Loyola University New Orleans announced that Louellen Aden Berger, a philanthropist and community leader, is the 2024 recipient of the Integritas Vitae Award. The award, one of the highest honors the university bestows, recognizes individuals of outstanding character who live a life of integrity, the literal translation of “integritas vitae.”
A New Orleans native, Berger has dedicated her life to service and has championed numerous civic, business, and charitable causes.
“Louellen Berger’s selfless service and leadership in her community is an inspiration to all,” said President Xavier Cole. “With this award, we recognize her many contributions to New Orleans and honor her tremendous legacy of philanthropy.”
Berger graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1971 and, after a distinguished 15-year career in fashion, dedicated her time to raising her four children and 11 grandchildren, caring for her parents, and serving her church and community with her husband of 49 years, Darryl Berger.
Berger’s philanthropic work is extensive. She was a founding board member of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, the Louisiana Nature and Science Center, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. She also served as a member of the Audubon Park Commission, the Louisiana State Museum, and as a board member of the St. Charles Avenue Association. She was a leader in multiple initiatives dedicated to the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and is a member of the steering committee for the Children’s Hospital Walker’s Imaginarium.
She has been a Ruling Elder for nearly 50 years at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, where she founded and funded The Aden Program. Inspired by Berger’s deep passion for elder care, the program provides twice-weekly memory care and socialization opportunities at the church for the memory-impaired.
In 2013, Berger and her family established the Iona Mae Heuer Aden Endowed Scholarship for First-Generation Students at Loyola in honor of her mother, Iona Mae Heuer Aden, who studied voice at Loyola’s College of Music in the early 1940s. The scholarship pays tribute to Mrs. Aden by allowing young singers and musicians to study the vocal and musical arts. The Integritas Vitae Award will be presented at Loyola’s annual 1912 Society Dinner on Dec. 5. Tickets may be purchased at loyno.edu/1912.
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