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Notre Dame honors Carmi and Chris Murphy with 2025 Sorin Award

2025-06-13T14:00:00-04:00

In recognition of their contributions to the University of Notre Dame and service to the South Bend community, Carmi and Chris Murphy were presented with the 2025 Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award on May 31 at the Alumni Association’s annual reunion celebration.

The Sorin Award is conferred on a graduate who has rendered distinguished service to the University. It was established by the Alumni Association in 1965 and is one of the University’s highest honors.

“Chris and Carmi Murphy are the embodiment of what it means to be loyal sons and daughters of Notre Dame,” Alumni Association Executive Director Dolly Duffy said. “Not only have they dedicated themselves to giving back to Our Lady’s University, they have used their time and talents to be forces for good in the city of South Bend, the state of Indiana and beyond.”

As the lead benefactors, along with Ernestine Raclin, of the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, the Murphys have played a pivotal role in the expansion of the arts on campus and in the community. Opened in November 2023, the Raclin Murphy Museum now serves both the University and South Bend, providing ample space for Notre Dame’s extensive art collection and strengthening the bridge to the region by expanding public access to the arts.

Chris Murphy is chair, president and chief executive officer of 1st Source Corp., having served as CEO of the bank since 1977 and on its board for nearly 50 years. In addition to the Morris Inn, he and Carmi have supported Raclin-Carmichael Hall, the 1st Source Bank Commercialization Award and multiple other projects at Notre Dame. In addition to serving on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Murphy has also served on the board of the Indiana University Medical Education Foundation and the Indiana Academy Board of Regents, part of the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

Carmi Murphy has served on the Snite Museum Advisory Council since 2007 and is a life board member of WNIT. She served for 15 years on the Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees and has, among others, served on the boards of the Michiana YMCA, Memorial Health Foundation and Family and Children’s Center. Four of Chris and Carmi’s children have Notre Dame degrees.

Alumni Association announces 2025 spring award winners

2025-04-22T11:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association honored several outstanding alumni and staff at its annual board of directors meeting in April. Throughout the year, the association presents awards in six key areas that reflect the University’s commitment to excellence: the arts, athletics, service to the Alumni Association, service to the country, service to humanity, and service to the University.

The following six awards were presented on campus April 9 and 10.

Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Award

Alumnus Dr. Brian J. McCarthy, a 1968 graduate, received the 2025 Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Award, which honors graduates demonstrating outstanding service to humankind.

Throughout his career, McCarthy has been dedicated to improving maternal and perinatal health systems globally. He began his work with the U.S. Public Health Service, focusing on maternal and newborn risk assessments. His expertise expanded internationally through his secondment to the World Health Organization, where he co-authored the WHO Risk Approach Manual and established a global network of WHO Perinatal Collaborating Centers. He advised numerous international organizations on maternal and child health initiatives across more than 45 developing countries.

From 2002 to 2011, McCarthy focused on building MCH surveillance systems in Afghanistan, training local health professionals there. Following the Kabul evacuation, he secured funding to sustain midwifery-led maternity care at Al Jannah Hospital and is currently working to expand these vital centers across Afghanistan.

William D. Reynolds Award

Established in 1985, the William D. Reynolds Award, presented this year to alumna JoAnn Chávez, recognizes a graduate doing exceptional work with youth for the betterment of their quality of life.

Chávez, senior vice president and chief legal officer for DTE Energy, was honored for her distinguished career and dedication to empowering underrepresented youth. A proud Notre Dame graduate who credits the University for her foundation, Chávez oversees DTE Energy's legal strategy and advises its leadership.

A Detroit native and sixth-generation Mexican-American, Chávez was instilled with resilience by her family. She earned her business administration degree from Notre Dame in 1986 and her law degree in 1990.

Driven by a commitment to uplift others, Chávez founded DTE’s Summer Talent Exposure Program, offering more than 15 years of business experience to students. She is also the founder, president and CEO of the Michigan Hispanic Collaborative (MiHC), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic equity for first-generation students. Chávez's advocacy ensures opportunities for future generations.

James E. Armstrong Award

Alumna Shannon Kelly, a 2011 graduate, received the 2025 James E. Armstrong Award, recognizing alumni who are current or former University employees for distinguished service to the University.

As director of athletics admissions since 2024, Kelly oversees recruitment and evaluation for Notre Dame's 26 varsity teams. A former varsity softball player and history major with a minor in international peace studies, she began her admissions career at Notre Dame in 2011. After earning a master's degree from the University of Virginia and developing a program for first-generation students, she returned to Notre Dame in 2017.

