-66 - The city's well known Mylapore Academy, whose President was the late Dr. C.P. Ramasamy Iyer, instituted a beautiful rolling cup to be awarded to the college that secured the highest number of passes in PUC. Our College obtained with 91% result (510/559 students).`Loyola Look Out' was started by students with the help of Rev. Fr Murphy, S.J.

In 1969-70, Sauliere Hall for Hosteliers and a new Community Centre were opened on 31st July 1970. The Dramatic Society was very active. Rev. Fr. Kuriakose, S.J., took over the administration of the institution. He was a member of the University Syndicate and the President of the Association of Management of Private Colleges.

In 1970-71, tamil medium classes in Arts Group at PUC evening college were started. A group of 7 students helped in no small measure to bring labour and management to the Conference Table and iron out their differences and arrive at an agreement in the Standard Motors Factory Strike in February.

In 1972-73 in spite of widespread student agitation in the State, Loyola went on almost uninterrupted. With the help of AIACHE (All India Association for Christian Higher Education), a self-evaluation programme to clarify the goals, objectives, updated methods of teaching and administration was introduced. College Science Improvement Programme (COSIP) sponsored by the Under-Graduate Science Departments, began to expand new methods of teaching and evaluating and started designing different staff improvement programmes. This was the first step in the direction of much talked of autonomous colleges. A Counselling Centre was opened for consultation and vocational guidance.

In 1975-76, Loyola became one of the six privileged Colleges selected for `Autonomous' status.

First Five Year Span (1951-1955)

The student body numbered 1800 in 1950, the Silver Jubilee year. We had sent up for the Intermediate exam the largest number ever sent up for the Intermediate exam by any college in the University, and secured more passes and more first classes than ever before, both university records.

Bertram Hall, received its sound-proof ceiling in 1951. Moliere's "Bourgeois Gentilhomme" was staged on College Day, 1951 The next year, 1952, Rajaji, then Chief Minister, presided over the College Day, where a play, `The Hunt for the Bride', was written and produced by one of the students.

The College Union, was given at this time, to staging Mock Parliaments and U.N.O. Assemblies. The mock session of the U.N.O. of 1953 deserves special mention because of the encomiums it received from Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit who sent a report of it. The mock Parliamentary Assembly of the same year won the appreciation of Prof.W.A. Robson of the London School of Economics, who actually witnessed the session and pronounced it "the best mock Parliament I have ever heard."

In December 1952 Loyola hosted the Sixth International Conference of Social Work. No sooner, 2500 Catholic students, 600 of them women, from all over India descended on the campus for a three-day conference of the All India Catholic University Federation. This first ever National Conference orgainsed by the General Chaplain. Rev. Fr. P. Ceyrac, S.J., gave a spurt to the Federation and placed it firmly on the map of Catholic India. Two years later the College was the venue of the Asian Seminar for Catholic University Students, who came from Asia, Australia and New Zealand, besides the delegates of Pax Romana from Europe. It was a memorable meeting spread over three weeks during which the members did some hard thinking on the problems of university life.

The college building programme, which had been vigorously maintained by Rev. Fr. Murphy, S.J. and Rev. Fr. Jerome D'Souza, S.J., during the forties, continued on a lower key: two large hostel blocks, new mess-rooms, a store cum dispensary and a temporary indoor games building were put up in 1951 and 1952. More interesting than these was the construction of quarters for the sub-ordinate staff: more than 40 houses in two colonies at the corners of the college campus with a primary school which was handed over to sisters to run. This has grown into the now flourishing institution at Susaipuram, Nungambakkam.

In 1953 the College Union began the publication of the Loyola Monthly which the Chronicler of that year admits was "interesting, informative and occasionally witty". The successor, the Loyola Lookout  was started in 1965.

Cardinal Gracias presided over the College Day in 1954 and held the audience spellbound in an eloquent speech which was recorded in full in the College Magazine. The Nungambakkam railway station was declared open on 14 January 1956. The Principal, Fr. Arulsamy, presided over the function.

