Leaving a Legacy Across Cultures

Joyce (CAS ‘79) and Sidney Pulitzer

For Joyce (CAS ‘79) and Sidney Pulitzer, a couple who have included Loyola University New Orleans in their lifetime of philanthropy together, their life together actually started on a neighborhood dog walk. Both of the Pulitzers grew up in New Orleans on Vendome Place and attended Isidore Newman. While they were casual acquaintances, their courtship began when Joyce noticed Sidney walking his dog in the neighborhood and remarked that he had “good looking legs.” As a preview of the mutual sense of humor that would come to permeate their relationship, Sidney learned after he thanked Joyce for the compliment that she was referring to the dog.

Although raised in a Jewish family, Catholic and Jesuit education was always part of Joyce’s life, as her mother largely attended Catholic schools growing up. Loyola would become a part of Joyce’s life later in life, and she was in her 40s when she graduated from Loyola with a degree in History, after encouragement from Sidney to get her degree. From the outset, Joyce felt right at home at Loyola. “I’ve never seen a more welcoming environment,” says Joyce. “The classes are small, the faculty get to know you, and I always felt very safe and comfortable. It was an absolute ‘win win’ to attend Loyola.”

The liberal arts degree, not to mention her quick wit, has been put to good use for Joyce, who is a successful playwright. In 1999, the play ‘Cherries Jubilee,’ co-written by Joyce, Lynne Goldman, Harriet Nelson and Marcy Nathan, had a very successful run at the Southern Rep Theatre. The play, which depicted the lives of five women from their college graduation over the course of 35 years, was the longest-running production in the theater’s history at the time and enjoyed substantial commercial and critical success. Writing dialogue came naturally to Joyce, who said she is just “capturing the way people talk in conversation.”

Although not a Loyola graduate, Sidney Pulitzer has been of long-time service to Loyola, as both a donor and leader. He is an adjunct professor at Loyola’s business school and has served on the business school’s visiting committee. “The students and faculty at Loyola are really special people,” said Sidney. “They teach business the way it should be taught, and I’m proud to be associated with Loyola.” A success himself in business, Sidney worked for and ran his family’s necktie and apparel business, Wemco, for 38 years, and more recently operated a consulting business in addition to his teaching. Both Sidney and Joyce have also enjoyed buying and developing real estate together, to great success over the years.

Philanthropy comes second nature to the Pulitzers, as both were raised in families that encouraged giving back, regardless of means. They have passed on that attitude to their children, including their son, Sidney Jr., who founded and runs a non-profit animal clinic in New Orleans for community members that struggle to afford the high cost of veterinary care for their pets, Low Cost Animal Medical Center. Their daughter, CC Pulitzer lives in Los Angeles, where she and her husband, Monte Lemann, support Music Mends Minds, an organization that advocates and facilitates musical therapy for individuals living with neurocognitive disease such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. In addition to Loyola, Joyce and Sidney Pulitzer support various Jewish organizations in New Orleans, are active in their temple, Touro Synagogue, and have served on countless boards during their time in New Orleans.

Heritage Society Reception Hosts

Not only are the Pulitzers members of the Heritage Society because they have generously included Loyola in their estate planning, they are also the gracious hosts of the Heritage Society reception that will take place in June of 2024 at their home on Audubon Place. All Loyola donors who have also included Loyola in their estate plans will receive invitations to the event. Planned gifts are one of the most meaningful ways to make an impact at Loyola, because it assures that Loyola can continue to provide the same Jesuit education to future generations. They are also one of the most selfless gifts because they impact Loyola after the donors’ lifetimes, leaving a lasting legacy.

On their philanthropy benefitting Loyola and other organizations, the Pulitzers take a matter of fact approach: “If you are blessed, it’s only fair to share some of your blessings,” said Joyce. This generous attitude, and that of all Heritage Society members, has been of great benefit to Loyola students both now, and to future generations.