UR October Birthdays

Happy birthday to all our UR employees celebrating their special days in October! We hope you have a scary good year!

10/3 – Brandon Tabor
10/4 – David Chaudoir
10/4 – Ellen Kirol
10/5 – Sheri Egendoerfer
10/6 – Kimberly Bakle
10/7 – Kevin Frost
10/8 – Maureen Dunkley
10/10 – Denise Moulds
10/10 – T.J. Pillari
10/11 – Ashley Gerard
10/11 – Tom Scrace
10/12 – Chris De Trempe
10/12 – Katie Eckrich
10/13 – Julie Seniff
10/13 – Mary Fisher
10/14 – Dezha Moore
10/15 – Jim Gosz
10/16 – Angeline Johnson
10/17 – Javonte Lipsey
10/17 – Katherine Cinninger
10/19 – Allison Slabaugh
10/20 – Brad Goff
10/21 – Dawn Smith
10/21 – Darius Walker
10/24 – Andrew Yocum
10/24 – Heather Sadrzadeh
10/25 – Helen Rajkumar
10/27 – Leah Corachea
10/27 – Mary Jane Añón
10/28 – Anne Wieber
10/28 – Tommy Chase
10/30 – George Duke
10/30 – Kasey O’Connor
10/31 – Iliana Contreras
10/31 – Jason Scarlett
10/31 – Kaitlyn Winkle

Congratulations Samantha Checkley!

Dear UR,

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the promotion of Samantha Checkley to Assistant Program Director (APD) reporting to Lori Tinkey, effective October 3, 2022. In her new role on the DC Leadership Team, Samantha will transition to partnerships with Senior Regional Directors (SRDs — Ryan Brennan and Jason Scarlett) and members of the Regional SRD Team as well as contribute to overarching Regional Development projects. Samantha joined Development last year following 6 years of ND campus experience in management and events. Samantha quickly excelled on the DC Team, in partnerships with 3 RDs, and in work within Gift Planning. We are grateful to benefit from her talents in strategic analytics, planning, and presentation. Congratulations, Samantha!

If you have any questions about Samantha’s transitional responsibilities or new role, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lori and Deena

Announcing our new NDAA Family Member – Kelly Woods

UR Team –

On Monday, October 3, we are welcoming a new member to the NDAA family.

Kelly Woods comes to the NDAA after earning a Master of Arts in Linguistics from BYU where she also worked as a Web Developer and a Graduate Research Assistant. She also completed her undergraduate work at BYU, earning a degree in Psychology – I guess that makes her a “Double Cougar”. Kelly brings a wealth of technical knowledge and an innate curiosity driven by her previous work in research areas.

Not only will she be new to the University, but Kelly is coming to us all the way from Oklahoma City. And, having spent years in Utah, she’s an avid fan of outdoor activities and is looking forward to exploring her new home. She’s also a huge sports fan, and assures us that outside of Saturday October 8, she will be cheering for the Irish.

Kelly will be joining the NDAA-IT team as our new Systems Specialist and putting her French speaking skills to good use as she focuses on all things myNotreDame, its ongoing development, and relationship with Hivebrite.

Please join me in welcoming Kelly to the NDAA!

John

Newest Grace of Giving Out Featuring Mary Flynt!

The newest episode of “The Grace of Giving” podcast is out featuring Learning & Organizational Development Associate, Mary Flynt! In this episode we discuss balancing work and being a first time mom, the critical steps in properly onboarding new colleagues, and a powerful crescendo in a popular Mumford & Sons songs.  All this and more in the Grace of Giving! Listen now! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and fill out this form to appear as a guest.

Welcome Michelle McDaniel to the Marketing Operations team!

Please welcome Michelle McDaniel to the Marketing Operations, Annual Giving team as our Content Marketing Specialist. Her first day was this week, Monday, September 26.