Second Five Years (1956-1960)

1956 was the Igantian Centenary year, the 400th Death Anniversary of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Patron of the College. It was duly celebrated by the religious community on 31st July and by the C.S.U. on the 4th August, the piece de resistance of their programme being the `villupattu', which glorified the deeds of the saint in song and action.

Rev. Fr. Arulsamy, S.J., the Principal, began meeting Old Boys scattered all over South India. Loyola resuscitated the Old Boys Association in a new form, the Alumni Association.

New constructions arose in 1956; an addition of a block of 15 rooms to the Fathers' residence to accommodate the increasing flow of guests from India and abroad; new quarters for the teaching staff began in the plot across the railway line.

Two deaths took place - Rev. Fr. F. Varin, S.J., on the 5th Nov. and Rev.Fr. S. Rayapper, S.J., the succeeding summer (16.5.57). Rev. Fr. Varin, S.J., was one of the founding fathers of Loyola. He was responsible for the laying out of the gardens, planting of trees and general beauty of the campus, so much admired by visitors. He was also the indefatigable manager of the hostel cinema.

In 1957, Rev. Fr. Jerome D'Souza, S.J., as newly elected Assistant to Fr. General of the Society of Jesus, for India and East Asia, addressed the students on Gandhian ideals. Fr Jerome who provided great services to Loyola as Rector and Principal for nearly eight years, can be called its second founder. 1958 saw a new Principal in Loyola, Rev. Fr. L. Sundaram, S.J. The Pre-University course had been introduced in 1956 and the first batch of students were presented for examination, 82% of them passed.

1960 gave the college a new Rector Rev. Fr. L.M. Yeddanapalli, S.J., who had already become something of an institution in Loyola. Rev. Fr. J. Kalathil, S.J., whom he replaced, will be remembered not only for the prize dairy farm which he established, but also for the sixty odd teaching staff quarters he built and his fatherly interest in the lower categories of employees.

In Jan 1959 Admiral R.K. Katari visited the college and took a ceremonial salute from the cadets of the N.C.C. Naval Wing. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar, presided over College Day. Dr. C.D. Deshmukh, Chairman of the U.G.C., who presided over the Valedictory function of the College Union on 27th Feb 1960, stressed the need of extra-curricular activities for a complete education and outlined the attempts being made to reform the examination system. The college was honoured by the visit of two distinguished dignitaries of the Church: Cardinal Agagianian, accompanied by Archbishop knox, the papal Internuncio, came to the college. Among the Old Boys who visited us mention may be made of Lt. Col. J.A.M. Thompson, Base Commander, Madras, who presided over Sports Day, and R. Krishnan, our tennis star, who enthralled his young audience with a talk on his international experiences. The students have instituted a shield for tennis in his honour.

Third Five Years (1961-65)

On 1st Jan 1961 Rev. Fr. T.N. Siqueria, S.J., took charge as Principal, relieving Rev. Fr. L. Sundaram, S.J.This year witnessed the passing away of Rev. Fr. F. Basenach, S.J., one of the co-founders under Fr. Bertram's leadership.

1962 saw a new Rector, Rev. Fr. A.M. Varaprasadam, S.J., replacing Rev. Fr. Yeddanapalli, S.J. In 1963 the Diploma Course offered by the Institute of Social Science was replaced by a full fledged M.A. in Social Work. Rev. Fr. Racine, S.J., was invested with the Legion d'honneur by M. Marcel Flory, Cultural Adviser to the French Govt., a distinguished mathematician himself.

1964 saw a new Rector, Rev. Fr. A. Devasia, S.J., already an established figure in the college, replace Fr. Varaprasadam. At the same time a new Principal was appointed, Rev. Fr. G. Francis, S.J., replacing Rev. Fr. T.N. Siqueira, S.J., on his retirement.

On 17th Oct.1965 the Old Boys along with the staff and students celebrated the diamond jubilee in the religious life of Rev. Fr. Murphy, S.J., their long time Director. A welcome innovation that year was a cricket match between the Old Boys and the Present, played in a festive mood and not surprisingly won by the Old Boys.

