In addition to their standard operational responsibilities, the team collaborated directly with the Notre Dame Police Department to engineer, construct, and deploy specialized mobile security barriers designed to enhance campus safety. Their tireless work ethic, technical ingenuity, and spirit of service ensure that Notre Dame remains a safe, welcoming, and vibrant environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike.

Congratulations to the General Services Team for winning the Presidential Team Irish Award!

Originally published by NDWorks at ndworks.nd.edu on November 09, 2026.

Pat and Jana Eilers of Winnetka, Illinois, have made an additional $25 million gift to the University of Notre Dame to create the new Eilers Family Sports and Human Performance Institute, increasing their total investment in this area to $50 million. A first-of-its-kind partnership between Notre Dame Athletics and the University’s academic units, the institute will support cutting-edge research on physiology, neuroscience, data science, and athletic performance — integrating scholarship with one of the premier athletics programs in American higher education.

The new institute builds on existing joint efforts between Notre Dame Athletics, Notre Dame Research, and faculty in the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Arts & Letters on research projects that impact athletes and the broader student body. These projects range from a current study on reducing the likelihood of reinjury for athletes returning from an ACL tear to a psychology study that looks at minimizing the impact of jet lag when teams travel across multiple time zones for competition.

Priority research areas for the institute will include:

• Neuroscience and mental health: Advancing research with a focus on how brains perform under stress, creating and decoding team synchronization and trust, and the neurobiology of spiritual grounding.

• Biomechanics, sensors, and equipment: Pioneering cutting-edge wearable, noninvasive sensing technology to evaluate physical stress, mechanical impacts, and autonomic responses in order to guide adaptive prosthetics, enhance athletic equipment, and understand cognitive behaviors.

• Applied data science and AI: Harnessing advanced analytical models to design predictive health simulations and digital twins, while establishing state-of-the-art research platforms that explore systemic physiology and metabolic dynamics to maximize gameday readiness, mitigate nutritional deficiencies, curb frequent athletic injuries, and foster long-term vitality across broader populations.

“The Colleges of Science, Engineering, and Arts & Letters have already made significant commitments to the research areas that will be the foundation for this new institute,” said John McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost. “This partnership is an exciting illustration of what becomes possible when we think as an institution, which is a key goal of Notre Dame’s strategic framework, and it advances Notre Dame’s mission as a leading global Catholic research university.”

A Notre Dame football student-athlete performs a hurdle jump. The Eilers Institute will translate research into practice to advance health, reduce injury risk, and improve performance.

Funding from the Eilers family builds on the $25 million gift they made earlier this year to endow the Eilers Sports Performance Center in Jack and Kathy Shields Family Hall, the operational home of the Fighting Irish football program. Pat Eilers, an alumnus who earned degrees in biology in 1989 and mechanical engineering in 1990 from Notre Dame, was a two-year starter for the Notre Dame football program, a member of the 1988 national championship team, and a Notre Dame baseball student-athlete.

“We are deeply grateful to Pat and Jana for their monumental gift to create the Eilers Family Sports and Human Performance Institute,” said Pete Bevacqua, vice president and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics. “Building upon a strong foundation and tradition of research already present at Notre Dame, it unites experts in sports science with world-class minds in our campus faculty, creating space for collaboration that will produce a positive impact beyond the field of play.”

Pat Eilers, who received an MBA from Northwestern University in 1999, is the founder and managing partner of Transition Equity Partners LLC. Jana Eilers graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1989 with a degree in marketing. An avid photographer, she is passionate about cooking and is dedicated to serving her family and community through volunteerism and philanthropy. The couple’s four children — Elizabeth ’15, Katherine ’17 (women’s lacrosse), Clare ’20, and Patrick ’25 (men’s lacrosse) — are all Notre Dame graduates.

“Notre Dame has shaped our family in countless ways, making this incremental gift especially meaningful to us. We are humbled to know the Eilers Family Sports and Human Performance Institute will help generations of student-athletes as well as the broader student body achieve their full physical, mental, and spiritual potential,” said Pat Eilers. “We believe the institute will also bring to life the University’s strategic framework focused on health and well-being, which pursues breakthroughs in medical research, mental health, and wellness, along with data, AI, and computing. We hope this collaboration across the University as a whole will generate many grants and amazing research that greatly benefit students, coaches, and teachers alike.”

Media contact: Erin Blasko, director of media engagement, 574-631-4127, eblasko@nd.edu

Originally published by Notre Dame News at news.nd.edu on November 05, 2026.

