Dear Colleagues,

I write to share the bittersweet news that Jeff Faust will be leaving the Development Development for a position in the Office of Information Technology working primarily for the Office of Research.

Jeff has been an invaluable member of the Information Technology and Services team for 11 years and will be greatly missed by all of us.

I am grateful for his numerous contributions to the team and the department. Please join me in expressing heartfelt appreciation to Jeff for all his hard work and dedication. I wish him nothing but the utmost success in all his future endeavors.

-Rose

Friends,

Join me in sending best wishes to Eric Atkins, who will be leaving the University on July 5th to return to Baltimore to spend more time with his immediate and extended family and to pursue opportunities closer to home.

Eric has been an incredible teammate who brought passion and humility to our team on a daily basis. He’ll be missed, but we couldn’t be more supportive of his decision, and he’ll always be a part of our Athletics and Development family.

Thank you,

Riley

Dear Colleagues,

We want to take the opportunity to welcome our newest member of the East Region. It is with great pleasure that we share that Katy Orenchuk will be joining our team as a frontline fundraiser, effective July 1. Many of you know that Katy has made the decision to serve the mission of Notre Dame as a Regional Director after fearlessly leading our Academic Advancement team as a Senior Director. Prior to her time at Notre Dame she spent 13 years as a fundraiser in the DC and Chicago markets. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Katy.

Thank you,
Nadia

Team,

Please join me in welcoming Deanna Gumpf, who will serve as Regional Director on the Southwest team, working primarily with families in southern California. Deanna’s first day is Monday, July 1 (please feel free to pop in at Eddy Street to keep her company!)

Deanna joins us after 23 years of leading the Notre Dame softball program as head coach, where she amassed 882 wins, making her the winningest head coach in Notre Dame athletics history. Beyond her success on the field, Deanna is known as a servant leader, devoted to her players, coaches and the University.

Deanna and her husband John are longtime residents of South Bend, and the proud parents of Brady (ND’24) and Tatum, who will enroll as a freshman at the University of Kentucky next month. Please join me in welcoming Deanna to the team!

All the best,
Ryan Brennan

I’m excited to share that Katie and Matt Kerby have welcomed their first child into the world! Born just in time for our FYE celebrations, Quinn Kerby arrived on Friday, June 28, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz and measuring 20.25 inches. Both mom and baby are healthy and doing well.

Please join me in congratulating Katie and Matt on this wonderful addition to their family. Welcome to the world, Quinn!

Brandon Tabor

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

UR Family,

For only the third time in 72 years, the University of Notre Dame has a new president, Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. This transition in leadership heralds the beginning of a new era for Notre Dame, one marked by tremendous optimism and opportunity.

In this episode of For Good, Father Dowd explains what makes Notre Dame distinctive in all of higher education and discusses how his personal and spiritual journey has given him wisdom, humility, courage, and faith—the hallmarks of a leader capable of guiding Notre Dame into a promising future.

Watch on YouTube →

Listen on Spotify →

– Brandon Tabor

Colleagues,

I write to share the news that Beth Pritchard will be leaving the University as of June 28 to pursue other opportunities. Beth has served as a Regional Director since 2021, working with families in the DC market. We are grateful for her work with benefactors over the last few years and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Best,
Nadia