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Assistant VP Dennis Brown retiring after three-plus decades at Notre Dame

2024-12-10T10:49:00-05:00

Dennis Brown, assistant vice president in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at the University of Notre Dame and its spokesman from 2008 to 2023, will retire at the end of December after a 33-year career at the University.

In his role as spokesman for 15 years, Brown spoke on behalf of the nation’s leading Catholic university on a wide range of high-profile events, including four presidential and two vice-presidential visits, as well as innumerable speeches by Supreme Court justices, national and international political figures, Catholic Church and other religious leaders, astronauts, athletes, CEOs and others. He also played a substantial role in the planning of a tribute for legendary Notre Dame President Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., upon his passing in 2015 and spoke at dozens of University alumni club events across the country.

In addition to speaking for the University to the media, alumni, faculty, staff, students and the general public, Brown provided University leadership, faculty and staff with strategic counsel on a wide array of issues; developed statements and op-eds; prepared talking points and FAQs; delivered and organized media training; prepped officials for media visits, news conferences and interviews; served as a leader on the crisis communications team; and provided oversight of the Offices of Media Relations, Internal Communications and Strategic/Brand Content. He is the recipient of writing and crisis communications awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and is a member of the Higher Education Roundtable.

Brown, 70, joined Notre Dame’s communications staff as an assistant director of media relations in 1991 and was elevated to associate director five years later. Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Brown was an award-winning writer and editor for 15 years at the Colorado Springs Sun, Phoenix Gazette and San Diego Tribune as a sportswriter and desk editor for the first two and news and copy editor for the latter. His assignments in Colorado and Arizona included collegiate athletics, the Olympics, Major League Baseball and general news and feature writing. He covered the Jan. 2, 1989, Fiesta Bowl game in which Notre Dame defeated West Virginia to win its most recent national championship. In San Diego, he rotated with colleagues editing and laying out the inside of the news section, editing all news stories, writing headlines and editing photos.

Brown is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a major in political science and concentration in journalism. He was elected to the Junior Men’s Honorary Society and was a co-captain and four-year letter winner on the varsity baseball team. He did graduate studies at Arizona State University.

Brown has served in South Bend and Mishawaka as a board chair for the Literacy Council of St. Joseph County and Young Life Michiana, an elder at Oak Creek Community Church and a board member for the National Youth Sports Program at Notre Dame and the Harris Township Baseball/Softball league.

Brown and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of two sons, Connor and Ryan, graduates of Notre Dame in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Their daughter-in-law, Mackenzie, is a 2019 graduate of the University. Debbie was the head volleyball coach at Notre Dame for 24 years and was elected in 2017 to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., Inaugural Address

2024-09-13T17:09:45-04:00

A Catholic university, according to my predecessor and brother in Holy Cross, Father Ted Hesburgh, “should be a bridge across all chasms that separate modern people from each other.”

Now, when I reflect on those words, I see a problem and an opportunity.

The problem is clear: Those chasms are widening.

And the opportunity is here: Notre Dame must be the bridge that Father Ted spoke of, and all of us must be bridge-builders.

But before I explore that idea, let me just say right now: I am honored to serve as Notre Dame’s 18th president, and I am deeply humbled by the trust shown in me. So many of you have reached out with words of encouragement. Thank you for all your support. Thank you for your continued prayers.

I am blessed to have my family here. My sister, Mary; my brother-in-law, Jim; my nephew Ryan; my nephew Eric, who is watching from New York, hello Eric; and so many other loved ones who’ve traveled to be here.

Allow me to give a special shout-out to my mom, who passed away just last month. She is very much in my heart. And I know that her quiet strength is going to continue to inspire me for the rest of my life. I owe her so much.

Along with my biological family, I am part of another family. Many thanks to my brothers in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Let me tell you, these brothers of mine, they are over there, never let me take myself too seriously. And if you’d like further details, see me after the convocation.

And let’s not forget the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who taught me in grade school and high school in beautiful Michigan City, Indiana.

In fact, my first-grade teacher, Sister Carmel Marie, is here today . . . where is she…she’s out there somewhere. And, like all great teachers, she looms large in my heart, even though she’s barely 5 feet tall. Not only did she teach me a love of learning, but she helped me to be curious about the world around us and to see God’s presence in all things. What a great gift! Thank you, Sister Carmel Marie!

Father Ted liked to describe the moment he became president. And you heard it from our Provost John McGreevy. As the story goes, his predecessor, Father John Cavanaugh, handed him a key and said, “Well, Ted, now you are in charge.” That was his transition and that was his inauguration all rolled up into one.

Times sure have changed.

I am grateful that my own transition has been a bit more gradual, that I have had the opportunity to listen and to learn. And I have learned a great deal from my immediate predecessor, Father John Jenkins.

John, to work with you these past few months has been a real blessing. Notre Dame is well positioned thanks to your humble, faithful, courageous leadership. And I could go on and on about your amazing leadership and the debt of gratitude that the entire Notre Dame community owes you, but just know here and now, and forever, just how truly grateful I am.

A World in Need

Every inauguration is an opportunity to build a bridge from one era to the next.

At his own inauguration, 19 years ago, Father John asked this question: “If we are afraid to be different from the world, how can we make a difference in the world?”