In addition to securing major research funding and facilitating over 110 scholarly events nationwide, the team mentored more than 100 undergraduate students in moral leadership and expanded access to more than 25 global faculty, postdoctoral, and Ph.D. fellowships in ethics, and developed a love-based ethical framework for scholars and nonprofit leaders. Their collective devotion ensures that Notre Dame remains at the forefront of addressing the most pressing ethical challenges of our time.

Congratulations to the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good team for winning the Presidential Team Irish Award!

Originally published by NDWorks at ndworks.nd.edu on November 02, 2026.

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system serves as the foundation for much of the data and many of the processes we rely on across campus. Many employees may know Notre Dame’s current ERP as Banner. The University is now beginning a multi-year ERP modernization focused on updating and better connecting the systems, processes, and tools that support core administrative functions, including Human Resources, Finance, and related technology and business operations.

At its core, an ERP helps bring together many of the systems and processes a large organization relies on every day. But this effort is about much more than implementing new technology. It is also an opportunity to rethink how work gets done, simplify processes, strengthen collaboration across the University, improve the employee experience, and build capabilities that will serve Notre Dame well into the future.

An Opportunity for Notre Dame Employees

As this work continues to take shape, Notre Dame is inviting employees from across the University to consider contributing their experience, perspective, and expertise to the transformation.

A new ERP Modernization Opportunities posting is now available internally for employees interested in exploring potential opportunities to get involved across areas such as:

• Human Resources and people operations

• Finance and business operations

• Information Technology and enterprise systems

• Project and program management

• Change management and organizational readiness

• Data, reporting, and process improvement

• Communications, training, and stakeholder engagement

There will be many ways to contribute. Some employees may ultimately join teams working directly on the ERP transformation, while others may move into important operational or backfill roles that allow current leaders and subject matter experts to dedicate time to the project.

Employees do not need previous ERP implementation experience or need to know exactly where they might fit to express interest. Functional expertise, knowledge of Notre Dame, strong relationships, curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to learn will all be important to the success of this work.

Interested? Raise Your Hand.

If you are curious about the ERP transformation and would like to explore how your experience and interests might contribute, we encourage you to submit your information through the internal ERP Modernization Opportunities posting. (Please see attached instructions)

Sharing your interest will help the University better understand the talent and expertise that already exist across Notre Dame as the project team and future opportunities continue to develop.

This is an exciting moment for Notre Dame, and there will be many ways for our community to help shape what comes next.

One transformation. Many ways to make an impact.

Originally published by Grace Prosniewski at hr.nd.edu on October 08, 2026.

The University worked with Conrad Schmitt Studios to create the Our Lady of Guadalupe mosaic, which is intended to encourage students and other members of the campus community to pause, reflect, and pray as they move through the day.

The mosaic was made possible through the generosity of benefactors, including Susan and Todd Johnson, whose commitment to Notre Dame and the formation of its students continues to enrich the campus community. A dedication of the mosaic is forthcoming.

Originally published by NDWorks at ndworks.nd.edu on October 13, 2026.

Congratulations to the South Dining Hall Renovation and Transition Team for winning the Presidential Team Irish Award!

Originally published by NDWorks at ndworks.nd.edu on October 06, 2026.

Now in its fourth year, the event welcomed faculty, staff, students, and community partners eager to learn practical preparedness skills. The Zombie Preparedness Festival blended fun with an important purpose: helping our campus community build the skills and knowledge needed to stay safe, even in the case of zombies.

Attendees explored hands-on demonstrations ranging from CPR and first aid basics to fire extinguisher training and AED use. Campus departments and local agencies also hosted interactive booths, covering everything from cybersecurity and travel safety to sustainability and emergency response.

A few familiar faces transformed into ghoulish versions of themselves, reminding everyone that even in the most unexpected circumstances, preparedness is key. 

Originally published by Molly Di Carlo at police.nd.edu on October 05, 2026.

Contact: Erin Blasko, director of media engagement, 574-631-4127, eblasko@nd.edu

Originally published by Kate Morgan at news.nd.edu on October 05, 2026.

Russell, a licensed clinical social worker at the University Counseling Center, will serve as the featured speaker at the upcoming Beloved Community Gathering: Heart & Mind, an opportunity for faculty and staff to step away from the busyness of the workday, enjoy a buffet lunch, connect with colleagues across campus, and learn practical tools to care for themselves.

In her work, Russell supports students navigating anxiety, depression, academics, belonging, relationships, transitions and other challenges through individual and group counseling. Upon her invitation to facilitate the gathering, Russell noticed an important parallel between group counseling and the connections fostered at Beloved Community Gatherings: both remind people they aren’t alone in what they’re experiencing.

“The most valuable thing [about group counseling], in my personal opinion, is that students see that they’re not necessarily navigating the things that they’re dealing with alone,” Russell said. “There are other people who are also struggling with some of the same things.”

