There will be a repair to the 1st floor ramp in the Eddy Street Parking Garage on Wednesday, June 30th from 8am-5pm. During this repair, there will be a complete blockage of the ramp from the first to the second floor for both directions. If your car is on the second, third, or fourth floor and you will need to use it that day, please move to the first floor by Wednesday, June 30th at 7am.

Congratulations to Patty and Ryan Kokesh on the birth of their new son!

Martin (Marty) Joseph Kokesh joined team Kokesh on Sunday, June 20th.

He weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 oz and was 20 3/4″

The whole family is doing great! Best wishes to the happy Kokesh family!

-The Information Technology and Services team

Allison and Jon Slabaugh welcomed their twins to the world on June 15th. Charlotte (5 lbs 10 oz) and Tyler (5 lbs 4 oz), and Mom and Dad are all home and well . . . and Madison is loving her new role as a big sister!

Congratulations to the Slabaugh family!

-The Academic Advancement Team

Quick rental car reminder: Faculty or staff renting cars for business travel should NOT purchase rental car insurance; the University’s insurance will respond in the event of an incident/accident. This practice applies when renting from Enterprise and Hertz (Notre Dame’s preferred providers) as well as other providers (e.g., Avis, Budget, etc.).

The June Matching Gift Email will send Tuesday, June 22 to this list of assigned entities who work for matching gift companies, have made a gift since May 15, 2021, and as of today have not yet matched their gift. These gifts represent nearly $75K in potential matches.

Please note that individuals on the second tab of the excel file (“Fundraiser Outreach”) have not received the matching gift email message (all gifts exceeding $25,000) but may be eligible to match their gifts totaling over $888K. You are encouraged to reach out to your assigned benefactors directly to discuss the details and answer questions related to the matching gift process.

If you have any questions regarding this matching gift communication, please reach out to Laura Walker.

Dear UR Colleagues,

As we approach the new year, I’d like to share some updates with you about our Clubs Team. First of all, I am pleased to announce that Abbey Johnson has been promoted to Clubs Program Director at the NDAA effective July 1, 2021. Abbey brought valuable insight from her time as Vice President of the New York City club, and since joining the Clubs Team in late 2019 as Clubs Program Manager, Abbey quickly established herself as a key member of our team. With Ellie Kuhns’ departure at the start of 2021, Abbey took on additional duties and clearly demonstrated her ability to guide our Clubs in engaging our alumni and friends, even in these difficult times.

Additionally, the role of International Alumni Relations Program Director will once again be a part of the Clubs Team and will report to Abbey. As you know, we were unable to fill this position after Nathalia Casiano resigned in September, but I’m pleased to announce that Lea Barthuly will succeed Nathalia in this important role on our team. Lea has been with the NDAA as the Alumni Education and Professional Programs Coordinator since January of 2018. A native of Bayreuth, Germany, Lea first came to the United States in 2007. In addition to the US and Germany, Lea has also lived and studied in China from 2009-2011, and again in 2012 and 2016. Lea holds an MBA from the University of North Florida and an MA in International Management and Intercultural Communication from the University of Warsaw.

Please join me in congratulating Abbey and Lea on their promotions. I’m excited to see the Clubs Team reach new levels of engagement for our alumni and friends with these changes.

All the best,
Mike Sullivan

Please welcome Rebecca Withey to University Relations! Rebecca joins the Development Coordinator team and will support Sherita Jackson, Bob Morton, and Shannon Forry.

Rebecca recently relocated from Sacramento, California, where she served as an Instructional Assistant for the Radio, Television, and Video Production Department at Cosumnes River College. During her summer months, she would direct a children’s STEM-centric Technology Camp on University Campuses such as Berkeley and San Jose State University. After working 20 years in the corporate tech sector and media, she went back to school and earned degrees in Communication Studies & Applied Art and Design at Sierra College.

Fun fact about Rebecca – she has written, produced, and directed several film projects that made it into various California film festivals including her award-winning Children’s Short, The Mighty Oak. She has two children who still live on the West Coast: Jonathan (age 27) and Emily (age 22). She currently lives in Elkhart with her fiancé Charles Lane and his teenage son, Reo.

Rebecca’s first day will be Tuesday (6/15). Welcome to Notre Dame, Rebecca!

In recognition of her contributions to Notre Dame, University Relations, and Academic Advancement, we’re pleased to share the news of Kelly Courington’s promotion to Development Associate, effective July 1, 2021. In addition to her ongoing responsibilities, Kelly will now also lead the efforts of our Academic Advancement team in providing a predictable schedule of meaningful and immersive fundraiser experiences, directly tied to promoting fundraising opportunities. These experiences will serve to further inform fundraisers and inspire donors about the University’s ambitions.

Congratulations, Kelly!

-Michael Loungo

It is with bittersweet emotions that I share that Amy Plotkin will be leaving Notre Dame effective July 2. Amy’s
husband, Brian, has accepted the position of Head Soccer Coach at West Point Academy in New York. Amy
has been a valuable member of the Development Coordinator team for the past three years. She has also
served as our liaison to the Internal Engagement committee where she organized multiple volunteer
opportunities and health and wellness initiatives for the entire UR group. Please join me in bidding a fond
farewell to Amy as she enters this next chapter of her life.

Thank you,
Angie Dennig

Congratulations to Development Coordinator Katie Edel on the birth of her new daughter! Casey and Katie welcomed Holland Elizabeth to their family on 6/11 at 7:45am. She weighed 6.11 lbs (matching her bday!) and was 19.5″

Best wishes to the happy family!