And let us be clear: Notre Dame is different.

As an institution, we aspire to become the leading global Catholic research university—every bit as good, but distinct from, the best private universities in the world. And as a Catholic university, we are called to push the frontiers of human knowledge, cultivating “a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so many.”

So, while Notre Dame’s mission is constant, and not subject to fad or fashion, the work we do must change if Notre Dame is to meet the needs of our time.

And, while every era has its own challenges, we gather at an especially difficult moment.

We see war and terrible suffering around the world—in Gaza, in Israel, in Sudan, in Ukraine, and elsewhere. For all the promise of technological connection, more than half of Americans are lonely. Religious disaffiliation is on the rise. And trust in institutions at an all-time low.

Meanwhile, democracies are in crisis, even in the United States political polarization has reached a fever pitch. People seem so entrenched, it’s difficult to have thoughtful, constructive conversations across differences—even on college and university campuses, the very places where such conversations should be taking place.

One of the causes, I believe, is the spread of Either-Or thinking—the kind that objectifies people and oversimplifies their problems. That flattens conversations instead of elevating them.

Such Either-Or thinking impedes the cooperation necessary to effectively address big challenges like our climate and environmental crisis, and fuels extremism and hatred. Even corners of the Church have been infected by Either-Or thinking, pulling us away from our more universal, our more Catholic values.

When this happens, we label others, and perhaps even label ourselves, either left or right; either liberal or conservative; either traditional or progressive. Our humanity reduced to an ideology.

As a political scientist, I find this dynamic fascinating. As a human being and a priest, I’m concerned.

As president of Notre Dame, I take it as our call to action . . . and the world needs Notre Dame to take thoughtful action.

Despite sinking trust in higher education, Notre Dame is one of the most trusted universities in the United States. No institution is better positioned to foster reasoned, constructive conversations rooted in the Catholic ideals of respect for human dignity and the unity of knowledge, and guided by the rational ideals of adherence to evidence and consistency in argumentation. And no institution is better positioned to develop students who approach the world with openness, with curiosity, with compassion, and with moral courage.

Notre Dame’s Opportunity and Responsibility

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

And thanks to all those women and men of Notre Dame who have come before us, we have been entrusted with so much.

For generations, we have offered an unsurpassed undergraduate education that has prepared leaders in various fields of endeavor.

We have extremely dedicated staff throughout the University, who see their work as more than a job, and play critical roles in advancing our unique mission. Others have taken notice of this: We’re fortunate that Notre Dame has been recognized by Forbes as the top employer among educational institutions.

And of course, at the heart of every university are its scholars. We have world-class faculty working in world-class facilities, securing unprecedented amounts of funding for their path-breaking research.

Just last year, Notre Dame was selected to join the Association of American Universities—a group of North America’s premier research institutions—and we are the only faith-based institution in that group.

We have achieved all this for one simple reason: We strive for excellence.

But what do we mean by excellence here at Notre Dame?

At some institutions, excellence might be simply defined by those standards of academia—rankings and reputation—and these are important. But at Notre Dame, the excellence we are called to is neither one-dimensional, nor limited to conventional measures.

It has always been, and must always be, holistic.

Which means it includes all the demands placed on our peer institutions, and then some, since we cannot simply look at how others rank us to understand how faithfully we have lived out our mission.

Indeed, the very mission that makes Notre Dame distinctive among these institutions means we have a special responsibility. In a polarized world drawn to the confines of Either-Or thinking, our Catholic mission calls us to embrace Both-And:

Both faith and reason;

Both the life of the mind and matters of the heart;

Both disciplinary and multidisciplinary research and teaching;

Both a local and global presence;

Both deeply Catholic and welcoming of people of all faiths and none.

Which means that if excellence at Notre Dame is defined as striving for, and living by, an integrated and unifying Both-And approach to the world . . .

Then in this next chapter, the best way we can continue to be a force for good—as our founder, Father Edward Sorin, envisioned—is by building more bridges with the same boldness that has characterized us since our founding!

Our Bridges to Build

I believe the bridges we must build require a strong foundation so that we don’t get swept away by fast-moving currents or buckle under pressure. We are blessed to have that moral foundation here at Notre Dame.

And as bridge-builders, we must use this foundation to reach out even further, stretching ourselves beyond the familiar and the comfortable.

Today, I offer three ways we must build bridges, expanding on what has come before, and striving for new levels of excellence: First, we must create more pathways to and from Notre Dame. Second, we must connect and collaborate more deeply as a community of learning.

And finally, we must deepen and expand our engagement in and with the world.

Create More Pathways to and from Notre Dame

Let me start with how we build more pathways, more bridges, to and from Notre Dame.

I’ll begin with the obvious. We want an undergraduate student body that reflects the rich diversity of the Catholic community in and beyond the United States, which requires that a Notre Dame education be both accessible and affordable.

In recent decades, Notre Dame has become more accessible with extraordinary financial aid, thanks in large part to the commitment and the generosity of our benefactors, alumni, and friends. Yet, as costs continue to rise, we know that the door to a Notre Dame education still seems closed to far too many young people attracted to our mission, and when forced to take out loans to pursue higher education, many families are saddled with sizeable, potentially crushing, debt.

