The encouragement of learning;
The education of the whole person;
The service of faith and the promotion of justice.
LMU Mission
Years 4 and 5 of affiliation brought merger negotiations. While a broad sector of agreement was reached, the final points proved more difficult. College Presidents, Sister McKay and Fr. Merrifield, along with some board members and negotiation teams reached an impasse. Sister Raymunde McKay opposed anything that could lead to the absorption of Marymount by Loyola, or Marymount’s dependency on a larger entity. Negotiated to address this impasse was the selection of a Provost from among RSHM and CSJ sisters. Sister Renee Harrangue, RSHM, Vice-President of Marymount, was appointed Provost.
As early as November 1972, the name “Loyola University and Marymount College” was still being used by Loyola, while Marymount was calling the institution “Loyola Marymount University”. Fr. Merrifield opposed the amalgamated name while Sr. McKay remained adamant, “no Marymount, no merger.” In February 1973, the Loyola negotiating team accepted the name “Loyola Marymount University”. A merger agreement was drawn up, signed, and the legal papers filed. Fr. Merrifield was appointed as President of Loyola Marymount University. Sr. McKay remained at Marymount until the merger became official, July 1st, 1973. Working together, Fr. Casassa, Sr. McKay, and Fr. Merrifield had successfully negotiated the merger to its conclusion, the first in U.S. Catholic Higher education.