The year 1965 witnessed a plethora of symposia, conferences, conventions and seminars. A symposium on Shakespeare lasting two days and consisting of 15 short papers contributed by students from many city colleges commemorated the fourth centenary of the immortal bard. A National Convention of the AICUF gathered 550 boys and girls from all over India. The Annual Conferences of the Association of Social Workers was conducted for three successive years under the sponsorship of the Social Work Dept. Each year they studied specific social problems in the city and framed practical measures for tackling them.

The sports field was by no means neglected. In 1965 the college teams were university champions in hockey, volley-ball, foot-ball, and best of all, in basket ball where five of our players were included in the university team.

Fourth Five Years (1966-1970)

1966 will go down in local history as the year of cyclones when a cargo ship was wrecked on Marina Beach. The same cyclone damaged trees in our campus and rendered homeless hundreds of people in the vicinity who were cared for by our Social Service League.

An inter-Jesuit college debate was held for the first time in August with competitors from six Jesuit Colleges in South India. In the course of the year our debating team won 13 individual and team prizes at 17 intercollegiate competitions, the kind of feat they would turn into an annual habit. In sports we also collected 11 inter-collegiate trophies.

Another innovation this year was the spontaneous generation of music makers. They were helped considerably in their development by the visits of an Australian choir, "Sing out Australia", and the American folk singer, Bill Crofut.

The Gandhi Birth Centenary was celebrated at a large meeting in Oct. 1969, where Raj Mohan Gandhi, Rukmini Devi and Fr Jerome D' Souza were guest speakers. In December, the National Convention of the All India Federation of Educational Associations was held in Loyola. The holding of the World Tamil Conference in Madras in 1968 encouraged to hold Tamil Seminar for two days.

The Chief Minister, Mr C.N. Annadurai, presided over College Day 1968. He promised the Archbishop who was present, to erect a statue to Veeramamunivar on the Marina, a ministerial promise that has been fulfilled.

The Students' Union was inaugurated by none other than the Vice-President of India, Mr V.V. Giri, who received the oath of the office bearers. A very welcome feature of the reopening in 1968 was the substitute the C.S.U. offered to the purposeless ragging of newcomers that used to take place. The juniors were shown around by their elder brothers and helped to acclimatize themselves to their new life and surroundings. Over Christmas and New Year (1968-69) the III National Convention of AICUF was held with over 600 delegates coming from Delhi to Colombo, Ahmedabad to Gauhati, including participants from the S.C.M. and Y.C.S.

The College Debaters won all the important trophies in 1969, as they had been doing for some years, in particular the I.I.T. All India Oratorical Competition. The Loyola Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS for short) made its debut in the Museum Theater staging Willis Hall's "The Long and the Short and the Tall", an antiwar play, which went down well with the audience.

June 1970 saw a new Rector and Principal in office, Rev. Fr. C.K. Swamy, S.J., as Rector and Rev. Fr. J. Kuriakose, S.J., successful Rector in Andhra Loyola, was appointed as Principal. The Student Council was established as a consultative and advisory body.

More constructive activity was shown by the N.S.S., co-ordinating all social service, with several projects in the slums, hospitals, adult education on the campus, helping the Railway with ticket checking, collecting food, clothes and medicines for the poor, entertaining them occasionally and finally `miss a meal' once a week in order to provide funds for all these good works. The College Union took the initiative in presenting to the University and Government authorities suggestions for educational reforms, most of which were accepted. The LADS staged another successful play. "One More River", at the Museum Theater winning high commendation. The Loyola Pop Group stole the show at the I.I.T. cultural contest. Lastly the college debating team won the trophy at the closely fought intercollegiate debate organised by the college Union.

Fifth Five Years (1971 -75)

A floor was added to the Day scholars' Centre, giving them ample room for indoor games, while the lower floor became the dining-hall.

Year after year the college debating team was recorded as winning trophies and individual prizes in English, Tamil and Hindi; but in 1973 it fairly out-did itself, winning 15 cups and shields and 45 individual prizes. The Quiz Club also annexed several trophies. In 1973 it is reported to have won 8 prizes, competing with teams as far afield as Bombay, Delhi and Kharagpur. The Oratorical Club was also doing its share winning 7 trophies at various elocution contests, not to mention the individual prizes.