I know what this is like. When I was accepted to Notre Dame, tuition was much lower, but still out of reach for my family. My mom, the head of a single-parent household, knowing that it was my dream to attend Notre Dame, refinanced our house and took out loans to send me here. Decades later, its just not realistic to expect people to do what my mom did.

We also know, while our proportion of international undergraduate students has grown here, Notre Dame still has one of the lowest percentages of any university in the AAU, even as the Catholic Church is the most transnational and multicultural institution in the world.

So, today I am proud to announce that Notre Dame will go loan-free and need-blind for all undergraduate students, including both domestic and international students. This means, if you are admitted to Notre Dame, no matter how much money your family makes, you will not have to worry about student loans, and no matter where in the world you call home, you will be eligible for financial aid.

Connect and Collaborate as a Learning Community

We must also build bridges by reinforcing our commitment to be a community of learning that is not afraid to tackle the most contested issues of the day. Where we are grounded but not bounded by disciplines; where openness to questions does not mean we are afraid to stand for something; where we think about, and reflect together on, the values that truly endure.

Let me speak to all the students here. All of our amazing students.

If you don’t know it already, you are surrounded by a superb group of faculty and staff. They are dedicated teachers, focused on your well-being and learning, and creating a classroom experience that is one the best in the world. It is probably one of the reasons why you chose Notre Dame.

We are blessed that our most outstanding researchers consistently bring insights gleaned from their work into the classroom and create new opportunities for students, who are increasingly attracted and energized by path-breaking research.

From experimenting with the smallest technologies—as students learn to create semiconductor chips in our state-of-the-art clean room facilities, with Professor Alan Seabaugh and NDnano …

To making spectacular discoveries—like the one one of our last year’s students made in fact, whose undergraduate research in astronomy with Professor Peter Garnavich helped discover a probable planet.

Here, we are fighting for justice and human rights—like Professor Diane Desierto and her team of students in our Global Human Rights Clinic.

We’re grappling with society’s deepest inequalities—like the team working with Professor Anna Haskins to understand the relationship between the incarceration of parents and the educational outcomes of their children.

And in the process, we are engaging in work that helps heal our world.

Whether that’s Professor Marianne Cusato and her students, working with communities in neglected urban areas of the United States to create a dignifying and sustainably built environment . . .

Professor Alfonso Pedraza-Martinez, working with students and humanitarian relief organizations in order to improve the delivery of life’s necessities in crisis zones around the world . . .

Or Professor Josefina Echavarría Álvarez and her colleagues, whose work with students has informed efforts to design and implement agreements that bring an end to wars and build conditions for peace.

No matter where you look, our research and learning drive insights, innovation, and impact for good.

There are countless more examples of the great work our faculty members do, and how they engage undergraduate and graduate students in their research.

And speaking of graduate students—our reputation as a research institution hinges on your work with faculty, your experience here at Notre Dame, and your placements after you complete your degrees. Our graduate and professional students are crucial to the bridges we are trying to build both on and beyond campus. You contribute to significant breakthroughs and greatly enrich our campus community.

We are committed to supporting you.

To that end, we have increased the stipends we provide our graduate students and, beginning this year, we will become one of only a handful of universities to provide health insurance to graduate students that also covers your spouses and dependents. In other words, your families are a part of the Notre Dame family.

Going forward, we will continue to invest more significantly in the quality of our graduate programs and the Notre Dame graduate student experience.

And because we are called to embrace Both-And, we know that the next great frontier of learning will be found not just within any one department, but reaching across fields—connecting more deeply with one another and the resources we share.

Here, I already see scholars using their imaginations in the most inspiring ways, bridging gaps between the disciplines to break new ground.

For example: Archaeologists working with filmmakers to preserve history in Ukraine . . . and economists working with medical professionals and public policy experts to tackle challenges like the opioid crisis.

Going forward, Notre Dame must be a place where our scholars and students are even more willing to walk across the hall or to walk across campus to learn from and to work with one another. A place where talented researchers at every level seek out faculty and colleagues in other disciplines, if that’s what it takes to solve the world’s hardest problems.

Why?

Because we know addressing poverty is not simply a matter of either economics or sociology . . . defending democracy is not simply a matter of either political science or law . . . and wrestling with questions of ethics and morality is the realm of not only philosophers, but all those who seek to be a force for good in the world.

Naturally, Notre Dame will always be a home for dedicated scholars grounded in their disciplines, where they can continue to be free to pursue their work. But no one individual has all the answers.

So the world needs Notre Dame to be a place that promotes both the great insights gained from disciplinary specialization and the solutions to complex problems that emerge from multidisciplinary collaboration. Where we combine the depth of our knowledge with the full breadth of our experiences, united by our shared pursuit of truth.

In this way, we can translate that traditional Catholic ideal—the unity of truth—into action, and how we work together, and bring it to bear on our most complex, contemporary challenges.

Of course, here at Notre Dame, the collaborative learning community we create transcends classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and field-research sites—and I have been the direct beneficiary of this.

