tag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:/newsPublic Affairs | News2024-03-18T11:31:00-04:00tag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1605732024-03-18T11:31:00-04:002024-03-18T16:17:20-04:00Empowering narratives: ‘The Piano Lesson’ unites community with South Bend Civic Theatre performance<p>Sarai Hill, a 12-year-old South Bend student, is a triple threat. She was excited to take her singing, dancing and acting skills to the local stage, auditioning for a role in an upcoming performance at the <a href="https://sbct.org/">South Bend Civic Theatre</a>.</p>
<p>As Sarai finished her audition, the director turned to her mother, Redgina Hill, vice president for inclusion and equity at Saint Mary’s College, and asked if she would pick up a script and read a few lines. Caught off guard, Hill reluctantly agreed, despite lacking any prior acting experience. The next morning, she was approached with an offer she hadn’t anticipated — the lead role of Berniece in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Piano Lesson.”…</p><p>Sarai Hill, a 12-year-old South Bend student, is a triple threat. She was excited to take her singing, dancing and acting skills to the local stage, auditioning for a role in an upcoming performance at the <a href="https://sbct.org/">South Bend Civic Theatre</a>.</p>
<p>As Sarai finished her audition, the director turned to her mother, Redgina Hill, vice president for inclusion and equity at Saint Mary’s College, and asked if she would pick up a script and read a few lines. Caught off guard, Hill reluctantly agreed, despite lacking any prior acting experience. The next morning, she was approached with an offer she hadn’t anticipated — the lead role of Berniece in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Piano Lesson.”</p>
<p>“Everything in me said no, but there was a small voice that told me to walk through that door,” Hill said.</p>
<p>Hill joins a select group of nine cast members hand-picked for the performance, scheduled to run March 15-24 at the South Bend Civic Theatre. Berniece, Hill’s character, engages in a heated dispute with her brother, Boy Willie, over the family heirloom — an intricately carved piano bearing a painful history of the Charles family’s legacy of slavery, struggle and sacrifice.</p>
<p>“This powerful narrative, delivered by an all-Black cast, delves into authentic family dynamics, and everyone in the audience will identify with the characters,” Hill said.</p>
<p>“There is a part of me that identifies with Berniece — she is my mother, my grandmother, my aunt. We have all been shaped by a Berniece, so this character and her focus on family legacy really resonates with me.”</p>
<p>Drawing more parallels to her personal life, Hill portrays a single mother to Maretha, an 11-year-old girl played by her own daughter, Sarai.</p>
<h3>A commitment to August Wilson</h3>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/562054/bj_3.12.24_the_piano_1517.jpg" alt="The family's heirloom is an intricately carved piano bearing a painful history of the Charles family’s legacy" width="600" height="400">
<figcaption>The family's heirloom is an intricately carved piano bearing a painful history of the Charles family’s legacy</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“The Piano Lesson” is just one chapter in the South Bend Civic Theatre’s ambitious odyssey through August Wilson’s plays. In 2019, the theater committed to staging all 10 of Wilson’s timeless plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century. The century cycle began with “Gem of the Ocean,” set in the 1900s, where the audience was transported to the times of post-slavery America. “The Piano Lesson” is the fourth installment, set in Pittsburgh in the 1930s during the Great Depression.</p>
<p>With each production, the South Bend Civic Theatre hopes to become a beacon of diversity and inclusivity, attracting a wide range of audiences across the community.</p>
<p>“The audience gains a deeper understanding of the African American experience and its impact on American history,” said Aaron Nichols, executive director of the South Bend Civic Theatre. “We are building momentum each year through storytelling, and that commitment is part of our mission to enrich the community.”</p>
<p>In line with this mission, Nichols recruits directors capable of authentically bringing these stories to life. For “The Piano Lesson,” he wanted a Black director who could dive into the historical context of the story and spark meaningful conversations. In the past, he would bring in directors from Chicago. But this time, he reached out to Natalie Davis Miller, a Notre Dame employee in Internal Communications who had experience as an assistant director and actor.</p>
<p>“I was instantly drawn to this story and what it means for Black theater,” Miller said. “Once the lights go up, you will be invited into the home and see what Black family life was like in 1936.”</p>
<p>Miller emphasized the depth of the characters and the powerful dialogues they lead around the themes of history, family and the search for identity. Miller hosted auditions, but she prioritized community members willing to embrace roles regardless of acting experience, such as Redgina Hill. She recruited individuals from several local organizations, including the University of Notre Dame. University staff members involved with the play include Jonathan Bailey and Max Gaston from the Law School, Jessica Sieff from the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, and Tiana Mudzimurema from the Robinson Community Learning Center.</p>
<p>“There’s something special about this cast and how they all embody their characters so perfectly,” Miller said. “They sharpen each other every day, getting more comfortable on stage. It’s truly magical to see this all come together.”</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/562057/bj_3.12.24_the_piano_1521.jpg" alt="Natalie Davis Miller, a Notre Dame employee, directs her first performance at the SBCT" width="600" height="400">
<figcaption>Natalie Davis Miller, managing editor of NDWorks, directs her first performance at the SBCT</figcaption>
</figure>
<h3>Community connection</h3>
<p>In order to make these stories more accessible to community members, the South Bend Civic Theatre opened its doors for a “pay what you can” night on Thursday, March 14. These preview nights are now available for all South Bend Civic Theatre performances.</p>
<p>“We want to eliminate any financial hurdles for community members interested in experiencing these important stories,” Nichols said. “For our cast, this preview night provides extra encouragement as they are greeted with friendly faces during their final run-through.”</p>
<p>A special pre-show lecture will be hosted on Sunday, March 24, with local leaders sharing their knowledge on African American history. This event is free to ticket holders, but seating is limited.</p>
<p>In addition, the cast will take the show on the road. A special performance for students at Riley High School is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26. Prior to the performance, teachers will incorporate special lesson plans into their curriculum, teaching students about Wilson’s legacy and diving deeper into the decades reflected in the performances.</p>
<p>“The Piano Lesson” runs through March 24 at the South Bend Civic Theatre. Tickets are available for <a href="https://sbct.org/">purchase online</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-194ffca9-7fff-dbb1-33da-c0c6f8ded536"><br><br></strong></p>Colleen Wilcoxtag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1604852024-03-11T10:59:00-04:002024-03-11T10:59:17-04:00Land donation supports new approach to affordable housing in South Bend<p>The University of Notre Dame has donated three plots of land to the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization (NNRO), the nonprofit community development organization serving the increasingly popular Northeast Neighborhood south of campus. The land, along Turnock Street, will be used to build affordable, single-family homes as part of a newly formed community land trust, the first of its kind in Indiana.</p><figure class="image image-default"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/560538/fullsize/bj_2.29.24_712_turnock_st._1412.jpg" alt="Aerial view of a vacant, dirt-covered lot surrounded by single-family homes. Barren trees cast long shadows across the lot. It is late winter." width="1200" height="675">
<figcaption>Notre Dame has donated land in the 700 block of Turnock Street for affordable housing. The land is part of newly formed community land trust.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The University of Notre Dame has donated three plots of land to the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization (NNRO), the nonprofit community development organization serving the increasingly popular Northeast Neighborhood south of campus.</p>
<p>The land, along Turnock Street, will be used to build affordable, single-family homes as part of a newly formed community land trust, the first of its kind in Indiana.</p>
<p>A fourth lot, also along Turnock, will be used to develop affordable rental housing. Plans call for a small, four-unit apartment building. The building will fit with the existing character of the neighborhood, which includes a mix of owner-occupied and rental homes, townhomes and apartments.</p>
<p>Notre Dame is technically returning the land to the NNRO after previously purchasing it from the organization for redevelopment — specifically, for the University’s long-running <a href="https://treasury.nd.edu/acquisitions/northeast-neighborhood-redevelopment/notre-dame-avenue-housing-program/">Notre Dame Avenue Housing Program</a> for faculty and staff.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/560536/bj_2.29.24_705_st._louis_boulevard_1415.jpg" alt="A newly constructed bungalow — gray with white trim — sits between two other houses in a residential neighborhood." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>The Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization recently finished construction on this one-story home on St. Louis Boulevard in South Bend — it's first community land trust home.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>From a strategic perspective, the land trust aligns with Notre Dame’s Catholic values, which regard decent, safe and affordable housing as a human right. Additionally, the University’s <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu">strategic framework</a> lists engagement with South Bend and the surrounding community as a priority along with undergraduate education and formation, graduate education, research and scholarship, and Catholic identity.</p>
<p><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/people/tim-sexton/">Tim Sexton</a> is associate vice president of <a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/">public affairs</a> for Notre Dame.</p>
<p>“As a founding member and key financial contributor to the NNRO, Notre Dame is fully committed to advancing community and economic development in the Northeast Neighborhood for the good of all residents,” said Sexton, a past president of the NNRO. “This includes preserving access to affordable housing in the neighborhood through innovative programs and partnerships such as the community land trust. To that end, we are pleased to contribute to the trust and look forward to working with the NNRO to ensure its success long into the future.”</p>
<p>Jessica McCrea, president of the NNRO, said, “The NNRO is honored to meet the need of preserving affordability in the Northeast Neighborhood by implementing the state’s first CLT home, and we’re not stopping there. Together with support from legislators, funding partners and our board, we were able to make history in 2023 and we look forward to continuing to do so.”</p>
<p>Community land trusts are nonprofit corporations that hold and lease land on behalf of a community-based place, such as a city or neighborhood, for the purpose of maintaining access to affordable housing — even and especially in the face of rising property values.<iframe width="1200" height="673" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iWzmZjym8d4?si=l9OYsbQisNe7L5IH" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Here, the NNRO worked with the Grounded Solutions Network to establish the land trust. Notre Dame law students, led by James Kelly, clinical professor of law and director of the <a href="https://law.nd.edu/">Law School’s</a> <a href="https://law.nd.edu/academics/experiential-courses/clinics/community-development-clinic/">Community Development Clinic</a>, provided legal support for the trust.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, this is how it works:</p>
<ul>
<li>A family or individual buys a house that sits on land owned by the community land trust.</li>
<li>The purchase price is affordable because the homeowner is buying only the house, not the land.</li>
<li>The homeowner leases the land from the community land trust as part of a long-term, renewable lease — typically 99 years — at a nominal fee.</li>
<li>The homeowner agrees to sell the home at a restricted price to keep it affordable in perpetuity, excluding the value of any improvements they make while living in the home.</li>
</ul>
<p>By excluding land from the cost of construction, the trust offers lower-income individuals the opportunity to take advantage of homeownership as a pathway to long-term security and stability — both personal and financial — while promoting social and economic diversity around campus.</p>
<p>The NNRO is partnering with South Bend Heritage Foundation (SBHF), its longtime operations manager, to develop the parcels, which sit side-by-side along the east side of Turnock between Corby Boulevard and South Bend Avenue, six blocks south of campus.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/560537/bj_2.29.24_712_turnock_st._1413.jpg" alt="A view looking north across a vacant, dirt covered lot. It is late winter. Single-family homes can be seen in the background." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Notre Dame has donated land in the 700 block of Turnock Street for affordable housing. The land is part of newly formed community land trust.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A nonprofit affordable housing provider, SBHF previously partnered with NNRO on the Triangle Neighborhood, a mixed-income neighborhood adjacent to Eddy Street Commons. The organization is involved in single-family infill development in the Northeast Neighborhood as well, along Hill Street and elsewhere.</p>
<p>On Turnock, SBHF will build one detached, single-family bungalow and two side-by-side duplexes. It will use a set of pre-approved building plans — developed by the city of South Bend with input from the <a href="https://civicinnovation.nd.edu">Notre Dame Center for Civic Innovation</a> — for the duplexes. Work on the bungalow will commence this spring.</p>
<p>The NNRO recently sold its first land trust home — a single-family home on St. Louis Boulevard, a block west of Turnock — for $105,000, including a mortgage subsidy and other discounts. The home was appraised at about $500,000. The home next door recently sold for about $700,000.</p>
<p>“So (the community land trust is) doing exactly what we want it to do, which is maintain housing affordability in the Northeast Neighborhood,” said Marco Mariani, executive director of SBHF.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, buyers must earn less than 80 percent of the area median income, or about $66,000 per year for a family of four, and agree to the conditions of the trust. As a privilege of ownership, they get to sit on the NNRO committee that manages the trust.</p>
<p>“So that’s the community part of the overall land trust operation,” Mariani said.</p>
<p>This is the second time in as many years that Notre Dame has donated land near campus for affordable housing, responding to rapidly rising real estate prices.</p>
<p><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-joins-with-habitat-for-humanity-to-increase-access-to-affordable-housing-in-south-bends-northeast-neighborhood/">The University donated four lots along Turnock to Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County</a> in January of last year. It also facilitated a pass-through donation of $250,000 to the organization to build as many as seven new homes on those lots as well as elsewhere in the neighborhood over the next five years.</p>
<p>The first two — <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-alumni-assist-with-university-backed-habitat-project/">built with support from the Notre Dame Alumni Association and its Family Volunteer Camp</a> — are nearly finished. The owners are both single fathers from South Bend. One is a Notre Dame employee.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/land-donation-supports-new-approach-to-affordable-housing-in-south-bend-2/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">March 05, 2024</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1604132024-03-07T09:09:54-05:002024-03-07T09:09:54-05:00University of Notre Dame ranks as top educational institution and in top 20 on Forbes’ America’s Best Large Employers list<p>The University of Notre Dame has been named as the top educational institution on the Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers 2024, and was positioned in 20th place overall, ahead of many notable corporations and organizations.</p>
<p>The list of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-large-employers/?sh=413e00997b66">America’s Best Large Employers</a>…</p><p>The University of Notre Dame has been named as the top educational institution on the Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers 2024, and was positioned in 20th place overall, ahead of many notable corporations and organizations.</p>
<p>The list of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-large-employers/?sh=413e00997b66">America’s Best Large Employers</a> was identified in an independent survey from a sample of more than 170,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 5,000 people.</p>
<p>“We are tremendously grateful for the talent and dedication of the people who work at Notre Dame and make the University the special place it is,” said <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.</a> “Our employees are our most valuable asset, and so we are delighted to be named as a top employer alongside so many excellent organizations.”</p>
<p>Vice President for Notre Dame Human Resources <a href="https://www.nd.edu/about/leadership/council/heather-christophersen/">Heather Christophersen</a> cited the University’s unprecedented commitment to its employees when discussing the Forbes recognition.</p>
<p>“Notre Dame is committed to consistently investing in our people and fostering a culture that allows our employees to be their best selves,” Christophersen said. “From a historic compensation investment during the pandemic to continued growth of our total rewards program, we are proud to know that our employees value the benefits of being a member of the Notre Dame community.”</p>
<p>In 2022, citing the perseverance of and extraordinary contributions from members of the campus community during the pandemic, Father Jenkins announced a <a href="https://evp.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-makes-historic-compensation-investment-surpassing-75-million/">$25 million commitment</a> to increase base compensation for eligible hourly and salaried University staff, faculty and student workers.</p>
<p>That announcement was the third component in a compensation enhancement strategy that the University introduced in 2022. Across three phases, the overall investment in recurring compensation surpassed $75 million, the largest such investment in employees in the University’s history.</p>
