Dear Colleagues,

The third spring renewal mailing (renew #3) is dropping in mailboxes on Friday, May 23, to our unrestricted and giving society benefactors. As a reminder, this mailing is sent to all assigned and unassigned benefactors whose annual giving is less than $25,000, asking them to renew their previous calendar year gift by their respective fund owner. This mailing was sent to over 5,600 households and will be followed by an email reminder this week. If you have any questions regarding our renewal strategy, please reach out to the appropriate fund (Sorin, Rockne, Law, etc.) owner on the annual giving team, and they will assist you.

Thanks!

Annual Giving Team

See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000ZLmLIAW/view

On the first anniversary of the death of our dear CFR colleague, Cathy Windeatt, we will gather for a Memorial Mass to honor and celebrate her life. Please join us on June 25th at 11:30am in the Log Chapel. Fr. Tim O’Connor will preside.

Please contact Annie Geary with questions.

See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000ZLkjIAG/view

Hi friends, we’re still riding the good vibes from our two recent gatherings and we’d love to hear what you thought!

ND Shares: More Than A Workplace – Resources for Living Well at ND

Last Thursday (May 15), we gathered for a powerful and practical conversation about living well at Notre Dame. Our panelists were thoughtful, honest, and inspiring! If you attended, we’d love your thoughts on how it went and what we can improve for future sessions. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey by May 26: https://feedback.hundredxinc.com/?key=29bfefd6-fecd-4c23-860f-b519020ae859

May Blueprint

Blueprint yesterday brought us together for important updates, shared wins, and the chance to reconnect as a division. Your input helps us shape these meetings to be even more engaging and useful for everyone. Let us know what you enjoyed and what could be better by May 30: https://feedback.hundredxinc.com/?key=da0c00d3-3535-4ae3-bc03-79706527a4c6

Feedback really is a gift. Your voice helps us make these experiences even better, more inclusive, and more impactful. Thank you in advance for taking the time to share!

See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000ZLeHIAW/view

The Internal Engagement Team is excited to share that our UR Blog is getting a fresh new home!

Starting June 1, all blog updates will officially move to our new platform: “News &
Community” in asceND. Get ready for a better way to stay connected with all the great things happening at University Relations! Our new site is more organized, super easy to use, and even a bit more fun – picture this: photos, quick updates, and lots of chances
to celebrate our awesome team!)

Here’s how the transition will work:

• For the month of May, we’ll post every update on BOTH the current blog (ur.nd.edu) and the new News & Community site in asceND.
• At the end of each blog post, you’ll find a link that takes you to the same content on our new site.)
• This “double-posting” in May will give everyone a chance to get familiar with the new platform while still getting updates in the old spot you’re used to.

On June 1, we’ll fully transition — all new updates will only be posted on News & Community through asceND. You’ll still get all the content you love, just in a new, easier-to access place!

Thanks for rolling with us through this transition. If you have any questions, please reach out to Iliana Contreras or James Riley. We’re excited for this next chapter of staying connected and celebrating the amazing people of University Relations!

Show Your Support on Denim Day – April 30th, 2025

Next Wednesday, join us in taking a powerful stand against sexual violence by participating in Denim Day 2025. This globally recognized campaign encourages individuals to wear denim as a visible sign of solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. Denim Day is more than just a dress code. It’s a movement sparked by a powerful story of injustice, and it now serves as a unifying call to action to raise awareness and support survivors around the world. By simply wearing denim, you’re helping spark conversations, challenge harmful myths, and show that you stand with survivors.

If you have meetings or professional obligations that day, please be mindful of workplace dress expectations.

Dear Team,

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of Amanda McKee’s mother, Rebecca J. (Derda) McKee, on April 12, 2025. Let us come together to extend our condolences to Amanda and her family, and continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Visitation will be held from 4:00pm – 8:00pm with recitation of the rosary at 7:00pm, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Palmer Funeral Home – Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Rd., South Bend, IN 46635. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 219 S. State St., Niles, MI 49120. Entombment will immediately follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN.

To read the full obituary, please click here.

We hope you can join us on March 17th for lunch in Foley’s after the Blueprint Meeting! Lunch will be available starting at 11:30am and will conclude by 1pm.

The Irish-themed lunch, will include:

• Irish Stew
• Corned Beef Sliders
• Shepard’s Pie
• Seafood Chowder
• Steamed Red Potatoes with Parsley
• Grilled vegetables
• Irish soda bread
• plus some excellent desserts

If you have any questions, please reach out to Lana Taylor or Iliana Contreras.

It is with heartfelt sadness that I share the news of the passing of Alex Servin’s brother, Adam Jesus Servin “A.J.”.  Please keep Alex and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very sad time.

A visitation will take place Saturday, February 15, from 1-7 p.m. central time at the Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home in Chicago.  

Adam’s obituary can be found here.  Alex, we are sorry for you and your family’s loss.

Dear Colleagues,

The first spring renewal mailing (renew #1) dropped in mailboxes on Friday, February 7, to our unrestricted and giving society benefactors. As a reminder, this mailing is sent to all assigned and unassigned benefactors whose annual giving is less than $25,000, asking them to renew their previous calendar year gift by their respective fund owner. This mailing was sent to over 10,000 households and will be followed by an email reminder this week. If you have any questions regarding our renewal strategy, please reach out to the appropriate fund (Sorin, Rockne, Law, etc.) owner on the annual giving team, and they will assist you.

Thanks!
Annual Giving Team

Please be courteous to your colleagues by booking your hot desk when you are in the office. If you do not reserve the space where you are seated and the individual who has booked the space arrives, they can ask you to find a new work space. As a reminder, you can access Tango Reserve a few different ways  — go.nd.edu/ndrtango or via the Tango Reserve by AgilQuest mobile app. The full set of instructions can be found here. Please contact Patty Kokesh with any questions.

The Office of Gift Planning will be closed this Friday, January 17 in recognition of our team’s work during the year end!

After sixteen years of dedicated service to Notre Dame Development, our friend and colleague Dawn McGrath has made the tough decision to retire from ND. Over the years, Dawn has played a critical role in our team’s success and has formed valuable relationships across campus and with many of our largest benefactors. Dawn started in Gift Planning and partnered on the inception of numerous initiatives (Gift Planning Advancement Committee, Love Thee Notre Dame, and Provost Leadership Group to name a few), worked through three campaigns, and has managed the seating of the President’s Suite since 2017 – all ultimately helping to advance the Notre Dame mission. I am personally grateful for her partnership over the past three years. Dawn has provided critical support to Stu, me, and our donors. Dawn’s last day in the office will be January 23, 2025. Please join me in offering her our heartfelt thanks and blessings as she embarks on the next chapter of her journey: spending quality time with her 90-year-old mom, and focusing on their kids and ten grandkids, in southern Indiana!

You and your family are invited to join us for the 2025 UR Winter Family Event on Saturday, February 22, 2025. From 12-2 pm, we will enjoy crafts, face painting, and more fun before cheering on our men’s basketball team against Pitt at 2:15 pm!

You may sign up for tickets to the Men’s Basketball game vs. Pitt by completing this form. This will be the Irish Wear Green game, so come dressed in your best gear!

If you have questions, please contact Lana Taylor, Iliana Contreras, or James Riley.