Throughout her tenure, Kelly has collaborated with various University departments to support student-athletes. Outside of her primary role, she has advised student groups focused on pediatric cancer, mentored graduate students and co-taught the Moreau First Year Seminar course. Kelly is also the proud adoptive mother of her daughter, Layla.

Dr. William P. Sexton Award

Jim Reimer, former director of Notre Dame’s Bon Sel Initiative (BSI), received the 2025 Dr. William P. Sexton Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the University as a non-alum. Established in 2001, the award honors individuals whose lives embody the spirit of Notre Dame through outstanding service.

From 2012 to 2024, Reimer spearheaded BSI's efforts in Haiti to combat lymphatic filariasis and prevent iodine deficiency disorders by implementing a faith-based social enterprise model centered on fortified salt. His leadership involved collaborations with the Congregation de Sainte Croix, the Haitian Ministry of Health and Cargill Salt to process, market and distribute these vital products nationwide. Under Reimer, BSI achieved self-sufficiency through specialty salt products, becoming a key partner in a broader alliance improving public health across Haiti.

Prior to his impactful work with BSI, Reimer held leadership positions at Cargill Inc. across multiple continents and served as a thesis advisor for Notre Dame’s ESTEEM program. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska and the University of Michigan 91��Ƶ of Business. Reimer currently resides in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, with his wife, Portia

Rev. Anthony J. Lauck Award

Established in 2000, the Rev. Anthony J. Lauck Award, presented this year to alumna Beth Albright, a 1998 graduate, recognizes an alum for their outstanding accomplishments or achievements as practicing artists.

Since 2009, Albright has been a character shading and groom artist on numerous Pixar films, including “Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” “Monsters University,” “Finding Dory,” “Coco,” and “Incredibles 2.” She made history as Pixar’s first female character supervisor on “Luca” and is currently the visual effects supervisor for the upcoming “Hoppers” (spring 2026). In this role, she leads key technical departments, ensuring seamless collaboration and a balance between technical and creative aspects.

Prior to Pixar, Albright spent a decade in 2D animation. A Columbus, Ohio, native, she holds a BFA from Notre Dame and an MFA from The Ohio State University and currently resides in Oakland, California.

Rev. Robert F. Griffin, C.S.C., Award

The late Mark Shields, a distinguished figure in American politics and journalism, posthumously received the 2025 Rev. Robert F. Griffin, C.S.C., Award, which honors alumni for outstanding writing achievements. His wife, Anne Shields, accepted the award on his behalf.

A 1959 Notre Dame philosophy graduate, Shields served in the Marine Corps before embarking on a career in politics, working on Capitol Hill and managing campaigns. In 1979, he transitioned to journalism, joining the Washington Post and launching a syndicated column that ran for four decades. He became a prominent political commentator on shows like “The Capital Gang,” “Inside Washington,” and “PBS NewsHour,” where he served as a political analyst from 1987 until his retirement in 2020, covering 12 presidential campaigns. He also authored “On the Campaign Trail” about the 1984 election.

Beyond his journalistic work, Shields taught at Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania and was a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. A frequent commencement speaker, he received numerous honorary degrees, including one from Notre Dame. His contributions were recognized with accolades like Washingtonian of the Year (2003) and the Prize for Civility in Public Life (2012). Shields passed away in 2022 at the age of 85, leaving a significant legacy in political commentary.

Alumni Association and YoungND honor 2024 Domer Dozen

2024-09-04T13:00:00-04:00

The Notre Dame Alumni Association announced its 2024 Domer Dozen cohort, honoring 12 graduates ages 32 and younger for excellence in their contributions in faith, service, learning or work — the core pillars of the association’s mission.

The Domer Dozen program is the signature initiative of YoungND, the Alumni Association’s young alumni group. The 2024 honorees have displayed extraordinary dedication to the Alumni Association’s mission and have excelled in public service, health care, education, STEM and advocacy, among other areas. They were chosen by a selection committee consisting of the YoungND board, University officials and Alumni Association staff, which considered 91 nominees this summer and evaluated them based on a weighted ranking system and their contributions in their respective fields.

“We are thrilled to once again recognize an outstanding group of young alumni dedicated to being forces for good,” said Dolly Duffy, executive director of the Alumni Association and associate vice president for University Relations. “The accomplishments of the 2024 Domer Dozen are as impressive as ever, but it is their commitment to improving lives and creating a better future that makes us most proud to count them among the Notre Dame family.”