<p>Additionally, in October 2022, the University expanded its employee <a href="https://ndworks.nd.edu/news/the-wellness-center-expansion/">wellness center</a> with additional exam rooms, a bigger physical therapy room, well-being services and an enlarged pharmacy.</p>
<p>Last spring, the University <a href="https://evp.nd.edu/news/office-of-human-resources-announces-enhanced-emotional-well-being-education-benefits/">enriched its emotional well-being and education benefits</a> for employees, announced the addition of a new <a href="https://hr.nd.edu/well-being-culture/news/notre-dame-partners-with-kindercare-to-offer-new-on-campus-child-care-facility/">on-campus child care facility</a> and, most recently, updated its leave programs to enhance the employee experience.</p>
<p>According to Forbes, the list of America’s Best Employers is based on two types of evaluations:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Personal — Given by employees themselves; also known as direct evaluations. These evaluations have a higher weighting.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Public — Given by friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry; also known as indirect evaluations.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>To explore Notre Dame career opportunities, visit <a href="http://jobs.nd.edu">jobs.nd.edu</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Notre Dame News</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/university-of-notre-dame-ranks-as-top-educational-institution-and-in-top-20-on-forbes-americas-best-large-employers-list/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">March 06, 2024</span>.</p>Notre Dame Newstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1603772024-03-05T16:07:07-05:002024-03-05T16:07:07-05:00Notre Dame makes $68 million commitment to fighting mental health crisis; scalable solutions could become national model <p>The University of Notre Dame is making a historic commitment to fighting the national mental health crisis by bringing together a coalition of benefactors, foundations and other funders who have committed more than $68 million over the past year to develop innovative solutions and expand access to care.…</p><p>The University of Notre Dame is making a historic commitment to fighting the national mental health crisis by bringing together a coalition of benefactors, foundations and other funders who have committed more than $68 million over the past year to develop innovative solutions and expand access to care.</p>
<p>That financial investment will:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Fund the creation of the new <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/veldman-family-makes-gift-to-notre-dame-for-a-mental-health-research-and-services-clinic/">Veldman Family Psychology Clinic</a>, which will develop scalable, evidence-based solutions in childhood trauma, suicide prevention and substance use.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Provide cutting-edge technology that will advance the University’s psychology and neuroscience research.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Expand the number of faculty and triple the number of students conducting mental health-related research on campus.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Increase mental health services for Notre Dame students through a unique campus partnership among academic and student affairs units.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Grow the availability of mental health care in the South Bend region.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The scope of these solutions is expected to have an impact well beyond campus and the local community — University leaders anticipate outcomes from the multidisciplinary work will serve as a future scalable model for other academic and public institutions.</p>
<p>“As we face what some have called a mental health epidemic, Notre Dame is proud to undertake this ambitious initiative in comprehensive mental health care, research and services,” said <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.</a> “Thanks to generous benefactors who have joined us in recognizing the need for increased support, we will confront this crisis which plagues students and our local and global communities. Together, we will seek evidence-based, effective and scalable solutions to address the overwhelming demand for mental health diagnoses and treatment, and help train the next generation of mental health professionals.”</p>
<p>Notre Dame identified mental health as one of several priorities in <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu">its strategic framework</a> for the next decade, and announced the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic in January as a first step in that commitment. Today’s announcement further builds on this strategy with details of how research and services will expand at the clinic and on campus.</p>
<p>Through the new clinic, faculty and graduate students from the <a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/">Department of Psychology</a> will increase mental health care capacity and access for community members, while also researching trauma, suicide prevention and substance abuse, three root causes of the mental health crisis. The goal is to develop innovative solutions that will become scalable treatment models across the country.</p>
<p>This investment is the start of the commitment that will enable Notre Dame to help mitigate the shortage of mental health professionals by increasing the number of senior psychology faculty, tripling the number of clinical psychology graduate students and enhancing the experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate psychology majors.</p>
<p>The treatment capacity of the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic on Hill Street will significantly grow in the coming years, eventually serving more than 1,500 people in the South Bend community annually through mental health assessment, intervention and prevention services. The growth will significantly reduce the current clinic’s wait list and eventually eliminate the wait list for care.</p>
<p>The funding will also provide world-class equipment not currently available to local researchers and providers.</p>
<p>One of the most notable advancements will be the implementation of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology. The equipment, which is atypical for universities without medical schools to own and operate, is a specialized form of MRI used to examine the brain’s functional anatomy.</p>
<p>“The addition of the fMRI machine to our clinical and research operations will greatly improve the speed and capabilities of our faculty to identify and help make an impact on the current mental health crisis,” said <a href="https://al.nd.edu/about/people/sarah-mustillo/">Sarah Mustillo</a>, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the <a href="http://al.nd.edu">College of Arts and Letters</a>. “Now, instead of traveling out of the region to use this equipment elsewhere, our faculty will have access to the technology right here in South Bend. This level of access will be a game-changer for our research innovations and patient outcomes.”</p>
<p>The impact of the new clinic will be felt not only in the community and academic circles, but also on campus. With growing collaborations and partnerships among University faculty and administrators, the mental health initiatives are expected to have a significant effect on Notre Dame student mental health care.</p>
<p>On campus, the <a href="https://studentaffairs.nd.edu/">Division of Student Affairs</a>, under the direction of Vice President<a href="https://studentaffairs.nd.edu/about/division-leadership/gerald-olinger-cs-c/"> Rev. Gerard Olinger, C.S.C.</a>, will expand resources to meet the growing mental health care needs of students at an earlier stage, specifically at the University’s <a href="https://supportandcare.nd.edu/">Center for Student Support and Care</a>, the <a href="https://ucc.nd.edu/">University Counseling Center</a> and the <a href="https://mcwell.nd.edu/">McDonald Center for Student Well-Being</a>.</p>
<p>Measurable outcomes anticipated include a decrease in the number of students seeking care for acute or crisis-level needs over the next five years, a designated care and wellness consultant embedded in every college and an increase in the number of students working with care and wellness consultants.</p>
<p>“With mental health standing as one of the defining crises of our times, Notre Dame has a distinct opportunity to transform what holistic mental health care looks like and to serve as a beacon for others involved in this work,” Father Olinger said. “We continue to look for and implement innovative solutions to meet our students where they are in their mental health care journeys, ultimately seeking to implement care at an earlier stage of need.”</p>
<p>Notre Dame’s commitment to solving mental health care issues stems from the University’s identity as a Catholic research institution.</p>
<p>“By caring for the mental health needs of students on campus and advancing psychological training and research, Notre Dame can realize in practice what we are called to do in our mission — be a force for good and a place of service and community,” said <a href="https://provost.nd.edu/people/charles-and-jill-fischer-provost/">John T. McGreevy</a>, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost.</p>
<p>“This multidisciplinary focus on innovative research and advanced care is just the beginning of how Notre Dame will address the mental health crisis not only on our campus but also nationally.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Notre Dame News</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-makes-68-million-commitment-to-fighting-mental-health-crisis-scalable-solutions-could-become-national-model/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">February 28, 2024</span>.</p>Notre Dame Newstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1603762024-03-05T16:05:53-05:002024-03-05T16:05:53-05:00Notre Dame, St. Joseph County to partner for maternal health ‘one-stop shop’<p>Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are engaging community partners in St. Joseph County, Indiana, to improve access to health care services for pregnant and postpartum women in underserved areas of the community with the Pop Up Pregnancy & Family Village program.</p><p>Today, giving birth to a child is no longer the most dangerous part of becoming a mother.</p>
<p>Eighty percent of <a href="https://reviewtoaction.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/Indiana%20MMR-Report-September-2022_0.pdf">pregnancy-associated deaths</a> occur in the postpartum period (up to one year following a birth), according to the Indiana Department of Health. And unlike complications during birth, the vast majority of postpartum deaths are preventable. These risks require immediate interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of mothers.</p>
<p>Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are taking action by engaging community partners in St. Joseph County, Indiana, to help improve access to health care services for pregnant and postpartum women in underserved areas of the community.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/560731/300x/joyce_adams_square.jpg" alt="Female professor with long dark braids wearing a bright blue blouse and gold earrings." width="300" height="296">
<figcaption>Yenupini Joyce Adams/University of Notre Dame</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/about/core-team/?service=undefined&location=undefined&name=&title=&school=undefined&id=yenupini-joyce-adams&dept=undefined&area=undefined">Yenupini Joyce Adams</a>, the <a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/education-training/maternal-newborn-and-child-health-mnch-initiative/">Maternal, Newborn and Child Health</a> lead for the <a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/">Eck Institute for Global Health</a> at Notre Dame, is spearheading these efforts by implementing new approaches to postpartum care in St. Joseph County.</p>
<p>Adams, who is an assistant professor of the practice for the Eck Institute and concurrent assistant professor of the practice at the <a href="https://keough.nd.edu/">Keough School of Global Affairs</a>, has received funding from <a href="https://www.in.gov/localhealth/stjosephcounty/health-first-indiana/">Health First St. Joseph County</a> to pilot the Pop Up Pregnancy & Family Village program, a monthly “one-stop shop” of existing, evidence-based programs that are currently operating in St. Joseph County communities.</p>
<p>“The goal of the Pop Up Pregnancy & Family Village is to establish a trusted, consistent, monthly ‘one-stop shop’ for mothers and families to access connection to care, resources and support that will address social drivers of health, well-being, and mental health, in addition to physical health during pregnancy and the postpartum period, in one convenient location,” Adams said.</p>
<p>The Pop Up Pregnancy & Family Village program will begin in August and September at locations in South Bend and Mishawaka. There will be no cost for participants to attend and receive care.</p>
<p>Adams will provide a free information session at the St. Joseph County Public Library in April for area health professionals and wellness organizations interested in participating in this important initiative, which is expected to expand to other northern Indiana communities through support from <a href="https://impact.beaconhealthsystem.org/">Beacon Community Impact</a>.</p>
<p>Building partnerships within St. Joseph County is well-aligned with the <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu/notre-dame-2033-a-strategic-framework/">University’s commitment</a> to supporting the health and well-being of others through translational research that can advance the local community. Support from the St. Joseph County Health Department, Beacon and Saint Joseph health systems and several community-based organizations for the pop-up project will supplement other <a href="https://hwi.nd.edu/funding/emerging-opportunities-in-health/#:~:text=Emerging%20Opportunities%20in%20Health%20is,Notre%20Dame%20and%20community%20organizations">University-sponsored</a> programs in the South Bend community.</p>
<p>Partnerships with the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and Beacon Health System are enabling Adams to leverage insights from <a href="https://yjadams.nd.edu/projects/focused-postpartum-care-project-focused-ppc/focused-ppc-an-integrated-postpartum-care-education-and-support-model-for-women-in-ghana/">her work in Ghana</a> to address maternal mortality through group postpartum care programs that will be implemented in Indiana. While group prenatal care programs that offer peer support to expectant mothers are common within U.S. health care systems, group postpartum care models have yet to be implemented. The group postpartum care model developed by Adams will be among the first to be integrated into a health care system in the U.S.</p>
<p>With several ongoing efforts to improve the health of mothers and children, the Eck Institute <a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/news-events/news/eck-institute-welcomes-new-partners-to-enhance-the-impact-of-its-maternal-newborn-and-child-health-mnch-work-group/">recently announced a Maternal, Newborn and Child Health working group</a> that is mobilizing University researchers and campus partners to inspire maternal health advancements within the South Bend community.</p>
<p>“The University of Notre Dame is dedicated to working with community partners to develop local programs that accelerate our impact for good in low- and middle-income communities,” said <a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/about/core-team/?service=undefined&location=undefined&name=&title=&school=undefined&id=bernard-nahlen&dept=undefined&area=undefined">Bernard Nahlen</a>, director of the Eck Institute for Global Health and professor of biological sciences. “As part of this continuing alliance, the Eck Institute is fully committed to supporting global and local research that seeks to improve maternal health outcomes.”</p>
<p>In the United States, the <a href="https://journals.lww.com/obstetricanesthesia/abstract/2019/03000/postpartum_care_in_the_united_states__new_policies.14.aspx">standard for postpartum care involves just one doctor visit at six weeks post-birth</a>. Adams hopes that by establishing a consistent monthly event that is conveniently located within local communities, “we can reduce health access barriers that have historically led to postpartum health complications and death.”</p>
<p>“Access to postpartum care services should be available to anyone, anywhere,” Adams said. “I am hopeful that we can reduce Indiana’s maternal mortality rates with our partners at the University and in the community. No woman should have to sacrifice her life to give life.”</p>
<p>To learn more about upcoming Maternal, Newborn and Child Health events or to join the working group, visit the <a href="https://globalhealth.nd.edu/education-training/maternal-newborn-and-child-health-mnch-initiative/">Eck Institute for Global Health website</a>.</p>
<p><em><strong>Contact:</strong> Brandi Wampler, associate director of media relations, 574-631-2632, <a href="mailto:brandiwampler@nd.edu">brandiwampler@nd.edu</a></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Contact:</strong> Erin Blasko, associate director of media relations, 574-631-4127, <a href="mailto:eblasko@nd.edu">eblasko@nd.edu</a></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Christine Grashorn</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-st-joseph-county-to-partner-for-maternal-health-one-stop-shop/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">March 04, 2024</span>.</p>Christine Grashorntag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1599862024-02-16T09:24:00-05:002024-02-16T09:24:21-05:00From prison to employment: Solar partnership advances Notre Dame’s mission, values<p>When the University of Notre Dame breaks ground on a new solar project later this year, it will be a full-circle moment for Patrick Regan, whose company, Crossroads Solar, is supplying the panels for the project — and helping formerly incarcerated men and women transition from prison to employment in the process.</p><figure class="image image-default"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558443/fullsize/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1216.jpg" alt="A man posing for a photo in front of two workers." width="1200" height="675">
<figcaption>President and Co-Founder Patrick Regan poses for a photo as technicians Keith Rich (left) and Chris Lazier work in the background at Crossroads Solar in South Bend. (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When the University of Notre Dame breaks ground on a new solar project later this year, it will be a full-circle moment for Patrick Regan, whose company, Crossroads Solar, is supplying the panels for the project — and helping formerly incarcerated men and women transition from prison to employment in the process.</p>
<p>A former professor of political science and peace studies, Regan spent seven years at Notre Dame before leaving to start Crossroads with Marty Whalen, a Notre Dame alumnus and former career program manager in the <a href="https://al.nd.edu/">College of Arts and Letters</a>.</p>
<p>Based in South Bend, Crossroads provides jobs and life skills to formerly incarcerated individuals, both men and women, as part of its commitment to “people,” “planet” and “more than profit” — a twist on the traditional “three Ps” of corporate social responsibility.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558438/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1215.jpg" alt="A man assembling a solar panel." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Keith Rich assembles solar panels at Crossroads Solar in South Bend. (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In starting the business, Regan was inspired by two distinct experiences: working with incarcerated men as part of the <a href="https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/moreau-college-initiative/">Moreau College Initiative </a>(MCI), and researching climate change in his former role as director of the <a href="https://gain.nd.edu/">Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative</a>, an index that ranks countries based on their vulnerability to and readiness for climate change as part of the <a href="https://environmentalchange.nd.edu/">Environmental Change Initiative</a>.</p>
