by Brittany Jaso | Dec 24, 2023
Merry Christmas Executive Director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association Dolly Duffy ’84 closes our journey through Advent and opens another to the Christmas Season. It has truly been an honor to journey with 22 members of the Notre Dame family, from every walk...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 23, 2023
Megan Wrappe “Cradle-domer” Megan Wrappe has found the memory of her father alive and well in her encounters with the Notre Dame family. I applied to the Master of Nonprofit Administration program last September, and I was admitted to Notre Dame in...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 22, 2023
Deacon Mel Tardy ’86, ’90 MBA Deacon Mel Tardy ’86, ’90 MBA, couldn’t imagine the meaningful work that unfolded in his life after he said yes to God’s calling. I became a deacon in 2011 and it has transformed my marriage, my...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 21, 2023
Allan LaReau ’70 The Notre Dame community became a beacon of love and support for Allan LaReau ’70 following the loss of his young daughter. During my recovery, I was able to receive the care that I needed not only with family by my side but with my...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 20, 2023
Laisha Perez Participating in the Transformational Leaders Program not only transformed current junior Laisha Perez’s Notre Dame journey but also had a profound impact on her mother. The most beautiful blessing is that, because I have received so much support...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 19, 2023
Judy Hutchinson A series of health problems sent Notre Dame International’s Judy Hutchinson on a journey that revealed the unexpected ways God orchestrates our lives. During my recovery, I was able to receive the care that I needed not only with family by my...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 18, 2023
Eve Kelly Realizing the truth behind a cherished Notre Dame frame in Eve Kelly’s family history revealed a tale of faith and the enduring legacy of sacrifice. My grandpa was a person of deep faith. Even as he was battling cancer, he never fell into despair. He...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 17, 2023
Annie Wiese ’22 Through the challenges of life, Annie Wiese ’22 shares her journey of resilience, faith, and trust on the diving board. Every morning and afternoon, it was just me and the diving board. While my body was spinning through the air, my eyes...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 16, 2023
Rev. Bob Dowd, C.S.C., ’87 Discover the solace, strength, and inspiration Rev. Bob Dowd, C.S.C., ’87 found in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “This statue became a place of pilgrimage for me. Whenever I found myself struggling with a challenge or...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 15, 2023
Anna Briamonte Junior Anna Briamonte shares her unexpected encounter during World Youth Day, highlighting the warmth and unity of the Notre Dame family that transcends borders. “I am from New Jersey. Lisbon is very far from home. And yet, something about the...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 14, 2023
Larry Kavanagh ’64 Larry Kavanagh ’64 and his Sorin Hall roommates became volunteer altar servers for the charming and hermit-like Father John O’Brien, who lived on the fourth floor of the Administration Building. “Father O’Brien was a...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 13, 2023
Dr. Angela Logan From shy church speeches to teaching at Notre Dame, Dr. Angela Logan reflects on the power of investing in young lives. “Today, I always chuckle at my mother’s persistence and now see how it helped build my confidence that would lead to...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 12, 2023
Christian Quilon Notre Dame senior Christian Quilon reflects on the joy of being a sponsor, witnessing 16 students courageously deepen their faith through the sacrament of baptism. “In the Bible, St. Paul talks about how all Christians are buried into death...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 11, 2023
Theresa McKenna ’89 A chance encounter during a Houston thunderstorm led to 22 years of marriage for Theresa McKenna ’89. “My friends laughed at my goal of finding a Notre Dame boy because that was not a plentiful thing in Houston. The odds were...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 10, 2023
Connor Patrick ’23 Join graduate student Connor Patrick ’23 on a journey through the heart of Notre Dame’s Dillon Hall and the tradition of the Milkshake Mass. “These virtual liturgies reminded me of being crowded together in the real...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 9, 2023
Francis Lenox ’88 Weaving threads of love and spirituality, Francis Lenox ’88 completes his mother’s unfinished legacy, supporting the Congregation of Holy Cross. “Since leaving Notre Dame, I have been a public educator, spent my summers...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 8, 2023
Amanda Muhr Junior Amanda Muhr discovers unexpected blessings and enduring friendships on the “Holy Hike,” illustrating the profound impact of companionship and finding God during her college years at Holy Cross and Notre Dame. “I never expected to...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 7, 2023
Audric Estimé Notre Dame running back Audric Estimé finds strength in family and faith through the challenging but transformative experience of life as a student-athlete, emphasizing the intertwining of faith, academics, and football in shaping his journey....