Some of you may know, I have been honored to live in Cavanaugh Hall for the last 10 years, and I plan to stay. You may also know that our residence halls have nicknames, like the Keough Kangaroos, or the Welsh Family Whirlwinds, or even the Carroll Hall Vermin, which I have been assured is not a pest control problem.

The Cavanaugh community calls itself The Chaos, and that alone may be fitting preparation for the presidency. But in all seriousness, this might also be fitting preparation for our students, navigating the complex, sometimes chaotic, experience of living in our world.

Indeed, how to live together is one of the greatest lessons we learn here at Notre Dame.

If we are to journey toward truth together, and stay true to our mission, then we must hone our skills as bridge-builders and form the kinds of leaders we need in our world today:

People who know how to listen to others to ensure that all voices are heard in the search for truth.

Critical thinkers equipped with a clear moral framework to face life’s challenges.

Compassionate, servant leaders who can navigate complex issues with conviction and with courage, and bring out the best in others, with humility and humanity.

We owe each other as much. We owe our wider society as much.

Because this is what universities are supposed to do, and as a Catholic university, Notre Dame should be the very best at doing this—not least of all because we, as a Catholic university, openly and unabashedly embrace the idea that college should help students develop character.

Therefore, during this academic year and throughout my presidency, we will redouble our efforts to create an environment and cultivate a culture that allows us to have difficult conversations, and become the bridge-builders the world needs.

Deepen and Expand our Engagement in and with the World

Finally, for as much as we do on campus, we must also build bridges that strengthen Notre Dame’s connections to the world, both near and far.

That starts right here in South Bend. You can clap.

We know that Notre Dame shares a future with South Bend and the broader region. In the long run, we will only attract the faculty, staff, and students we desire if this community—and all who call it home—truly thrive.

I grew up here in Indiana. I know both the great struggles of this very region AND our great history and great potential, when we work together.

For example, through recent initiatives like the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic and the newly announced DTSB Tech and Talent Hub, we are working with community partners to address some of this area’s most urgent challenges—from improving mental health services to catalyzing economic development.

In collaboration with our neighbors and the generous support of partners like the Lilly Endowment, we will find more opportunities to achieve great things together, especially to improve the lives of the residents who struggle the most, as our mission calls us to do.

These and other efforts build on the legacy of Father Edward “Monk” Malloy, who, among other things, truly pushed Notre Dame to invest more deeply in our community—and I am so grateful for what he has done for the campus, for me, and for the region. Thank you, Monk.

And, of course, to become the bridge-builders the world needs, we must become even more globally engaged.

As I mentioned earlier, our Catholic mission provides us with connections to the world’s most transnational and multicultural institution. Our call to serve the Church reminds us that we must consider the Church as a whole.

We have long had wonderful partnerships in Europe, and our deep affiliation with the Congregation of Holy Cross provides pathways to more meaningful engagement in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, as does our collaboration with Catholic Relief Services.

Already, we have important partnerships with other universities around the world, and we will build and sustain more—for while we are fortunate to have resources and expertise that we can share, we also learn from and are inspired by our partners both near and far. My own formation and research have benefited greatly from collaboration across the world.

And whether we talk about poverty or climate, technology or democracy, peace or justice . . . the biggest challenges that we face cut across cultural boundaries and national borders.

And at Notre Dame, we must reach across boundaries and borders to understand and address those challenges.

Call to Action

All this starts here and now. All this starts today.

I remember first coming to campus for football weekends as a kid, and being captivated with the Golden Dome on top of the Main Building.

I even remember asking my dad—a 1956 Notre Dame grad—about the statue on top of the Dome. Who was it supposed to be?

He told me, Mary, Mother of Jesus; Mary, the Mother of God.

As I grew up and began to learn more about the social and religious context at the time of the Dome’s construction, I remember being struck by Father Sorin’s boldness. At a time when religious bigotry and discrimination were quite strong in this country, he did not shy away from what sets us apart. Instead, he placed a statue of Notre Dame, Our Lady on top of the Main Building.

It was not so much an act of defiance as it was an act of faith.

He named this University in honor of Our Lady, to whom he had a special devotion; someone who knew what it was like to suffer; who never lost her empathy for others, despite what she experienced. She is tender, strong, and true; she is compassionate, resilient, and hopeful. Full of grace, open to God and open to others.

In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls us to be more like Mary, which means, in his words, “to sustain hope, to be the sign of unity . . . to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow seeds of reconciliation.”

Put another way: To build bridges is to be “in imitation” of Our Lady. To embody the very spirit of Notre Dame.

So this is who we are, and who we are called to be. Seekers of truth. Sustainers of hope. Builders of bridges. Extending and expanding these gifts we’ve been given—to others and to the world.

That’s why Our Lady is depicted on the Dome, with arms and hands open. Never closed off to anyone; always ready to receive; always ready to embrace.

And when I look around this campus, everywhere, I can’t help but see the open arms of Notre Dame. In fact, I see them here. In all of you.

As I begin this journey as President, I invite you to join me and build more bridges: to future generations of Notre Dame students . . . to one another, as we learn and live side by side . . . to our neighbors and people in communities around the world.

Together, we are Notre Dame. Together, let us be the Notre Dame the world needs.

God bless you, and God bless Notre Dame.

