Dear Colleagues,
We hope this message finds you well. We write to inform you that Pier White is no longer with the University of Notre Dame. His last day was Monday, January 27, 2025.
Pier has served as a Regional Director since 2012. We are grateful for his 13 years of service to the mission of Notre Dame and the relationships he fostered with our incredible families.
We wish him well in this next chapter and in his future endeavors.
Thank you,
East Coast Region
Dear Colleagues,
Today, we will send 2024 Cumulative Statements electronically. This population is roughly 22,000. We have individually receipted all legal donors already, this cumulative statement is a courtesy. Questions or donor comments should be sent directly to givegift@nd.edu.
Details of the send:
Subject line: 2024 Charitable Giving Tax Statement: University of Notre Dame
Sender: givegift@nd.edu
To: Individual deemed head of household
This annual project is huge undertaking for my team. While we continue to improve every year, we welcome your feedback! Thank you for your partnership.
Thanks,
Alyssa
Please join me in congratulating Ben Nowalk on his promotion to Senior Director of Leadership Events. Ben succeeds Ashley Bennett who transitioned to a new role in the Keough School of Global Affairs late last year. Ben transitioned to this role at the beginning of January and definitely experienced “baptism by fire” as he led the execution of our events throughout the College Football Playoff!
In his new role, Ben will provide oversight of the Leadership Events team within UOES in the planning and execution of events across Development functions, in addition to events for the Board of Trustees and the Offices of the President, Provost, and Executive Vice President.
Ben has been a member of the Leadership Events team for three years and most recently has been the lead on events for Advisory Councils, Friends of Ted and Ned, Cavanaugh Council, and President’s Circle. A native of Culver, Indiana, Ben received his Bachelor’s Degree at Purdue University. He and his wife, Anna, have three children: Annemarie, Harrison, and Caroline.
I know Ben looks forward to working more closely with colleagues across Development in this new role. Please join me on congratulating Ben on this promotion and on a successful run through the CFP!
Best,
Brian
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.