Join the Google First Wizarding College

The Office of Information Technologies (OIT) has launched a new initiative to improve campus awareness and expand use of all the various Google tools at our disposal. To this end, they have designed the Google First Wizarding College – a fun, educational game designed to promote and teach the use of Google collaboration tools such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chat.

The program is intended for staff and faculty, is self-guided, and takes 30-60 minutes per level to complete. The first level opens January 18 and the program continues through the spring semester. There are wizard prizes for each level, too!

Learn more or sign up for the Google First Wizarding College at https://go.nd.edu/googlefirst/

For 24/7 self-service assistance including the virtual agent, go to: servicenow.nd.edu, or contact the OIT Help Desk during business hours at 574-631-8111 or oithelp@nd.edu.

Dear UR colleagues,

The office of Gift and Data Management will be closed on Friday, January 14, 2022 for the team to enjoy a well-deserved long weekend after working over the University holiday break. Therefore, there will be no gift processing completed and the reports for Saturday will not differ from the reports on Friday. Someone will be answering the general phone line and email box for benefactors who need assistance.

The team did an excellent job of answering benefactor and internal partner questions, sending tax receipts, preparing and processing gifts, bio updates and partnering with the Controller’s office to execute a very smooth and efficient calendar year end! Thank you for all your partnership and support!

Amy Schell

It is my pleasure to welcome Betsy Hughes to the Southwest team as a regional director of development. Betsy’s first day will be on January 18, and she will serve benefactors in Arizona.

Betsy has spent her career in fundraising for numerous non-profit organizations throughout the country. Most recently, she served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for United Way of Metro Chicago, where she secured the organization’s first 8-figure gift for community development. She also served for 15 years as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Illinois Institute of Technology

Betsy graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Communication. She is from Pennsylvania but has spent the past 30 years in Chicago with her husband, Lyle, and two daughters.

I am thrilled to welcome Betsy to the Notre Dame family and the Southwest team. Please join me in welcoming her to the UR team!

Shelby

Today, we offer our deepest condolences to Larry Helmsing upon the passing of his mother, Katherine (Kathy) Helmsing, on Tuesday, January 4 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The full obituary may be found here.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Friday, January 14 at St Peter’s Catholic Church, 518 East Dewald Street, Fort Wayne with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be held from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, January 13, at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home in Fort Wayne.

Please keep Larry and his entire family in your prayers.

~IT&S Team

We are writing to update you on the job responsibilities of Angel Hess:

Angel has transitioned to a role supporting Kim Borza Donaldson, in addition to Melissa Lechlitner-Lewis and Mike Brown. In addition to this support, Angel will continue to manage communications with the Advisory Council for the Student-Athlete, Athletics leadership gift acknowledgments, and Athletics Advancement office operations. She also assists with Athletics gift reporting, Athletics Department communications, and event management for Athletics Advancement and the Monogram Club.

Angel is a wonderful member of the Athletics Advancement team, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on Athletics priorities!

– Kim Borza Donaldson & Brian Powell

Congratulations to Dawn Smith on her new grandson! Greyson Lawrence Danley was born on Monday, January 10th weighing in at 7lbs 3oz. Mom (Dawn’s daughter) Lexy, Dad Philip, and big brother Delcan are all doing great!

Best wishes to their whole family!

After six and a half years, Megan Macri has announced her resignation from the University and her role as a fundraiser with the Illinois Team.

Megan has been a valuable teammate. Her fundraising acumen along with her leadership and team-focused approach will be missed. The Freehold, N.J. native consistently developed strong relationships with her benefactors. Her work will have a lasting impact on Notre Dame and the students the university serves.

The 2005 ND graduate will join the Chicago-based private equity firm TJM Capital Partners as a Principal. In her new role, Megan will focus on investor relations, fundraising, and cultivating key relationships within portfolio companies.

We wish her well and look forward to seeing her, Matt and their children Amelia, Kate and Maeve back on campus when they visit.

Congratulations Megan and thank you for your service to Our Lady’s Mission.

Megan’s last day will be Jan. 26.

Please join us in welcoming Sean Cuneo and Jim Hill to the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team as Content Marketing Specialists!

In these roles, Sean and Jim will use their creativity and writing skills to produce persuasive, emotionally evocative multichannel fundraising campaigns that raise critical funds that empower Notre Dame students to be forces for good in the world.

Sean Cuneo graduated from Notre Dame in 2012 and comes to us from Mercyhurst University where he served as the Director of Marketing & Brand Management. His robust experience as a writer, creative, and digital marketer will be a great addition to our team. Sean’s first day is Tuesday, January 4th.

Jim Hill graduated from Boston College and Villanova University and comes to us from Villanova’s Office of Grants and Contracts where he served as a Grants and Contracts Assistant. Jim has unique experience in writing, directing his own short films, and in working as a Logistics Management Specialist for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command. Jim’s first week is remote beginning on Tuesday, January 11th and he will join us in the office on January 18th.

Please join us in welcoming Sean and Jim to the UR Family!

Lauren Dolzan and Brandon Tabor

Happy birthday to all our UR colleagues celebrating their special days in January! We hope this new year brings you new joy!

1/1 – Stacy Koebel
1/3 – Andrea Swanagan
1/3 – Eileen Gieselman
1/5 – Nancy Cole
1/6 – Dylan Reed
1/7 – Drew Buscareno
1/11 – Colleen Bailey-Knapke
1/11 – Stu Fortener
1/12 – James Riley
1/13 – Laura Walker
1/17 – Anne Overly
1/19 – Jeff Fersch
1/19 – Jay McAllister
1/21 – Matthew McVeigh
1/23 – Heather Christophersen
1/23 – Nadia Erickson
1/24 – Melissa Lechlitner
1/24 – Suzanne DeGuilio
1/25 – Kelly Courington
1/25 – Lou Nanni
1/26 – Chris Baguer
1/26 – Joanne Norell
1/29 – Chris Palmquist
1/30 – Geoff Stookey
1/31 – Bryan Reaume

More on masking: 

• Throughout the Spring Semester, those who are not fully vaccinated—having not received the original vaccine and the booster—will be required to mask indoors and test weekly.
• The current indoor masking requirement applies in all campus buildings, including in classrooms, laboratories and studios. When the campus-wide masking requirement is lifted, faculty may continue to require students to mask in these instructional spaces.
• Visitors are required to wear masks inside campus buildings at all times until further notice.
• While the current masking requirement is in effect, students, faculty and staff are required to wear masks at all times inside South Dining Hall, North Dining Hall, Duncan Student Center, LaFortune and other eateries except when actively eating or drinking.
• Throughout the semester, we urge anyone experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms to stay at home, call their medical provider, and, as appropriate, get tested. Even if you are negative for COVID, please wear your mask indoors on campus while symptoms persist to avoid spreading illness.
• Finally, as has been true throughout the pandemic, we strongly encourage anyone who feels more comfortable masking—for any reason and without needing to offer an explanation—to do so.