<p>Established in 2013, MCI is a collaboration between Notre Dame and Holy Cross College — with support from the Indiana Department of Correction and Bard Prison Initiative — that seeks to ensure incarcerated men in Indiana have access to a world-class liberal arts education. Part of the Notre Dame <a href="https://socialconcerns.nd.edu">Center for Social Concerns</a>’ newly formed <a href="https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/programs-education-prison/">Programs for Education in Prison </a>(ND-PEP), it draws men from across the state, allowing them to attend college while incarcerated and earn a bachelor’s and/or associate degree from Holy Cross.</p>
<p>On the faculty side, the initiative draws from both Holy Cross and Notre Dame. That includes Whalen from 2016 to 2020 and Regan from 2014 to present. Whalen got involved because of a friend, a former Notre Dame classmate, who spent time in prison.</p>
<p>“It’s huge, to be truthful. It’s validating for us,” Regan said of working with Notre Dame, where he was a tenured member of the faculty and an internationally recognized expert in the areas of international relations, conflict management and the politics of climate change before retirement. “Notre Dame is an institution I used to work for and liked, and it did the right thing and that’s huge.”</p>
<p>By “the right thing” he means supporting formerly incarcerated men and women along the path to re-entry — men and women like Noel Townsend, whose path to Crossroads originated with MCI.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“If you think about the University and its mission, it’s education, of course, but it’s also, ‘How do we promote the common good?’ And this falls in line with that.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Today, the former Riley High School student is the operations manager for Crossroads, responsible for profit and loss, design, quality control, supply chain management, shipping, receiving, maintenance and marketing.</p>
<p>He dreams of one day leading the enterprise.</p>
<p>“I definitely see the opportunity,” Townsend said, crediting Regan and Whalen for believing in him and his ability to serve in a leadership role within the company despite his background.</p>
<h2>A common good</h2>
<p>For Notre Dame, the project aligns with both the University’s newly adopted <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu">strategic framework</a>, which calls for continued investment in South Bend and the surrounding community, and its Catholic values, which place human dignity at the center of a just and moral society.</p>
<p>At the same time, it’s another step for the University along the path to carbon neutrality, a publicly stated goal by 2050.</p>
<p>Paul Kempf is the University’s assistant vice president for utilities and maintenance.</p>
<p>“It’s a great opportunity and a nice marriage” between Notre Dame and Crossroads, Kempf said of the project. “If you think about the University and its mission, it’s education, of course, but it’s also, ‘How do we promote the common good?’ And this falls in line with that.”</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/508578/933_solar_project_site.jpg" alt="933 Solar Project Site" width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Site of the future West Campus Solar Project along Indiana 933. The property sits behind WNDU studios.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The project, comprising 2,316 panels, will generate about 1 megawatt of electricity, or enough to power about 750 homes. The panels will sit on what is now vacant land north of WNDU studios on Indiana 933. As a clean, renewable source of energy, the panels will reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions by 600 to 700 tons annually, the equivalent of removing as many as 137 passenger vehicles from the road.</p>
<p>Power from the project will flow directly to campus.</p>
<p>Notre Dame chose Crossroads at the recommendation of other local solar companies and after touring the company’s facilities on the city’s far northwest side. KFI, the project engineer, evaluated the manufacturing and quality control processes there and issued its official stamp of approval.</p>
<p>According to Kempf, Crossroads’ values aligning so closely with Notre Dame’s worked in the company’s favor, even as it was unable to match some of its more established competitors on price.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“We have people who have been in prison for 25 or 30 years; a couple went to prison out of high school,” Regan said. “So they have no employment history, no training. But we bring them in and train them and say, ‘Here’s an opportunity for you.’”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For Whalen, those values are what drew him to Notre Dame as a young man — and what lured him back to the University as an adult. A 1982 graduate in sociology, Whalen was among the first cohort of <a href="https://ili.nd.edu/">Inspired Leadership Initiative </a>fellows in 2018-19. The program, which is offered through the <a href="https://provost.nd.edu/">Office of the Provost</a>, helps professionals, many recently retired, “discover, discern and design” their next act.</p>
<p>“The overwhelming thing I feel is pride in my alma mater, pride that Notre Dame is walking the walk,” the former business owner said. “Notre Dame had an opportunity to make a difference (with Crossroads) and took it.”</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558434/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1212.jpg" alt="A man assembling a solar panel." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Angelo Dove assembles solar panels at Crossroads Solar in South Bend. (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Work on the project is expected to get underway later this spring or early summer. The panels are finished, stacked and ready for delivery in a storage area at Crossroads. The University already maintains one solar farm, a 145-kilowatt array next to its Kenmore Street Warehouse in South Bend. Coincidentally, that array sits directly behind Crossroads. The University is also a partner with Indiana Michigan Power in the St. Joseph Solar Farm, a 20-megawatt solar facility in nearby Granger, about 7 miles west of campus. Completed in 2021, the 58,000-panel project sits on land formerly owned and farmed by the Brothers of Holy Cross to feed students at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>But this project is unique in its combination of both environmental and social benefits.</p>
<p>“It’s Laudato Si’ in action,” Regan said, referring to Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change, which frames climate change as a symptom of a larger problem — specifically, a “throwaway culture” that treats the poor and outcast as waste to be discarded and discounts the value of labor as a source of dignity and a tool for personal growth.</p>
<h2>‘An opportunity’</h2>
<p>MCI is located at Westville Correctional Facility in northwest Indiana, which is where Regan first became aware of the significance of job discrimination as a barrier to re-entry for former offenders — along with access to housing, health care and other critical supports and services.</p>
<p>As he recalled, he was in class, talking about the value of a college education in the job market, when a student interjected. “But professor,” the man said, “your people won’t hire us, your people on the outside.” That got Regan thinking.</p>
<p>“And I said, ‘Oh, I bet I can do something about that,’” he said.</p>
<p>He looked into logistics, but the work — picking and packing, mostly — was too low-skill for what he wanted to accomplish. Wind was too capital intensive. He finally settled on solar as an ideal space to invest and grow, with the aim of supporting former offenders along the path to re-entry. It helped that he had experience in the climate space from his time at Notre Dame.</p>
<figure class="image image-default"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558440/fullsize/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1218.jpg" alt="Stacks of solar panels." width="1200" height="675">
<figcaption>Stacks of solar panels at Crossroads Solar in South Bend (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Still, he started small. He purchased materials online and built two solar panels by hand in his basement, soldering the cells one by one. From there, he developed a business plan. He also started looking for help with the hiring process. As it turned out, Whalen was leading an internship program for MCI students at the time. The two met. Whalen suggested a broad-based approach to hiring, targeting MCI graduates as well as other former offenders. He also offered to invest in the business. Today, he is vice president, in charge of vision and strategy.</p>
<p>It was a key moment for Regan, who lacked the capital to start the business on his own.</p>
<p>“To be truthful, I didn’t have the money to start this thing,” Regan said. “I had an idea, but I didn’t have enough money that wasn’t retirement money, and I promised my wife I wouldn’t bankrupt us.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"The importance of Crossroads providing these opportunities and serving as an example to the wider business community cannot be overstated.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It was fortuitous for Whalen as well. He had been looking for a way to help former offenders based on his experience with MCI. Now he had one.</p>
<p>“When men would graduate from the MCI program, I followed a lot of them,” he said, “and I realized that, even with a college degree, life was very difficult for them. People wouldn’t hire them. There’s a stigma attached to them. And this is after I taught them and realized they were really good human beings who just made a mistake.”</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://leo.nd.edu/people/david-phillips/">David Phillips</a>, research professor of economics at the <a href="https://leo.nd.edu/">Wilson Sheehan Lab For Economic Opportunities </a>at Notre Dame, people returning to the community from incarceration face many barriers.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558437/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1211.jpg" alt="A close-up of a person in blue, synthetic rubber gloves soldering a solar cell." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Angelo Dove solders a solar cell at Crossroads Solar in South Bend. (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For example, Phillips said, “Sometimes public assistance programs exclude them categorically, and some professions bar people based on criminal record. The same social network that a person might use for support during a tough time like transitioning from prison might be the same social network that’s connected to prior illegal activity. Landlords and employers use record checks, which makes it harder to get housing and employment.”</p>
<p>Overcoming these barriers is not easy, he said.</p>
<p>Crossroads currently employs about 18 people, including three MCI graduates. All are former offenders, both men and women. That number is expected to grow over the coming year as supply chains rebalance and work ramps up on other projects, Regan said.</p>
<p>“We have people who have been in prison for 25 or 30 years; a couple went to prison out of high school,” Regan said. “So they have no employment history, no training. But we bring them in and train them and say, ‘Here’s an opportunity for you.’”</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/michael-hebbeler-ma/">Mike Hebbeler</a>, program director for the Center for Social Concerns and managing director of ND-PEP, “Like college on the main campus, we provide MCI students with career guidance to discern and pursue their vocation while cultivating networks of employers on the outside essential for graduates to flourish. The importance of Crossroads providing these opportunities and serving as an example to the wider business community cannot be overstated.”</p>
<p>In Indiana, at least, men and women who leave prison return to incarceration within three years at a rate of about 30 percent, according to the Department of Correction, either because of a new conviction or a violation of post-release supervision. Men are more likely to return than women. The same is true for younger offenders compared with older offenders.</p>
<p>That said, offenders who participate in a work release program are about half as likely to return to prison as those who do not — demonstrating the value of employment as a scaffold to re-entry.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We’re human beings. We have paid our debts to society; the judicial system has agreed that we have paid our debt to society and released us. Not that you shouldn’t look at people’s past, but you also just have to give people a chance.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>“Good jobs matter a lot,” Phillips said. “One way to see this is to look at the job market when someone gets released. Some people are more lucky than others and get released during an economic boom; others get released during a recession. There are good studies showing that recidivism falls when people get released during moments when wage rates are rising or construction and manufacturing jobs are plentiful. Similarly, recidivism falls when states hike their minimum wage.”</p>
<p>That said, “the ‘good’ in ‘good job’ matters a lot. There are many examples of lighter-touch job search or training programs for people exiting prison that do not improve labor market outcomes,” Phillips said. “My sense of these programs is that people face so many barriers that we should not expect connecting someone to a dead-end job or a week of interview prep to do much.”</p>
<h2>‘It’s bigger than me’</h2>
<p>Crossroads leases about 50,000 square feet of space near the airport in South Bend — part of a larger, 150,000-square-foot building along Bendix Drive. It outgrew its original location, a former uniform factory downtown.</p>
<p>Inside, a state-of-the-art assembly line churns out hundreds of solar panels daily. The panels start off as large sheets of glass. A machine arranges pre-manufactured solar cells atop the glass. Workers wire the cells together and then send the panels along to be laminated. Finally, workers attach metal frames and external wiring to the panels and pack them for delivery.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558439/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1214.jpg" alt="Two men assemble a solar panel." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Santino Morales (left) and Angelo Dove assemble solar panels at Crossroads Solar in South Bend. (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Townsend, the operations manager, oversees it all from a small, wood-paneled office on the plant floor.</p>
<p>Needless to say, he brings a unique perspective to the job.</p>
<p>“Noel manages with grace,” Whalen said. “And I think that until you have been in the shoes of somebody who’s been incarcerated, you may not have the same level of grace that Noel has. That’s not to say that he doesn’t run a tight ship and hold people accountable, but he understands people are human and trying to do a good job, and that the nature of humanity is that sometimes we don’t measure up.”</p>
<p>Townsend knows about not measuring up.</p>
<p>A South Bend native, he was working as a quality control manager for a local RV company in 2010 when he was convicted of a felony drug offense and sentenced to 26 years in prison. It was his first offense, but because he was dealing and because the amount was more than 10 grams, the judge came down hard.</p>
<p>“I attribute it to just greed, maybe stupidity, immaturity,” Townsend said. “Just making bad decisions.”</p>
<p>With time off for good behavior, he spent nine years behind bars. Along the way, he enrolled in MCI and earned an associate degree to go with his two existing degrees: a bachelor’s in engineering from Purdue University and a master’s in business administration from Indiana University South Bend. Regan was one of his teachers.</p>
<p>A free man, he spent the next two years as a quality control engineer and then production manager for a local manufacturer — until Regan and Whalen lured him away to Crossroads.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/558441/bj_1.31.24_crossroads_solar_1217.jpg" alt="Two men assembling solar panels." width="600" height="338">
<figcaption>Technicians Keith Rich (left) and Chris Lazier install the frames on solar panels at Crossroads Solar in South Bend. (Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>That was in 2021.</p>
<p>“Career-wise, it’s been great,” Townsend said of the move.</p>
<p>He said he was attracted to the job by Regan and Whalen, of course, but also by the opportunity to improve the lives of former offenders like himself.</p>
<p>“What I experienced at the MCI program, and in prison in general through other programs, was that it’s bigger than me,” he said. “There are men and women out there that are coming home and struggling. It’s hard to find a job. The average non-felon has to knock on 10 doors before they get a job. A felon has to knock on 100 doors before we get a job that’s of the same level. So it’s challenging, and Crossroads helps fill the gap.”</p>
<p>Ultimately, he said, it’s about second chances.</p>
<p>“We’re human beings. We have paid our debts to society; the judicial system has agreed that we have paid our debt to society and released us. Not that you shouldn’t look at people’s past, but you also just have to give people a chance.”</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/from-prison-to-employment-solar-partnership-advances-notre-dames-mission-values/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">February 15, 2024</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1599852024-02-16T09:22:00-05:002024-02-16T09:23:06-05:00In the presence of Giants<p>Decades before Jackie Robinson became the first Black man to play in the major leagues, the Foundry Giants—a team of Black players working in the Studebaker factory’s foundry—were making a name for themselves as one of the strongest independent baseball teams in the Midwest.</p>
<p>The South Bend team played in Studebaker’s otherwise all-white industrial league in the 1920s and 1930s and saw about a half dozen of its players go on to play in the Negro Leagues.</p>
<p>Now, nearly a century after John “Big Pitch” Williams faced down his last batter and Dusty Riddle and Alonzo Poindexter cracked their last singles and doubles, the Giants are inspiring a new generation of ballplayers at Foundry Field.</p><p>Decades before Jackie Robinson became the first Black man to play in the major leagues, the Foundry Giants—a team of Black players working in the Studebaker factory’s foundry—were making a name for themselves as one of the strongest independent baseball teams in the Midwest.</p>
<p>The South Bend team played in Studebaker’s otherwise all-white industrial league in the 1920s and 1930s and saw about a half dozen of its players go on to play in the Negro Leagues.</p>
<p>Now, nearly a century after John “Big Pitch” Williams faced down his last batter and Dusty Riddle and Alonzo Poindexter cracked their last singles and doubles, the Giants are inspiring a new generation of ballplayers at Foundry Field.</p>
