July 2015
Christine Ott
Title/s: Director of Principal Gifts
Email: cott@luc.edu
About
Department/School/Division: Advancement
Campus: Water Tower Campus
Years at Loyola: 1
What is your favorite thing about working at Loyola?
The culture and community that has been built at Loyola makes it a joy to come to work every day. I love my team and enjoy working with my colleagues in Advancement and throughout the University. I’m always amazed at the talent that we have within the University and seek to learn as much as possible from my colleagues and the students.
What is your most memorable achievement as a Loyola employee?
Besides being chosen as Employee of the Month, I’d have to say establishing the Principal Gifts Office.
What does Loyola's mission mean to you?
Loyola’s mission aligns with my family’s mission of being a “person for others.” The tradition started with my grandmother baking bread, making quilts, and making stuffed animals for those her church served. My father has been active as a team leader and fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, and my mother is always baking for and visiting with neighbors and friends in need. I hope that my son will carry on this family tradition as well.
What motivates you to succeed each and every day?
It’s a thrill to connect people with opportunities that can advance Loyola’s mission. Thanks to the leadership of Father Garanzini, there have been many opportunities created at Loyola that are intriguing for our donors and alumni to support.
Tell us how you show your Rambler pride.
I love wearing my Rambler gear when I travel and starting up conversations with our alumni about their experiences at Loyola.
Tell us something most people at Loyola would be surprised to know about you.
I love to sing jazz and have been fortunate to sing with several trios, quartets, and orchestras in Chicago. I’ve also been singing at several cathedrals in Chicago for the last 25 years. I was fortunate to sing on a choir tour of Italy in some of the most visually and acoustically beautiful cathedrals in the world—the Duomo in Florence, St. Mark’s in Venice, San Rufino in Assisi, and St. Peter’s in Vatican City for a beatification.
