Puja Cuddapah, a biology graduate from New Orleans, has maintained an active career of service while at Loyola.

During the summer of 2007, she spent time in Dharamsala, India, on the Loyola Himalayan Study Abroad Program. While there, she was able to study with native people and immerse herself in the culture of the region.

“The most important lesson that I learned from the Buddhist monks and nuns was to show compassion and understanding towards others,” said Cuddapah. “In order to show compassion to every being, one must be able to be accepting of others who are different from oneself.”

Cuddapah brought these life lessons back to Loyola and began to play a more proactive role in influencing change. She created and led the program, “I am not a Stereotype,” which helped the Loyola community reflect on current prejudices and educate faculty, staff and students on the detriments of categorizing people.

In the spring of 2008, she organized a similar, but larger-scale event, “I am not Tolerant.” With this event, Cuddapah engaged many of the Loyola organizations such as the Jewish Student Association, Etcetera, Muslim Student Organization, Black Student Union and Loyola Community Action Program. Members of these groups were invited to give presentations on topics of prejudice pertinent to their organization and Loyola community.

“The purpose of this event was to create a more unified Loyola, and we accomplished just that with our large attendance and participation of students,” said Cuddapah.

While at Loyola, Cuddapah was the president of Bridging the Gap, an organization focused on alleviating racial conflict and raising campus awareness of diversity. She was also highly involved as a resident assistant for the Cardoner Leadership Fellows and with the 2009 Loyola Student Conference on World Peace.

After graduation, Cuddapah hopes to continue to working and raise awareness about issues in diversity.

The Ignatian Awards for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students are the highest awards presented by the university to graduating students. Recipients are students who have distinguished themselves through involvement in the university and by representing Loyola with honor and distinction. Criteria for this award includes maintaining a high grade point average, commitment to the integrity of life by providing service to others and contributing to the advancement of religion and citizenship.