It is my pleasure to welcome Claire Brown to the Stewardship & Donor Relations team, reporting directly to me in her role as Program Director, University Stewardship Initiatives. Claire’s first day will be Wednesday, April 26th, and she will serve as the stewardship partner to the College of Arts & Letters, Notre Dame International, as well as leading the Endowed Professorships and Directorships program on behalf of the Stewardship & Donor Relations team.

Already a proud member of the Notre Dame family, Claire received her Notre Dame B.A. in Anthropology, with honors, in 2011. She went on to complete her M.A. and Ph.D. studies in Anthropology at Binghamton University, State University of New York.

As an undergrad, Nanovic Institute study grants instilled in Claire a love for the people, culture, and landscape of Ireland, leading Claire to spend a number of years there following her undergraduate experience. Claire worked from 2020 to 2022 as a postdoctoral research fellow at Teagasc – Ireland’s Agriculture & Food Development Authority, Galway, Ireland. Prior to that, from 2015 to 2018 Claire served as a Program Manager and Affiliated Scholar at Notre Dame’s Kylemore Abbey Global Center. In this role she was responsible for organizing and managing all visiting international academic programs for undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Claire also designed and led communications campaigns to recruit students and faculty to Center programs. Further, Claire has served as a research assistant at Notre Dame and a graduate student teaching assistant at Binghamton University, and has authored a number of publications and papers as part of her academic research.

Claire’s Notre Dame roots, successful academic background, and experience in higher ed administration will serve both her and the University very well as a stewardship partner to our academic units. Please join me in offering a warm welcome to Claire Brown as she joins the University Relations family.

Cristi Ganyard

Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. ~Robin Wall Kimmerer

Happy Earth Day! 

Celebrated for the first time on April 20, 1970, Earth Day brought together millions of Americans wanting government regulations in place that would end pollution, mostly by large corporations.  Since then, Earth Day has become a call for individuals and communities to learn about and live more sustainably, push for policy change, and to recognize that sustainability is crucial to ensure the equity and equality of all living beings. 

Throughout most of history, a reciprocal relationship has existed between people and nature. At times it may seem that we have lost that relationship with nature and the earth. Nearly every religion, culture and tradition offer a connection to the earth: Creation stories. Creation stories often keep humans rooted to nature, reminding us that the earth naturally creates and sustains life. While Creation stories vary widely, from God’s spoken words breathing life into existence to a pregnant woman falling from the sky who was saved and cared for by animals, they remind us that humans belong within the complex nature system.   

Below are four short clips of creation stories from various traditions: 

Genesis Creation Story (Judeo-Christian faith tradition)

Sky Woman Falling (Haudenosaunee tradition)

Hindu Creation Story (Hindu faith tradition)

The Earth with Kaang (African San Bushmen Creation story)

Earth Day does not have to be (and should not be) the only time we focus on living more sustainably. Some suggestions for incorporating more sustainable practices in our everyday lives are included below. And please keep in mind – progress over perfection! Not everyone can practice all of these suggestions, but choosing one or two things from the list that feel feasible for your life at this time will make an impact! 

1. At work:
   1. Keep reusable lunch items at work such as silverware and a cloth napkin.
   2. Use a mug or water bottle for drinks.
   3. Invest in reusable sandwich and snack bags.
   4. Limit your paper towel use to one each time you dry your hands. Enjoy this Ted Talk on the topic.
2. While grocery shopping:
   1. Use reusable produce bags instead of the thin plastic bags in the produce section and reusable bags for packing your groceries.
   2. If possible, buy from the bulk area of the grocery store using jars from home or investing in jars for bulk food. Local grocery store, Purple Porch, carries spices, grains, coffee and many other bulk options.
3. Outdoor spaces:
   1. Visit one of the many beautiful county and state parks near us. The more time we spend in nature the deeper connection we feel to nature (not to mention so many other health benefits!). 
   2. Suggested read: Florence Williams’ The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. 
   3. Plant native plants in your yard. They attract pollinators – and the more plants taking up yard space means less mowing!
4. Clothing
   1. Buy thrifted clothes at places like Clothes Mentor, Once Upon a Child, and ThredUp (online). 
   2. Buy fewer clothes. Value what you buy and invest only in clothes you really like and need. 
   3. Buy clothing made with natural fabric fibers instead of synthetic fabrics. You’ll reduce the amount of microplastics in rivers and oceans that shed during washing. 
   4. Upcycle your clothes using companies like For Days where you can send textiles to be recycled. You pay $20 up front for a bag, but then you receive $20 to spend in their store!

If you are interested in joining us for our next UR Walks, please fill out this form. We will meet at the first floor lobby of ESC on Tuesday, April 25 at 11:30AM. Sara Liebscher will be leading the walk. As there may be some non-pavement, trail walking, we advise that appropriate footwear be considered. Signing up also helps us to contact those who are interested just in case we need to cancel at the last minute due to inclement weather. Interested in learning more about the health benefits of walking? Check out this article.