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 6, 2023
Tim Sullivan ’93 Tim Sullivan ’93 spent years in a holy ritual of faith, lighting candles for his mother’s life at Notre Dame’s Grotto. “My mom lived for more than 25 years after that original cancer diagnosis, during which she...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 5, 2023
Paige Jackson From a chance ride in the rain to bonds of radical friendship, Paige Jackson’s journey at Notre Dame embodies the uncommon kindness and authentic connections of a family community that ripples with care. “As I settled into my role over my...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 4, 2023
Mike Moore ’68 Amidst a moment of despair, a chance encounter on Thanksgiving on Notre Dame’s campus rekindled hope, steering Michael Moore ’68 towards a fulfilling new chapter. “North Dining Hall had been my dining hall when I was a freshman...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 3, 2023
Haley Scott DeMaria ’95 A Notre Dame swim team tragedy brought Haley Scott DeMaria ’95 unexpected loss but also an unexpected moment of grace through a simple offer of prayer. “I couldn’t identify it at the time because I had just suffered immense...
by Brittany Jaso | Dec 2, 2023
Sydney Higgins Begin this Advent season with senior Sydney Higgins on her transformative journey of faith inspired by daily walks with a theology course professor and friend willing to journey together. “Throughout the semester, after each class, I would walk...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 24, 2022
Merry Christmas Dolly Duffy ’84, Executive Director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association, invites you into her home for this Christmas greeting. As we begin the celebration of Christmas, please know that you are always in our prayers and that Our Lady’s...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 23, 2022
Heather Christophersen ’98 Vice President for Human Resources Heather Christophersen remembers a chance meeting with Fr. Hesburgh that guided the trajectory of her life. “As I left the Grotto to head back to Lewis Hall, I suddenly saw Fr. Hesburgh in his...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 22, 2022
Rev. Martin Lam Nguyen C.S.C., ’88 M.Div. Fr. Martin Nguyen, Notre Dame Associate Professor of Painting & Drawing, relates the incredible journey of his life through immigration, ordination, and a life of humble service. “My work focuses on taking the...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 21, 2022
Shelby Carroll ’19 MBA Shelby Carroll ’19 EMBA recounts her first days at the University and the unexpected welcome she received from a Notre Dame legend, Professor Emil T. Hofman. “No matter how my day went, Professor Hofman always made my day...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 20, 2022
Keo Pangan The Notre Dame Alma Mater never loses its potency for junior Keo Pangan as he shares it from the football field to the Basilica to his dorm chapel. “On a typical gameday weekend, I get to partake in Notre Dame’s great tradition through four means....
