Kite will power wash the basement and first-floor parking areas between Monday, July 8th, through Thursday, July 11th. During this time, one of the Eddy Street entrances will be open. All parking traffic will be directed to the second floor and above.

Happy Birthday to all our UR colleagues celebrating their special day in July! You light up our department like a firework!

7/2— Annica Hill
7/2— Amber Machowiak
7/2— Cheryl Vowels
7/3— Katherine Lane
7/4— Giovana Heeter
7/5— Ashley Van Avermaete
7/8— Brian Diss
7/8— Brittany Jaso
7/10— Patrick Brennan
7/10— Megan Hale
7/10— Christina Ryan
7/11— Megan Richard
7/14— Anita Sareen
7/14— Lori Tinkey
7/15— Carleen Quinlan
7/15— Justin Zimmerman
7/16— Gail Slevin
7/17— Patty Kokesh
7/17— Teesha Wright
7/18— Kevin Vaughn
7/19— Meghan Buysse
7/19— Susan Lynch
7/20— Jordan Wahlstrom
7/23— Morgan Anthony
7/23— Valerie Plinovich
7/23— Christopher Walsh
7/23— Brandon Williamson
7/27— Arnaud Zimmern
7/30— Jill Calderone
7/30— Josey Kronewitter
7/31— Sammy Kacius

On behalf of Michelle Joyce, Amanda Retartha, and Ken Camm:

Colleagues and friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Cathy Windeatt passed away peacefully this morning, June 25, in the company of her son Bryan. Cathy bravely fought through health challenges for many years, and met each day with the kind of positivity and resilience that we could only hope to have in the same situation.

Cathy served the University with dedication for 12 years, first as an administrative assistant with Corporate Relations and, more recently, a regional associate with Corporate and Foundation Relations. She was the heart of CFR, and her bright spirit will be deeply missed. Her Notre Dame family meant the world to her, and she had unparalleled love for both Our Lady’s University and her home state of West Virginia.

We will be celebrating Cathy’s life with a prayer service at the Grotto tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4:15pm, and a memorial Mass at the Basilica in August. All are welcome to join, and we ask that you send up your own prayers and thoughts for solace for her family and dear friends.

In Notre Dame,
Michelle, Amanda, and Ken

I am pleased to announce Cristi Ganyard’s promotion to Senior Director for University Stewardship Initiatives as of July 1. Cristi has demonstrated an incredible work ethic, always seeking innovations and efficiencies in her various roles throughout the Department. Having recently celebrated 15 years of exemplary service to the University, she first worked in Philanthropic Strategies and then joined Special Events where she led presidential and executive events for several years. As a project leader, Cristi made a name for herself through her green belt project which changed the way we managed advisory council events.

During the last five years, Cristi has been leading the Stewardship Initiatives team. Similar to the Academic Advancement unit, this team partners with all the colleges, schools, and divisions throughout campus to ensure that University benefactors are stewarded both reactively (through impact and endowment reporting) and proactively (through special touches) to increase philanthropy. During COVID, Cristi led the team in creating and delivering electronic endowment reporting for donors. With the implementation of Ascend we are counting on her to again find new solutions for endowment reporting this fall. We’ll also lean on her for coordinating impact reporting for the For Good Strategic Initiatives.

Cristi has become an extraordinary leader, having mentored our veteran colleagues and attracted incredible new talent. Please join me in congratulating Cristi!

Grateful,
Katherine Lane

Congratulations to Anita Sareen! Effective July 1, 2024, Anita will now serve Our Lady’s University as an Associate Program Director, Development Administration. In her new role as APD, Anita will succeed Roz Palusci in supporting Jerry Barca, Ashley Gerard, and Shaheen Goldrick.

Since 2011, Anita has been a leader on the team, first as a development coordinator and later as an associate director. She has excelled in project management, strategy, process improvement, coaching, and training. Her collaboration with Regional Directors and the broader Development team has consistently uncovered opportunities to enhance fundraising effectiveness. Anita’s diverse talents and enthusiasm for our mission will undoubtedly make her an invaluable asset to the APD Team where she will continue to hone her skills and contribute to Development in new and exciting ways.

When you see Anita please take a moment to thank her for her years of dedication as a manager and mentor to our Development Coordinators and wish her the best of luck in her new role.

-Amy Schell

We are thrilled for Jess and Mike Witous as they welcomed baby George to their family on Thursday, June 20. George is a healthy 5 lbs. 9 oz. Older brother Michael is all ready to jump in and help!

Per Brian’s email, please join us for today’s ND Shares in DeBartolo Hall Room 129 at 3PM. We will have churros from Franky’s Tacos while supplies last. Thank you for your patience and flexibility, and we hope to see you this afternoon!

Colleagues,

I am grateful and pleased to share with you that Matt Gelchion will be promoted to Senior Director of the Academic Advancement team effective July 1. A Notre Dame class of 2009 (BA) and class of 2011 (ACE, M Ed) graduate, Matt has committed his professional career in service to Our Lady’s University – serving in ACE from 2011 – 2017 and then moving to Development where he has worked in Storytelling & Engagement, Annual Giving, and Academic Advancement. Matt served Financial Aid and Student Life as an AAD and added to his portfolio when he was promoted to Senior Associate Director in fall of 2023. Matt has supported and led some of the largest gifts to financial aid for the University and numerous efforts to support student life, including philanthropy for the Office of Student Enrichment, Residence Halls, and the successfully-launched Mental Health Initiative in collaboration with the College of Arts & Letters.

With a heart for Catholic education, Notre Dame students, and the impact that the Academic Advancement team can have on the Notre Dame community and beyond, Matt will bring his rigorous and strategic approach and passion for ND and coaching to the AAD team as we head into the remaining five years of For Good.

Please join me in congratulating Matt on his new role.

In Notre Dame,
Michelle

I am thrilled to share that Jamie Russell Kokesh was born Monday morning. Jamie weighed in at 8lbs and 4 oz and measured 21 inches. Jamie, along with mom Patty, dad Ryan, and big brother Marty are all doing well!

Congratulations to the Kokesh family!

-Brian

Colleagues,

We are excited to share that, after much reflection and consideration, Katy Orenchuk has accepted an opportunity to move from her current role as Senior Director of Academic Advancement to take on a Regional Director role, working with a portfolio of highly engaged and generous Notre Dame benefactors, effective July 1. As many of you who have worked with Katy know, her love of Notre Dame, women’s basketball, all things art-related, and fundraising runs deep. Katy joined Development in 2019 as the inaugural AAD for the Museum, School of Architecture, and the DeBartolo Performing Arts while later adding Hesburgh Libraries to her portfolio. Katy served as a strong advocate for the arts as she supported the fundraising priorities and the Notre Dame Arts Council.

In the summer of 2022, Katy moved into the role of Senior Director of the Academic Advancement team and has spent the last two years leading the team through the priority development process with the launch of For Good. Katy has led new innovations in the area of fundraiser education of priorities through the successful, curated Immersions and broader sessions, such as “Priorities and Pancakes” and Lunch & Learns. Additionally, Katy led the AADs through a structural reorganization this past year in order to be responsive to the For Good priorities and create professional pathways for the team.

In following her passion, Katy is excited to move to the field and get back to front-line fundraising. Prior to her role at Notre Dame, Katy spent 13 years as a fundraiser in Washington DC and Chicago. She has her BA in history and political science from the University of Notre Dame and obtained her MA in Arts Administration from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in 2006. She became certified as a Fund Raising Executive in 2018 and has maintained that certification.

We are excited for this move for Katy and hope you will join us in congratulating her.

In Notre Dame,
Michelle Joyce & Sara Liebscher