Family honors beloved wife and mother with named scholarship

Tamara Rodriguez (BS ’67)

Tamara (pictured above) was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Skokie, Illinois. After graduating Loyola in 1967, she moved to New York City, where she met her husband, Elvio. She later earned her master’s degree at Columbia University and pursued her doctorate from George Washington University. She taught at public and private institutions and became the head of the foreign language department at York Preparatory School. Tamara passed away in 2015.

Her husband, Elvio, and her children—Lisette, Raquel, and Daniel—wanted to create a scholarship in Tamara’s honor. They donated to Loyola their family vacation house in Virginia. Proceeds from the sale will fund the “Tamara Rodriguez Scholarship Fund” for Arrupe College students.

Below, Elvio shares about his wife and their family’s gift.

Q: What did Tamara value about Loyola?
(Elvio) Despite having come to the U.S. from another country, she felt very comfortable at Loyola. The faculty welcomed her, and she thought it was a close-knit community and friendly atmosphere. Loyola offered study-abroad opportunities, so she went to Paris and Rome. She was very proud of Loyola.

Q: Why are you establishing this scholarship in Tamara’s memory?
(Elvio) Education was very important to her, and she wanted to pay it forward to create opportunities for young people who want to continue their education but don’t have the financial resources. Providing this scholarship for students at Arrupe College is exactly what Tamara would have wanted.

Q: What would you like people to know about your wife?
(Elvio) She was a great human being, my best friend, and an excellent wife. She was a sweet, caring mother and grandmother. She was my light, and I miss her a lot. This scholarship will help carry on her legacy of educating young people who are financially less fortunate.