<p>Scheduled to open this summer, Foundry Field is a new public-access baseball field in Southeast Park and a collaborative community project led by the <a href="https://www.sappybaseball.com/sappy-moffitt-field-foundation/">Sappy Moffitt Field Foundation</a>, the University of Notre Dame’s <a href="https://socialconcerns.nd.edu/">Center for Social Concerns</a>, the <a href="https://clas.iusb.edu/centers/civil-rights/index.html">Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center</a>, and <a href="https://sbvpa.org/">South Bend Venues Parks and Arts</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nd.edu/stories/in-the-presence-of-giants/" class="btn">Read the story</a></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Carrie Gates</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/in-the-presence-of-giants/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">February 14, 2024</span>.</p>Carrie Gatestag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1593612024-01-24T08:00:00-05:002024-01-24T08:46:45-05:00Need some volunteer help? Student Government has a website for that! <p>While no two Notre Dame students are alike, many share a desire to serve others and the drive to make things better than they found them.</p>
<p>Those attributes come together in the creation of a <a href="https://studentgovernment.nd.edu/volunteer-database/">volunteer database</a> housed on the <a href="https://studentgovernment.nd.edu/">studentgovernment.nd.edu</a>…</p><p>While no two Notre Dame students are alike, many share a desire to serve others and the drive to make things better than they found them.</p>
<p>Those attributes come together in the creation of a <a href="https://studentgovernment.nd.edu/volunteer-database/">volunteer database</a> housed on the <a href="https://studentgovernment.nd.edu/">studentgovernment.nd.edu</a> website. The 2023-24 Student Government administration unveiled the site this week.</p>
<p>“One of the biggest concerns students have expressed to us is they didn’t know where to find service opportunities in the South Bend region because there wasn’t one place to go to see a list,” said Kate Jackowski, Student Government’s director of community outreach. “There were so many places to look, it was overwhelming.”</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">‘So many places to look’</h3>
<p>Student clubs, residence halls, or any number of courses, departments or committees have community service or engagement offerings, but the opportunities may not be open to all students. For example, visits to a homeless center may be tied to a course or a residence hall may plan a service outing exclusively for its residential community.</p>
<p>What is posted on the volunteer database is available to <em>all </em>students.</p>
<p>“Notre Dame students have such a heart to serve, it’s just like, where are the places that we can serve? How would we get there? Our hope is that having a centralized database is an easy way for students to access some cool service opportunities,” said Daniel Jung, the student body president.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">A volunteer database for all students</h3>
<p>The database includes “one and done” service options where a student chooses to serve a nonprofit for a few hours. The website also includes continuing commitments.</p>
<p>One offering for ongoing service listed there is <a href="https://campusministry.nd.edu/serve/service-in-south-bend/">Mercy Works</a>, a service program through <a href="https://campusministry.nd.edu/">Campus Ministry</a> that offers transportation and time for reflection on service experiences.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">What should nonprofits do?</h3>
<p>To avoid confusion, nonprofits <em>should not submit any ongoing service programs</em> with the University to the database; if an opportunity is open to all students, their partner on campus will submit it.</p>
<p>Nonprofits<em> </em><em>are invited to<strong> </strong><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOohIPJbr7crM_q9HkmHyJqjfUgIMA_7O2L90ruhNwiULyVA/viewform"><em>s</em>ubmit<strong> new or additional</strong> service opportunities</a></em> by the 20th of the current month for inclusion on the database the following month. Since the site just launched this week, you may submit February opportunities through the end of the day on Sunday, Jan. 28. The database will be updated on the last day of each month.<strong id="docs-internal-guid-e679cad3-7fff-a43a-da7d-7658fbdc0807"> </strong></p>Gwen O'Brien, Office of Public Affairstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1593472024-01-23T10:41:00-05:002024-01-23T10:41:55-05:00Hundreds participate in Walk the Walk Week service project benefiting South Bend area nonprofits<p>Volunteers from across campus gathered at Duncan Student Center on Saturday (Jan. 20) to sort and package personal hygiene and winter care kits — 600 in total — for local nonprofit organizations as part of <a href="https://walkthewalk.nd.edu">Walk the Walk Week</a>, an annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.</p><p>Volunteers from across campus gathered at Duncan Student Center on Saturday (Jan. 20) to sort and package personal hygiene and winter care kits — 600 in total — for local nonprofit organizations as part of <a href="https://walkthewalk.nd.edu">Walk the Walk Week</a>, an annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.</p>
<p>The kits included items such as razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, winter hats and gloves and hand sanitizer — purchased with money collected from undergraduate, graduate and professional students during a residence hall-based fundraising competition in November and early December.</p>
<p>The volunteers also made blankets, wrote personal notes for the care kits and sorted donations of gently used winter clothing, household and family items and nonperishable goods from faculty, staff and men’s and women’s basketball fans.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/554681/bj_1.20.24_wtww_service_project_987.jpg" alt="Bj 1" width="600" height="338"></figure>
<p>This was the second straight year for the event.</p>
<p>“This is a really unique way for Student Government to get involved in helping the local area and encourage our constituents to do the same,” Collette Doyle said. A junior political science and theology major from Chicago, Doyle is chief of staff for <a href="https://studentgovernment.nd.edu/">Notre Dame Student Government</a>, which organized the service project alongside <a href="https://campusministry.nd.edu">Campus Ministry</a>, <a href="https://buy.nd.edu/">Procurement Services</a> and the <a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu">Office of Public Affairs and Communications</a>.</p>
<p>Now in the hands of local nonprofits, the care kits and other items will be distributed to individuals and families in need in the South Bend-Elkhart community.</p>
<p>“We’ve been working very hard throughout the entire academic year on a service project where we can really benefit the South Bend community, because we see ourselves as one community,” said Daniel Jung, Notre Dame student body president. “And what we found was a high need for these care kits in the community.”</p>
<p>As a Catholic institution, service is central to Notre Dame’s mission, as outlined in the University’s <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu">strategic framework</a>. With support and encouragement from campus leaders, Notre Dame students, faculty and staff routinely collaborate with local nonprofits.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“I’ve been so impressed throughout my term as president with the heart of service that I see in our students and our faculty and staff. It speaks volumes about Notre Dame as an institution where we really do care about all of our brothers and sisters in the community.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>“We have to love our neighbors as ourselves,” Jung said. “It’s really a core tenet of what Student Government does and what the University does.”</p>
<p>An estimated 350 students, faculty and staff participated in Saturday’s event, fueled by breakfast from locally owned caterer Soulful Kitchen.</p>
<p>Jung, a junior business analytics and supplementary theology major from Tampa, Florida, was pleased with the turnout.</p>
<p>“I’ve been so impressed throughout my term as president with the heart of service that I see in our students and our faculty and staff,” Jung said. “It speaks volumes about Notre Dame as an institution where we really do care about all of our brothers and sisters in the community.”</p>
<p>Campus Ministry helped identify nonprofit partners for the project through its <a href="https://campusministry.nd.edu/serve/service-in-south-bend/">Mercy Works</a> program, which connects students to service opportunities in the community.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/554678/bj_1.20.24_wtww_service_project_978.jpg" alt="Bj 1" width="600" height="338"></figure>
<p>“This is a way for us to reach more students through this Walk the Walk Week,” said Becky Czarnecki, assistant director of faith and justice for Campus Ministry, adding, “The people of South Bend should know that Notre Dame cares about them.”</p>
<p>That’s what drew Anne Roycroft to the event — care and concern for the local community.</p>
<p>“It’s just a tremendous opportunity to get together with students and staff for the greater good, and I just love that feeling of working together,” said Roycroft, director of the Office of Professional Standards and Accreditation for the <a href="https://iei.nd.edu/">Institute for Educational Initiatives</a> and <a href="https://ace.nd.edu">Alliance for Catholic Education</a>.</p>
<p>“That’s what Notre Dame is all about, that’s why we’re here,” Roycroft said. “No matter what background or religion you’re from, this is a way that you can connect with your fellow humans. That’s why it’s important. We’re greater than our individual selves and collectively we’re much more powerful.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/hundreds-participate-in-walk-the-walk-week-service-project-benefiting-south-bend-area-nonprofits/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">January 22, 2024</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1592322024-01-16T16:38:00-05:002024-01-25T08:45:02-05:00Father Jenkins given keys to South Bend, Mishawaka at MLK Day event<p>University of Notre Dame President <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">Rev. John I. Jenkins</a>, C.S.C., was presented with keys to the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Recognition Breakfast on Monday in South Bend.</p><p>University of Notre Dame President <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">Rev. John I. Jenkins</a>, C.S.C., was presented with keys to the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Recognition Breakfast on Monday in South Bend. Notre Dame was among the sponsors of the breakfast, which was organized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation of St. Joseph County, Project Impact and South Bend Heritage Foundation.</p>
<p>Alongside organizer and advocate Gladys Muhammad, South Bend Mayor James Mueller, a 2004 Notre Dame graduate, presented the key to the city of South Bend to Father Jenkins in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the South Bend community.</p>
<p>“Under Father John’s visionary leadership, the University multiplied its economic impact to the greater South Bend region, growing into an international research powerhouse and a vital partner for our community,” Mueller said. “I thank him for his extensive accomplishments, as well as his friendship to me and to South Bend, and hope his next chapter is just as bright.”</p>
<p>Muhammad, who has worked closely with Notre Dame and Father Jenkins both as community organizer and in her previous role as associate director of South Bend Heritage Foundation, described the Nebraska-born Father Jenkins, himself a graduate of Notre Dame and a member of the University’s philosophy faculty since 1990, as “truly a citizen of South Bend.”</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/553796/mc_1.15.23_mlk_community_recognition_breakfast_13.jpg" alt="Notre Dame Executive Vice President Shannon Cullinan, left, and others applaud Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., during the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Recognition Breakfast on Monday (Jan. 15) in South Bend. Father Jenkins received keys to the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka during the breakfast. (Photos by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" width="600" height="338"></figure>
<p>“The South Bend community recognizes Father Jenkins’ commitment and dedication to the South Bend community. He has been very instrumental in the development of our city, with special support given to the Northeast Neighborhood,” Muhammad said. “He has encouraged a culture of giving among Notre Dame students, demonstrated through their volunteer hours and raising of funds to support local nonprofit organizations. We also appreciate his consistent presence at community events like the MLK Breakfast.”</p>
<p>Muhammad also thanked Father Jenkins for his commitment to diversity as president, particularly in the areas of the visual and performing arts and athletics.</p>
<p>In September, <a href="https://www.nd.edu/stories/tsu-und-beyond-the-game/">Tennessee State University became the first Historically Black College or University to face Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium</a>, with events surrounding the football game aimed at celebrating the history and legacy of HBCUs. Several of the University’s highest-profile athletics programs, including football, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball, are led by Black coaches. The University received the <a href="https://fightingirish.com/notre-dame-earns-multiple-awards-at-2024-ncaa-convention/">NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Award for Diversity and Inclusion</a> during the recent NCAA Convention. The award recognizes the initiatives, policies and practices of schools and conference offices that embrace diversity and inclusion across intercollegiate athletics.</p>
<p>On the arts side, venues such as the <a href="http://performingarts.nd.edu">DeBartolo Performing Arts Center </a>and <a href="https://raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu/">Raclin Murphy Museum of Art </a>frequently host diverse artists and exhibitions.</p>
<p>Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood presented Father Jenkins with the key to the city of Mishawaka, thanking him for bringing South Bend, Mishawaka and the entire region together.</p>
<p>“Father John, the University of Notre Dame is known worldwide as an international powerhouse — you and your students are literally changing the world. And sometimes, in doing so, it’s easy to forget your backyard,” Wood said. “But you were a champion of our region, making sure that that never happened. And in fact, our region has come together under your leadership far more than it ever had in the past. And I want to recognize and, on behalf of our residents, thank you for that. We are headed in a great direction as a city and a region, and that is in large part because of you.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“I will treasure these recognitions. But most of all, I will treasure all of you and the friendships we’ve made and the time we’ve had together. God bless you. Thank you.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>“I will treasure these recognitions. But most of all, I will treasure all of you and the friendships we’ve made and the time we’ve had together. God bless you. Thank you.”</p>
<p>Under Father Jenkins’ leadership, the University has, among other initiatives, taken concrete steps to attract and retain more diverse students, faculty and staff; promoted a “speak up” culture around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); incorporated DEI as a key priority in its strategic planning process; initiated an inclusive campus survey; appointed a vice president for institutional transformation charged with creating and coordinating an integrated approach to DEI; and opened a new <a href="https://deicenter.nd.edu/">Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion </a>in LaFortune Student Center to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for students.</p>
<p>Additionally, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in 2020, Father Jenkins and the University’s Board of Trustees identified the need to develop a DEI strategic plan to ensure sustained and lasting progress, leading to a special <a href="https://president.nd.edu/presidents-initiatives/notre-dame-board-of-trustees-task-force-report-on-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/">Board of Trustees Task Force Report on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion </a>in 2021. Among other things, the report calls on the University to increase representation and strengthen a culture of inclusion and belonging on campus.</p>
<p>After 19 years of service, Father Jenkins will step down as president of Notre Dame and return to teaching, writing and ministry at the University at the end of the academic year, he announced in October. <a href="https://www.nd.edu/about/leadership/council/rev-robert-a-dowd-csc/">Rev. Robert Dowd</a>, C.S.C., has been elected to succeed him.</p>
<p>Since being elected president in 2005, Father Jenkins has prioritized community and economic development and engagement as keys to the University’s short- and long-term success. Under his leadership, the University has collaborated with a variety of public, private and nonprofit organizations to improve life for everyone in the region, with a particular focus on projects and initiatives aimed at increasing access to education, housing, health care and other services and resources for historically marginalized members of the community.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/553797/mc_1.15.23_mlk_community_recognition_breakfast_14.jpg" alt="Mc 1" width="600" height="338"></figure>
<p>Notably, the University has invested heavily in off-campus residential and commercial development (<a href="https://tour.nd.edu/locations/eddy-street-commons/">Eddy Street Commons</a>, Triangle Neighborhood, <a href="https://treasury.nd.edu/acquisitions/northeast-neighborhood-redevelopment/notre-dame-avenue-housing-program/">Notre Dame Avenue Housing Program</a>), business and workforce development (<a href="https://ideacenter.nd.edu/">IDEA Center</a>, LIFT Network, <a href="https://industrylabs.nd.edu/">iNDustry Labs</a>), adult and K-12 education (<a href="http://rclc.nd.edu">Robinson Community Learning Center</a>, <a href="https://sites.google.com/nd.edu/tutornd/home">TutorND</a>), research (<a href="https://ndtl.nd.edu/">Notre Dame Turbomachinery Facility</a>, <a href="http://civicinnovation.nd.edu">Center for Civic Innovation</a>), and the arts (Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, <a href="https://sites.nd.edu/stadium-complex-facility-operations/2021/06/22/oneill-hall-of-music-overview/">O’Neill Hall of Music and Sacred Music</a>, <a href="https://arts.nd.edu/">Arts Gateway</a>).</p>
<p>The University has also been an integral member of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership, helping to secure nearly $100 million in state funding for transformative economic and community development projects in Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.</p>
<p>Recently, the University announced two significant investments in downtown South Bend: <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-acquires-former-tribune-property-in-downtown-south-bend/">acquisition of the vacant former South Bend Tribune building </a>and a <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/veldman-family-makes-gift-to-notre-dame-for-a-mental-health-research-and-services-clinic/">gift from the Veldman family </a>to significantly expand the quality and availability of mental health care in the community via a new psychology clinic along Hill Street.</p>