The LADS staged plays every year in the Museum Theatre; in particular, "Breaking Point" in 1972, "The Creeper" in 1973 and "Tuglaq" in 1975, all proved to be a great success.

The N.S.S by 1973, though only three years old, was rendering valuable service in five major hospitals, running a free dispensary, organising a primary immunisation scheme, conducting a Gandhian Forum of Thought, a small Savings Drive, Adult Education classes and a Nutrition Programme for gipsy children. Co-operating with other social service agencies like the Guild of Service, the Little Sisters of the Poor and Mother Teresa's Home, it provided material assistance to the needy on a substantial scale. Rs.11,000 and 13 bales of clothes were collected for the Bangladesh refugees by means of a film show, a musical evening and a `Carnival'. A team of ten students worked for a few weeks as volunteers in a refugee camp in 1971. Two years later Rs.33,000 was raised by a "Star Nite" for the Poor Boys' Fund and Rs.3,500 from the proceeds of a play staged by the Jesuit students for M. Teresa's work. Finally the students of Loyola and Stella Maris together, inspired and guided by the MRA, helped to settle a long drawn out strike in Standard Motors in February 1972.

In 1972, besides scoring first classes galore in different disciplines, the degree classes counted among them four university firsts. In 1974 our students secured four first places and nine second along with three other medals and prizes. The year 1974 saw a new rector appointed Rev. Fr. Leo Correya, S.J., an Old Boy.

A careers Conference was organised by the Counselling Centre on the 7th March 1973, with the help of the Rotary Club, when six speakers dilated on the prospects of different avenues of employment. The Indian Overseas Bank opened a bank counter in our campus, which was increasingly patronised by both staff and students.

The Sports Dept. in 1974 could boast of more trophies than usual : 5 in basketball, 4 in badminton, 3 in volleyball, 2 in hockey and 2 in tennis. The hockey captain was selected as a member of the Tamilnadu hockey team. There were two photographic exhibitions in 1974 and an intercollegiate cultural week for the first time called self depreciatingly, "Deja Vu" An Arts Club was also formally inaugurated.

The preparation for the Golden Jubilee was in progress. To begin with, The Alumni Association, replacing the Old Boys' Association, was formed.

