Congrats to Mikey and Morgan Shepard on their wedding! Married 5.17.25
See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000ZVybIAG/view
Dear Colleagues,
Please join me in saying farewell to Lori Tinkey with thanks for her more than 13 years of service to Our Lady’s University. Lori began her Notre Dame journey in the Mendoza College of Business in 2012, serving in multiple capacities for 5 years. She concurrently pursued her Notre Dame education in the MNA program to solidify her nonprofit knowledge and place in the ND family. As we say in UR, Lori’s years began to “count” when she joined CFR in 2017. During the pandemic lockdown, she joined colleagues on the front lines of keeping the University open for students. Lori added another new role after the pandemic and has most recently served as the Sr. Director of Development Administration.
Lori, Brett, and puppy Spicy are planning their own extended Remote July by RVing in the Upper Peninsula after her last official day of May 31. She wishes to relay her heartfelt thanks to University colleagues as she transitions her role yet again in the ND family.
We will gather in the ESC cafe on Thursday, May 22, from 2:15 to 3 p.m. Please stop by and say farewell.
Amy Schell
See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000ZN9pIAG/view
Friends and Colleagues,
It is bittersweet to share the news of Beth and Chris Lindauer’s transition from Notre Dame to Stanford University. A testament to his coaching excellence and personal care for student athletes, Chris was recently named the Director of Women’s Swimming at Stanford.
Beth joined the UR Family in March of 2023 and over the past two years has deepened relationships and advanced Notre Dame’s mission through her characteristic thoughtfulness and intentionality with families in Cincinnati and Louisville. Most of all, Beth has been a consummate teammate, friend, and mentor to many across the division. We are a better Notre Dame because of the Lindauer’s presence and friendship with us.
True to form, Beth will finish this fiscal year strong and help transition a new regional director for the Cincinnati-Louisville area over the summer.
Please join me in congratulating and thanking Beth, Chris, Jack, Owen, and Brady!
Pete
See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000ZJJ7IAO/view
Dear Colleagues,
Please be aware that as of May 12, 2025, Mike Sullivan is no longer with the NDAA. If you were collaborating with Mike on any projects, please contact me, and I will provide a transition plan.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Mike for his hard work and valuable contributions to our alumni, parents, and friends. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
Best,
Dolly
Hi Team,
We’re excited to announce that we will be welcoming ten talented student interns to the University Relations team this summer! They will be joining us starting on Monday, May 19th, which coincides with our upcoming Team Blueprint. We will ensure that the interns are appropriately introduced during this meeting
This year’s cohort brings a diverse range of skills and perspectives, and we’re looking forward to the fresh energy and support they will bring to our various projects. Please make them feel welcome and offer your guidance as they integrate into our team.
More details about the summer internship program, including the interns’ names and their areas of focus, can be found on the dedicated Google Site. Please take some time to review the information there.
We’re confident that this summer will be a valuable experience for both our team and our new interns. Let’s all work together to make them feel like a part of University Relations.
Adria Logan & Stephanie Washington
See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000Z3flIAC/view
Team,
It is my pleasure to welcome Olivia Newey to the Northwest team as a Regional Director. She will be cultivating relationships with members of the Notre Dame Family in the Bay Area and Montana. Olivia’s first day will be May 12th.
Olivia came to Notre Dame from England and graduated in 2017 as a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar with a Bachelor’s in Business and a concentration in Political Science. Before joining the University, she ran a marketing agency focused on branding and brand partnerships. Prior to that, she led domestic and international issue-based communications for a UK Government official.
Please join me in welcoming Olivia!
–Shaheen
See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000Z3UTIA0/view
Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to share with you that Ellen Kirol will begin serving as the Senior Director of the AAD team beginning Monday, May 5. Ellen’s promotion is a move that has been earned through her tireless work advancing the priorities of the College of Arts & Letters, her strategic partnerships on transformative gifts for the College, and her positive leadership on the AAD team.
Ellen has been a valued member of Development since 2017 after joining the Annual Giving team. Since 2021, she has served as an Academic Advancement Director for the College of Arts & Letters. In this role, Ellen collaborated with Development and academic partners to secure philanthropy for the largest fundraising priorities, including the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, the Franco Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good, and the Sheedy Program for Economy, Enterprise, and Society. She has also enjoyed working closely with the Democracy and Poverty Initiatives in support of the Strategic Framework. Her dedication and collaborative spirit have been evident in the record-breaking fundraising success achieved by the College of Arts & Letters this year.
A 2015 Notre Dame graduate, Ellen brings a strong understanding of and belief in the University’s mission to her work. We are grateful that she will be leading the AAD team. Until we fill the Arts & Letters AAD role, Ellen will be serving in both capacities. I hope you will join me in congratulating Ellen on the Senior Director opportunity.
In Notre Dame,
Michelle
See this post on the new News & Community site on asceND here: https://notredame-ascend.lightning.force.com/lightning/r/nd_Announcements__c/a99Pk000000YcMDIA0/view
Team,
It is with deep sympathy that I share news of the passing of Lorraine Helmke, mother of our, Mark Helmke. Her obituary can be found here: https://www.gundersonfh.com/obituaries/Lorraine-Annette-Helmke?obId=42074619
A service to celebrate Lorraine’s life will be held on April 29th in Madison, WI. Please keep Mark and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Best,
Tim
Dear Colleagues,
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Kathleen (Duffy) Sprows, mother of Kathy Cummings and mother-in-law of Tom Cummings, on April 16, 2025.
Let us join together in extending our heartfelt condolences to Kathy, Tom, and their family, and continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Service information may be found at the following link:
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
With gratitude,
Nadia