Today’s post was written by Siena Andrews, a senior at Loyola Marymount University majoring in African American studies, with a minor in journalism. Siena works on the outreach and engagement team at William H. Hannon Library.
The William H. Hannon Library recently hosted its ninth annual “LMU Speaks,” a storytelling program that features true stories from individuals representing the LMU community. It is based on a model that was first created at Mill Valley Public Library, called “Naked Truth.” Every year the library selects at least one student, faculty member, staff member, and administrator to share their personal story that surrounds the theme. This year’s theme was “Putting the Pieces Together” and six speakers were asked to tell a ten minute anecdote which responds to the prompt: “Stories that build, stories that bridge, and stories that bring us together.”
The 2025 LMU Speaks event brought together a diverse variety of voices, as a special tribute to honor Henry Ward. Ward is the assistant dean of Ethnic and Intercultural Services and director of Intercultural Advancement. For almost three decades, Ward has been a key figure here at Loyola Marymount University, changing lives and helping students by “putting the pieces together” in their personal and professional ventures.
Ward started off the evening by sharing his life story. Born and raised in south Los Angeles, he spoke fondly of his upbringing by his grandparents—referring to his grandmother as “an angel” and comparing his grandfather’s wisdom to Amazon’s Alexa devices. His pride in his LA roots was illuminated as he recounted his grandfather’s joy when he landed his position at LMU, referring to it as “making it to the big leagues.”
Ward’s professional journey included work with the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he served as a substitute teacher for deaf students. This experience taught him that “sign language is poetry in motion” and helped dismantle his own stereotypes about disabilities. His work with the “I Have a Dream” Foundation and later with the Anti-Defamation League’s “World of Difference Institute” is what further prepared him for his transformative role at LMU, where he has been “fighting for change” throughout his tenure. He refers back to his “bucket of gratitude” which keeps him grounded while doing what he loves.
LMU alumni Makeen Yassair shared a deeply moving personal story about his path to medicine after witnessing the tragic death of a bright young boy named Amir. In his grief, Makeen buried himself in academics to pursue medical school, but hadn’t properly processed his emotions.
It was Henry Ward who created a space for Makeen to reflect on his journey by guiding him as an intercultural facilitator. This opportunity forced Makeen to confront his deep-rooted issues and ultimately helped him heal. Through Ward’s guidance, Makeen found not just professional direction but emotional reconciliation.
Nathan Sessoms, who came to LMU from Cleveland via USC, reflected on his time as director of the Office of Black Student Services. His arrival coincided with the aftermath of Michael Brown’s murder in Ferguson, and his departure came shortly after George Floyd’s murder—book-ending a period of intense racial reckoning across the country.
Sessoms spoke about the challenges of holding the university accountable during these difficult times, but emphasized that the students and their stories remained the “greatest resource” in this work. He expressed feeling depleted at times but found renewed strength in the knowledge that this was what he was “fighting for.” Sessoms credited Ward for encouraging him to remain within the university system even when tempted to leave, saying “if you leave here, you have to stay in the university confound.”
Patrick Furlong, is the director of the Pam Rector Center for Service and Action (CSA) here at LMU. From Albuquerque, New Mexico, Furlong shared his struggles to “put the pieces together” when navigating university life. It was through an RA who cared and a retreat where he learned from Ward that Patrick gained “the language and actions to navigate a diverse world.”
Furlong recounted a painful story of witnessing racism within his own family and feeling frozen, unable to confront it. After returning to LA, he wrote to Ward expressing his shame and embarrassment. Rather than criticism, Henry responded with care and concern, telling Patrick to “be gentle with yourself.” This lesson in learning from mistakes rather than being paralyzed by them profoundly impacted Patrick, who now advocates for “wide-scale system change” while recognizing that “none of us are excused” from doing this important work.
Finance major Kamsi Nzeribe spoke about his journey of identity and belonging. Growing up with feelings of invisibility that would only temporarily fade during his visits to Igbo church, Kamsi shared a poignant memory of feeling excluded during a kindergarten Father’s Day celebration because he had no father present.
Ward recognized Kamsi’s potential and pushed him toward “discipline, consistency, and growth.” Through Ward’s mentorship, Kamsi realized “the path he was looking for was always within him” and that “resilience is always persistence.” Ward challenged Kamsi to look more deeply at his identity and learn how to be authentic, ultimately encouraging him to “never stop starving for excellence.”
LMU 2015 alumna Olivia Rodriguez and current Intercultural Facilitator program coordinator at LMU, used the metaphor of a puzzle to describe life’s journey. She explained how you begin with the frame—the foundation—and then sift through the other pieces to complete the picture. For Olivia, her early framework included lessons from her cousins to “have thick skin” and her mixed European and Filipino heritage, which was complicated by her parents’ divorce when she was six or seven.
In this puzzle of life, Olivia described Ward as “the north star piece,” whose voice she continues to hear during moments of both joy and challenge. She recalled his wisdom: “Good is the enemy of great” and “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” Ward taught her to “say the hard stuff” with honor and integrity, and helped her learn how to seek accountability and then change when facing difficult situations.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt collective thank you to Henry Ward for his 28 years of service to the LMU community. Through each speaker’s story, a common thread emerged—Ward’s uncanny ability to see potential in students, create safe spaces for growth and reflection, push for excellence while encouraging self-compassion, and teach the importance of authenticity and accountability.
As Patrick Furlong eloquently stated, Ward helped “a scared kid from New Mexico put the pieces together.” And as the testimonies of all speakers demonstrated, Ward’s impact extends far beyond his office at LMU, shaping the personal and professional lives of countless individuals who continue to carry his wisdom with them.
In a world that constantly demands growth and adaptation, Henry Ward has been a steady guide, helping students not just write their stories but shape them as well. His legacy at LMU is one of transformation, connection, and unwavering commitment to intercultural understanding and advancement.
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