1912	Request of Archbishop Aelen to open a College in Madras in February.
1924	Foundation stone laid by His Excellency Willington, Governor of Madras on 10th March.
1925	Beginning of the College with 75 students enrolled in the first year B.A.in Economics, History and Mathematics. 3 blocks of Hostel constructed. Inauguration of the College by Sir A.P. Patro, Minister of Education.
1926	Establishment of Departments of Physics and Chemistry. Number of students increased to 300.
1927	Commencement of the First Year Honours in Mathematics and Economics Enrollment of students went up to 503. Closure of B.A. History.
1929	Eleven Hostel blocks came into existence.
1930	Construction of the College Church.
1932	Blessing of the College Church By Most Rev. E. Mederlet, D.D., S.C., Archbishop.
1933	Annexes were built for the Physics Department.
1937	Establishing Oriental languages (Hindi, Telugu, and Sanskrit).
1942	The strength of the College increased to 1387. - Initiating Hindi, French in Part III of the B.A. Re-introduction of Latin, Botany and Zoology in the B.Sc., B.Com.(Honours) & B.Sc. (Honours) in Chemistry. - A Storey was added to the Jesuit Residence. Two hostel blocks each of 3 Storeys completed. Construction of the Chemistry Block.
1945	Inception of B.Com.
1948	Starting of Department of Natural Sciences.
1949	Department Publication of the first research paper in Zoology division of Development of Nature Sciences. Launching of B.A. French.
1950	Opening of Department of Botany. Commencement of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations on 27th October. Inauguration of the Bertram Hall.
1951	The student body numbered 1800.
1952	Two Hostel Blocks, new mess-rooms, a store cum Dispensary and a temporary Indoor Games building were built. Construction of 40 houses in two quarters at the corners of the College for the non-teaching staff.
1954	Installing the Institute of Social Science offering Diploma in Social Work. Cardinal Gracias presided over the College Day.
1956	Introduction of PUC after an initial hesitancy. Celebration of the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Ignatius. Addition of a Block of 15 rooms to the Jesuit Residence. Construction of the Teaching Staff quarters. Shedding of intermediate in Art & Sciences.
1957	Launching of B.Sc. Zoology. Revival of B.A. History.
1958	Starting of new, two year PG courses.
1959	Opening of B.Sc. Statistics. Visit of Cardinal Agagianian accompanied by Archbishop Knox.
1963	Introduction of M.A. Social Work. Establishment of Entomology Research Institute.
1967	Visit of Rev. Fr. Pedro Arrupe, Superior General of the Society of Jesus on 20th June.
1968	Introducing German Language
1969	Initiating B.A. Tamil.
1970	Opening of Sauliere Hall for hostelites on 31st July.
1971	Starting of Loyola College (Evening). The strength of the college stood 2500. A floor was added to the Day Scholar’s Centre.
1972	Appointment of a Full time Counselor.
1973	Commencement of Ignatian Institute for Career Development.
1975	Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
1978	The College becomes Autonomous.
1979	Establishment of Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)
1980	Visit of Rev. Fr. Pedro Arrupe, Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
1981	Initiation of M. Phil. Economics. Introduction of Dept. of Foreign Languages (French & German).
1982	Starting of M.Sc. Statistics.
1983	Founding Loyola Institute of Visual Communication and B.A. Sociology.
1984	Commencement of M.Phil. in Chemistry and Mathematics.
1985	Opening of M.Sc. (Physics) and M.Sc. (Zoology).
1986	Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee on 9th October.
1987	Starting M. Phil. Commerce & Statistics. Upgradation of Dept. of English as a PG Department.
1988	Commencing of M. Phil. (Zoology). Most Rev. G. Casimir, S.J.,D.D., blessed Jerome D’Souza Administrative Block.
1989	Initiation of B.Sc. (Visual Communication). - Establishment of Ph.D. in Statistics, M.Phil. in Physics, Economics & Social Work.
1990	Construction of the New Physics building and Computer Centre.
1991	Inception of the New Racine Research Centre in Mathematics.
1992	Inauguration of the New Physics Block. Establishment of Ph.D. in the Physics. Launching of Loyola Extension & Awareness Programme for PG students (LEAP).
1993	Introducing M.A. (Applied History) and B.Sc. (Computer Science).
1995	Setting up Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy (LIFE). Hosting of the First National Jesuit Alumni congress.
