Congratulations to Ryan and Susie Brennan on the arrival of their daughter, Molly Frances Brennan, born Tuesday, January 5 at 5:12PM. Mom and Molly are doing great, and Jake and Miller are thrilled to have a new baby sister.

UR Walks

Want to hit your 10,000 steps AND have a conversation with UR Senior Management? Then we have just what you need. Introducing UR Walks! UR Walks is designed to give UR colleagues a chance to get a breath of fresh air in various locations in Michiana while walking with members of the UR Senior Management team. Each week, we will plan a 2-4 mile walk at various locations in the Michiana area which will be led by Lou Nanni or one of our AVP leaders. In the event of inclement weather, we may be able to offer an indoor walk, such as at the Loftus, JACC, or Compton Ice Arena. Walking paces should allow for comfortable conversation while still getting a nice workout. Masks are required, along with proper social distancing practices. Weekly sign ups will be posted in souNDoff and the UR intranet.

Our first UR Walk will be this coming Friday, January 15, at 2:45pm with VP Lou Nanni. Please sign up here. This will be a 2.4 mile walk on campus, which will start at the Grotto and end at the Main Building. Happy walking!

Science-based data on benefits of walking:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261

https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-walking

On Tuesday, February 16, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM ET, the Rockne Athletics Fund will be hosting a casual student-athlete networking event for our premier level members (ADC | JHC). An email was sent out on 1/12 from Shannon Longo, with an RSVP deadline of 2/12. Fundraisers will be notified if their benefactor signs up. If you should have any questions, please contact William Mitchell or Shannon Longo.

Happy Birthday to all our colleagues celebrating their special days in January! We hope you have a wonderful start to the new year!

1/1 – Stacy Koebel
1/3 – Eileen Gieselman
1/6 – Dylan Reed
1/7 – Drew Buscareno
1/7 – Rich Allocco
1/11 – Colleen Bailey-Knapke
1/11 – Stu Fortener
1/12 – Grace Morrison
1/12 – James Riley
1/13 – Laura Walker
1/17 – Anne Overly
1/19 – Jeff Fersch
1/19 – Jay McAllister
1/23 – Heather Christophersen
1/24 – Melissa Lechlitner
1/24 – Suzanne DeGuilio
1/25 – Kelly Courington
1/25 – Lou Nanni
1/26 – Chris Baguer
1/26 – Joanne Norell
1/29 – Chris Palmquist
1/30 – Geoff Stookey
1/31 – Bryan Reaume

Josh and Mary Flynt are excited to introduce the UR team to Norah Marie Flynt! She arrived on Tuesday, December 22 at 10:34 pm and was home in time for her first Christmas. Everyone is healthy and doing well.

Norah is named after two of her great-grandmothers. Mary’s paternal grandmother, Noreen, was baptized Norah Mary O’Brien in Ireland, and changed her name to Noreen when she immigrated to the U.S. in 1950. Josh’s paternal grandmother’s name was Honor Marie Flynt — Honor being a derivative of the name Norah. While Honor passed away years ago, we are hoping the pandemic eases enough for our Norah to meet her great-grandma Noreen in the coming months.

We are so grateful for the prayers and support of so many of our colleagues and friends on the UR team as we begin life as a family of 3.

-Josh & Mary

We all know what we can and should be doing to be healthy and well, but sometimes knowing and doing are two different things. That is why joining together in community to accomplish goals helps not only individuals to be successful but also the greater team! So for the New Year, UR is rolling out the 21 for 21 Fitness Campaign! Beginning on Monday, January 11th, and going through the end of the month to Sunday, January 31st, we will offer free workouts, activities, and wellness tips to help all of us start the New Year off on the right foot. If you’re interested in receiving these communications, please indicate so here!

The newest episode of “The Grace of Giving” is out today featuring Gift Management Coordinator Sara Munoz, Development Coordinator Marcia Hittner, and Alumni Education Programs Director Mary Scott discussing their unique cultural and religious traditions during this most wonderful time of the year. Give it a listen, and happy holidays!

• Reminder! DEIU Virtual Event: Community Spotlight – Boys & Girls Club

Please join us TODAY for our first DEIU Community Spotlight Discussion. This session will feature the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County’s CEO, Jacqueline Kronk, and COO, Duane Wilson.
Wed Dec 16, 2020 4pm – 5pm

• Share your DEIU story!

Want to share your DEIU story? We want to lift up your voice! Maybe it’s your “why,” your reason for being in this fight. Maybe it’s your own experience facing discrimination on campus or in the community. Provide a few details below and we’ll follow up with you to discuss the safest, most comfortable way to approach sharing your message with the broader UR team. Share your story HERE!

• You can track all UR DEIU events and initiatives with our new DEIU Calendar.
• If you’re interested in being a part of a DEIU Task Force committee, please click here and identify which committee you would like to serve on.
• Please click here to give your feedback about our efforts related to DEIU. This feedback is completely anonymous!