The 2024 Domer Dozen honorees are:

Sarah Beadle ’22 MBA — Innovating technologies to create a more sustainable future

Dr. Mark Brahier ’16 — Rising above and beyond clinical expertise to provide compassionate health care

Dash Holland ’17, ’21 M.Ed. — Preparing low-income students and families emotionally, spiritually and socially for the future

Jordan Hoover ’14 — Serving the nation in the air and his community on the ground

Lauren Joseph ’23 EMNA — Advancing programs and organizations that improve the human condition

Erich Kerekes ’15 — Providing spiritual support to millions

Mike McGlinchey ’17 — Celebrating autistic individuals and advocating for their rights and needs

Demetrius Murphy ’15 — Committed to advancing dignity and human flourishing

Daniel Passon ’16 — Advocating for access to justice for marginalized communities

Andrew Petrisin ’16 — Striving to make the country’s supply chain more efficient and resilient

Alex Sejdinaj ’15 — Dedicated to democratizing access to technology education and empowering individuals and businesses

Rachel Svetanoff ’15 M.S. — Working to end energy poverty and reduce multigenerational poverty in Cameroon

The honorees are invited back to campus this Thursday through Saturday (Sept. 5 to 7) for a special recognition weekend. The Domer Dozen will meet with current students and University leaders, be celebrated during an awards dinner with the YoungND board and Alumni Association staff members and attend the home football game against Northern Illinois.

Domer Dozen honorees will share brief talks about their life and experiences since graduating from Notre Dame during “Lunch and Learn: An Opportunity to Connect with the 2024 Domer Dozen Honorees” at 12:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 6) in Duncan Student Center, Meeting R. 1 South W106. Students, faculty, staff and visitors are invited to attend the event, which is free and open to the public.

To learn more about the 2024 Domer Dozen, visit domerdozen.nd.edu.

Alumni Association awards 2024 Lennon Life Prizes

2024-06-17T15:00:00-04:00

The Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized nine alumni clubs as recipients of the Lennon Life Prize — part of the Chuck and Joan Lennon Gospel of Life Initiative, a set of programs focused on encouraging the University’s dedicated network of clubs to uphold the value of life at all stages.

The Notre Dame clubs are recognized for their involvement in a number of projects that will assist at-risk mothers and children, expectant and young mothers, those experiencing homelessness, refugees and immigrant populations and the medically underserved.

For the fifth straight year, four award winners have collected $5,000 awards from memorials on behalf of the late Chuck Lennon. The clubs of Central New Jersey, Central New York/Syracuse, Lehigh Valley and New Haven earned this funding to support the execution of their proposed projects. The clubs of Buffalo/Western New York, Greater Boston, Hilton Head, Pittsburgh and Tucson received $500 honorable mention awards.

The Lennon Gospel of Life Initiative was co-created with Chuck Lennon and his wife, Joan. Chuck, who served as executive director of the Alumni Association and associate vice president of University Relations for 31 years, retired in 2011 and died in 2019.

Together with the Catholic Church’s long-standing defense of all human life, the Gospel of Life Initiative seeks to provide support to vulnerable populations around the world. The Lennon Life Prize supports clubs as they generate a host of ideas to impact their local communities through innovative use of funding and involvement of club members.

Central New Jersey

The Notre Dame Club of Central New Jersey plans to support at-risk children and young mothers, particularly those disadvantaged by a history of trauma, abuse and addiction. The club aims to create children’s programming to promote healthy development through a partnership with Katy’s Place, a licensed childhood development center, and the Center for Great Expectations, which supports women recovering from substance use disorders, trauma and mental health disorders and their children. Additionally, the club plans to create complementary educational programming for mothers that would include offerings such as first aid and safety training, nutrition and cooking classes, financial literacy training and more.

Central New York/Syracuse

Partnering with Chadwick Residence, a shelter for at-risk families, the Notre Dame Club of Central New York/Syracuse plans to host a fundraising event to support the facilities and services offered by the organization. Chadwick Residence provides supportive housing and a variety of professional services for homeless women and their children in an environment that empowers them to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to increase their self-sufficiency. After the pandemic negatively impacted the success of the organization’s annual fundraiser and following the loss of a maintenance grant, Chadwick Residence is in need of additional funding for facility repairs and updates.

Lehigh Valley

The Notre Dame Club of Lehigh Valley will use its winnings in support of Cay Galgon Life House, which provides vital case management and counseling services, social service agency referrals and basic necessities to impoverished and disadvantaged expectant or new mothers in the community. As part of its initiative, the club will assist in the creation of an internship to aid case managers in their outreach efforts, launch a literacy initiative to provide English- and Spanish-language children’s books alongside local Catholic schools, and convene a Family Volunteer Camp On the Road project to provide volunteers over the summer to assist with cleaning, landscaping, painting and organizing donations.