1996	Foundation of the New LIBA building in September. Visit of Cardinal Lourdusamy. Upgradation of Department of Commerce as Research Department.
1997	Celebration of the Birth Centenary of Fr. Jerome D’Souza,S.J.
1998	Beginning of Loyola Institute for Industrial and Social Science Research. Introduction of M.A. (Philosophy), Re-introduction of B.A (French). Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Evening College in March. Inauguration of the Platinum Jubilee Building by Superior General Rev.Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J.
1999	Lauching of PU-LC, Starting of M.C.A., M.Sc. (Biotechnology) and B.B.A. Launch of M.Sc. - International Business (L.S.B.U.). Accredited at 5 Star Level by NAAC.
2000	Dept. of Botany renamed as the Dept. of Plant Biology and Biotechnology. Commencing B.C.A., B.A (Corp.) and M.Sc.(Computer Science).
2001	Restructuring of the Syllabi – Choice Based Credit System introduced in UG.
2002	Inauguration of the LIFE Building.
2003	Opening of M.Sc. (Medical Laboratory Technology) and M.Sc. (Visual Communication).
2004	Restructuring of the Syllabi - Choice Based Credit System introduced in PG. Initiation of M.A Medical Sociology and Biomedical Instrumentation Science. College with Potential for Excellence conferred by UGC.
2005	Dept. of Zoology renamed as the Dept. of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology. Blessing of new buildings ``School of Media Studies” and additional floor in J.D. Block. Opening Loyola – Kovalam Tsunami Rehabilitation Project and Kovalam Community College, assisted by TATA Relief Committee. Introduction of MSW (Self Finance), M.Sc. Corporate Governance, London South Bank University, UK. Evening College becomes Autonomous.
2006	Autonomous status for M.C.A. Restructuring Phase – II for UG implemented. Starting M.A. (Media Arts), M. Phil. (History), and M.Sc. (Industrial Biotechnology Management) and B.B.A., Lille Catholic University, France. Founding Resource Centre for Differently Abled Students and School of Physical Sciences. Reaccredited at A+ Level By NAAC.
2007	Renovation of the 75 year old College Church. Setting up Guest Rooms & IOB, Loyola Branch in the New Premises. Instituting M. Phil. & Ph.D in Plant Biology and Biotechnology and English. M. Phil Courses restructured. M.A. (Medical Sociology) changed to M.Sc. (Medical Sociology).
2008	Commencement of M.Sc. (Food Chemistry and Food Processing). Renaming of LISOR as LISSTAR.
2009	Opening M.C.A.in PULC and Euroasian Management in South Bank University, London.
2010	Conferment of SIRO (Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) status by Dept. of Science and Technology, GOI.
2011	Initiating second section in B.Com. Corporate Secretaryship and M.A. Tamil Course. Establishing e-resources for research and publications. Institution of Ritu and Sanjiv Kaura Chair in Liberal Arts.
2012	New Restructuring of UG & PG. syllabus
2013	NAAC reaccreditation, 3rd cycle with 3.70 CGPA out of 4.00. Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, inaugurated the School of Commerce and Economics.
2014	Conferred “College of Excellence” in February by UGC for a period of 5 years from 2014 to 2019. Commencement of B.M.M. (Multimedia and Animation). Initiating third section in B.Com. (Corporate Secretaryship).
2015	UGC has recognized the college as the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centre for Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood.
2016	Commencement of DDU KAUSHAL Kendra with B. Voc. and M.Voc. in 3D Animation/Digital Journalism.
2017	All India 2nd Rank in the category of college by NIRF, MHRD, Govt. of India.
2018	Commencing of B.Com. Honours in collaboration with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
2019	Commencement of M.Sc. (Data Science) Course in collaboration with gateway 2 AI, a pioneering startup in the field of AI. Introduction and operationalization of Loyola Learning Management System (LLMS) for the entire college during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020	Commencement of B.Com (Accounting and Finance) and B.Com. Computer Application Programmes.
2021	Commencement of M.Sc. Counseling Psychology and M.A. International Relations. NAAC reaccreditation, 4th cycle with 3.55 CGPA out of 4.00., with A++ Grade.
2022	Initiating a second section in B.Sc. Visual Communication and Third section in B.B.A.
2023	Commencement of Loyola Institute of Competitive Examinations (LICE).
2024	Beginning of Centenary Celebrations