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Flick on the Field returns to Notre Dame Stadium with free screening of ‘Rudy’

2024-08-26T15:00:00-04:00

Flick on the Field returns Friday (Aug. 30), when the movie “Rudy” will be shown on the video board at Notre Dame Stadium. The 1993 film, starring Sean Astin, tells the story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who follows his dream to play football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles.

Co-sponsored by the University of Notre Dame and Visit South Bend Mishawaka, Flick on the Field is free and open to the public. Parking is also free in the lot immediately south of the stadium. Faculty, staff and visitors should enter the stadium through Gate D, on the southwest side, starting at 8:30 p.m. The two-hour movie begins at 9 p.m. The movie will be captioned.

Faculty, staff and visitors will be seated in the stadium bowl in sections 26 to 34. Seating will be general admission. Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College students, with student IDs, will be allowed to sit on the football field to watch the movie.

Fans can make cashless purchases at concession stands in the concourses. Expect to find movie-type offerings such as popcorn, candy, water and fountain drinks available for purchase. Outside food and drink will not be allowed.

University staff will search the bags of anyone entering the stadium. The clear-bag policy for football games will not be in place. However, backpacks, duffels and other large bags are discouraged.

If there is inclement weather, updated information about the event can be found at Experience Notre Dame or on X/Twitter at @ExperienceND or @Visitsouthbend.

For more information, including where to dine, shop and explore before Flick on The Field, visit experience.nd.edu/.

Distinguished leaders to receive Notre Dame honorary degrees, Laetare Medal

2024-04-08T10:30:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame will confer honorary degrees on four distinguished leaders in business, science, the Catholic Church and the arts at its 179th University Commencement Ceremony on May 19. University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will deliver the Commencement address.

The honorees are:

John J. “Jack” Brennan (doctor of laws)

John J. Brennan

An admired and trusted business leader, Jack Brennan is the chair emeritus of Vanguard, one of the largest and most respected investment management companies in the world. He joined the company in 1982 and, over the next 27 years, served as president, CEO and chair of the board. Brennan has served as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 2009, was elected a Fellow in 2013 and became Board Chair in 2016. He is chair of the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program, past chair of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, founding chair of Catholic Investment Services and a founding trustee of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business 91��Ƶ. He and his wife, Cathy, are the parents of three Notre Dame graduates.

Sabine Hadida (doctor of science)

Sabine Hadida

A renowned medicinal chemist, Sabine Hadida serves as senior vice president and San Diego site head at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. She gained international recognition as the leader of the chemistry team that developed now-approved medicines KALYDECO®, ORKAMBI®, SYMDEKO® and TRIKAFTA® as well as nine medicines in clinical development and two in preclinical development. For her revolutionary work in drug development and research, Hadida was a co-recipient, with Paul Negulescu and Fredrick Van Goor, of the 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, as well as the 2023 Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences. Prior to joining Vertex in 2002, Hadida was a research scientist at CombiChem Inc. and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. She holds more than 60 U.S. patents and is the author of many peer-reviewed articles published in scientific journals. Hadida earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in pharmacy from the University of Barcelona in Spain.

Cardinal Christophe Pierre (doctor of laws)

Cardinal Christophe Pierre

Apostolic nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre has devoted his life in service to the Catholic Church around the world, first as a parish priest and later as a member of the Vatican diplomatic service. In various global ministerial assignments, Cardinal Pierre has represented the Holy See, beginning during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. Originally from Rennes, France, Cardinal Pierre holds a master’s in sacred theology from the Catholic Institute of Paris and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. He joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1977 and was appointed to the pontifical representation in New Zealand and the Islands of the Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, he served in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Cuba and Brazil and at the permanent mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva. Cardinal Pierre was appointed titular Archbishop of Gunela and apostolic nuncio to Haiti on July 12, 1995. He later served as nuncio in Uganda and Mexico before Pope Francis appointed him to the United States in April 2016. In September 2023, the Holy Father elevated him to the College of Cardinals.

Jaume Plensa

Jaume Plensa (doctor of fine arts)

An internationally renowned artist, Jaume Plensa is recognized for his monumental sculptures in public spaces, including “Endless,” which greets visitors at the entrance of the new Notre Dame Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, and “Tale Teller VI,” which has adorned campus since 2014. Born in Barcelona, Spain, he studied at the Llotja 91��Ƶ of Art and Design and Sant Jordi 91��Ƶ of Fine Arts. Plensa’s work includes sculptures that appear in public places throughout the U.S. and around the world, including “Crown Fountain,” the interactive video sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park that catapulted Plensa to international fame. His sculptures and public art installations invite contemplation about connections among spirituality, the body and collective memory and focus on supporting global human rights and denouncing oppression, inequality and injustice. Awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts from Spain’s Ministry of Culture, he also holds honorary doctorates from three universities, including the 91��Ƶ of the Art Institute of Chicago, and won Spain’s National Prize for Fine Art in 2012.

In addition to the honorary degrees, as previously announced, the Laetare Medal will be given to Claire Babineaux-Fontenot.