New Haven

For the Notre Dame Club of New Haven, the Lennon Life Prize will support funding for VOSH-CT, a grassroots program that provides affordable eye care to underserved patients in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The program, started in 2001 by optometrist Matthew Blondin, a 1975 Notre Dame graduate, examines thousands of patients in just four days each year. More than a dozen optometrists travel to support the project, including New Haven club president Liz Moore, a 2011 Notre Dame graduate.

Honorable Mentions

The five clubs earning honorable mentions will perform a diverse array of projects addressing issues related to refugee resettlement, immigration, families in need, homelessness and affordable health care.

President Emeritus Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., honored with Sorin Award

2024-06-12T11:00:00-04:00

In recognition of a lifetime of service to the University of Notre Dame, culminating in his 19-year tenure as University President, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., was presented with the 2024 Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award on June 1 during the Alumni Association’s annual Reunion Weekend.

“By definition, each recipient of the Sorin Award holds a special place in the Notre Dame family, and Father Jenkins certainly fits that description,” Alumni Association Executive Director Dolly Duffy said. “In many ways, this year’s award presentation is especially significant, as it coincides with the end of a 19-year presidency that represented one of the most consequential periods of growth in the University’s history. Since his election in 2005, Father Jenkins has been committed to advancing Notre Dame as the world’s premier Catholic research university, emphasizing our unique mission to educate the whole person in mind, body and spirit. And for nearly two decades, he has been tireless in that pursuit.”

In 2023, the University, under Father Jenkins’ leadership, was invited to become a member of the Association of American Universities, a consortium of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. Since 2013, Notre Dame has more than doubled its annual research award funding, securing almost $216 million in 2023 to rank among the fastest-growing research universities in the country.

Beyond growth in research, Father Jenkins is credited with advancing Notre Dame’s mission as a premier global Catholic research university during his presidency in many other ways, including by attracting and supporting superb faculty; ensuring the University’s financial strength; admitting a talented, diverse student body; expanding Notre Dame’s global engagement; and enhancing the relationship between Notre Dame and the South Bend-Elkhart region. He is recognized nationally for his leadership in the areas of civil discourse and the future of college athletics.

“I’ve gotten many more accolades than I deserve in recent days, but I deeply appreciate this,” Father Jenkins said in accepting the award. “I’ve read a lot about Father Sorin and read a lot of what he wrote, and I often, in this job, would try to channel Father Sorin. The people around him were deeply devoted to him because of his laser focus on the mission of Notre Dame. No matter what obstacle he faced, he faced it, and it was always a reason to keep going and to do better.

“I’ve always felt that was the spirit of Notre Dame. … That’s the Fighting Irish spirit, to keep going, no matter what. … I feel that’s so much at the heart of Notre Dame, and that’s why this award means a great deal.”

Father Jenkins graduated from Notre Dame with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy in 1976 and 1978, respectively. After his ordination as priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1983, he went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy from Oxford and a master of divinity and licentiate in sacred theology from the Jesuit 91��Ƶ of Theology at Berkeley. In 1990, he joined the Notre Dame philosophy faculty and is the author of the book “Knowledge and Faith in Thomas Aquinas,” as well as several scholarly articles.

Thomas Jorling, Jeffrey Faine recognized with Alumni Association awards

2023-10-30T15:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized the 2023 recipients of two of its most prestigious awards on Oct. 26 during the fall meeting of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.

Thomas Jorling, class of 1962, received the Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award, which recognizes an alumnus who has performed outstanding service in the field of government, patriotism, public service or local, state or national politics. The Harvey G. Foster Award, conferred on an alumnus who has been an athlete or involved in athletic endeavors and distinguished themself through civic or University activities was given to Jeffrey Faine, class of 2003.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Jorling went on to earn a master’s degree in forest ecology at Washington State University and a law degree at Boston College. In 1968, Jorling was tapped by Sen. John Sherman Cooper, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Public Works Committee, to act as the minority counsel for each of its five subcommittees. Jorling was instrumental in overriding a presidential veto to pass the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Clean Water Act of 1972, two foundational environmental laws in the U.S. government.

After a stint in academia at Williams College, Jorling was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve as the assistant administrator for Water and Hazardous Substances at the Environmental Protection Agency, where he oversaw the implementation of the Clean Water Act, the Ocean Dumping Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Jorling also helped persuade Congress to enact the Superfund Act of 1980, which established prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites.