Michelle was previously a Content Writer for RTA Outdoor Living and has 10+ years of multimedia journalism experience. She will be writing and producing fund and Giving Society digital communications as well as managing digital executions such as email creation and deployment for the Annual Giving team.

Michelle comes to us from the Dallas, Texas area. Please join me in giving her a big, warm, South Bend welcome!

Lauren Dolzan

Thank you and Farewell to Kilian Vidourek

University Relations Team – With an incredible amount of gratitude for his videography and design services, I’m writing to you today to share the news that Kilian Vidourek will be leaving the Storytelling & Engagement Team. Over the past year, Kilian has dazzled us with his keen camera skills, his efficiency to turn around projects incredibly quickly, and his ability to rock a pair of pants that show off his ankles.

The Georgia native, known in local DJ circles as “DOGSNAKE”, has accepted a position at 2K Games in California as a Video Editor, where he will be responsible for making video game trailers and marketing materials. He is grateful that his current position has taught him the skills necessary to take this next step in his professional career out on the West Coast as a videographer and storyteller. In Kilian’s words, “I am going to miss all of the wonderfully unique people I have had the chance to know and work with as well as the culture of family here that made me feel like I belong. Thank you everyone!”

Kilian’s last day in office will be Friday, September 30. Please join me in echoing his common sentiment of “What’s poppin’?” and say farewell to our incredible colleague.

Jim Gosz

Farewell and Thank You to Chris Palmquist

UR team –

With deep regret but also immense gratitude, please join me in wishing Chris Palmquist farewell as he embarks on a new career in Minneapolis, MN. Chris and his wonderful wife Dagny are returning to the Twin Cities where they lived before Chris joined the NDAA family in 2019.

Those who have worked with him know Chris as a person of high character who could be relied on to deliver on every project, contribute a witty Q&A at Football Fridays, and manage the MarCom department through the personnel changes of 2021 while leading by example for the new employees who joined the team. Since I came on board before Christmas, he has been an invaluable resource and steady hand. He will be terribly missed.

Chris’ last day will be September 23, 2022. As we determine how to best move forward, I will run point on the takeover and transition of his duties before a new hire comes on board.

Thank you Chris!

Best,
Digger

Best Wishes, Gratitude, and Congratulations to Erin Thornton

Team,

Some emails are harder to write than others. This is one of those emails. I’m writing to you today to share the news that our dear friend and trusted colleague Erin Thornton has been offered an amazing opportunity to advance her career at Notre Dame. Erin has been hired to join Anne Griffith’s team as the new Advisor to the Vice President of University Enterprises and Events. As Advisor, Erin will provide advice and insight to Anne on all aspects of UEE’s strategic operations and will manage special projects including the division’s strategic planning process. Additionally, Erin will serve as a liaison to various academic and administrative units, manage strategic University relationships, and lead the division’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Since she arrived at the NDAA from Disney Cruise Lines in 2013, Erin has made a huge impact on countless alumni and friends through her outstanding leadership of our special events. More than that, however, Erin’s care for her colleagues, and quick wit have made our office community a better place. While we are all happy for Erin, Mark, Declan, and Beatrice, it will be bittersweet to not work side by side with Erin in the future.

Erin’s last day at the NDAA will be Oct. 26 and she will begin her new role at UEE on Oct. 31.

More details to come on Erin’s going away party but for now, please join me in congratulating Erin!

Best,

Mike

Grace Hall Circle & East Lot Repairs 9/24/22

Grace Hall Friends,

Facilities and Design Operations (FDO) asked that we share the following information:

The following lots will need to be cleared by Friday night the 23rd in order to do repair work in these lots. Work will be done on Saturday, September 24, 2022. This work will take 4-8 hours overall to complete. Once each lot is done the cones will be moved and the lots reopened

The areas that will be closed are:

  1. Transportation lot
  2. Stepan “A” lot
  3. East Gate lot (behind Grace Hall)
  4. Grace Hall circle (Actual Grace Hall lot will not be closed)
  5. NDPD Lot.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Lana