University of Notre Dame President , announced today the appointment of , as vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs, effective July 1. Father Haake, an associate professor of French and Francophone studies and the religious superior of the Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame, will succeed , who is stepping down to return to teaching in the Department of Art, Art History and Design and to his work as a sculptor. Father Collins will also serve as special adviser to Father Dowd.

“Knowing that he will build on Father Austin’s many accomplishments as vice president over the past five years, I am delighted that Father Greg has agreed to take on this important leadership role,” Father Dowd said. “Father Greg is widely admired for his scholarly achievements, his deep commitment to Notre Dame’s mission, and his pastoral gifts. He is uniquely situated to work closely with me and with colleagues across the University to steward and deepen Notre Dame’s Catholic mission and to forge strategic partnerships both at the University and beyond in service of the Church. I am truly grateful to both Father Greg and Father Austin, my brother priests in the Congregation of Holy Cross, for their unfailing support and dedicated service.”

A specialist in 16th-century France, Father Haake focuses his research on the intersection of religion, politics and literature — specifically on how discourse can be used to achieve ideological and religious goals. As the religious superior of the Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame, he has served as an ex officio Fellow and Trustee of the University and as a member of the President’s Leadership Council.

“I am honored by Father Bob’s invitation to serve as the vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs,” Father Haake said. “Notre Dame’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission contributes deeply to what makes this University special and embeds us firmly within the life and tradition of the Church. On both fronts, Notre Dame has unique opportunities, and I look forward to helping the University to fulfill its mission on campus and beyond.”

Father Haake received both a bachelor’s and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame, a Master of Arts from Middlebury College and a doctorate from Stanford University. He was ordained a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the University’s founding order, in 2007, and he joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2015. Father Haake is a priest-in-residence in Coyle Hall.

Father Collins was appointed vice president for mission engagement in 2021. Among many other accomplishments, he has played an important role in building relationships with Church leaders in the U.S. and around the world and developing programs for faculty and staff aimed at deepening their understanding of Notre Dame’s Catholic mission. Prior to serving as vice president, Father Collins served as religious superior of Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame and as an ex officio Trustee and Fellow of the University from 2015 to 2020, and as chair of the Department of Art, Art History and Design from 1997 to 2003. Father Collins has been a faculty member since 1985.

Contact: Carrie Gates, associate director of media relations, c.gates@nd.edu, 574-993-9220

The result of a highly competitive RFP process, the renewal extends a fruitful 10-year relationship that began in 2016, when Levy first began overseeing concessions and premium dining across the campus including at Notre Dame Stadium, Compton Family Ice Arena, and Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Under the new agreement, Levy will continue to manage all aspects of hospitality, including general concessions and premium seating, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for guests of the Fighting Irish.

“At Notre Dame, we strive for excellence in every aspect of our guest experience, and our hospitality program is no exception,” said , Notre Dame’s executive vice president. “Over the past decade, Levy has been more than just a service provider to the University. They are a true partner who understands our mission and shares our commitment to delivering world-class service.”

A hallmark of Levy’s trend-setting partnership with Notre Dame has been its industry-leading focus on sustainability and community support. Since 2017, the partnership has worked closely with the local nonprofit Cultivate Food Rescue to reduce food waste. By "rescuing" prepared but unserved food from the stadium, the program has provided thousands of nutritious meals to local food pantries and supported job-training programs for at-risk youth and adults in Northern Indiana. This initiative remains a cornerstone of the University’s broader sustainability strategy.

Moving forward, the partnership known for culinary innovation, enhanced service and community impact will place an even greater emphasis on local sourcing. Levy will continue to prioritize regional vendors and suppliers, bringing the authentic flavors of the South Bend-Elkhart region to the global stage of Notre Dame game days while supporting the local economy.

“The spirit and traditions of Notre Dame are cherished cornerstones of collegiate athletics, and it has been a profound honor to serve this community for the last 10 years,” said Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy. “Notre Dame marked our entry into the collegiate sports landscape and set our company on a decade-long path to national leadership in the hospitality field. Extending this partnership gives us the shared opportunity to further advance the guest experience while deepening our impact through local sourcing and world-class hospitality.”