<p>The University recently adopted a new University-wide <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu/">strategic framework, </a> the first to include the words “South Bend, Indiana”, noting, “It is now clearer than ever before that for Notre Dame to thrive, the South Bend region must also prosper. And a more prosperous South Bend strengthens Notre Dame.”</p>
<p>Accepting the keys to the cities, Father Jenkins expressed his deep affection for the entire community.</p>
<p>“I love this community; I love the people in this room,” he said. “I believe in this community and I believe in its future. If we can work together, this great community can be even greater. It’s been my privilege to be president of Notre Dame and to work with the wonderful people in this room to make this a better community. I believe its best days are ahead if we can work together to make this community everything it’s called to be.”</p>
<p>He concluded, “I will treasure these recognitions. But most of all, I will treasure all of you and the friendships we’ve made and the time we’ve had together. God bless you. Thank you.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/father-jenkins-given-keys-to-south-bend-mishawaka-at-mlk-day-event/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">January 16, 2024</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1590882024-01-09T13:39:00-05:002024-01-10T13:39:38-05:00Veldman family makes gift to Notre Dame for a mental health research and services clinic<p>Multiple Veldman family foundations, including those of Sharon and Matt Edmonds, Connie and Mike Joines, and Anita and Tom Veldman, have made a gift to the University of Notre Dame in honor of their parents to establish the Wilma and Peter Veldman Family Psychology Clinic and to endow several key faculty positions, marking a significant expansion in the quality and availability of mental health care in the South Bend area.</p><p>Multiple Veldman family foundations, including those of Sharon and Matt Edmonds, Connie and Mike Joines, and Anita and Tom Veldman, have made a gift to the University of Notre Dame in honor of their parents to establish the Wilma and Peter Veldman Family Psychology Clinic and to endow several key faculty positions, marking a significant expansion in the quality and availability of mental health care in the South Bend area.</p>
<p>“The need for mental health resources has increased exponentially, in our nation, in the local community and on every college campus in the country,” said <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.</a> “Given our mission to be a force for good in the world, Notre Dame has the opportunity to develop new models for the provision of mental health services and undertake groundbreaking research on how to treat mental illnesses, while also enhancing services for our students and helping to meet the overwhelming demand for more mental health resources in our local community. We are deeply grateful to the Veldman family for their support as we seek to bring hope and healing to those struggling with mental illness and build healthier and more compassionate communities.”</p>
<p>The Veldman Family Psychology Clinic will unite the work of Notre Dame’s <a href="https://shaw.nd.edu/">William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families</a>, the <a href="https://preventsuicide.nd.edu/">Suicide Prevention Initiative—Research,</a> <a href="https://preventsuicide.nd.edu/">Intervention, and Training</a> (SPIRIT), and a major new substance use initiative, while expanding the availability of affordable mental health counseling services to residents of the South Bend area.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://strategicframework.nd.edu/">University’s strategic framework</a> includes a commitment to addressing the nationwide mental health crisis as part of a new <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu/notre-dame-2033-a-strategic-framework/part-ii/c-science-and-engineering-for-a-world-in-need/">Health and Well-Being Initiative</a>. The new clinic, a key component of that initiative, will significantly enhance the research of faculty in the <a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/">Department</a> <a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/">of Psychology</a> and offer immersive training for clinical psychology graduate students, who will be empowered to share pioneering evidence-based mental health practices with communities across the country.</p>
<p>The Veldman family’s gift will fund a new building for the clinic, to be constructed at the site of the existing Psychological Services Center at 501 N. Hill St. in South Bend’s East Bank neighborhood. The facility will create a centralized hub for faculty and student collaboration as well as an easily accessible service-delivery center for South Bend community members to visit and receive care.</p>
<p>Once constructed and fully operational, the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic will significantly increase evidence-based mental health services available to residents of South Bend and the surrounding area. The need for these services was highlighted by recent research by Daniel Tadmon, assistant professor of sociology at Notre Dame, which found that about 70 percent of Americans have better access to psychiatric care than those who live in the South Bend area.</p>
<p>The clinic will increase the number of senior psychology faculty, triple the number of clinical psychology graduate students and triple the experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate psychology majors.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/553172/dean_sarah_mustillo_300.jpg" alt="Dean Sarah Mustillo 300" width="300" height="366"></figure>
<p>The current counseling capacity of the clinic will double in the coming years, eventually serving more than 1,500 people in the South Bend community annually through mental health assessment, intervention and prevention services. The clinic will also foster partnerships with community organizations to advance access to mental health care throughout the region.</p>
<p>“Mental health is more than an urgent public health priority — it is a moral imperative that Notre Dame is especially well suited to address,” said <a href="https://al.nd.edu/about/people/sarah-mustillo/">Sarah Mustillo</a>, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the <a href="http://al.nd.edu/">College of Arts and Letters</a>. “That work can and should start right here in South Bend as we care for our community while simultaneously developing new prevention, intervention and treatment practices that will inform innovative care across the nation.”</p>
<p>The expansion also marks an important step forward in a partnership between the academy and the Division of Student Affairs focused on a long-term goal of raising the level of mental health care provided to students.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/553173/beauchaine_talking_1200.jpg" alt="Beauchaine Talking 1200" width="600" height="400"></figure>
<p>Through the Veldman family’s support, the clinic will now be home to a significantly expanded presence for SPIRIT, accelerating its comprehensive and innovative work on suicide prevention. Led by co-directors <a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/people/theodore-beauchaine/">Theodore Beauchaine</a>, the William K. Warren Foundation Professor of Psychology and director of primary prevention, and <a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/people/brooke-ammerman/">Brooke Ammerman</a>, an assistant professor of psychology and the Dr. Marsha Linehan Director of Secondary Prevention, SPIRIT pursues groundbreaking research on self-injury, suicide ideation and suicide attempts, and provides prevention services to children, adolescents, adults and families.</p>
<p>The clinic will unite these expanded efforts with Notre Dame’s current strength in trauma-focused research housed at the Shaw Center. Led by director <a href="https://psychology.nd.edu/people/kristin-valentino/">Kristin Valentino</a>, a professor of psychology and the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families Collegiate Chair, the center advances the well-being of children and families through basic and applied research, improving public understanding of how to improve the lives of children and families, especially those who have experienced trauma.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://news.nd.edu/assets/553171/valentino_talking_1200.jpg" alt="Valentino Talking 1200" width="600" height="400"></figure>
<p>Born in the mid-1920s, Wilma and Peter Veldman grew up on farms in Holland and lived through the Nazi occupation during World War II. As young immigrants, the couple arrived in South Bend in the early 1950s. They eventually started and operated a variety of automotive-related businesses in South Bend, beginning with a two-bay Standard Oil service station and ending with Tire Rack, an online distributor of automotive and light truck tires and wheels. Over more than 40 years in business, the Edmonds, Joines and Veldman families led Tire Rack to become the largest online tire distributor in the United States. Their faith, family and community were always most important to Peter and Wilma, and their family seeks to honor those values and their parents through this gift.</p>
<p>“Our family sees the great need in our community for better access to mental health care, but we also see the tremendous opportunity to make a difference through supporting Notre Dame’s mental health initiatives,” Tom Veldman said. “This is a moment where we can impact the course of our community by reshaping the trajectory of so many lives, and we hope others will join us in supporting this crucial endeavor.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Josh Weinhold</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/veldman-family-makes-gift-to-notre-dame-for-a-mental-health-research-and-services-clinic/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">January 09, 2024</span>.</p>Josh Weinholdtag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1588452024-01-08T11:33:00-05:002024-01-10T13:40:22-05:00Habitat for Humanity to hold two information sessions on campus about affordable home ownership<p><a href="http://www.hfhsjc.org/">Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County</a> (HFHSJC) will host two information sessions on campus for University of Notre Dame employees who are interested in becoming homeowners. One meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17. Another session will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Both meetings will be held in Room 127 in the Mason Services Center. (<a href="https://map.nd.edu/#/placemarks/L0275/zoom/16/lat/41.70020314568804/lon/-86.246845777771">Click for campus map.</a>…</p><p><a href="http://www.hfhsjc.org/">Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County</a> (HFHSJC) will host two information sessions on campus for University of Notre Dame employees who are interested in becoming homeowners. One meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17. Another session will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Both meetings will be held in Room 127 in the Mason Services Center. (<a href="https://map.nd.edu/#/placemarks/L0275/zoom/16/lat/41.70020314568804/lon/-86.246845777771">Click for campus map.</a>) You need to attend only one of the two meetings.<br><br>In 2023, two Notre Dame staff members applied to the Habitat program after attending an information session on campus and were selected for the program — their homes are under construction now. <br><br>Habitat is building several <a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-joins-with-habitat-for-humanity-to-increase-access-to-affordable-housing-in-south-bends-northeast-neighborhood/">new homes in the Northeast Neighborhood</a> south of the University of Notre Dame campus, within walking distance to Eddy Street Commons, downtown South Bend and the East Bank. Habitat also has opportunities to build <a href="https://www.nd.edu/stories/a-home-by-design/">on the east side of Mishawaka</a>. <br><br>Habitat houses are quality, energy-efficient homes that range in size — between 1,200 to 1,400 square feet — and include three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full basement and one-stall garage. Projected mortgage payments will not exceed 30 percent of a family’s gross income.<br><br>Applicants are selected based on a demonstrated need for housing, the ability to pay an affordable mortgage and a willingness to partner with Habitat and complete the program requirements. <br><br>Participating families work alongside volunteers to build their own homes. They also volunteer for HFHSJC and participate in Habitat-sponsored homeownership classes. In doing so, they qualify for down payment assistance and competitive lending terms through Habitat and a local bank.</p>
<p>HFHSJC is an equal housing opportunity lender and nonprofit that offers home ownership opportunities to people of low to moderate income who have been priced out of the housing market due to rising real estate prices and narrow access to lending. If your income falls within the following guidelines, you may be able to qualify:<br><br></p>
<p>Family size: 1 person</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Minimum income: $35,000</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Maximum income: $57,800<br><br></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Family size: 2 people</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Minimum income: $35,000</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Maximum income: $66,100</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br>Family size: 3 people</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Minimum income: $35,000</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Maximum income: $74,300</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Family size: 4 people</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Minimum income: $35,000</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Maximum income: $82,560</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br>Family size: 5 people</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Minimum income: $35,000</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Maximum income: $89,200</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br>Family size: 6 people</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Minimum income: $35,000</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Maximum income: $95,800</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Additional requirements include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Have not declared bankruptcy in the last four years.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Have not lost a home to foreclosure in the last three years.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Have paid your monthly bills on time for the last 12 months (including loans, credit cards, rent, etc.).</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Have had stable income and employment for at least the last 12 months.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Meet income and credit guidelines.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Willing to complete program requirements, including sweat equity hours and homeowner education classes.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Willing to purchase home available.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Pass criminal history and sex offender background checks.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Furnish all required documentation and information, which may vary based on individual circumstances.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><br>Income guidelines are based on the area median income and household size. Those who make slightly more than the stated income guidelines may send an email to <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=homeownership@habitat-for-humanity.org&su=Questions%20about%20qualifying%20for%20a%20Habitat%20home">homeownership@habitat-for-humanity.org</a> and Habitat will help you determine if you still may be able to qualify.<br><strong><br><em>Note: Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County will select program participants based on its qualifying criteria. The opportunity to build with Habitat is not reserved for University of Notre Dame employees, and the University is not offering loan or other home ownership assistance to its employees.</em></strong><strong id="docs-internal-guid-112d3371-7fff-b6ac-125e-fc7b12dba1ba"></strong></p>Gwen O'Brien, Office of Public Affairstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1585362024-01-02T13:46:00-05:002024-01-23T11:40:06-05:00Philanthropy students award $59,000 to local nonprofits<p>Philanthropy and the Common Good students awarded a combined $59,000 to five local nonprofits during an event Tuesday (Nov. 28) at McKenna Hall at the University of Notre Dame.</p><p>Philanthropy and the Common Good students awarded a combined $59,000 to five local nonprofits during an event Tuesday (Nov. 28) at McKenna Hall at the University of Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Led by Adjunct Assistant Professor of Political Science <a href="https://sheedyprogram.nd.edu/contact/jon-hannah/">Jonathan Hannah</a>, Philanthropy and the Common Good is a collaboration among the <a href="https://politicalscience.nd.edu/">Department of Political Science</a> and <a href="https://hesburghprogram.nd.edu/">Hesburgh Program in Public Service</a> with support from the <a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu">Office of Public Affairs</a>, <a href="https://ethicscenter.nd.edu/">de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture</a>, <a href="https://constudies.nd.edu/">Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government</a>, <a href="https://sheedyprogram.nd.edu/">Sheedy Family Program in Economy, Enterprise and Society </a>and Notre Dame alumni and friends.</p>
<p>The Philanthropy Lab, a Texas-based nonprofit devoted to philanthropy education, provides financial and curricular support for the class, which offers students from a variety of academic backgrounds the opportunity to engage with local nonprofits while learning about the history and role of philanthropy in the United States.</p>
<p>Central to the experiential nature of the course, students research and visit local nonprofits, request and review funding proposals and work as a board of directors to award real grant money to multiple organizations each year, representing a diverse cross-section of the nonprofit community.</p>
<p>“Teaching this course the past five years has been an honor, and I am truly excited to share that we will offer the course again in the fall of 2024,” Hannah said.</p>
<p>He continued, “I would like to thank my students for their commitment and hard work. Being a Notre Dame student is incredibly challenging, and the 115 students who have taken this course the past five years have gone above and beyond with their dedication. As I always say, this is not just another class. I would also like to thank the local nonprofit employees who spend time with my students. Michiana is fortunate to have an amazing network of nonprofit organizations and professionals.”</p>
<p>This year’s winners were:</p>
<p>• Cultivate Food Rescue, a food rescue organization devoted to ending the cycle of hunger and reducing food waste in South Bend and surrounding areas, received $14,000.</p>
<p>• Corvilla, which supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Bend and surrounding areas, received $10,000.</p>
<p>• The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program of St. Joseph County, which advocates for children in the judicial system, received $10,000.</p>