On Thursday, June 1, 2023, the Badin Guild will host a cocktail reception from 2-4 p.m. in 215-216 McKenna Hall for Badin Guild members and their guests. Please see this list of registered attendees for details on benefactors who will be attending this event. If you have questions regarding this event, please contact Laura Walker.

Colleagues-

As our collective team and goals grow, so does our commitment to providing ongoing education, training, and professional development. Accordingly, Sara Liebscher, Brian Diss, and I have been collaborating to expand the capacity and influence of the Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) team.

I am pleased to announce two job postings:

Fundraiser Training Specialist (new role)

Associate Director, LOD
(role currently held by Mary Flynt) See previous announcement about transition.

I gladly welcome all applications, interest, referrals, and questions.

For Notre Dame,

Bryan Reaume

It is my pleasure to welcome Nicole Konieczny (pronounced Kah-nez-nee) to the Prospect & Research Strategy team as Research Analyst, effective April 12. In her new role, Nicole will be working with the Research team to provide quality research to fundraisers and help identify process improvement opportunities in our recurring project-based work.

Nicole was a Division I Women’s Basketball player at Valparaiso University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She then went on to Stephen F. Austin State University, where she continued to play while earning her Master of Business Administration.

We are excited to see the impact Nicole’s skills and energy will have on our team. Please consider reaching out to Nicole at nkoniecz@nd.edu to introduce yourself.

Welcome Nicole!
Christina Ryan
Director, Prospect Research

The Office of Leadership Events is looking forward to working with you as we plan for the Class of 2023 Commencement Weekend (May 20 & 21, 2023). Outlined below is important information regarding requests for:

• Commencement Mass Preferred Seating – Saturday, May 20

• President’s Cocktail Reception invitation criteria and special requests – Saturday, May 20 immediately following Mass

• University Commencement Ceremony Preferred Seating – Sunday, May 21

To help you manage the important deadlines and instructions for each event, please refer to the 2023 Commencement Request Guide.

CRITERIA AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMMENCEMENT REQUESTS

All requests must be requested with the Google Form no later than Friday, April 28, 2023.

COMMENCEMENT MASS
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center
Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 5:00  – 6:30 pm

• Mass Preferred Seats: 

  • We will coordinate a limited number of Mass reserved seats in Section 11 at Purcell Pavilion.

  • Google form requests may be entered for donors with $1M+ household extended giving.

  • Maximum number of seats per request is limited to four.

  • Note that Trustees and PLC/Deans will receive a registration form from the President’s Office to request reserved Mass seating; all other requests must be entered with the Google form.

  • Fundraisers should not request seating for themselves.

  • Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Please encourage early arrival for donors without preferred seats. If necessary, overflow seating will be provided in Heritage Hall and the Monogram Room.

PRESIDENT’S COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Club Naimoli at Purcell Pavilion 
Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 6:30 – 7:30 pm (immediately following Mass)

• President’s Cocktail Reception Invitations:

  • The following donor groups (with a 2023 undergraduate) will automatically be invited to the President’s Cocktail Reception:

    • Trustees (both parents and grandparents, if the Trustee is the grandparent)

    • For Good Cabinet (both parents and grandparents, if the Cabinet member is the grandparent)

    • Principal Donors (both parents and grandparents, if the Principal donor is the grandparent)

    • Advisory Council parents

    • President’s Circle & Cavanaugh Council parents

    • Jesse Harper Council parents

    • Cardinal O’Hara Dean’s Circle parents

    • St. Thomas More Leadership Circle parents

    • RHF – Athletics Director’s Circle parents

    • $250K+ parents, based on household extended giving

    • Faculty/Staff parents

  • Special requests may be made via the Google Form for donors outside the automatic invite criteria outlined above. Priority will be given to donors $100K+ household extended giving – limited to undergraduates and their parents.

  • Those who meet the automatic invitation criteria, plus any additional approved donors requested via the Google form, will be invited via a formal invitation from Fr. Jenkins. These invitations will be emailed by Friday, April 14, 2023.

  • Please note that this reception is intended for undergraduates and their parents; invitations will not be extended to graduate students/families.

  • Fundraisers should not request an invitation to the President’s Cocktail Reception for themselves; invitations are limited as indicated above.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Notre Dame Stadium (Severe Weather Location: Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center)
Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 9:30 am (doors open at 8:00 am; processional begins at 9:00 am)

• Commencement Ceremony Preferred Seats: 

  • We will coordinate seating for the Commencement Ceremony within the preferred (blue) seats on the east side of the stadium.

  • Google form requests may be entered for donors:

    • $350K+ household extended giving

    • Advisory Council parents

    • President’s Circle & Cavanaugh Council parents

    • Jesse Harper Council parents

    • Cardinal O’Hara Dean’s Circle parents

    • St. Thomas More Leadership Circle parents

    • RHF – Athletics Director’s Circle parents

  • Please note you must enter a request for tickets even if the donor meets the criteria.

  • Google form requests may be entered for donors who do not meet the criteria. These requests will be reviewed and approved if seating is available.