Jorling returned to Williams College for seven more years before becoming commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and later, vice president of environmental affairs at the International Paper Company.

In retirement, Jorling has served on multiple nonprofit boards and given lectures all over the country on the history of environmental policies, inspiring the next generation to make the world a more sustainable place to live.

Faine, an NFL veteran and former All-American center on the Fighting Irish football team, received the Harvey J. Foster Award for his dedication to providing life-changing mentorship, education and support for young people transitioning out of foster care.

Notre Dame Alumni Association Executive Director Dolly Duffy, from left, alumnus Jeffrey Faine, wife Brittnie Faine and children Breck and Kai Faine and President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors Liz Trantowski.

Inspired by his own childhood experience in the foster care system, Faine opened The Faine House in 2011, a facility in the Pine Hills community of Orlando, Florida, that hosts 10 private bedroom suites for 18- to 23-year-olds who are in need of access to safety, stability, opportunity and mentorship. Since its inception, 107 teenagers have completed the program and in 2022, the organization reorganized as The Faine House, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) organization, extending its impact to the larger community.

In addition to his work at the Faine House, Faine has also become a successful entrepreneur in retirement, serving as the managing partner of Enhanced Funding Solutions and EFS Life. He is also president of the Faine Group, which has business interests in several different industries.

Faine maintains deep ties to Notre Dame, having helped organize a social entrepreneurship seminar for NFL players to promote his alma mater and serving on the Monogram Club Board of Directors. Faine assumed the role of Monogram Club vice president in the fall of 2022 and will begin a two-year term as president in 2024. Faine resides in Maitland, Florida, with his wife, Brittnie, and sons Kai and Breck.

Contact: Joanne Norell, assistant director of marketing and communications, Notre Dame Alumni Association, 574-631-1658 or jnorell@nd.edu

Notre Dame honors Holy See Ambassador Joe Donnelly with 2023 Sorin Award

2023-06-08T16:35:00-04:00

In recognition of his contributions to the University of Notre Dame and service to his community and the world, alumnus Joe Donnelly, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, was presented with the 2023 Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award on June 3 at the Alumni Association’s annual reunion celebration.

“Joe Donnelly’s life of public service has reverberated around the world, and we could not be more proud to call him a loyal son of Notre Dame,” Alumni Association Executive Director Dolly Duffy said. “From his early service in the local community to his current appointment as ambassador to the Holy See, Joe has demonstrated a commitment to working with people from all walks of life in an effort to make the world a better place.”

Since January 2022, Donnelly has served as Ambassador to the Holy See after his confirmation with broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. Upon his confirmation, University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., described him as “a person of deep Catholic faith and commitment to public service … (who) has proven throughout his career that he is committed to building relationships and working across divisions.”

Donnelly, born in New York City and raised on Long Island, was a first-generation college student, graduating from Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in government in 1977 and a law degree in 1981. After working for a law firm in South Bend, he opened a printing business in Mishawaka in 1996. Donnelly served one year on a state election board (1988-89) and then four years on a local school board (1997-2001).

Donnelly represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Notre Dame, in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 before his election to the U.S. Senate from 2013 to 2019. In a state long divided between Democratic urban areas and suburban and rural Republican districts, he earned the reputation of a respected moderate, winning endorsements from business organizations and media outlets throughout Indiana. His 2012 Senate victory made him the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Indiana in more than 10 years.

From 2019 to 2021, Donnelly was a professor of the practice in Notre Dame’s Keough 91��Ƶ of Global Affairs and Department of Political Science, where he taught courses on American politics, public policy and leadership.

Donnelly met his wife, Jill, a 1976 Notre Dame graduate, at Notre Dame and the two married in 1979. They have two children: Molly, a 2004 Notre Dame graduate, and Joseph Jr., a 2006 Notre Dame graduate.

Alumni Association awards 2023 Lennon Life Prizes

2023-05-16T15:03:27-04:00

This spring, the Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized nine clubs as recipients of the Lennon Life Prize, part of the Chuck and Joan Lennon Gospel of Life Initiative — a set of programs focused on encouraging the University’s dedicated network of clubs to uphold the value of life at all stages.

The Notre Dame clubs are recognized for their involvement in a number of projects that will assist mothers and their children, refugees and other at-risk populations. Other projects will aim to increase access to affordable housing and early childhood education.

For the fourth straight year, four award winners have collected $5,000 awards from memorials on behalf of the late Chuck Lennon. The clubs of Charlotte, Naples, Spokane and Wichita earned this funding to support the execution of their proposed projects. The clubs of Central New Jersey, Central New York/Syracuse, Mobile, Pittsburgh and Delaware received $500 honorable mention awards.

