Are you a mom, grandmother, godmother, step mom, aunt or big sister?  Are you a role-model or authority figure for a child? Do you struggle to balance child-care responsibilities and a busy schedule?  If so, you might be interested in joining UR MOMS (University Relations Mothers Offering Mothers Support). This program offers a forum for mothers and other primary care providers to discuss work-life issues through networking and education. To learn more, please join us for a brown-bag kick-off meeting 12-1 PM on Tuesday, February 7, in the Eddy Street Commons Family Room.  An email invitation was sent last week.

Please accept the invitation if you are able to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Moriconi at moriconi.1@nd.edu or Jen Binder at jbinder1@nd.edu

Please join me in offering our thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences to Lori Rush on the passing of her mother, Lorraine Hosford. Mrs. Hosford peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in the Golden Living Center of Fountainview. Private services will be held.  Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net

If you would like to send a card to Lori, you may do so at: Lori Rush, 705 East Vistula Terrace, Mishawaka, IN 46544.

The obituary will be available in the South Bend Tribune. May God bless Lori and her family during this difficult time.

Amy Schell, Director, Annual Fund Marketing and Operations

Colleagues—

Please join me in congratulating Tim Ponisciak ’03, ‘07 on his impending new position with Ehrmann as their Brand/Product Manager.  Tim will lead Ehrmann’s United States marketing efforts.

Tim has faithfully served his beloved alma mater for the last 3 years as the Assistant Director of Young Alumni Fundraising and Student Philanthropy.    Tim has made many significant contributions at ND. He launched our very first Young Alumni recognition society, The William Corby Society, and also led our Senior Legacy Gift campaigns to new heights. Additionally, Tim led the efforts to make our annual “Thanksgiving in February” a successful stewardship event. This year, Tim launched our first undergraduate fundraising initiative that is a partnership with the Center for Social Concerns to raise money for the CSC’s Community Based Learning Centers (CBLCs).

Tim’s last day at Notre Dame will be Monday, January 16^th. Please feel free to send your offers of congratulations to Tim at: tponisci@nd.edu or call him at 631-1323. Tim and his wife Erin ’03 will continue to reside in Granger, IN. Tim has assured me he will be participating in “Summer in the City” in Chicago in July, as well as attending as many Notre Dame athletic events as he can.

Congratulations, Tim! We are excited for you. You will be missed. We wish you continued success and all of God’s blessings.

Craig J. Horvath ‘88, Director, Reunion Giving and Volunteers

Please join me in welcoming Ryan Donald Harrington into our Notre Dame family! Ryan Donald was born on Monday, January 2^nd at 4:58am at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Ryan weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 ounces and he and his parents, Chris ‘08  and Katrina ’10, are all resting and doing very well. Chris joined our development team as the Assistant Director of 50 Year Reunion Giving in the middle of November. Ryan is their first child. Please feel free to offer your congratulations to Chris at: charring@nd.edu or at 631-1525.

Craig J. Horvath ‘88,   Director, Reunion Giving and Volunteers

Please join me in welcoming Patrick Kaiser’74 as the newest member of the Annual Giving Programs team at Notre Dame!  Patrick started on January 3, 2012 as Associate Director of Major Gifts.  He is responsible for relationship-building with alumni, parents, and friends to assess their interest, financial capacity, and willingness to support the University with unrestricted gifts in the range of $5,000 to $100,000.  Patrick’s portfolio will be focused on the Eastern Region.

Patrick has had a distinguished career in sales with such companies as R.R. Donnelley, Brown Printing Company, Experian/MetroGroup Corp., Quebecor World, and Quad Graphics.  He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and is affiliated with the American Business Media and Society for National Association Professionals (SNAP).  Patrick’s sales background will be put to excellent use as part of the Major Gifts program, and his experience in printing and mail distribution will be an asset to the entire Annual Giving Programs team.

Patrick has been a loyal annual donor to Notre Dame for 35 years, and a member of the Sorin Society for the past 17 years.  Patrick’s family hails eleven members who are Notre Dame alumni.  His father Frank was ND Class of 1943, brother Michael was ND Class of 1973, and sister Ruth was ND Class of 1985.  Patrick has four children – Elizabeth, ND Class of 2001; Margaret, ND Class of 2003; Michael, ND Class of 2009, and Laura who is currently a junior living in Lyons Hall.  He also has one nephew and two sons-in-law who are Domers.  Patrick’s wife Claudia passed away in July 2010.

With Patrick’s arrival, Matt Antongiovanni’02 will begin to transition into the role of Associate Director, Matching Gifts.  Matt should be fully transitioned by Monday, February 6, 2012.  I have been grateful for Matt’s dedication to the Major Gifts team and continued focus on increasing Sorin Society membership and raising unrestricted funds for Notre Dame.

Thank you for helping to welcome Patrick to Notre Dame!

Sincerely,

Anne-Marie Campbell