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot is chief executive officer of Feeding America, a national network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 charitable and faith-based partners that works to rescue, store and distribute food to more than 49 million people facing hunger each year. It also conducts research on food insecurity and potential solutions. In the last six years, Babineaux-Fontenot has led Feeding America through a number of challenges, including navigating a global pandemic and the ensuing increase in food insecurity. Under her direction, Feeding America became the nation’s largest charitable organization in 2022, according to Forbes, and the network distributed 5.3 billion meals in 2023. Babineaux-Fontenot holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and a Master of Laws in taxation from Southern Methodist University Dedman 91��Ƶ of Law in Dallas. In 2020 she was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine, and she was featured in the 2022 Forbes “50 over 50” list.

Notre Dame celebrates Black History Month

2024-02-07T11:00:00-05:00

The University of Notre Dame is celebrating Black History Month throughout February with a number of events.

The schedule is as follows. It will be updated throughout the month.

Feb. 8: Black Domers 2: “The Future of Social Justice,” 7 p.m., live Zoom event

Join filmmaker and Notre Dame graduate Christine Swanson and Academy Award-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for a screening and discussion of Swanson’s 2022 short film, “Fannie,” moderated by Scott Barton, assistant professor of race, food, and environmental and cultural studies in the Department of Africana 91��Ƶ and inaugural fellow in Notre Dame’s Initiative on Race and Resilience. Sponsored by ThinkND and the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

Feb. 9-11 Film screening, "Origins," DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

The Browning Cinema at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center will screen director Ava DuVernay's adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of our Discontent" at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10 and 4 p.m. Feb. 11.

Feb. 10: “A Tribute to Motown,” 7:30 p.m., Leighton Concert Hall, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

It’s the sound of a generation. Back for one memorable night, experience the magic of Motown in a show jam-packed with some of the biggest hits, stunning vocals and a band driving it all the Motor City way. “A Tribute to Motown” pays homage to one of the most influential creations in Black culture — the iconic music of the timeless Motown era. The teams at A Gammage Solutions and Bishop’s House Productions have curated another trip down memory lane with the lyrics, melodies and moves authentic to the label from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Temptations and many more.

Feb. 12-14 "Leave Your Mark on Notre Dame!" Coleman-Morse Center

Join artist Brother Mickey McGrath as he paints an original mural on a wall in Coleman-Morse Center. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to contribute to the mural, which will feature a quote from the first Holy Cross person of colar to be put forward for sainthood: Servant of God Theotonius Ganguly, C.S.C. McGrath will give a talk on diverse saints from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the CoMo Lounge, with a Mardi Gras-themed reception to follow. Sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Feb. 14: “African American Classical Architecture: Then and Now,” 5:15 p.m., Manfredi Family Auditorium at the Walsh Family 91��Ƶ of Architecture, Zoom or YouTube

Historically, architecture has served and facilitated the growth of communities around the world. In this lecture, Phillip Smith will explore the historical influence of classical and traditional architecture beginning with Egyptian influence on ancient Greek and Roman architecture, and later sharing the impact African American architects, designers and builders have had on our built environment. Notable classical African American architects include John Williams, Robert Taylor, Wallace Augustus Rayfield, William Sidney Pittman and Julian Francis Abele.

Feb. 14 Film screening and voter registration drive, 12:30 to 5 p.m., Law 91��Ƶ and Duncan Student Center

Join Notre Dame Law 91��Ƶ for a screening of the award-winning short film "Fannie," about civil, voting and human rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, featuring commentary from filmmaker Christine Swanson, a Notre Dame graduate. A voter registration drive will be held in conjunction with the screening from 2 to 5 p.m. at Duncan Student Center.

Feb. 14: Men’s basketball game, 7 p.m., Purcell Pavilion

Together Irish, a Notre Dame Athletics diversity and inclusion initiative, will be recognized during the men’s basketball game between Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.

Feb. 15: Black Domers 2: “Blazing Trails in 21st Century Business and Entrepreneurship,” 7 p.m., live Zoom event

Join ThinkND and the Notre Dame Alumni Association for a discussion on how Black business leaders and entrepreneurs are blazing trails to success in the 21st-century business landscape. Moderated by Paige S. Jackson, associate director of law and graduate business annual giving, this panel will represent a wide variety of marketplace segments.

Feb. 16: Colloquium Speaker: Lori Hicks, “The Black Church Conservatory,” 3 p.m., Room 306, O’Neill Hall of Music and Sacred Music

Lori Celeste Hicks has built a multifaceted career as a classical singer, composer and arranger, vocal coach, professor, clinician, lecturer, director, arts administrator and entrepreneur. As the owner of LCH Studios, Hicks is dedicated to the education, performance and production of healthy voices for all styles. Her training, research and passion for Black arts and the voice have spawned numerous innovative projects.

Feb. 16: “Black Student Association Black History Month Talent Showcase,” 5 and 11 p.m., Washington Hall, Mainstage Theatre

The theme for this year's showcase is "The Wiz." The event will feature talented performers, models and more.

Feb. 16: Women’s lacrosse, 7:30 p.m., Loftus Sports Center

Together Irish will be recognized at the women’s lacrosse game between Notre Dame and Northwestern.

