In recognition of his years of selfless dedication to Notre Dame, Richard A. Nussbaum II ’74, ’77 J.D. will be awarded the Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award at Reunion later this month. Presented annually to a Notre Dame graduate who has rendered distinguished service to the University, the award is one of the highest honors given out by the Notre Dame Alumni Association.
Nussbaum has been a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 2006. He also has the unique distinction of having served as president of both the Notre Dame Alumni Association and the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
“I have been enormously blessed with opportunities to interact with Notre Dame. I am absolutely convinced most, given the same opportunities, would meet or exceed anything I have done,” Nussbaum said. “I accept this award on behalf of those who serve Notre Dame and its global mission every day in anonymity and without the recognition of an award. Father Sorin would want his name associated with them all.”
Dolly Duffy ’84, executive director of the Alumni Association and associate vice president for University Relations, said the hundreds of hours of volunteer leadership Nussbaum has devoted to the University made him an obvious choice for the Sorin award.
“At the Alumni Association, we’ve gotten a firsthand view of Dick’s boundless energy and passion for Our Lady’s University,” Duffy said. “But his work with the Alumni Association represents only a fraction of his service to the University. Dick’s incredible level of commitment is an inspiration to all of us who love Notre Dame.”
Nussbaum, who starred on the baseball field for the Irish as an undergraduate, has practiced law in South Bend since earning his law degree. He is a partner at the firm of Sopko, Nussbaum, Inabnit & Kaczmarek. Previously, Nussbaum served as deputy prosecuting attorney for St. Joseph County and city attorney for South Bend. He also worked as special counsel to former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan ’68.
Nussbaum has been married to his wife, Mary Pat SMC ’75, for 38 years. They are the proud parents of three children: Matt ’00, ’04 J.D.; Danny, Holy Cross College ’06; and Kathryn SMC ’07. Dick and Mary Pat also have four grandchildren: Nora, Louie, Bridgy, and Cal.
Nussbaum credited the University and the Notre Dame family with inspiring him to spend so much of his time giving back to his alma mater.
“I am no different than most alums. We come to Notre Dame open to service,” Nussbaum said. “The University, Holy Cross, our fellow students and alums, and of course Our Lady open our eyes to the needs to serve. We feed off each other and celebrate being part of the mission to be a force for good in the world.”
By Kevin Brennan ’07
Notre Dame Alumni Association