University of Notre Dame President , announced today the appointment of , as vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs, effective July 1. Father Haake, an associate professor of French and Francophone studies and the religious superior of the Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame, will succeed , who is stepping down to return to teaching in the Department of Art, Art History and Design and to his work as a sculptor. Father Collins will also serve as special adviser to Father Dowd.
鈥淜nowing that he will build on Father Austin鈥檚 many accomplishments as vice president over the past five years, I am delighted that Father Greg has agreed to take on this important leadership role,鈥� Father Dowd said. 鈥淔ather Greg is widely admired for his scholarly achievements, his deep commitment to Notre Dame鈥檚 mission, and his pastoral gifts. He is uniquely situated to work closely with me and with colleagues across the University to steward and deepen Notre Dame鈥檚 Catholic mission and to forge strategic partnerships both at the University and beyond in service of the Church. I am truly grateful to both Father Greg and Father Austin, my brother priests in the Congregation of Holy Cross, for their unfailing support and dedicated service.鈥�
A specialist in 16th-century France, Father Haake focuses his research on the intersection of religion, politics and literature 鈥� specifically on how discourse can be used to achieve ideological and religious goals. As the religious superior of the Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame, he has served as an ex officio Fellow and Trustee of the University and as a member of the President鈥檚 Leadership Council.
鈥淚 am honored by Father Bob鈥檚 invitation to serve as the vice president for mission engagement and Church affairs,鈥� Father Haake said. 鈥淣otre Dame鈥檚 Catholic and Holy Cross mission contributes deeply to what makes this University special and embeds us firmly within the life and tradition of the Church. On both fronts, Notre Dame has unique opportunities, and I look forward to helping the University to fulfill its mission on campus and beyond.鈥�
Father Haake received both a bachelor鈥檚 and a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame, a Master of Arts from Middlebury College and a doctorate from Stanford University. He was ordained a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the University鈥檚 founding order, in 2007, and he joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2015. Father Haake is a priest-in-residence in Coyle Hall.
Father Collins was appointed vice president for mission engagement in 2021. Among many other accomplishments, he has played an important role in building relationships with Church leaders in the U.S. and around the world and developing programs for faculty and staff aimed at deepening their understanding of Notre Dame鈥檚 Catholic mission. Prior to serving as vice president, Father Collins served as religious superior of Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame and as an ex officio Trustee and Fellow of the University from 2015 to 2020, and as chair of the Department of Art, Art History and Design from 1997 to 2003. Father Collins has been a faculty member since 1985.
Contact: Carrie Gates, associate director of media relations, c.gates@nd.edu, 574-993-9220