Together with the Catholic Church’s long-standing defense of all human life, the Gospel of Life Initiative seeks to provide support to vulnerable populations around the world, and the Lennon Life Prize supports clubs as they generate a host of ideas to impact their local communities through innovative use of funding and involvement of club members.

“Our club network continues to carry forward the legacy of the Lennon family in ways I know would have made Chuck so proud,” said Dolly Duffy, executive director of the Alumni Association. “The work of our clubs and volunteers is an extension of the values at the heart of Notre Dame’s mission, and the projects planned by each of these winners will make a real difference in promoting a culture of life within their local communities.”

“In helping us put together this initiative, Chuck and Joan Lennon were passionate about their Catholic faith and the accompanying call to protect the vulnerable and affirm the dignity of life at all stages,” Duffy said. “These values are at the core of Notre Dame’s mission and that of the Alumni Association, and I am ceaselessly amazed at the work of our clubs and volunteer leaders to uphold these values in their local communities.”

Charlotte

The Notre Dame Club of Charlotte plans to support at-risk adolescents and expectant mothers in partnership with Florence Crittenton Services (FCS) to host a day dedicated to education, service, fellowship and fun for FCS clients, staff and ND club members. The club will coordinate programming that includes a cooking class with a local Charlotte chef, a yoga wellness class, a service project, Mass and recreation — helping to guide FSC clients on their road to self-sufficiency, while also fostering meaningful engagement to a hardworking and passionate FSC staff.

Naples

Aiming to provide support to expectant mothers and babies, the Notre Dame Club of Naples will partner with Sunlight Home, an ongoing residential center that provides housing, sustenance, education and character development to teenage expectant mothers. In addition to assisting with prenatal care and life-skills training, the club plans to enhance the center’s website and online educational resources, as well as encourage its members to accompany these mothers in direct, relational service and support at the center.

Spokane

In response to the ongoing refugee crisis, the Notre Dame Club of Spokane looks to support Ukrainian refugees in the greater Spokane area — a population expected to reach 5,000 by the end of 2023 — with access to housing and employment, in addition to more immediate needs such as clothing and nourishment. The club plans to collaborate with The Ukrainian Closet, a nonprofit organization formed by the Spokane Slavic Association, to sponsor a collection drive for kitchen basics and other home essentials to help refugee families in the area in their resettlement and integration into the Spokane community.

Wichita

Focusing their efforts on serving children and families, the Notre Dame Club of Wichita looks to partner with Faithbuilders, a local organization that provides mentoring, educational support, parental strengthening and goods and services “to be the hands and feet of Jesus” by serving kids and families in crisis in its community. Faithbuilder’s mission aligns with the club’s hopes to match club and client families for caretaking, as well as coordinating the purchase, donation and delivery of goods and supplies. The club also aims to provide ongoing male support and influence, as more than 80 percent of the children Faithbuilders serves have absent fathers.

Honorable Mentions

The five clubs earning honorable mentions will perform a diverse array of projects addressing issues related to homelessness, trauma victims, poverty and literacy, the elderly, and expectant mothers.

Alumni Association launches Notre Dame Global Day of Service

2023-02-09T10:00:00-05:00

This spring, the Notre Dame Alumni Association will hold the first Notre Dame Global Day of Service, a day designated for alumni, parents, friends and students throughout the world to serve in their communities and carry out the University’s mission to serve as a force for good.

On April 29 (Saturday), clubs, groups, classes, families and individuals will take part in local volunteer opportunities and log their hours to measure the impact of the global Notre Dame community. Clubs, classes and groups are encouraged to organize their own service projects for members, while families and individuals may join a club or group event or identify their own.

“The Notre Dame family’s reputation for service is well-earned and harkens back to Father Sorin’s vision of the University as a powerful means for good,” said Alumni Association Executive Director Dolly Duffy. “The Notre Dame Global Day of Service is an incredible opportunity for alumni, parents and friends around the world to work together toward a common goal — to improve a world deeply in need.”

Until April 24, those organizing service projects may submit them to be included in a comprehensive listing available to participants interested in joining a project in their area. Individual registration will open in late February as projects are submitted and approved.

For more information, including updates on local service opportunities as they are organized, visit globaldayofservice.nd.edu.

Alumni Association presents 2022 Sorin Award to all alumnae

2022-06-08T13:42:20-04:00

In recognition of their contributions to the University of Notre Dame, their communities and the world, the 2022 Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award was presented to all alumnae of Notre Dame on Saturday (June 4) at the Alumni Association’s annual Reunion celebration.