Feb. 17: Dance Theatre of Harlem, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Patricia George Decio Theatre, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

Formed at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the Dance Theatre of Harlem has created a space for dancers of every color and background to express themselves freely. The legendary company continues to be a beacon of inclusion, innovation and moving art, performing a forward-thinking repertoire of treasured classics to modern works. A mixed program includes “Sounds of Hazel,” Tiffany Rea-Fisher’s new ballet inspired by the life of virtuoso classical and jazz pianist, singer and civil rights activist Hazel Scott.

Feb. 18: “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” 1 p.m., Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

This documentary profiling John Lewis chronicles the life and career of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic representative from Georgia. Using interviews and rare archival footage, the documentary profiles John Robert Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health care reform and immigration. Using recent interviews with Lewis, director Dawn Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues and other people who figure prominently in his life.

Feb. 20: Sojourner Truth Keynote Address: “Black Internationalism in the 1980s: the Forgotten Story of Mozambique,” 5 p.m., Room 300, O’Shaughnessy Hall

The Initiative on Race and Resilience’s second annual Sojourner Truth Keynote Address will feature Martha Biondi, professor of African American studies and history at Northwestern University.

Feb. 22: Black Domers 2: “Black Well-being,” 7 p.m., live Zoom event

Black health and wellness may look different for each person, but having a community in which one can be listened to, cared for and advocated for is essential for everyone. Learn how self care and community care intersect to enable us to live the most fulfilling lives possible while we share our time in the world and embrace generations of culture, diversity and history. Sponsored by ThinkND and the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

Feb. 26 Black History Month Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m., Robinson Community Learning Center

Local organizer, advocate and problem solver Gladys Muhammad, longtime former executive director of South Bend Heritage Foundation, will portray Harriet Tubman as part of a special Black History Month Lunch and Learn for local seniors.

Feb. 26: Senior Leadership Panel Discussion, noon, Main Building

Join the Black Faculty and Staff Association for an insightful panel discussion showcasing Black senior leaders at the University of Notre Dame. Gain valuable perspectives on leadership, diversity and success within our community.

Feb. 26: Discussion and book signing, 12:30 p.m., McCartan Courtroom, Notre Dame Law 91��Ƶ

Join Notre Dame Law 91��Ƶ for a discussion and book signing with Richard and Leah Rothstein, co-authors of the new book "Just Action: How to Challenge Racial Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law."

Feb. 29: "Made for Such a Time: Gifts of Black Catholics for the 21st Century," 7 p.m., Remick Commons

Join Campus Ministry and the Black Catholic Advisory Board of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend as they host authors, podcasters and speakers Marcia Lane-McGee and Shannon Wimp Schmidt. Lane-McGee and Wimp Schmidt will share lessons from the Black church about what it means to be a witness to Christ in America today.

Feb. 29: Black Domers 2: “Black Spirituality,” 7 p.m., live Zoom event

Join ThinkND and the Notre Dame Alumni Association to explore the ways faith journeys can offer a path to healing, liberation and fulfillment, particularly when expressed according to the culture and traditions of a people rich with spiritual gifts.

Football weekend events: Notre Dame vs. Central Michigan

2023-09-13T09:00:00-04:00

The University of Notre Dame football team will host Central Michigan University at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 16) at Notre Dame Stadium. In addition to the game itself, a number of events and activities, including lectures, tours and performances, will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit experience.nd.edu.

Friday (Sept. 15)

• “Making and Unmaking Emancipation in Cuba and the United States,” 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with curator-led tours from noon to 1 p.m., Rare Books and Special Collections, Hesburgh Library.

• Football Fridays at the Eck, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eck Visitors Center.

• Confession, 11 a.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

• Mass, 11:30 a.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

• Campus Green Tour with the Office of Sustainability, noon to 1 p.m., East Entrance, Walsh Family Hall.

• Innovation Rally, featuring VIVA CEO Jack Markwalter, noon to 1:30 p.m., Innovation Park.

• Napa Institute at Notre Dame Lecture, “Unshackled: Freeing America’s K-12 Education System,” featuring author and Notre Dame alumna Kate Hardiman Rhodes, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Oak Room, South Dining Hall.

• Inspired Leadership Initiative Open House, 2 to 3 p.m., 329 DeBartolo Hall.

• Thunder from the Sky Organ Concert, 3:30 to 3:45 p.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

• Book Signings, “Every Play Every Day” with Timmy O’Neill, “Objects in the Rearview Mirror: A Social History of Coeducation at Notre Dame” with Deborah Dell, and “Feasts for the Kingdom: Sermons for the Liturgical Year” with Rev. Khaled Anatolios, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.

• Thomas H. Quinn Lecture Series, “Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything” with Steve Levitt, co-author of “Freakonomics,” 3:30 to 5 p.m., Leighton Concert Hall, free but ticketed event.

• MVP Fridays, “Can Stories of Science Create a More Empathetic World?” with author and journalist Ed Yong, 4 to 6 p.m., Andrews Auditorium.

• Mid-Day Drum Circle, 4 to 4:10 p.m., Main Building.

• Trumpets at the Dome, 4:10 to 4:20 p.m., Main Building.

• Band March Out to Rehearsal, 4:30 to 4:45 p.m., Main Building.