Beloved Community Gatherings offer a similar opportunity for connection. Faculty and staff can sit beside someone they may not otherwise meet, hear a new perspective and recognize something familiar in the experiences of others.

“I’ve had an amazing experience at every event that I’ve attended,” Russell said of the gatherings. “Each one I have come away with a few things: meeting someone new, feeling like we all have something in common in that space at that particular time and, honestly, feeling refreshed.”

Russell plans to foster that sentiment at Heart & Mind by inviting attendees to consider the relationship between emotional, spiritual and mental well-being — and how caring for ourselves influences the way we care for others.

“As faculty and staff here, we’re asking the students to care for their heart and mind,” Russell said. “I’m also thinking about the importance of us caring for our hearts and our minds.”

That can be easy to overlook, particularly for people whose work is centered on serving others.

Russell noted that faculty and staff across higher education may be carrying challenges that aren’t always visible to their colleagues. And while Notre Dame employees devote considerable energy to serving students and supporting the University’s mission, she believes caring for oneself is an important part of doing that work.

“Sometimes we forget that serving students also means that we have to take care of ourselves, too,” she said. “I would imagine that there are some people on campus who are probably needing permission to take care of themselves.”

Russell hopes the Beloved Community Gathering: Heart & Mind can offer that permission, along with practical tools attendees can carry with them after lunch ends, and a deeper understanding of how individual well-being contributes to a healthier campus community rooted in belonging, love and hope.

Beloved Community Gatherings are designed to strengthen connections across campus, build bridges and create opportunities to live out Notre Dame’s mission. For Russell, that can begin with something as simple as connecting with someone new and sharing a story.

“It doesn’t always have to be this big-picture thing,” she said. “It really could be in those small moments, and those small moments can happen at these gatherings.”

Hosted by the Office of Belonging, Engagement, and Mission and NDHR, the Beloved Community Gathering: Heart & Mind offers the campus community a chance to slow down, share a meal, meet someone new and remember that whatever we may be carrying, we rarely carry it alone. Register for the upcoming gathering here.

The Office of Belonging, Engagement, and Mission and NDHR partner on the Beloved Community Gatherings to strengthen the bridges we are building—bridges to one another, to our communities, and to our world. These gatherings emphasize collaboration, meaningful connection, and fun, reinforcing the University’s mission to create a campus where everyone feels at home.

Originally published by Human Resources at hr.nd.edu on September 28, 2026.

The honor adds to Notre Dame’s recent recognition as an employer. Last year, the University was ranked No. 1 on Forbes’s America’s Best Large Employers list, placing Notre Dame among the nation’s leading large employers.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it is largely based on responses from our employees,” said Shannon Cullinan, the University’s executive vice president. “We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we're pleased they feel a sense of belonging and purpose here.”

Notre Dame Human Resources Vice President Heather Christophersen said the recognition reflects the strength of Notre Dame’s workplace culture and the people who shape it.

“What makes Notre Dame distinctive as a workplace is that people come here not only to do meaningful work, but to be part of something larger than themselves,” Christophersen said. “That shared sense of purpose creates a remarkable community. We’re proud to see that recognized again by Forbes, and even prouder of the people who create that experience for one another every day.”

For more than 180 years, Notre Dame has contributed to the economic, intellectual, and cultural vitality of the South Bend region and the state of Indiana. As one of the state’s major employers, the University supports communities through employment, education, research, service, and partnerships.

Forbes’s Best Employers by State ranking is based on an independent survey conducted with market research firm Statista. For the 2026 ranking, more than 245,000 employees of US organizations participated in the survey. Respondents evaluated their employers on factors including wages and benefits, workplace culture, management, career advancement opportunities, and working conditions. They also evaluated former employers and organizations they knew through their industry, friends, or family. Responses were combined with survey data from the previous three years, with greater weight given to recent responses and feedback from current employees within each state.

To find your golden opportunity, visit careers.nd.edu.

Originally published by Grace Prosniewski at news.nd.edu on September 17, 2026.

Reclaiming nearly 30 percent of the surrounding landscape with native vegetation and achieving a 41 percent reduction in water usage, the team proved that complex scientific infrastructure can lead the way in environmental stewardship and resilient campus design.

Congratulations to the McCourtney Hall East LEED Platinum Project Team for winning the Presidential Team Irish Award!

Originally published by NDWorks at ndworks.nd.edu on September 15, 2026.

James Schmiedeler, a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and associate dean for faculty advancement and inclusion in the College of Engineering, has been named vice president and associate provost for faculty recruitment support at the University of Notre Dame. His appointment begins January 1, 2027.

