University Relations extends our heartfelt sympathy to Pam Spence, recently retired from Special Events, on the death of her brother, Robert Groves.

http://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obits/obituary.php?id=201564

The 2012-13 Notre Dame Forum, “A More Perfect Union: The Future of America’s Democracy,” will present a series of events throughout the academic year that will explore profound questions about the state of the U.S. political system and  its capacity to deal with the rapidly-changing domestic and international challenges it faces.

The Forum discussion will begin with a panel presentation titled “Conviction and Compromise: Being a Person of Faith in a Liberal Democracy,” on Sept. 4 (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. in the Leighton Concert Hall of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.  The event will feature some of our nation’s most prominent religious authorities.  The panel event is free, but tickets are required. Ticketing begins on August 29 (Wednesday). Visit forum.nd.edu for more details.

Established by Father Jenkins in 2005, the Notre Dame Forum has brought leading authorities to campus to discuss substantive issues of the day. Past forum topics have included the global marketplace and its impact on the common good, immigration, sustainability, global health and K-12 education.

Regretfully we must announce that Ashley Baranowski is leaving the gift planning team to join the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars office.  We will miss her, particularly her cheerful attitude, and are grateful for her two years of service in gift planning.  Please join us in wishing her well and success in her new position.

As a result, we have an opening in the gift planning office for an Administrative Assistant.  It will be posted later today.  If you are interested in the position, please contact Michelle Shakour or Christine DeVore.

John Butkovich and Michelle Shakour

Please join us in welcoming Renee Barton to the Notre Dame Development team as Administrative Assistant for the Academic Advancement directors.  She will provide administrative support to Maria DiPasquale, Stu Fortener, Sean Kassen, and Nathan Utz.  Renee will join the Notre Dame team on August 27, 2012.

Renee received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, East Lansing, majoring in Journalism. She also holds a certificate in Public Administration.

Renee was most recently the Coordinator, Resource Development & Agency Relations for United Way of La Porte County.  Prior to that, Renee was an Assistant for the Office of Communications and Development for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

Renee and her spouse David reside in La Porte.  Their daughter Isabelle begins Kindergarten this fall.  When Renee has spare time, she enjoys crafts, volunteering, reading, photography, travel and college football.

Again, please  join us in welcoming Renee to the Academic Advancement team!

George Keegan

• Originally from Lafayette Louisiana, Marie first arrived at Notre Dame three years ago as a graduate student earning her MFA in Design his past Spring. Prior to joining University Communications as designer on the Print team, Marie spent the summer in true Notre Dame form, by giving her time and talent to improve the lives of others. We are thrilled to have someone of Marie’s character and ability on our team.

  In her own words:

  “I went to Nepal as part of a program established by Ann-Marie Conrado, an industrial design professor at Notre Dame. Every year she takes three students to work with a handicraft producer in Kathmandu. During the course of the summer, we created designs for products that developed into lines to be sold to current and prospective buyers. It is a truly humbling experience to live so near the coy, majestic Himalayas. Even more awe-inspiring than the natural beauty that rolls through the countrysides of Nepal is the kindness and joy of her people. The amazing folks we lived with, worked with and befriended this summer are inspirations for living life with pure generosity and compassion. Plus, getting to see monkeys run around the streets like squirrels on Notre Dame’s campus is an experience unto itself!”

• Please join me in welcoming Marie to the division.
• Tim Legge, Director of Print, University Communications

On Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 4p.m. members of the Notre Dame Alumni Association, alumni from the local area, and the Notre Dame campus community will gather at the Grotto to pray for the well-being and success of college students everywhere, particularly for our students as they begin a new academic year.  Whether you are a parent, a professor, rector, mentor or companion please be assured that the Notre Dame community holds our students, and all of you, in prayer.

As a sign of unity, we invite you to submit a prayer for our student community, or other college-bound students, that will be prayed during our Student Prayer Service at the Grotto.  To do so, please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/studentprayerservice no later than August 27, 2012.

Finally, we are in need of volunteers to help lead a decade of the Rosary.  If you are interested in helping please contact Marian Appleton at appleton.3@nd.edu

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to announce that the role of Assistant Director of Research and Prospect Management – West region will be posted Monday, August 20^th.  This position provides analytic and consultative support for identifying and engaging leadership prospects.  Moreover, the Assistant Director of Research and Prospect Management provides empirical insights and advice on trends and market issues impacting leadership gift fundraising performance.

This position is part of the Research and Prospect Management team and reports to me.  The position also works closely with Kevin Cannon in his capacity as Sr. Director of Regional Development – West Region, and all members of the West region fundraising team.  Kevin and I will partner on the hiring of this position.  The full position description will be available on the ND Jobs web site effective Monday. August 20^th.

I encourage all interested individuals to apply.

Best regards,

Micki Kidder

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to let you know about two director level position openings within Annual Giving Programs that are now posted on the ND jobs site:

1)      Director Donor Experience

2)      Director Interest Groups

Both of these positions are part of the Annual Giving Programs leadership team and report to me.  They are key roles that are integral to the continued success and growth of Notre Dame’s Annual Giving Programs.  The full position descriptions are available on the ND Jobs web site.

I encourage all interested individuals to apply.

Best regards,

Brian P. Couch ‘85, ‘88, Senior Director, Annual Giving Programs

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Horvath, (A&L 2005) to Associate Regional Director of Development, East Region effective October 1, 2012.

Craig currently serves as the Director of Interest Groups in Annual Giving Programs where he has had a significant positive impact as we have developed this new organization to engage key Notre Dame constituent groups.  Craig has a wealth of successful fundraising experience and a great love of Our Lady’s University.  He gets the DNA of Notre Dame.

Prior to joining Notre Dame, Craig served as a leader in the Development Office of Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana.  He contributed in  various roles during his four years with the College including Director of Development and Major Gifts Officer.  Craig has also honed his sales and marketing skills for several local Michiana companies.

Craig and his wife Lisa live in South Bend and are St. Joseph Parish parishioners.  They have three wonderful children Rockne (age 6), Ara (age 3) and Sophia (age 2).  Craig is an avid sports fan and is actively involved in coaching youth sports teams.

Please join us in congratulating Craig and supporting him and the Interest Group team as they work through these transitions in the next few months.  The posting for a new Director of Interest Groups will be active on the ND Jobs web page shortly.

In Notre Dame,

Brian Couch                        Michael McLaughlin

Please join us in welcoming Kelly Johnson to University Communications. Kelly will begin her position as associate director for internal communications on Monday, August 13. She comes to us from the greater Boston area, where she most recently served as internal communications manager for Stonyfield Farms and previously worked for seven years at the Bose Corporation, developing and executing comprehensive internal employee communications plans. So in addition to her strong background in internal communications, she also has expertise in organic yogurt and high-end audio systems. (Around here you never know; that just might come in handy.)

Kelly has an MBA from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of New York College at Buffalo, where she was a vice president for the Public Relations Student Society of America, as well as a speaker at her own commencement. Her office will be located in the north pod of the 5^th floor of Grace Hall. If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hello!

Warm regards,

Julie Flory