Dear UR,

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the promotion of Samantha Checkley to Assistant Program Director (APD) reporting to Lori Tinkey, effective October 3, 2022. In her new role on the DC Leadership Team, Samantha will transition to partnerships with Senior Regional Directors (SRDs — Ryan Brennan and Jason Scarlett) and members of the Regional SRD Team as well as contribute to overarching Regional Development projects. Samantha joined Development last year following 6 years of ND campus experience in management and events. Samantha quickly excelled on the DC Team, in partnerships with 3 RDs, and in work within Gift Planning. We are grateful to benefit from her talents in strategic analytics, planning, and presentation. Congratulations, Samantha!

If you have any questions about Samantha’s transitional responsibilities or new role, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lori and Deena

Please find the Shamrock Series event itinerary here.

Please contact Ashley Bennett at abennet4@nd.edu with any questions.

UR Team –

On Monday, October 3, we are welcoming a new member to the NDAA family.

Kelly Woods comes to the NDAA after earning a Master of Arts in Linguistics from BYU where she also worked as a Web Developer and a Graduate Research Assistant. She also completed her undergraduate work at BYU, earning a degree in Psychology – I guess that makes her a “Double Cougar”. Kelly brings a wealth of technical knowledge and an innate curiosity driven by her previous work in research areas.

Not only will she be new to the University, but Kelly is coming to us all the way from Oklahoma City. And, having spent years in Utah, she’s an avid fan of outdoor activities and is looking forward to exploring her new home. She’s also a huge sports fan, and assures us that outside of Saturday October 8, she will be cheering for the Irish.

Kelly will be joining the NDAA-IT team as our new Systems Specialist and putting her French speaking skills to good use as she focuses on all things myNotreDame, its ongoing development, and relationship with Hivebrite.

Please join me in welcoming Kelly to the NDAA!

John

The newest episode of “The Grace of Giving” podcast is out featuring Learning & Organizational Development Associate, Mary Flynt! In this episode we discuss balancing work and being a first time mom, the critical steps in properly onboarding new colleagues, and a powerful crescendo in a popular Mumford & Sons songs.  All this and more in the Grace of Giving! Listen now! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and fill out this form to appear as a guest.

Please welcome Michelle McDaniel to the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team as our Content Marketing Specialist. Her first day was this week, Monday, September 26.

Michelle was previously a Content Writer for RTA Outdoor Living and has 10+ years of multimedia journalism experience. She will be writing and producing fund and Giving Society digital communications as well as managing digital executions such as email creation and deployment for the Annual Giving team.

Michelle comes to us from the Dallas, Texas area. Please join me in giving her a big, warm, South Bend welcome!

Lauren Dolzan

University Relations Team – With an incredible amount of gratitude for his videography and design services, I’m writing to you today to share the news that Kilian Vidourek will be leaving the Storytelling & Engagement Team. Over the past year, Kilian has dazzled us with his keen camera skills, his efficiency to turn around projects incredibly quickly, and his ability to rock a pair of pants that show off his ankles.

The Georgia native, known in local DJ circles as “DOGSNAKE”, has accepted a position at 2K Games in California as a Video Editor, where he will be responsible for making video game trailers and marketing materials. He is grateful that his current position has taught him the skills necessary to take this next step in his professional career out on the West Coast as a videographer and storyteller. In Kilian’s words, “I am going to miss all of the wonderfully unique people I have had the chance to know and work with as well as the culture of family here that made me feel like I belong. Thank you everyone!”

Kilian’s last day in office will be Friday, September 30. Please join me in echoing his common sentiment of “What’s poppin’?” and say farewell to our incredible colleague.

Jim Gosz

UR team –

With deep regret but also immense gratitude, please join me in wishing Chris Palmquist farewell as he embarks on a new career in Minneapolis, MN. Chris and his wonderful wife Dagny are returning to the Twin Cities where they lived before Chris joined the NDAA family in 2019.

Those who have worked with him know Chris as a person of high character who could be relied on to deliver on every project, contribute a witty Q&A at Football Fridays, and manage the MarCom department through the personnel changes of 2021 while leading by example for the new employees who joined the team. Since I came on board before Christmas, he has been an invaluable resource and steady hand. He will be terribly missed.

Chris’ last day will be September 23, 2022. As we determine how to best move forward, I will run point on the takeover and transition of his duties before a new hire comes on board.

Thank you Chris!

Best,
Digger

Team,

Some emails are harder to write than others. This is one of those emails. I’m writing to you today to share the news that our dear friend and trusted colleague Erin Thornton has been offered an amazing opportunity to advance her career at Notre Dame. Erin has been hired to join Anne Griffith’s team as the new Advisor to the Vice President of University Enterprises and Events. As Advisor, Erin will provide advice and insight to Anne on all aspects of UEE’s strategic operations and will manage special projects including the division’s strategic planning process. Additionally, Erin will serve as a liaison to various academic and administrative units, manage strategic University relationships, and lead the division’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Since she arrived at the NDAA from Disney Cruise Lines in 2013, Erin has made a huge impact on countless alumni and friends through her outstanding leadership of our special events. More than that, however, Erin’s care for her colleagues, and quick wit have made our office community a better place. While we are all happy for Erin, Mark, Declan, and Beatrice, it will be bittersweet to not work side by side with Erin in the future.

Erin’s last day at the NDAA will be Oct. 26 and she will begin her new role at UEE on Oct. 31.

More details to come on Erin’s going away party but for now, please join me in congratulating Erin!

Best,

Mike

Grace Hall Friends,

Facilities and Design Operations (FDO) asked that we share the following information:

The following lots will need to be cleared by Friday night the 23rd in order to do repair work in these lots. Work will be done on Saturday, September 24, 2022. This work will take 4-8 hours overall to complete. Once each lot is done the cones will be moved and the lots reopened

The areas that will be closed are:

1. Transportation lot
2. Stepan “A” lot
3. East Gate lot (behind Grace Hall)
4. Grace Hall circle (Actual Grace Hall lot will not be closed)
5. NDPD Lot.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Lana

Team,

We have been asked by Kite Properties to send a reminder about parking under the Eddy Street office building, specifically along the westside across from the former Kilwin’s location. These spots are 45-minute parking only. Beginning tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 23, 2022) vehicles parked in this location exceeding 45-minutes will be towed.

Parking is available in the garage for Eddy Street tenets or any one working out of the Eddy Street office (hot desking, attending meetings, etc). If you are assigned to the Eddy Street office, garage access has been granted to you. If you do have garage access, please let me know.

For any one assigned to the Main Building, Grace Hall or Joyce Center offices, parking can be validated at the front desk.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Grace Prosniewski, or Lana Taylor.

Thank you.
Dawn