The Alumni Association typically bestows the Sorin Award, which was established in 1965 and is one of the University’s highest honors, on a graduate who has rendered distinguished service to the University.

“Women at Notre Dame have been student body presidents and valedictorians, All-Americans and national champions. They’ve gone on to lead in the boardroom and the classroom, in their local communities and at the highest levels of government. They are mothers and wives and aunts and friends; medical professionals, journalists, veterans, lawyers, artists, coaches, volunteers and everything in between,” Dolly Duffy, executive director of the Alumni Association, said during her presentation of the award. “Most of all, they are loyal daughters of Notre Dame, who have made this place more welcoming, more inclusive and, dare I say, more Catholic by their very presence.”

“What women have brought to this institution is beyond my ability to describe,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., University president. “I cannot imagine Notre Dame being what it is today without the presence of women.”

The award presentation coincided with the joint celebration of Reunion and Golden is Thy Fame, an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the enrollment of undergraduate women at Notre Dame. In 1972, 365 women enrolled as undergraduate students and, in the 50 years since, the alumnae ranks have grown to more than 53,000.

“I honor each of you for the extraordinary, unique individuals you are, for your incredible accomplishments and for the remarkable power of your lives and examples,” said University Vice President and Chief of Staff Ann Firth, who accepted the award on behalf of all alumnae. “As the women of Notre Dame, may we always seek to embrace one another as the Notre Dame family and extend that embrace to everyone we encounter. Thank you for being the very best of Notre Dame.”

The 2022 Sorin Award will be displayed at the Eck Visitors Center.

Alumni Association awards 2022 Lennon Life Prizes

2022-06-08T08:59:39-04:00

This spring, the Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized nine clubs as recipients of the Lennon Life Prize, part of the Chuck and Joan Lennon Gospel of Life Initiative — a set of programs aimed at activating the University’s robust clubs network to be forces for good in upholding the value of life at all stages.

The Notre Dame clubs are recognized for their involvement in a number of projects that will assist mothers and their children, refugees, victims of domestic violence and people facing homelessness, food insecurity and chronic illness. Other projects will aim to increase access to affordable housing and early childhood education.

For the third straight year, four award winners have collected $5,000 awards from memorials on behalf of the late Chuck Lennon. The clubs of Central New Jersey, Charlottesville, Fort Wayne and Lehigh Valley earned this funding to support the execution of their proposed projects. The clubs of Buffalo/Western New York, Lake County, Maryland, Southeastern Virginia and Staten Island received $500 honorable mention awards.

In concert with the Catholic Church’s long-standing defense of all human life, the Gospel of Life Initiative seeks to provide support to vulnerable populations around the world, and the Lennon Life Prize supports clubs as they generate a host of ideas to impact their local communities through innovative use of funding and involvement of club members.

“In helping us put together this initiative, Chuck and Joan Lennon were passionate about their Catholic faith and the accompanying call to protect the vulnerable and affirm the dignity of life at all stages,” said Dolly Duffy, executive director of the Alumni Association. “These values are at the core of Notre Dame’s mission and that of the Alumni Association, and I am ceaselessly amazed at the work of our clubs and volunteer leaders to uphold these values in their local communities.”

Central New Jersey

The Notre Dame Club of Central New Jersey plans to support women and children in residence at the Center for Great Expectations in Somerset, New Jersey, as they recover from trauma, abuse and addiction. The club aims to build upon its existing volunteer service at the center to host gatherings around various holidays, as well as assist with on-site beautification efforts. Their volunteers’ primary focus is on helping the organization “provide a stable, secure and warm atmosphere within which residents and their children can heal and begin to rebuild.”

Charlottesville

The Notre Dame Club of Charlottesville plans to implement multiple projects to repair and renovate Casa Alma, the Charlottesville Catholic Worker community, in response to the increased needs for temporary and crisis housing in the area. The proposed year-long partnership will focus on the recently purchased Carlton House, a multi-unit building with the ability to provide long-term affordable housing for seven to 10 individuals, as well short-term “hospitality quarters” for women and children facing sudden housing crises.

Fort Wayne

Another top winner, the Notre Dame Club of Fort Wayne, looks to support the launch of the St. Joseph Missions Women’s Shelter, the only shelter exclusively serving single women experiencing homelessness in the Fort Wayne community. The club plans to partner with the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend as well as various community organizations with expertise in health care, mental health, nutrition, education, faith development, transportation and employment. Once operational, the shelter “will provide a safe, supportive and structured environment that honors women’s dignity and empowers them to become self-sufficient,” according to the organization.