<p>• 100 Women Strong, which provides modest, one-time financial assistance to women in need in Berrien County, Michigan, received $15,000.</p>
<p>• Neighbor to Neighbor, which supports the refugee community in South Bend, received $10,000.</p>
<p>The class has awarded nearly $350,000 in grants to local nonprofits since 2019.</p>
<p>Andrea Cramer is executive director of Neighbor to Neighbor, which will be able to serve an additional 50 people next year thanks to its grant.</p>
<p>“I’m just really thankful,” Cramer said, describing the overall experience as “very collaborative.”</p>
<p>She said the students were “really great.”</p>
<p>“They were really curious and very empathetic and asked great questions,” she said. “We had a really enjoyable and meaningful time together.”</p>
<p>In addition to Hannah, Notre Dame President <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.</a>, delivered brief remarks during the event, his presence netting an additional $10,000 from the Philanthropy Lab for next year’s class.</p>
<p>Among other things, Father Jenkins described the class as antithetical to the notion of institutions of higher learning as so-called “ivory towers” disconnected from their surrounding communities.</p>
<p>“It’s important that Notre Dame isn’t that (ivory tower), but that we’re part of this community, and we help others serve this community,” he said. “I think one thing this class does is that it connects the University with the community and with people who are helping to serve those in need in this community. It’s so valuable for that reason.”</p>
<p>As in past years, two of this year’s students — Madelyn Alford and Bobby Spence — will travel to Texas next year to represent Notre Dame at the Philanthropy Lab’s annual summer conference, where they will have the opportunity to network with fellow philanthropy students and advocate for additional money for one of this year’s grant recipients.</p>
<p>Spence is a junior political science major and philosophy and constitutional studies double minor from suburban Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>“I really didn’t know what to expect coming in, but I can say it’s definitely been in the top 3 of any class I’ve taken here at Notre Dame, and I’ve been through two-and-a-half years of classes here,” Spence said, adding, “I really cannot speak highly enough about it.”</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/philanthropy-students-award-59-000-to-local-nonprofits/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">December 01, 2023</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1587532023-12-13T16:07:45-05:002023-12-14T09:32:31-05:00United Way 2023 raffle drawing winners announced<p>The Office of Public Affairs and the <a href="https://unitedway.nd.edu/campus-steering-committee/">United Way Steering Committee</a> at Notre Dame thanks faculty and staff who participated in the <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/ar0v2i/it3tjw/2opz5w">2023 United Way campaign</a>. <br><br><a href="https://uwsjc.org/">United Way of St. Joseph County</a>…</p><p>The Office of Public Affairs and the <a href="https://unitedway.nd.edu/campus-steering-committee/">United Way Steering Committee</a> at Notre Dame thanks faculty and staff who participated in the <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/ar0v2i/it3tjw/2opz5w">2023 United Way campaign</a>. <br><br><a href="https://uwsjc.org/">United Way of St. Joseph County</a> (UWSJC) is a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty by taking a whole-community, or a united, approach. Each year United Way raises money through its campaign, and those funds go to local nonprofit programs that address these focus areas: education, health, economic mobility and safety net services. </p>
<p><strong> </strong>To incentivize giving at Notre Dame, offices across campus donated prizes for a raffle. The following names were picked in a random drawing. Names entered into the raffle are first-time donors giving $10 or more a month and those who increased their giving by $10 or more a month. The winners have been notified via email.</p>
<p>Winners:</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>One night’s stay at the Morris Inn:</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Toby Harris</strong>, lead server, Rohr’s</p>
</li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>$100 gift certificate for Rohr’s:</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Tadeusz Mazurek</strong>, director of undergraduate studies, teaching professor, Department of Classics</p>
</li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Four tickets to a Women’s Basketball game:</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Liz Zapf</strong>, business manager, Notre Dame Police Department</p>
</li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Four tickets to a Men’s Basketball game:</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Patrick Fay</strong>, professor of electrical engineering</p>
</li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Round of golf for four at Warren Golf Course, including golf cart and green fees</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Ben Wilson</strong>, associate director of experiential learning, Mendoza College of Business</p>
</li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Gift bag of merchandise from the Notre Dame Bookstore</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Katie Miller</strong>, senior director of people and culture, Human Resources</p>
</li>
</ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p>Voucher for five free meals at North or South Dining Hall (2):</p>
</li>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong>Chris Conway</strong>, director of university counseling, office of the associate vice president of student services</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
<p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-37f2c13c-7fff-8403-8917-c2202de4da1b">Keith Urtel</strong>, associate teaching professor of accountancy, Mendoza College of Business </p>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>Gwen O'Brien, Office of Public Affairstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1586742023-12-11T15:51:00-05:002023-12-12T12:38:24-05:00Community leaders join Father Jenkins for Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception<p>On Wednesday, Dec. 6, more than 250 community members from South Bend-Elkhart attended the President’s Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception, held in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the rotunda of the Main Building. <br><br>Guests representing regional nonprofits, government offices, colleges and universities, businesses, and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi attended.…</p><p>On Wednesday, Dec. 6, more than 250 community members from South Bend-Elkhart attended the President’s Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception, held in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the rotunda of the Main Building. <br><br>Guests representing regional nonprofits, government offices, colleges and universities, businesses, and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi attended.</p>
<p>A cherished holiday tradition, this year's event was hosted by Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., who announced in October he would step down as president of the University on June 30, 2024, after 19 years in the role. <br><br>Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the University's president-elect, was present for this year's event, and will serve as host in future years.</p>
<p>A photo gallery from the event can be found below. </p>
<p><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/stylesheets/lb.css"><script src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/javascripts/lb.js?v=2023-05-17"></script><ul id="gallery-495" class="gallery-lb gallery-495" data-count="21"><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551008/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_05.jpg" title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, presides over the Advent Prayer Service held at the Basilica at the Sacred Heart. (Photo by Matt Cashore/ University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, presides over the Advent Prayer Service held at the Basilica at the Sacred Heart. (Photo by Matt Cashore/ University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551008/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_05.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551019/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_54.jpg" title="The president’s Advent Prayer Service was held at the Basilica at the Sacred Heart. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="The president’s Advent Prayer Service was held at the Basilica at the Sacred Heart. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551019/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_54.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551028/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_52.jpg" title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) " data-title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) "><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551028/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_52.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551017/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_49.jpg" title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) " data-title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) "><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551017/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_49.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551010/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_57_1_.jpg" title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, greets John Mastrojohn, the new CEO of the Center for Hospice Care, at the conclusion of the Advent Prayer Service. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, greets John Mastrojohn, the new CEO of the Center for Hospice Care, at the conclusion of the Advent Prayer Service. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551010/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_57_1_.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551257/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_01.jpg" title="Tim Sexton, associate vice president for public affairs, right, introduces Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the University's president-elect, to a member of the South Bend community. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Tim Sexton, associate vice president for public affairs, right, introduces Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the University's president-elect, to a member of the South Bend community. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551257/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_01.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551032/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_63.jpg" title="Former Indiana State Senator James Arnold and Gladys Muhammad, a community organizer and long-time staff member at the South Bend Heritage Foundation, say hello after the Advent Prayer Service. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)
" data-title="Former Indiana State Senator James Arnold and Gladys Muhammad, a community organizer and long-time staff member at the South Bend Heritage Foundation, say hello after the Advent Prayer Service. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)
"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551032/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_63.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551036/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_65.jpg" title="The Advent Prayer Service, held in the basilica, was followed by the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="The Advent Prayer Service, held in the basilica, was followed by the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551036/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_65.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551038/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_102.jpg" title="Bethany Hartley, president and CEO of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership, left, and Jacqueline Kronk, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County, center, socialize at the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Bethany Hartley, president and CEO of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership, left, and Jacqueline Kronk, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County, center, socialize at the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551038/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_102.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551041/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_70.jpg" title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, center right, poses for a photo with Lynn Coleman, co-founder of Let’s Turn it Around; Gladys Muhammad, a community organizer; and Jessie Whitaker, a local social worker, all of whom he has known for several years. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, center right, poses for a photo with Lynn Coleman, co-founder of Let’s Turn it Around; Gladys Muhammad, a community organizer; and Jessie Whitaker, a local social worker, all of whom he has known for several years. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551041/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_70.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551034/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_98.jpg" title="Kelley Rich, interim vice president and associate provost for innovation; Eve Kelly, assistant director of strategic initiatives in the Office of Institutional Transformation; Anne Griffith, vice president of University events and enterprises; and JP Abercrumbie, executive associate athletics director of culture and engagement, enjoy the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Kelley Rich, interim vice president and associate provost for innovation; Eve Kelly, assistant director of strategic initiatives in the Office of Institutional Transformation; Anne Griffith, vice president of University events and enterprises; and JP Abercrumbie, executive associate athletics director of culture and engagement, enjoy the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551034/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_98.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551049/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_108.jpg" title="Tina Patton, vice president/director of nonprofit and foundation engagement at Indiana Trust Wealth Management, and Dru Cash, a local real estate associate, socialize at the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Tina Patton, vice president/director of nonprofit and foundation engagement at Indiana Trust Wealth Management, and Dru Cash, a local real estate associate, socialize at the Holiday Reception in Main Building. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551049/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_108.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551039/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_99.jpg" title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) " data-title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) "><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551039/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_99.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551048/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_106.jpg" title="Indiana Rep. Maureen Bauer, district 6, pictured center, visits with former Indiana State Senator James Arnold, district 8), left. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Indiana Rep. Maureen Bauer, district 6, pictured center, visits with former Indiana State Senator James Arnold, district 8), left. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551048/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_106.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551050/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_112.jpg" title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, and Solomon Anderson, center, a loan officer with 1st Source Bank and a member of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization board, listen intently to the Honorable Andre Gammage, a Mishawaka magistrate judge. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, and Solomon Anderson, center, a loan officer with 1st Source Bank and a member of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization board, listen intently to the Honorable Andre Gammage, a Mishawaka magistrate judge. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551050/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_112.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551058/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_136.jpg" title="James Mueller, mayor of South Bend, and Bethany Hartley, president and CEO of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership, pose for a photo at the Holiday Reception at Notre Dame. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="James Mueller, mayor of South Bend, and Bethany Hartley, president and CEO of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership, pose for a photo at the Holiday Reception at Notre Dame. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551058/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_136.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551040/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_89.jpg" title="Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., president-elect of the University of Notre Dame, right, greets Lynn Coleman, co-founder of Let’s Turn it Around, and Kareemah Fowler, chief financial officer for the South Bend School Corporation. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)
" data-title="Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., president-elect of the University of Notre Dame, right, greets Lynn Coleman, co-founder of Let’s Turn it Around, and Kareemah Fowler, chief financial officer for the South Bend School Corporation. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)
"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551040/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_89.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551259/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_75.jpg" title="Chris Murphy, CEO of 1st Source Bank, center, and Phil Newbold, CEO emeritus of Beacon Health, greet Shannon Cullinan, executive vice president of the University. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Chris Murphy, CEO of 1st Source Bank, center, and Phil Newbold, CEO emeritus of Beacon Health, greet Shannon Cullinan, executive vice president of the University. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551259/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_75.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551052/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_124.jpg" title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) " data-title="More than 250 community leaders attended the Advent Prayer Service and Holiday Reception on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) "><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551052/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_124.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551055/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_116.jpg" title="Ismail Turay, Jr., executive editor at the South Bend Tribune, poses for a photo with Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) " data-title="Ismail Turay, Jr., executive editor at the South Bend Tribune, poses for a photo with Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) "><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551055/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_116.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551057/fullsize/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_144.jpg" title="Jessica McCrea, senior development coordinator for the American Red Cross and president of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization board, poses for a photo with Kris Arizmendi Choinacky, executive director of the South Bend Alumni Association at the Holiday Reception at Notre Dame. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Jessica McCrea, senior development coordinator for the American Red Cross and president of the Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization board, poses for a photo with Kris Arizmendi Choinacky, executive director of the South Bend Alumni Association at the Holiday Reception at Notre Dame. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/551057/300x300/12.6.23_advent_prayer_service_144.jpg" alt="12" width="300" height="300" loading="lazy"></a></li></ul><script>document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(){var lightbox = new Lightbox({showCaptions: true,elements: document.querySelector(".gallery-495").querySelectorAll("a")});});</script></p>
