Allie Loomis ’07, campus minister at Murray State University

After working and attending graduate school for a semester, Viterbo graduate, Allie Loomis knew she wanted to go into ministry full time. She also knew she was ready to make a move into the next phase of her life.

She started applying for ministry jobs across the country. She was hired as the director of campus ministry at the Newman Center at Murray State University in Murray, Ky. That was five years ago, and it’s been a great fit for her ever since.“I love working with college students, their energy and enthusiasm is contagious,” Loomis said. “They are also at a pivotal point in their faith life. I was blessed to have people walk with me and guide me on my faith journey when I was at Viterbo, and I hope to do that with my students.”

Being a Catholic campus minister in the heart of the -Protestant Bible Belt is not without its challenges, but -Loomis estimates 200–250 students attend Mass on the weekend and 60–70 participate in the weekly Bible studies.

While at Murray State University, Loomis secured a major grant from Catholic Extension to bring members of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) to campus to work with Newman Center staff. FOCUS is a national evangelical organization that sends missionaries to college campuses to help existing campus ministries.

Loomis has also led students on several mission trips, including two to El Salvador and one to Jamaica.

“One of the reasons I love campus ministry is because things are constantly changing,” she said. “New students bring with them new ideas and new energy. It’s a blessing to be able to share my Catholic faith with these students and to open their eyes to things they never realized regarding church teachings and beliefs.”

Pictured, Allie Loomis with Fr. Jason McClure and FOCUS missionary Logan Hepp.