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At 105 years old, Mount alumna Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM, ‘49 has lived a life full of service, faith and accomplishments. Currently, she is the beloved chaplain for Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, the Ramblers. Known by students and the local community as “Sister Jean,” she quickly became an overnight international celebrity when the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team made a run to the NCAA Final Four — her fame even immortalized in a bobblehead made in her likeness.

Born Dolores Bertha Schmidt in San Francisco in 1919, Sister Jean knew she wanted to pursue a religious life since third grade. After high school, she headed to Iowa to join the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, receiving the habit and the name Sister Jean Dolores. She then returned to California to teach grade school.

It was during this time — in the midst of World War II — that Sister Jean pursued her Bachelor’s of English at Mount Saint Mary’s College (now University). Because she was teaching during the week, she attended classes on Saturdays and during the summers. She graduated in 1949 and went on to earn her master’s at Loyola University of Los Angeles (now Loyola Marymount). An honorary doctorate from Loyola University Chicago followed in 2016.

Beginning in 1961, she taught at Mundelein College, an all-women’s school in Chicago. When Mundelein merged with Loyola University in 1991, she was hired as assistant dean and academic advisor. After retiring, she became the official chaplain of the men’s basketball team in 1996.

In 2023, she released her first book, “Wake Up With Purpose! What I’ve Learned My First Hundred Years,” to share the wisdom, wit and life lessons she has gained over the years.

We sat down with her to talk about her time at the Mount, her life’s work and the legacy she hopes to leave.

Can you tell us about your time at Mount Saint Mary’s?

In those days, we began teaching before we had our degree. When I returned to California in 1941, I went to Mount Saint Mary’s for summer school. There were over 100 sisters from different communities there for summer school, and that was a great experience to be living on the same floor as the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and some of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

What are some of your fondest memories at Mount Saint Mary’s?

It was just a wonderful place. It was conducive to study. We had fun and could hardly wait to go to summer school.

One summer, a BVM sister from Clarke College (now University) in Dubuque, Iowa, taught a session. They came and taught us games for children, and we learned square dancing. A couple of us taught the sisters at Mount Saint Mary’s, and we did square dancing one night a week out in the courtyard.

When we would go to school on Saturday morning, the sisters always had coffee and donuts ready for us before we went to class, and we just thought that was the greatest thing. Everybody was so congenial. The professors were great and very understanding.

As the chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, what do you tell the players before a game?

Before the game starts, we gather, and I say a prayer beginning with “Good and gracious God.” Then I tell them — because I scout the opposing teams — which players they need to be careful of. I follow the box scores, so I know if the other team is as good, better or not as good as us. We don’t win every game, but I pray that we win, and I bless them before they go out on the court for the final warm-up.

I also pray with the fans. We welcome the opponents. I ask God to help us and make sure both teams display sportsmanship and do what their coaches have told them to do. And then I always say that when the final buzzer rings, we want the scoreboard to say Loyola has the big “W.”

You recently wrote “Wake Up With Purpose! What I’ve Learned My First Hundred Years,” co-authored with sports writer and broadcaster Seth Davis. Can you tell us more?

We had a lot of fun writing it. It took almost two years. This year, each Loyola [first-year student] received a copy during orientation. I can’t tell how many copies I have signed — hundreds, maybe thousands. I ask each person to tell me what their dream is or what they hope to do, and I write a little note and sign my name.

People say, “It says first 100 years, Sister Jean. We are waiting for the second book.” If I did write a second book, it would be different, with more stories on basketball or about my life as a child, because I couldn’t put every story in this book.

The book covers topics such as the importance of lifelong learning, the value of community service and the power of positivity.

You have such incredible energy. What is your secret? What keeps you going?

Students keep me going. I am very impressed with the young people, and I feel that they give me life every day.

What do you hope your legacy will be?

I just hope that people remember me as a person for others. A person who liked working with people and who tried to do everything for the purpose, honor and glory of God.