Lehigh Valley

In response to the ongoing refugee crisis, the Notre Dame Club of Lehigh Valley looks to partner with Bethany Christian Services, the Refugee Community Center of Allentown and the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program to sponsor and assist local refugee families. In the last decade, the number of displaced people around the world has doubled to more than 82 million, and the Lehigh Valley has become a regional hub for resettlement, having welcomed refugees from Syria, Sudan, Eritrea, Myanmar, Venezuela and Afghanistan, among others. As a co-sponsor to a refugee family, the club will provide broad support to supplement the food budget, provide internet and phone services, subsidize rent and provide clothing and furnishings while the family works toward self-sufficiency.

Honorable Mention

The five clubs earning honorable mentions will perform a diverse array of projects addressing issues related to homelessness, food insecurity, early childhood education, domestic violence, human trafficking and childhood chronic illness.

Alumni Association awards Lennon Life Prize to 9 clubs

2021-05-28T11:40:00-04:00

The Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized nine clubs through its most recent awarding of the Lennon Life Prize, part of the Chuck and Joan Lennon Gospel of Life Initiative — a set of programs aimed at activating the University’s robust clubs network to be forces for good in upholding the value of life at all stages.

The Notre Dame clubs are recognized for their involvement in a number of projects that will assist mothers and their children, homeless communities without access to COVID-19 care, the poor and those living with disabilities, among others.

For the second straight year, four award winners have collected $5,000 awards from memorials on behalf of the late Chuck Lennon. The clubs of Boca Raton, Greater Boston, Greensburg/Uniontown and San Diego earned this funding to support the execution of their proposed projects. The clubs of Charlotte, Eastern Kansas, Eastern North Carolina, Grand Rapids and Mobile received $500 honorable mention awards.

“Protecting the vulnerable and affirming the dignity and value of life at all stages are at the heart of Catholic social teaching and our Notre Dame mission,” said Dolly Duffy, executive director of the Alumni Association. “These tenets were so important to Chuck and the Lennon family, and I continue to be encouraged and energized by the creative and powerful ways our clubs network and volunteer leaders work together to advance this mission in their local communities. The initiatives developed this year are great examples of the strength and spirit of the Notre Dame family coming together to make a difference.”

Boca Raton

The Notre Dame Club of Boca Raton in Florida will build off its honorable mention award from 2020 to become a lead sponsor for AIM (Achieve, Inspire, Motivate), an annual Catholic retreat program hosted by St. Joan of Arc parish for adults with physical disabilities. The AIM retreat annually serves 25 Catholic adults with physical disabilities to achieve ongoing spiritual and emotional growth by inspiring them to lead their lives more joyfully and meaningfully.

Greater Boston

Another top award winner, the Notre Dame Club of Boston plans to address homelessness and racial equity by enlisting COVID-19 vaccine ambassadors to serve local shelters, assemble comfort kits and staff a 24-hour hotline to answer coronavirus-related questions. In partnership with Boston Health Care for the Homeless, club members will assist in providing comfort kits to a mobile van clinic bringing vaccines to the homeless and other underserved populations.

Greensburg/Uniontown

Another 2020 honorable mention recipient, the Notre Dame Club of Greensburg/Uniontown, based in Pennsylvania, aims to support a Summertime Movie Night program in partnership with Knead Community Cafe. The pay-what-you-can cafe offers fresh, wholesome meals to community members in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, where nearly 25 percent of citizens live below the poverty line after the town’s steel plant shuttered in 1971. The local club was an early partner with Knead since it opened in 2017, and the cafe has since become a catalyst for revitalization of the community. The movie program aims to provide a safe place for families and teenagers to gather in the evenings, as the cafe has already established itself as a community hub and lifeline for those struggling with financial and personal burdens.

San Diego

The Notre Dame Club of San Diego looks to support 29:Eleven Maternity Home in El Cajon, California, after the acquisition of a second location to care for expectant mothers. 29:Eleven is a Notre Dame Center for Social Concerns Summer Service Learning Program site slated to host two learning program students this summer, and the club plans to host a number of community service events to build relationships with the mothers, students and staff. In addition to assisting with maintenance projects and collecting items for the mothers, the club plans to sponsor a summer cookout for the home, as well as encourage its members to “adopt a mother” in prayer.

Honorable Mention

The five clubs earning honorable mentions will perform a diverse array of projects that include outreach to those with disabilities, expectant mothers and babies, underserved and diverse youth and the formerly incarcerated.