<p> </p>Office of Public Affairstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1585192023-12-05T11:00:07-05:002023-12-05T11:00:07-05:00Notre Dame acquires former Tribune property in downtown South Bend<p>The University of Notre Dame has acquired the historic portion of the former South Bend Tribune property from Schurz Communications. Acquisition of the property represents an early milestone for the University’s <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu/">newly adopted strategic framework</a>, which calls for meaningful investments in science and engineering and further collaborations to advance economic well-being in the South Bend-Elkhart region.</p><p>The University of Notre Dame has acquired the historic portion of the former South Bend Tribune property from Schurz Communications. Acquisition of the property represents an early milestone for the University’s <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu/">newly adopted strategic framework</a>, which calls for meaningful investments in science and engineering and further collaborations to advance economic well-being in the South Bend-Elkhart region. At the same time, it dovetails with efforts on the part of the city of South Bend to leverage record-setting private investment downtown in a way that builds momentum for the future.</p>
<p>The city recently committed to a formal planning process for the central business district in collaboration with Urban Design Associates. A series of public meetings will inaugurate the process in January.</p>
<p>“Never before has the University been more engaged with key stakeholders throughout the region,” said <a href="https://evp.nd.edu/about/staff-directory/">Shannon Cullinan</a>, Notre Dame’s executive vice president. “With the strength of partnerships at the local and state level, the growth of leading local industries and a shared regional vision, there is tremendous momentum in the community. We hope that a collaborative project in downtown South Bend will create a destination and a catalyst to propel the region’s momentum further, especially via this notable venue.”</p>
<p>"The University of Notre Dame's commitment to the greater South Bend region is as strong as ever, and we're thrilled to advance our shared vision of a thriving community with more opportunities for all,” South Bend Mayor James Mueller said. “This historic investment in the heart of our downtown will accelerate our growth and help us win in the innovation and knowledge-based economy of the future."</p>
<p>Located at the northeast corner of Colfax Avenue and Lafayette Boulevard, the Tribune property has been empty since 2019, when the newspaper moved out. The oldest portion of the property dates to the 1920s.</p>
<p>“We are delighted that the University of Notre Dame will renew and redevelop the South Bend Tribune’s historic home for the benefit of the broader community,” said Todd Schurz, former president and CEO of Schurz Communications, which owned the Tribune until 2019.</p>
<p>As the project moves forward, the University will work closely with campus and community stakeholders to activate the building and develop a comprehensive plan for the surrounding area.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Erin Blasko</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-acquires-former-tribune-property-in-downtown-south-bend/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">December 05, 2023</span>.</p>Erin Blaskotag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1585342023-12-05T09:44:00-05:002023-12-05T13:45:31-05:00New venture fund aims to further Notre Dame’s mission through purpose-driven startups<p>A new venture capital fund to advance the commercialization of University of Notre Dame and South Bend-area innovations has reached a key milestone.</p>
<p>Indianapolis-based <a href="https://www.highalphainno.com/">High Alpha Innovation</a> has successfully closed the first $17.5 million of the <a href="https://www.1842fund.com/">1842 Fund,</a>…</p><p>A new venture capital fund to advance the commercialization of University of Notre Dame and South Bend-area innovations has reached a key milestone.</p>
<p>Indianapolis-based <a href="https://www.highalphainno.com/">High Alpha Innovation</a> has successfully closed the first $17.5 million of the <a href="https://www.1842fund.com/">1842 Fund,</a> named for the year Notre Dame was founded. The fund, which will support faculty research, student innovations and community startups and drive economic transformation in the South Bend-Elkhart area, will continue raising additional commitments over the next year up to the target size of $35 million.</p>
<p>“The launch of the 1842 Fund is an exciting moment for the IDEA Center and the University,” said Kelley Rich, the IDEA Center’s interim vice president and associate provost for innovation. “One of the reasons we partnered with High Alpha Innovation is because part of their 1842 Fund will be used to support an on-campus venture studio. The adoption of venture studios, or companies that launch, finance and incubate their own startups, in university settings is on the increase, and High Alpha Innovation is a recognized leader in this area. We’re particularly excited that the 1842 Fund venture studio team will work closely with faculty and students from across campus to help source and build startups that support Notre Dame’s mission. We believe that this will, in turn, create symbiotic relationships for sustained innovation on campus.”</p>
<p>The fund’s announcement coincides with the recent launch of a new <a href="https://strategicframework.nd.edu/">University Strategic Framework</a> that will guide Notre Dame over the next decade.</p>
<p>“The 1842 Fund aligns with many of the goals of the framework, including investing in our people, engaging with and enhancing our community and our region, maximizing the impact of science and engineering research for a world in need and advancing Notre Dame as the leading global Catholic research university,” said John McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost. “And a central mission of the fund is to launch and support new ventures specifically designed to create positive societal change in focus areas identified in the framework, including health and well-being, poverty and sustainability.”</p>
<p>Matt Gardner, one of the partners at the 1842 Fund, explained the fund plans to launch a series of startups over the next five years. It will accomplish this, he said, in two ways. First, it will invest in Notre Dame faculty, student and South Bend area startups born out of the IDEA Center, the fundamental resource for all commercialization and entrepreneurial activities at the University. Second, it will fund the establishment of an on-campus venture studio, the 1842 Studio, that will itself build, staff and launch new software startups from the ground up in collaboration with faculty, students and the IDEA Center.</p>
<figure class="image image-left"><img src="https://ideacenter.nd.edu/assets/549971/oct._27_2023_1842_fund_event_035.jpg" alt="Oct">
<figcaption>Kelley Rich, interim vice president and associate provost for innovation at Notre Dame</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“The high-touch venture studio will apply High Alpha Innovation’s proven startup co-creation playbook to build software startups from the ground up, targeting the key social impact areas outlined in Notre Dame’s 2033 strategic framework,” said Mike Joslin, partner at the 1842 Fund. “It will also convene leaders in industry and government to provide invaluable expertise and partnerships that can create valuable advantages for 1842 Fund portfolio companies.”</p>
<p>“With this fund, Notre Dame will remain at the forefront of venture in higher education. We are excited to engage with researchers, students and the community to create advantaged startups that extend the University’s mission well beyond the campus domain,” said Matt Brady, a managing director at High Alpha Innovation and a Notre Dame alumnus.</p>
<p>Brady said that High Alpha Innovation has already launched operations at the 1842 Fund and will continue to raise the next $17.5 million.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Nicholas Swisher</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://ideacenter.nd.edu/news-events/news/new-venture-fund-aims-to-further-notre-dames-mission-through-purpose-driven-startups/">ideacenter.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">Dec. 4</span>.</p>Nicholas Swishertag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1585322023-12-04T13:42:00-05:002023-12-05T13:42:39-05:00Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., elected 18th president of the University of Notre Dame<p>The Board of Trustees of the University of Notre Dame has elected <a href="https://www.nd.edu/about/leadership/council/rev-robert-a-dowd-csc/">Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.,</a> as the University’s 18th president, effective July 1. He will succeed <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.</a>, who announced in October that he will step down at the end of the 2023-24 academic year after serving as president for 19 years.…</p><p>The Board of Trustees of the University of Notre Dame has elected <a href="https://www.nd.edu/about/leadership/council/rev-robert-a-dowd-csc/">Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.,</a> as the University’s 18th president, effective July 1. He will succeed <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/">Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.</a>, who announced in October that he will step down at the end of the 2023-24 academic year after serving as president for 19 years.</p>
<p>“We are thrilled that Father Dowd will be Notre Dame’s next leader,” said Jack Brennan, chair of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees. “His character and intellect, along with his broad academic and administrative experience and his deep commitment to Notre Dame, make him an ideal person to lead the University into the future. Since its founding, Notre Dame has been led by a priest-president from the Congregation of Holy Cross, the religious order to which Father Sorin, the University’s founder, belonged. The University has had only three presidents in the last 70 years, each exceptional in their own right — Father Jenkins, Father Edward Malloy, C.S.C., and Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C. Father Dowd continues in this rich tradition.”</p>
<p>“I am deeply humbled and honored by the Board’s decision,” Father Dowd said. “We can all be grateful for Father Jenkins’ selfless and courageous leadership for almost two decades. Working together with others, his efforts have positioned the University extremely well in every way. We will build on those efforts. Informed by our Catholic mission, we will work together so that Notre Dame is an ever-greater engine of insight, innovation and impact, addressing society’s greatest challenges and helping young people to realize their potential for good.”<br><br>“I thank and congratulate our Board of Trustees on selecting Father Dowd as Notre Dame’s next president,” Father Jenkins said. “An accomplished scholar, a dedicated teacher and an experienced administrator, Father Bob is also a faithful and generous priest. He will lead the University to being even more powerfully a force for good in the world.”</p>
<p>Father Dowd currently serves as vice president and associate provost for interdisciplinary initiatives at Notre Dame, a position he has held since 2021. He is also an associate professor of political science and serves as a Fellow and Trustee of the University and religious superior of the Holy Cross community at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>A native of Michigan City, Indiana, Father Dowd graduated from Notre Dame in 1987, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and economics, and entered Moreau Seminary in the fall of that year to explore his vocation to religious life and priesthood. During his time in the seminary, he asked to be assigned to East Africa and spent 18 months there. After professing final vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1993 and being ordained a priest in 1994, he worked in Campus Ministry at Notre Dame, serving as associate rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and as an assistant rector in one of the University’s residence halls.</p>
<p>He began his graduate studies at UCLA in 1996, earning an M.A. in African studies in 1998 and a doctorate in political science in 2003. In 2004, Father Dowd joined Notre Dame’s political science department as a member of the faculty. Specializing in comparative politics, his research has focused on how Christian and Islamic religious communities affect support for democratic institutions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. He has published articles in leading academic journals and a book with Oxford University Press.</p>
<p>In his current role, Father Dowd oversees several institutes, centers and other academic units at Notre Dame, including the Center for Social Concerns, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, iNDustry Labs, Institute for Educational Initiatives, Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, McGrath Institute for Church Life, Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center, Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, ROTC programs and the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. He also directs the approval and review process of institutes and centers.</p>
<p>He was previously an assistant provost for internationalization with Notre Dame International, where his primary responsibilities included overseeing the Dublin Global Gateway and Kylemore Abbey Global Centre in Ireland and the São Paulo Global Center in Brazil, and establishing an office in Nairobi, Kenya, to promote and support Notre Dame’s research and educational partnerships in Africa.</p>
<p>He is the founder of Notre Dame’s Ford Program in Human Development Studies and Solidarity at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, which is animated by Catholic social teaching and dedicated to forging community-engaged research partnerships in the Global South. He is a fellow of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies in the University’s Keough School of Global Affairs. He also serves as a trustee of Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, and a board member of Brother Andre Hospital in Nairobi.</p>
<p>Father Dowd’s research has focused on African politics, identity politics, and religion and politics. His research has also explored the effects of religious beliefs and institutions on the integration of migrants/refugees in Europe and the effects of faith-based schools on citizenship and civic engagement in Africa. He is the author of the book “Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa.”</p>
<p>Over his 19-year tenure as president, Father Jenkins is credited with advancing Notre Dame’s mission as a Catholic research university; attracting and supporting superb faculty; fostering dramatic growth in research at the University; securing Notre Dame’s admission in the Association of American Universities; ensuring the University’s financial strength; admitting a talented, diverse student body; promoting continued excellence in undergraduate instruction; expanding Notre Dame’s global engagement; and offering students an in-person education during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longtime member of the Commission on Presidential Debates, he is recognized nationally as an advocate of civil discourse, and he is a leading voice on the future of college athletics.</p>
<p>A video announcement is available <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NskCBvWjOms">here</a> and a history of the University’s presidency is available <a href="https://president.nd.edu/about/history-of-the-presidency/">here</a>.</p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Notre Dame News</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/rev-robert-a-dowd-c-s-c-elected-18th-president-of-the-university-of-notre-dame/">news.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">December 04, 2023</span>.</p>Notre Dame Newstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1580282023-12-01T09:11:00-05:002024-01-12T11:29:36-05:00You belong here: Raclin Murphy Museum of Art opens to the public<p>There’s a lot to see when you enter the main floor of the new <a href="https://raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu/">Raclin Murphy Museum of Art</a>.</p>
<p>Your eyes may be drawn upward toward the source of the natural light that floods the three-story atrium or to the many gallery entrances visible from the center.</p>
<p>Alternatively, your gaze may become fixed on the south-central wall and the lights and recycled silver that make up the work “Silver Saint Joseph Watershed” by artist Maya Lin, whose other works include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.…</p><p>There’s a lot to see when you enter the main floor of the new <a href="https://raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu/">Raclin Murphy Museum of Art</a>.</p>
<p>Your eyes may be drawn upward toward the source of the natural light that floods the three-story atrium or to the many gallery entrances visible from the center.</p>
<p>Alternatively, your gaze may become fixed on the south-central wall and the lights and recycled silver that make up the work “Silver Saint Joseph Watershed” by artist Maya Lin, whose other works include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Even the floor is worthy of your attention. “Sea of Stars” — an original work by artist Kiki Smith — occupies more than 1,000 square feet of floor space and includes 39 bronze stars embedded in soft gray-blue terrazzo.</p>
<p>Sarah Martin, curator of <a href="https://raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu/learn/education/">education public programs</a>, hopes you also notice the neon sign that states, “I belong here.”</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">You<em> </em>belong here</h3>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548033/200x/martin_sarah.png" alt="Martin Sarah" width="200" height="302">
<figcaption>Sarah Martin</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“We want visitors to feel that this is their museum,” Martin said. “That’s at the core of the spaces that have been created, and also the way we’re thinking about the museum programmatically, educationally.”</p>