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 19, 2022
Brianna May The loving relationship between a mother and a daughter and the memory of campus walks together highlight this story by staff member Brianna May. “Today, I still get a warm and fuzzy feeling walking that familiar path. It reconnects me to my memories...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 18, 2022
Micki Kidder ’19 MBA Micki Kidder, Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment, details a sudden medical diagnosis and the caring support of the surrounding community. “Almost immediately after, multiple ND alumni who are leading physicians in South Bend,...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 17, 2022
Benjamin Morrison Notre Dame football player, Benjamin Morrison felt far behind his peers when he first arrived on campus, but the practice of regular prayer helped renew his strength. “As time went by, I started to gain some confidence in my new surroundings. I...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 16, 2022
Julia McKenna Despite a struggle with mental health, Julia McKenna, sociology major and fencing team member, pursues her best life through faith, family, and therapeutic care. “On one walk, Father Pete said something I’ve continued to keep close to my heart. He...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 15, 2022
Bobby Kloska ’90 Bobby Kloska ’90, reveals a fascinating story that interweaves the South Bend community, Notre Dame’s history, and his family’s home. “Back at the house in South Bend, shortly after Joe left for training, the Ruetz family...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 14, 2022
Landon Slaggert Experience the strength of family bonds with Siegfried Hall junior Landon Slaggert, as he reflects on what gives him the fortitude to play on the Fighting Irish hockey team. “When I finally made it to Notre Dame, I also got to join my older...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 13, 2022
Evan Figueroa Understanding that our worth is not defined by what we accomplish, sophomore political science major Evan Figueroa remembers the moment he entrusted his future to God. “At that moment, I had never felt so much peace and serenity. The presence of my...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 12, 2022
Ryan Harris ’07 Former Notre Dame football player Ryan Harris ’07 considers what unites all people of goodwill across religious and social backgrounds, especially within the Notre Dame family. “While at Notre Dame and beyond, I have had wonderful...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 11, 2022
Maria Di Pasquale ’90 Making a life-altering move cross-country for Maria Di Pasquale ’90 and her family was a risk worth taking when surrounded by a life-giving community. “Then we visited a place I didn’t know as well, the sundial in front of...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 10, 2022
Ryan Coury The first occurrence of a snow day turned into a joyful moment of grace and camaraderie for Notre Dame Leprechaun Ryan Coury. “We trudged over to McGlinn Fields and embraced the cold in every sense of the word, playing pickup tackle football with the...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 9, 2022
Liz Trantowski ’96 Hear Liz Trantowski ’96, Alumni Association Board President-Elect, relate the story of a longstanding ministry of volunteers praying for others at the Grotto. “I think of the people who submit a prayer and what might their stories...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 8, 2022
Karina Duffy Senior neuroscience and theology major Karina Duffy is transformed by the gaze of Christ and now brings that loving awareness into her work with people in the local community. “I work for the Self-Healing Communities of the greater Michiana region,...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 7, 2022
Prof. Meghan Sullivan Reflecting on the tragic deaths of two students, Wilsey Family Professor of Philosophy Meghan Sullivan marvels at the presence of simple goodness amidst profound suffering. “And then, one weekend, right before Halloween, two of my students...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 6, 2022
Lynn Mertensotto Girouard ’77 Lynn Mertensotto Girouard ’77 details what creates resilience in the soul as she remembers the profound influence of former Farley Hall Rector Sr. Jean Lenz, OSF. “Providentially, Sr. Jean Lenz, rector of Farley Hall...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 5, 2022
Karen Dehais ’85 Reflect with Alumni Association Board member Karen Dehais ’85 as she recounts the thread of inspirational mentors throughout her life that enabled her vocation to service. “And my most influential mentor — Sister Maureen Joyce, who...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 4, 2022
Molly Aranda ’06 A simple classroom assignment completely altered Class of 2006 alum Molly Aranda’s expectations of what God had in store for her — a vocation of a hidden life. “I look back on my initial reflections with joy and the wisdom that comes...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 3, 2022
Ron Barry Notre Dame Stadium usher Ron Barry recalls the countless memories of sharing Notre Dame football with his dad and how these memories carried him back to Our Lady’s University and the presence of Christ. “I arrived on campus and attended the game....
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 2, 2022
Frankie Machado Stanford Hall sophomore Frankie Machado explores what it means to grapple with one’s personal relationship with God through the life of a saint. “But in Sister Ann’s class, we began reading The Confessions by Saint Augustine. Unenthusiastic...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Dec 1, 2022
Danny Schermerhorn Join junior computer engineering major Danny Schermerhorn as he mentors the next generation of Baumer Hall Buccaneers through a weekly faith and accountability group. “After struggling through my first year, I asked our rector, Father Robert...
by Tamara Heitschmidt | Nov 30, 2022
Nhat Nguyen Journey with Duncan Hall rector Nhat Nguyen on a pilgrimage as he shares how he has carried his mountaintop spiritual experiences throughout his life and work. “We all have mountaintop experiences that we can recall of great happiness and joy, a...