  • Maximum number of seats per request is limited to six.

  • Note that Trustees and PLC/Deans will receive a registration form from the President’s Office to request preferred Commencement seating; all other requests must be requested on the Google form.

  • Fundraisers may request preferred seats for themselves on the Google form, to sit with key benefactors. Please note as #sitwith in comments section. Preferred seating requests for fundraisers will not be honored if the Commencement Ceremony moves indoors to Purcell Pavilion.

  • All other Commencement Ceremony seating will be open seating and tickets are required (please read below for detailed information on general admission and severe weather tickets).

IMPORTANT NOTE

• In all cases, please do not communicate a possible invitation or preferred seating until you are notified via a confirmation email. Until all requests are received, it is unknown exactly how the invitations and tickets will be apportioned.

• You will find the report of donors with a prospective 2023 graduate in the HERE. Please note, this is an extensive workbook containing four tabs, including both parents and grandparents of 2023 graduates. Please carefully review the list to determine donor eligibility for consideration and if any of your donors are not reflected on the reports.

APPROVALS

• All requests will be updated in the Development Resources Google Drive once approved.

GENERAL ADMISSION AND SEVERE WEATHER TICKET INFORMATION  

General Admission Tickets
If the Commencement Ceremony is in the stadium, tickets for general admission (GA) are required. The number of GA tickets per graduate is not limited but graduates must request GA tickets as instructed by the Registrar’s Office. Please reference the Registrar’s guidance on the Commencement website. Please note GA tickets are all mobile this year and will be sent to all graduates the week of May 15, 2023.

Severe Weather Tickets
The Office of Leadership Events does not handle severe weather tickets.

• All students, regardless of whether they have GA tickets or preferred seats from Development, will receive severe weather guest tickets as instructed by the Registrar’s Office.

  • Undergraduates are allotted up to three (3) severe weather guest tickets from the Registrar; graduate students are allotted up to two (2) severe weather guest tickets. These tickets will be emailed a few days before Commencement if there is a chance we move to the Joyce.

• If the Severe Weather Plan is activated:

  • The Commencement Ceremony will move from Notre Dame Stadium to the Purcell Pavilion; graduates will be notified via the ND Emergency Alert system.

  • Graduates and faculty in academic attire will be admitted to the Purcell Pavilion without a ticket. However, only guests with a severe weather ticket will be seated in Purcell Pavilion.

  • The Commencement Ceremony will be broadcast live in the Joyce Center North Dome, auditoriums in the DeBartolo Hall classroom building, and other large auditoriums in nearby buildings as announced. This will allow guests without a severe weather guest ticket to view the event live.

  • It is very important to note that donors in the preferred seats will not have preferred seats should the Commencement Ceremony move to Purcell Pavilion. Please communicate to your donors that should the Severe Weather Plan be implemented, they will need to find general seating in Purcell Pavilion utilizing their graduates three allotted severe weather tickets.

TICKET DISTRIBUTION
Commencement tickets are scheduled to be distributed as follows. All tickets will be sent via email (general admission and preferred seating)

• Monday, May 15: Every student will receive an email with their general admission ticket. This ticket can be shared via email with all of their guests.

• Tuesday, May 16: Development Preferred seating will be sent via email to all approved benefactors.

ACCOMMODATIONS
A limited inventory of rooms at the Morris Inn is managed by the Office of Leadership Events, and is available for the honorary degree recipients and Trustees. All donor requests have been approved HERE. Please review and email Stephanie Mead if you have questions or additional requests by Friday, April 17. Guest confirmations have been sent, please communicate with your benefactors if they have been approved.

QUESTIONS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please contact the Office of Leadership Events with questions at sep@nd.edu

Congratulations Michael Infantine, our new colleague on the Stewardship & Donor Relations team. He and his wife Madeline welcomed their first baby, Franklin Joseph on March 31st. Michael reports all are well and healthy. Blessings to the Infantine family.

I am pleased to announce a new member of the NDAA IT Team will be joining us on Monday, April 17, just in time for our Spring Board Meeting and Leadership Conference!

Anuoluwapo (Anu) Osinubi will be joining the NDAA IT Team as our new Email Communications Analyst next Monday. Anu is multi-talented and comes to Notre Dame with a background in email communications and web development and design. He was most recently working with Beacon Health. On the side he has been building Kwikapay—a startup fintech based in his home country, Nigeria. Anu is looking forward to the opportunity to learn, grow, and meet new people as he comes into his new role working with our email communications here in the NDAA.

When you see him next week, please take a moment to welcome him to the team.

John

It is with deepest gratitude and appreciation that I would like to announce that after almost 30 years of service, George Duke will be retiring on April 21.

In his time here at Notre Dame, George has raised over $133 million in production including $20 million for financial aid. He has worked with 1,400 benefactor families across the US accumulating to 6,226 visits.

George has dedicated his career to advancing Notre Dame’s sacred mission. We will always be profoundly grateful for his work, but more importantly for who he is.

Thank you, George!

Sincerely, Shelby