• Confession, 4:45 p.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

• Marching Band Open Rehearsal, 4:45 to 5:15 p.m., Ricci Family Fields.

• Glee Club Open Rehearsal, 5 to 5:30 p.m., LaBar Recital Hall, O’Neill Hall of Music.

• Bagpipe Performance, 5 to 5:30 p.m., Wind Family Fireside Terrace.

• Mass, 5:15 p.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

• Midnight Drum Circle, 11:59 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Main Building.

Saturday (Sept. 16)

• Book Signing, “Ara’s Knights” with Frank Pomarico, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.

• Confession, 10 to 11 a.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart Crypt.

• Bagpipe Performance, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Main Building.

• Science Exploration Series, “This Is How We Brew It: The Science of Fermentation,” with Masaru Kuno, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Notre Dame, 11 a.m. to noon, 101 Jordan Hall.

• Gameday Rosary, 11 a.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

• Daily Mass, 11:30 a.m., Basilica of the Sacred Heart Crypt.

• Book Signing, “Black Knights and Fighting Irish” with Rich Cacioppe, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.

• Victory March and Notre Dame Player Walk, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Library Quad.

• Glee Club Performance, 11:30 a.m. to noon, Hesburgh Library Reflecting Pool.

• Trumpets at the Dome, 12:30 to 12:45 p.m., Main Building.

• Band Concert on the Steps, 1 to 1:30 p.m., Bond Hall.

• Band March Out, 1:45 to 2 p.m., Notre Dame Stadium.

• Mass, 30 minutes after the game, Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Leighton Concert Hall, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.

Sunday (Sept. 17)

• Mass, 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 3:30 p.m. (Spanish), Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

President’s faculty address to focus on admission into AAU, new strategic framework

2023-08-23T10:56:00-04:00

University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., plans to use his annual address to the faculty to celebrate the University of Notre Dame’s admission into the Association of American Universities and mark the launch of a new strategic framework that will guide Notre Dame for the next decade.

“The President’s Faculty Address: A Roundtable on the Strategic Framework” will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 5 (Tuesday) at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center’s Leighton Concert Hall. A celebratory reception will follow.

Father Jenkins will offer opening remarks, to be followed by a roundtable discussion moderated by John T. McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost, featuring Barbara R. Snyder, president of the AAU and president emerita of Case Western Reserve University, and Peter Lange, provost emeritus and professor emeritus of political science and public policy at Duke University.

The strategic framework, a product of more than two years of planning involving contributions from more than 700 faculty, staff, and leaders from across the University, will be released to the campus community in advance of the faculty address.

In addition to the Sept. 5 address, Notre Dame’s membership in the AAU and the launch of the new strategic framework will also be discussed at town halls for University staff on Sept. 19 (Tuesday).

“Both the recognition by AAU and the formulation of the strategic framework are the result of extensive and excellent work by scholars and leaders across Notre Dame,” Father Jenkins said. “I am grateful to Dr. Snyder and Dr. Lange for their willingness to engage with us at this pivotal moment in our institutional history, as we reflect on the opportunities the current moment provides for Notre Dame as well as any challenges we should consider.”

Prior to serving as AAU president, Snyder was president of Case Western Reserve University from 2007 to 2020, where she encouraged interdisciplinary excellence, catalyzed institutional collaboration and reinvigorated alumni engagement and fundraising.

In addition to being provost emeritus, Lange holds roles as the Thomas A. Langford Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke and as vice president at executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, where he leads the higher education strategy practice.

“We are looking forward to an enlightening conversation with these two distinguished leaders on Sept. 5 and to working together as an institution to implement the ideas put forth in the framework,” McGreevy said. “Notre Dame’s effort to educate students and conduct research at the highest level animated by a distinctive Catholic mission is one of the most exciting and consequential experiments in global higher education.”

Father Jenkins: “We have to pray, but we also must act”

2020-06-07T16:00:00-04:00

In response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers, Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., joined other local clergy, elected officials and community leaders at an interdenominational prayer rally today at the Jon R. Hunt Memorial Plaza in downtown South Bend.

Among his remarks:

“The first thing I want to say, to our black sisters and brothers, is I’m sorry. That terrible video of George Floyd brought home to us who are white what you have to live with every day of your lives. I’m sorry you have to bear that burden. But the grace is that we’re aware of it even more deeply now.

“We have to pray but we also must act.

“I want to thank (South Bend) Mayor (James) Mueller for his leadership in making policing in this community safer and respectful of all. We must continue those efforts, not only in this community but throughout our nation. We can only do that if we come together – white and black, old and young, left and right – we need to come together as a community for justice. There are elements in our society who want to divide us; who want to separate us into camps of people who want to hate each other. They are the enemy.

“We must take steps to establish justice, to do what is right, to assure that everyone, particularly our black sisters and brothers, are respected by the police force and by every one of us every day of our lives. I know we have a lot to learn, I know we have a long way to go, but let’s make this time an opportunity to move forward together.

“I simply conclude by asking God’s blessing on us, by asking God to bless these wonderful leaders who have brought us together, by asking God to teach us the lessons of love that can bring us together as a community, to seek his justice, to seek the community that He wants us to have, and to care for those in greatest need. We pray this in Your name. Amen."