The IT&S team will be out of the office on Friday, Feb 16 and Monday, Feb 19. In the event of any urgent issue, please contact Carleen Quinlan.

Dear Colleagues,

The first spring renewal mailing (renew #1) dropped in mailboxes Friday, February 9, to all 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 is being sent to over 11,000 households and will be followed by email reminders in the weeks to come. 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 can assist.

Thanks!
Annual Giving Team

Colleagues,

Please join the Leadership Events and Internal Engagment teams in offering your prayers and condolences to our friend and colleague Blake Rodman. Blake’s father passed away unexpectedly this week. Services are still pending.

Geni Holmes and Lana Taylor

UR Family,

Please join me in welcoming Justin Zimmerman to the Storytelling and Engagement team as our Director of Visual Storytelling. In this new role, Justin will provide leadership, creative direction, and strategy for all aspects of the design and video work we do in the Department of Development.

Prior to this role, Justin served for 10 years as Senior Graphic Designer for ND Creative, formerly MarComm, where he provided creative direction for University-level projects, such as onmessage.nd.edu, the HERE campaign, Notre Dame Football ticket packages, and more.

Justin is a graduate of Central Michigan University and the proud father of three children: Ryann (8), Tatum (5), and Kobe (3).

Justin’s first day will be Monday, February 12th.

-Brandon Tabor

Review these newly released professional development opportunities, including direct links that make registration easy. Courses include core programs (those the University/UR wants all colleagues to complete) like Better Conversations Every Day and Living Notre Dame Values, specialized offerings for people-leaders like ND Essentials for Managing People, and new programs like Inclusive Leadership and Managing Up.

-Learning and Leadership Development Team

Please join the Stewardship & Donor Relations team in offering your prayers and condolences to our friend and colleague Rosie McDowell, Financial Aid Stewardship Program Director. Rosie’s much-beloved father, Terry Riordan, Sr., passed away unexpectedly last week. Visitation and services will take place in South Bend on Friday, Feb. 9th and Saturday, Feb. 10th.

Obituary for Terry Riordan, Sr.

Cristi Ganyard

Dear colleagues,

I write to share the news that Katie Eckrich has made the decision to leave Notre Dame. Her last day with the University was February 1.

Katie has been a valued member of the Northwest team during her 4+ years of service to Notre Dame, engaging benefactors throughout Northern CA and Reno and bringing those constituents closer to the University. We are grateful for her service in advancing the mission of Notre Dame.

Gratefully,
Sean

Today, I have the bittersweet task of sharing the retirement of our good friend and colleague, Chris DeTrempe, who has been an integral part of Notre Dame for the past 18 years.

Chris has been a dedicated member of the Gift Planning team for 15 of those years, contributing significantly to advancing the University’s mission and building lasting relationships with those we serve. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is known for his kindness, generosity, and willingness to share his expertise with others. He is a beloved member of our team.

As Chris embarks on this next chapter in his life with Corrine, he will be taking on a new role as the Vice President of Development for the March for Life organization, with plans to move to Florida in the coming year. His last day in office will be February 16th.

Please join me in thanking Chris for his faithful dedication to our team and benefactors.

Dear Colleagues,

Please join me in congratulating Patty Herrity on her promotion to the Sr. Director of Gift and Data Management effective February 1.

Patty has been a longstanding member of the Gift Management team, serving in a variety of capacities including leading the first ever data integrity team, and, most recently, overseeing the gift operations team. She has been an integral part of our gift management operations, always pushing the team to try new things, improving our processes, and bringing levity to our team meetings. Patty, who is a 1997 graduate of Notre Dame, has been at the University for 19 years and a member of the development team for 13 years.

Reporting directly to Patty in her new role will be Meg Buysse (focusing on asceND, pledge communications, and ongoing process improvement projects), Jessica Witous (leader of gift processing and biographical updates), Alyssa Strbjak (leader of gift management communications) and the Audit and Compliance Program Director (formerly held by Colleen Bailey-Knapke prior to her transition to the Gift Planning team). The posting for the Audit and Compliance Program Director will be posted in the coming days. If you have anyone you know of who may be interested in this leadership role, please contact Beth Graybill or Patty Herrity.

In Notre Dame,
Amy Schell