After nearly eight years working at Notre Dame, Paige has decided to return home to Detriot to pursue a new opportunity and be closer to her family. We are grateful for Paige’s impact on our team, our Law School and Graduate Business benefactors, and the University through her previous work in the Division of Student Affairs. Her last day will be February 3. Please join me in wishing Paige all the best!

If you have any ongoing projects with Paige, please contact me for assistance. We will post this role soon. In the meantime, please refer any potential candidates to me.

Thank you,

Conor

Dear Team,

It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Zach Thurston’s father, Marc Thurston, on Monday, January 20. Marc was a loving, supportive father to Zach and a devoted husband to Judy. Please keep Zach and his family in your hearts and prayers during this difficult time.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Midland Church of the Nazarene (5700 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640).

In lieu of flowers, the Thurston family requests that donations be made in Marc’s memory to the new Veldman Psychology Clinic and Notre Dame’s Mental Health Initiative.

Should you need any work-related assistance from Zach at this time, please reach out to me directly.

– Brandon Tabor

I am so excited to share that Brooke and her husband Mitch and big brother Joey welcomed Dylan Michael Speer on 1/11/25 at 5:38pm, 7lbs 10oz. Brooke and Dylan are doing well! Please join me in congratulating them on the wonderful addition to their lives!

-Conor Montijo

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.

I am thrilled to share that Anneliese Hammer will be stepping into the Director of Marketing & Operations position on the Annual Giving team effective today.

Anneliese is a 2004 graduate of Saint Mary’s College with a BA in English Writing. She has over a decade of marketing-specific experience working with small and large organizations on strategic initiatives to drive revenue. She spent 9 years working at Pathfinders Advertising as an Account Director launching B2C crowdfunding campaigns, re-engaging dormant clients, supervising high-performing teams, and managing relationships with large clients. Most recently, she worked with SIREN Creative to launch 35 brands and campaigns across many industries. Anneliese brings a wealth of marketing, leadership, and operational knowledge to our team and we can’t wait to work alongside her.

Welcome to the team, Anneliese!

-Katie Kerby

The DC team is excited to welcome Josh Crudup to University Relations! As a recent graduate from Indiana University with a degree in Public Policy Analysis, Josh is returning home to the Notre Dame community. Josh grew up participating in the youth programs at the Robinson Community Learning Center and later served as an AmeriCorps member there prior to attending IU. Josh is looking forward to contributing to Notre Dame’s faith-based mission and connecting with everyone here in University Relations!

Josh will begin working as a Development Coordinator with Athletics starting today, January 13th.

Please join me in welcoming Josh!

-Michelle Jones

Hi UR team,

Brook will be joining the Alumni Association on Monday, January 13, as our digital marketing specialist. She will create compelling content and manage our digital presence with a special emphasis on social media. Over time, she will also serve as a strategic partner with all of you to advise us on best practices in digital engagement.

Brook comes to us after several years “behind the scenes” in the newsroom at WRTV in Indianapolis. There, she was a news producer responsible for all elements of the television news broadcast. I am excited to see her translate this valuable experience into new digital storytelling ideas for the NDAA.

A bit more about Brook: She has 2 cats, Kipper and Scout, who she found as stray kittens back when she was in eighth grade. She is originally from Petoskey, Michigan, and looks forward to the holiday season every year when family from around the country gather back up north. Donuts from the local bakery is a family tradition on Christmas morning! 🍩 As someone new to the South Bend area, Brook asked for recommendations on the best pizza place in town…I’ve warned her she’ll get a long list of conflicting opinions on this one!

Please join me in welcoming Brook to the team. Her email is: btracy2@nd.edu

-Ti Lavers

Friends,

I’m ​thrilled to share ​that Paul Hernandez and his wife, Kelly, welcomed ​their 4th baby​ boy into the world​ on December 30, 2024. ​Enzo James is 8 lbs, 9 ounces, 21 inches. Both Kelly and the baby​ are healthy and doing wonderfully. Please join us in congratulating Paul and his family on this joyful addition to their lives!

Jerry