Rev. Dr. S. Ignacimuthu, S.J., succeeded Rev. Fr. Thamburaj, S.J., as the Principal in the year 1997. The year 1998 saw the change of guard in the Jesuit administration, Rev. Fr. L.X. Jerome, S.J., as a Rector and Rev. Fr. Francis Vazhapally, S.J., as Secretary of the College.

The College celebrated the Platinum Jubilee with the Governor Shrimathi Fatima Beevi inaugurating the yearlong celebration. The final celebration for statewide competition held on Religious harmony took place on 6th February 2000. Honourable Chief Minister Dr. M. Karunanidhi, presided over the function and distributed the prizes. 

Education minister Mr. Anbazhagam inaugurated the Platinum Jubilee exhibition and it attracted several college and school students in and around the City of Chennai. Several past Students who are in the Cine - Field were felicitated during a musical evening by Gangai Amaran. 

Platinum Jubilee year witnessed the visit of the Superior General of the Society of Jesus - Very Rev. Fr. Peter Hons Kolvenbach, who blessed the Platinum Jubilee Building and addressed the Staff and Students of the College. 

The first NAAC assessment took place between 27 - 30 July 2000 and Five Star Status was conferred on the College.

MOU's were signed with IGCAR and LIFE, Loyola College, for collaborative Research and training. Loyola also signed an MOU with South Bank University, London to conduct a joined M.Sc in Business International. Loyola College signed an MOU with the Pondicherry Central University was also signed to offer some attractive PG and various Diploma Courses through Specialised contact classes. The twinning programme was inaugurated on 19th September 2000. 

Rev. Dr. S. Ignacimuthu, S.J., took over as the Vice Chancellor of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. Subsequently in June 2002, he was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Madras University. He became the first Indian Jesuit to occupy the full time post of the Vice Chancellor.

Rev. Dr. V. Joseph Xavier, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. S. Ignacimuthu, S.J., as the Principal of College.Rev. Dr. B. Jeyaraj, S.J., and Rev. Dr. Francis M Peter, S.J., took over as Rector and Secretary of the College respectively in 2001. 

In 2004 Rev. Fr. A. Albert Muthumalai, S.J., and Rev. Fr. F. Andrew, S.J., took over as Principal and Secretary of the College respectively.

The University Grants Commission, in its communication dated September 2, 2004, selected Loyola College for the award “College with Potential for Excellence” (CPE).

There was blessing of the new buildings “School of Media Studies” and additional floor in J.D.Block in 2005.

The Inauguration of School of Physical Sciences was in 2006.

The college was reaccredited A+ the top rank by the NAAC in 2006.

The Jesuit Jubilee celebration commenced in Loyola campus on 2nd December 2006. 

Rt Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore, blessed the renovated church on 3rd December 2006. 

The guest rooms & IOB, Loyola branch were accommodated in new premises in 2007.

Rev. Fr. Amal Kulandaisamy, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. B. Jeyaraj, S.J., as the Rector of the college and Rev. Dr. S. Peter S.J., succeeded Rev. Fr. F. Andrew, S.J., as the secretary of the college in 2007. 

Rev. Dr. C. Joe Arun, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. S. Peter, S.J., as the Secretary of the college and Rev. Dr. B. Jeyaraj S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. A. Albert Muthumalai, S.J., as the Principal of the college in 2010. 

Rev. Dr. M. Albert William, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. C. Joe Arun, S.J., as the Secretary of the college in 2012.

In 2013 Re-accredited (3rd Cycle) with A Grade with CGPA of 3.70 on a four point scale by NAAC. 

Rev. Fr. A. M. Francis Jayapathy, S.J., succeeded Rev. Fr. K. Amal, S.J., as the Rector of the college and Rev. Dr. G. Joseph Antony Samy, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. B. Jeyaraj, S.J., as the Principal of the college in 2013.

Rev. Dr. S. Lazar, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. M. Albert William, S.J., as the Secretary of the college in 2015.

Rev. Dr. M. Arockiasamy Xavier, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. G. Joseph Antony Samy, S.J., as the Principal of the college in 2016.

Rev. Dr. D. Selvanayakam, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. S. Lazar, S.J.,  as the Secretary of the college and Rev. Dr. F. Andrew, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. M. Arockiasamy Xavier, S.J., as the Principal of the college in 2018.

Rev. Dr. Francis P. Xavier, S.J., succeeded Rev. Fr. A. M. Francis Jayapathy, S.J.,  as the Rector of the college and Rev. Dr. A. Thomas, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. F. Andrew, S.J., as the Principal of the college in 2019. 

In 2021 Re-accredited (4th Cycle) with A++ Grade with CGPA of 3.55 on a four point scale by NAAC.

Rev. Dr. B. Jeyaraj, S.J., succeeded  Rev. Dr. D. Selvanayakam, S.J.,  as the Secretary of the college in 2022.

Rev. Dr. Antony Robinson, S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. Francis P. Xavier, S.J., as the Rector of the college and Rev. Dr A. Louis Arockiaraj S.J., succeeded Rev. Dr. A. Thomas, S.J., as the Principal of the college in 2023.