<p>Martin explained that the exhibit and teaching galleries were designed for use as educational tools.</p>
<p>“Yes, they are beautiful and thoughtfully arranged and there’s a story being told, but part of the story is the visitor and what they bring to the equation,” she said.</p>
<p>“Pieces are placed in a way that they have conversations with each other and the visitor. There are amazing text panels and QR codes that take the visitor to interviews with the artists, really activating the artwork rather than just presenting it on the wall as if it were a static, inanimate object. We tried to bring everything to life.”</p>
<p>Martin’s primary audiences are the off-campus community and K-12 students who, in the past, visited the Snite Museum of Art on campus and will soon flock to the new museum.<br><br><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/stylesheets/lb.css"><script src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/javascripts/lb.js?v=2023-05-17"></script><ul id="gallery-473" class="gallery-lb gallery-473" data-count="6"><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547985/fullsize/7.26.23_rmma_26.jpg" title="This is the view of the dome from the center of the atrium looking up. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="This is the view of the dome from the center of the atrium looking up. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547985/600x600/7.26.23_rmma_26.jpg" alt="7" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547986/fullsize/7.26.23_rmma_25.jpg" title="This is the view of the atrium from the second floor. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="This is the view of the atrium from the second floor. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547986/600x600/7.26.23_rmma_25.jpg" alt="7" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547974/fullsize/mc_10.25.23_rmma_04.jpg" title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547974/600x600/mc_10.25.23_rmma_04.jpg" alt="Mc 10" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547978/fullsize/mc_10.25.23_rmma_06.jpg" title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547978/600x600/mc_10.25.23_rmma_06.jpg" alt="Mc 10" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547983/fullsize/mc_10.25.23_rmma_09.jpg" title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547983/600x600/mc_10.25.23_rmma_09.jpg" alt="Mc 10" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547973/fullsize/mc_10.25.23_rmma_16.jpg" title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Each gallery has a different theme and accent color. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547973/600x600/mc_10.25.23_rmma_16.jpg" alt="Mc 10" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li></ul><script>document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(){var lightbox = new Lightbox({showCaptions: true,elements: document.querySelector(".gallery-473").querySelectorAll("a")});});</script></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Free admission, school bus fund</h3>
<p>“It’s free for anyone to visit and we do not charge for school visits. We have a bus fund that will (partially) reimburse schools for transportation costs. Buses are often an expense for which school districts do not have a budget,” Martin said, adding that it’s important for young people to explore art.</p>
<p>“I often tell groups of students that artists see the world differently. They offer us points of view that maybe we’d never thought of before or we hadn’t been able to access until we encountered a special piece of art.</p>
<p>“Bringing young students into the museum expands their reality, allowing them to explore new ideas and new places without leaving home. You can explore the world in your own backyard right here at the Raclin Murphy,” she said.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Free, three-day opening event</h3>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547981/mc_11.5.23_rmma_02.jpg" alt="Mc 11" width="600" height="450">
<figcaption>The main entrance to the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art sits on Eddy Street, on the building's west side. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art will open to the public on Friday, Dec. 1, as the first of a <a href="https://raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu/visit/opening-weekend/">three-day celebration</a>.</p>
<p>“We started thinking about the opening as a kind of block party. We’re part of the neighborhood, so let’s welcome everyone in. A three-day event in the new space is a new opportunity for Notre Dame and the community to come together,” Martin said.</p>
<p>The museum stands at the northeast corner of Eddy Street and Angela Boulevard, just north of Eddy Street Commons. It is named for lead donors <a href="https://news.nd.edu/news/in-memoriam-notre-dame-hesburgh-trustee-ernestine-raclin/">Ernestine Raclin</a>, who passed away in July, and her daughter and son-in-law, Carmi and Christopher Murphy.</p>
<p>“You could come to all three days and it will be a different experience every time,” Martin said. “We will have a wealth of programming and experiences packed into the weekend, showcasing all these new spaces and all these newly commissioned artworks. And we’ll be doing something I don’t think any of the staff has done in our careers — open a new museum.”</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Mary, Queen of Families Chapel</h3>
<p>One of the many treasures inside the 77,000-square-foot museum can be found on the second level: the Mary, Queen of Families Chapel.<br><br>Clear glass doors invite you to enter a light and bright space where sacred art, hundreds of years old, and newly commissioned art seem at home with each other. The new works include two by Mimmo Paladino — a royal blue stained-glass panel behind the altar and the mosaic ceiling that tells the converging stories of the Holy Family; the Congregation of Holy Cross; St. Joseph Valley, where the University of Notre Dame sits; and the Indigenous people of this region.<br><br><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/stylesheets/lb.css"><script src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/javascripts/lb.js?v=2023-05-17"></script><ul id="gallery-472" class="gallery-lb gallery-472" data-count="6"><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548068/fullsize/mc_6.7.23_rmma_chapel_mosaics_05.jpg" title="Work on the chapel walls and ceiling mosaic in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art took place during the summer. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Work on the chapel walls and ceiling mosaic in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art took place during the summer. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548068/600x600/mc_6.7.23_rmma_chapel_mosaics_05.jpg" alt="Mc 6" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548069/fullsize/mc_6.7.23_rmma_chapel_mosaics_06.jpg" title="Work on the chapel walls and ceiling mosaic in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art took place during the summer. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Work on the chapel walls and ceiling mosaic in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art took place during the summer. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548069/600x600/mc_6.7.23_rmma_chapel_mosaics_06.jpg" alt="Mc 6" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547998/fullsize/bj_8.25.23_raclin_murphy_museum_of_art_8948.jpg" title="Lino Reduzzi, a longtime collaborator with fellow Italian artist Mimmo Paladino, installs stained glass in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art chapel. (Photo by Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="Lino Reduzzi, a longtime collaborator with fellow Italian artist Mimmo Paladino, installs stained glass in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art chapel. (Photo by Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547998/600x600/bj_8.25.23_raclin_murphy_museum_of_art_8948.jpg" alt="Bj 8" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547997/fullsize/mc_9.19.23_rmma_03.jpg" title="In the chapel, sacred art, hundreds of years old, and newly commissioned art seem at home with each other. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="In the chapel, sacred art, hundreds of years old, and newly commissioned art seem at home with each other. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547997/600x600/mc_9.19.23_rmma_03.jpg" alt="Mc 9" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547999/fullsize/mc_10.25.23_rmma_11.jpg" title="In the chapel, sacred art, hundreds of years old, and newly commissioned art seem at home with each other. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title="In the chapel, sacred art, hundreds of years old, and newly commissioned art seem at home with each other. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547999/600x600/mc_10.25.23_rmma_11.jpg" alt="Mc 10" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li><li><a href="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547980/fullsize/mc_10.25.23_rmma_13.jpg" title=""This is a closeup of the mosaic on the ceiling of the chapel. In it you can see woven rug patterns that are inspired by Indigenous patterns and references to the (St. Joseph) river and flora and fauna of the area. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)" data-title=""This is a closeup of the mosaic on the ceiling of the chapel. In it you can see woven rug patterns that are inspired by Indigenous patterns and references to the (St. Joseph) river and flora and fauna of the area. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/547980/600x600/mc_10.25.23_rmma_13.jpg" alt="Mc 10" width="600" height="600" loading="lazy"></a></li></ul><script>document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(){var lightbox = new Lightbox({showCaptions: true,elements: document.querySelector(".gallery-472").querySelectorAll("a")});});</script></p>
<p>“In the mosaic you’ll see woven rug patterns that are inspired by Indigenous patterns, and there are some references to the (St. Joseph) river and flora and fauna of the area,” Martin said of the chapel, which has been consecrated and where Masses will be held.</p>
<p>“It is a space that all visitors can enter, whether they are Catholic or not, and experience sacred art in a context that makes sense versus in a gallery, which is not where it was meant to be seen.”<strong id="docs-internal-guid-9364114e-7fff-8160-4bab-a120cf96e5d9"></strong></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Exhibit and teaching galleries</h3>
<p>The 23 galleries take the visitor back in time. A European art gallery takes visitors to art created in the 1700s. There is also the Indigenous Art of the Americas gallery, which includes works created across North America and South America.</p>
<p>“We give you a kind of vista into some of the spaces, a dramatic entrance with the lighting and the (jewel-tone) colors of the walls. All of this is very intentional to create a space that makes sense for the art that is housed within it. So, it’s not just white walls with artworks hung on them. It’s kind of an experience in its entirety.”</p>
<p>Martin looks forward to the K-12 visits, which, in the studios, will offer students the opportunity to create as well as to observe.</p>
<p>“They’ll look at art from a particular time period or collection or theme, and they will continue that with a hands-on exploration in the studios. We’re excited to get the younger artists in here and allow them to explore their ideas.</p>
<p>“We will also do a lot of things in the galleries that you maybe wouldn’t expect, like writing or singing and dancing or posing or acting. We want to really bring to life what is in the galleries and make it relevant to young people.”</p>
<p>Martin leaves it to the visitor to determine their adventure at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. She hopes that when you enter the atrium, which offers a 360-degree view of the galleries, you feel the love.</p>
<p>“The artwork is literally giving you a big hug.”</p>
<p> </p>Gwen O'Brien, Office of Public Affairstag:publicaffairs.nd.edu,2005:News/1580742023-12-01T09:00:00-05:002023-12-01T09:20:11-05:00Raising the curtain on a new era of inclusivity<p>For nearly 20 years, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center has presented world-class artistic programming. Now, the center and its staff are taking concerted steps to bring more perspectives to the table and the stage.</p><p>"All cultures use the arts as a form of expression, but there haven’t been equal spotlights in their presentation.” With these words, staff at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center set forth a challenge to themselves and a commitment to the campus and South Bend communities.</p>
<p>The center’s <a href="https://performingarts.nd.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion-accessibility/">Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility</a> (DEIA), developed in 2022, outlines the ways in which staff plan to work to unify, respond, engage, and make the center more inclusive for all. DPAC employees Leigh Hayden, director of marketing and communications, and Ricky Herbst, cinema programming director, are among about a dozen of the center’s 24 employees who volunteered to serve on the DEIA committee.</p>
<p>Hayden and Herbst say the Statement on DEIA has helped increase awareness and a sense of accountability for staff as they explore ways the center can be more diverse and inclusive in its operations, artistic practices, and community relations. “We’ve been able to build really strong, cross-functional, cross-department, cross-silo teams,” Hayden said. The result is a 360-degree view of programming that is “genuine and holistically viewed, seen, and conceived.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548250/250x/leigh_hayden.jpg" alt="Leigh Hayden" width="250" height="201">
<figcaption>Leigh Hayden</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>But there’s a lot that’s new and different as well – particularly as it relates to the center’s function as a community space.</p>
<p>There is much about DPAC that will still be familiar to longtime patrons and partners. The center remains the University’s leading presenter of world-class artistic programming. And it continues to function as an academic space to enhance the scholarship, teaching, and practice of the performing and cinematic arts.</p>
<p>In June, DPAC hosted its first Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair, bringing students, faculty, staff, and South Bend-area residents together to commemorate Freedom Day and unite as a community. Herbst was one of the organizers of the event, and he credited DPAC’s community advisory board – consisting of South Bend-area artists, activists, educators, entrepreneurs, and youth leaders – with helping to make the event a success. In particular, Latorya Greene, president of the Indiana Black Expo’s South Bend chapter, provided invaluable knowledge and guidance regarding her chapter’s previous community events.</p>
<p>“Summertime is when we imagine campus as fallow or put away for the season, but it’s when kids are free from school. It’s when you’re able to get out, and when people have increased mobility through various forms. And it’s a perfect time to strengthen campus community connections, yet we don't really see it as much,” Herbst said.</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548251/250x/ricky_herbst.jpg" alt="Ricky Herbst" width="250" height="200">
<figcaption>Ricky Herbst</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Inviting other organizations to take part allowed attendees and presenters alike to better network, share information, and discover similar interests. Working cooperatively is a way for all involved to “lift up,” Herbst noted. DPAC is planning to host the event again in 2024. “That’s what we heard, ‘You need to do this again and continue the momentum.’”</p>
<p>The Office of Institutional Transformation was one of many partners on the Juneteenth Celebration. Eve Kelly, associate director of strategic initiatives and senior advisor to the vice president for institutional transformation, said the event brought campus and the community together in ways she’d never seen before.</p>
<p>“This year’s inaugural Juneteenth event was my first experience at Notre Dame where I did not feel a divide between Notre Dame and the city of South Bend. When I stepped out onto the lawn that day, it simply felt like a community coming together in celebration,” said Kelly, a member of the South Bend arts scene and DPAC’s community advisory board. “It was a beautiful thing to see, and I am in hopeful anticipation of future collaboration that will foster this sense of unity between the University and its neighbors.”</p>
<figure class="image image-right"><img src="https://publicaffairs.nd.edu/assets/548244/cultural_collective.png" alt="Cultural Collective">
<figcaption>The DPAC Presenting Series' Cultural Collective features new programming supporting equitable artistic development in the community.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This year the center also launched its Presenting Series’ Cultural Collective, which includes musicians <a href="https://performingarts.nd.edu/event/15963/">Lalo Cura</a>, the <a href="https://performingarts.nd.edu/event/15967/">Orange Moon</a> artist showcase, and <a href="https://performingarts.nd.edu/event/15973/">ASHE: A Celebration of Voices</a>. The series is a way to “support the equitable development of artistic talent that’s in South Bend,” Hayden explained. “It’s unexpected. New people, new patrons, new visitors, new guests are finding their way here, and they’re finding that there is something for them here at DPAC.”</p>
<p>Another area the DEIA committee identified as needing renewed attention was making it easier for people with disabilities to enjoy the arts. Kevin Krizmanich, cinema production manager, took the lead on finding solutions for those with impaired hearing. He researched equipment, talked to other venues about their experiences, and met with patrons to better understand their needs. The center now prominently promotes its services to improve <a href="https://performingarts.nd.edu/accessibility/">accessibility</a>, including assistive listening devices, courtesy wheelchairs, large-print programs, and American Sign Language interpretation.</p>
<p>For Herbst, the biggest lesson learned has been about letting go of control and preconceived notions when expanding the center’s offerings in this way. Letting go creates room for diversity and inclusion to flourish. “That process of loosening up and allowing space for missteps or for people to insert their own ideas is crucial to what allowed us to shift,” he said.</p>
<p>Hayden encourages others across campus to examine how they can approach their work in new ways to better serve diverse communities, whether or not they have a formal leadership role.</p>
<p>“You don’t have to wait to be granted or bestowed a seat at the table,” she said. “Everyone has a voice. Everyone has the power to speak up about the things they see that don’t serve their unit, team, organization, or the Notre Dame mission. And more people realize that, the better things will be in a lot of places and spaces.”</p>
<p><em>Editor's Note: This is the first in a DEI Practitioner Spotlight series, featuring the work of professionals and experts across the University who are working to advance DEI initiatives within their home units and departments. If you have a story idea about a person or program, please email the Office of Institutional Transformation at transformation@nd.edu.</em></p>
<p class="attribution">Originally published by <span class="rel-author">Cidni Sanders</span> at <span class="rel-source"><a href="https://diversity.nd.edu/our-stories/raising-the-curtain-on-a-new-era-of-inclusivity/">diversity.nd.edu</a></span> on <span class="rel-pubdate">October 18, 2023</span>.</p>Cidni Sanders