Department of Residence Life

1032 North Sheridan Road

Chicago, Illinois 60660
773-508-3300

March 28, 2015

To Whom It May Concern,
It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Willie Gore's promise,
potential, and continued contribution to the field of Higher Education and Student Affairs. I have had the absolute
pleasure of knowing Willie Gore over the past two years in multiple capacities - a classmate, a peer, a fellow learner, a
colleague, a mentor, and a companion. Willie has a clear passion for student development, interpersonal relationship
building, social justice advocacy and building student's efficacy and leadership capacities. Knowing and working with
Willie has not only made me a better professional, but also a better friend, colleague, partner and student.
Without a doubt, Willies vocation, passion and purpose is for this field. He has proven and demonstrated this potential
time, and time again. Willie is a professional who is student-centered and gives his 100% to supporting his student staff
members. His supervisees often comment on Willies commitment to investing in their overall Loyola experience. Willie is
able to build strong relationships with his staff members, and often takes the time to get to know them more than just
staff members. Willies ability to motivate his students to be the best leaders possible is unmatched. His strong ethic of
care, compassion and patience allows him connect with individuals easily, while also making them feel worthy, mattered
and cared for.
Willie is a professional who has a strong desire to build awareness around diversity, inclusion, and social justice related
topics. His desire to support underrepresented students is unwavering. Willie approaches uncomfortable topics and
challenging conversations from a place of care, vulnerability and learning. He views social justice work as a journey and
takes every opportunity to engage in his own personal and professional development in this area. As a peer, Willie has
been pivotal in my own growth and development in being a social justice advocate. He has encouraged and supported
me in unpacking my own life experiences and social identities. His strengths lie in his ability to make people feel
comfortable enough to be vulnerable and work through experiences of shame, pain, isolation, and fear.
Not only is Willie a respected professional and peer in this field, he is also an impeccable scholar and academic. Within
the classroom, Willie is known to bring invaluable perspectives and contributions to further enhance and challenge
dialogues. Willie has an immaculate gift of beautifully articulating his thoughts and opinions in a way that encourages
peers to dig deeper in their own reflection and understanding of class materials, theory, and systemic issues. Willie has
excellent written and verbal communication, and have written outstanding papers, reflections and essays during his
graduate experience that has undoubtedly prepared him for a future doctoral, research based program.
It is with great joy and honor that I have had the opportunity to work alongside with Willie these past two years. In this
time, I have seen his ability to transform lives and experiences of all those around him. His strong sense of responsibility,
commitment to social justice and steadfast desire to support students has prepared him to make a direct and immediate
positive impact in the future institutions which he will work. Willie's belief is to "leave a place better than I found it", and
he has definitely done that here at Loyola University Chicago.
Sincerely,

Soumya Mathew
Assistant Resident Director
Loyola University Chicago