Schmiedeler will lead the Office of the Provost’s efforts to assist colleges, schools, and departments with hiring for Notre Dame’s Catholic mission—including working with units to create proactive hiring strategies, offering deans and search committees guidance on best practices, and identifying potential candidates. His work will support Notre Dame’s continued commitment to an academic environment nurtured by a predominant number of Catholic intellectuals as well as scholars of various backgrounds and perspectives who contribute to the University’s Catholic mission.

He will also partner with the Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs to support its work in nurturing engagement with and understanding of the University’s Catholic mission among faculty of all faiths and none and help integrate mission hiring with the University’s commitment to building a beloved community.

“Jim is one of our most accomplished scholar-teachers and a gifted administrator with a deep commitment to Notre Dame’s Catholic mission,” said John T. McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost. “I can’t think of a better person to take on this vital role in advancing Notre Dame as the leading global Catholic research university by helping us recruit excellent faculty.”

An internationally recognized expert on robotics, Schmiedeler will also remain an active researcher following his appointment, dividing his time between the Office of the Provost, the classroom, and his research laboratory. His research focuses on legged locomotion and the intersection of robotics and human biomechanics. His active projects span lower-limb prostheses, exoskeletons to assist human walking, and quantifying human balance deficits. In his associate dean role, he works closely with all departments in the college to share and implement best practices around faculty advancement and inclusion.

Schmiedeler earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Notre Dame, and his master’s and doctorate in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. He taught at the University of Iowa and Ohio State before joining the Notre Dame faculty in 2003. He has received the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

“I am grateful for the privilege to work with colleagues across campus in elevating our faculty recruitment efforts,” Schmiedeler said. “Notre Dame is blessed with truly outstanding faculty in all units. Their excellence is our strongest asset in attracting the next generation of scholars to advance our unique mission.”

Originally published by Notre Dame News at news.nd.edu on September 11, 2026.

Positioned off the upper east concourse near Section 108 in Corbett Family Hall, the space offers a calm, quiet setting during home football games. The room opens 90 minutes before kickoff, when stadium gates open, and stays open through the end of the third quarter. LOGAN staff will be on hand to support visitors alongside comfort K9s from the Notre Dame Police Department.

"Gameday at Notre Dame is electric, but for guests with sensory processing needs, that intensity can become overwhelming," said Lee Sicinski, executive director of University Events. "Partnering with LOGAN lets us offer a dedicated space where fans and families can step away, reset, and return to enjoy the game. Our goal is to make sure every member of our campus and visiting community feels welcome."

In partnership with LOGAN and the Notre Dame Psychology Department, the University curated sensory-friendly rooms inside Notre Dame Stadium through a generous gift from '97 graduate Mike DeBiasi and his wife, Gretchen. Inspired by their son Alex, who is on the autism spectrum and finds the game day environment overwhelming, these dedicated spaces now offer a welcoming space for any fan struggling with sensory overload.

"For more than 70 years, LOGAN has worked to remove barriers and empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead full and meaningful lives. Partnering with Notre Dame allows us to extend that mission by providing resources, support, and accommodations that ensure every fan can experience the unforgettable tradition of Notre Dame Football," said Christina Tembo, chief marketing officer at LOGAN.

The Sensory Room was created primarily to support individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism, and other conditions that can make sensory input such as noise, lights, and crowds especially challenging to regulate. While many fans may occasionally feel overwhelmed by the excitement and energy of a game, the room is intended as an accommodation for those with ongoing sensory needs. Because space is limited, we prioritize access for individuals who rely on this type of environment as a support for their disability or sensory condition.

For fans who prefer to stay in their seats, sensory bags packed with noise-canceling headphones and fidget tools remain available for checkout at Guest Services booths throughout the stadium.

For more information about stadium accessibility and services, click here.

Originally published by Molly Di Carlo at hospitality.nd.edu on September 09, 2026.

According to Tony Polotto, senior director of construction and quality assurance in the Office of Facilities Design and Operations, the work was done by approximately 10 people from June through August. The goal? Support a healthier, more resilient, and more attractive campus landscape.

“Our director of landscaping brought the issue of invasive species overtaking the native plantings along the lake to our attention,” Polotto said. “This conversation led to a study and master plan to restore and provide ongoing upkeep to the shoreline.”

Removal of woody invasive species

Staff removed plants including white mulberry, as well as dead or dying willows, cottonwood, and white ash. Dead limbs in the canopy of the many black walnut trees along the southern shoreline were also removed. Invasive shrubs removed included Asian bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, privet, and Oriental bittersweet. During this process, workers carefully protected selected native shrubs—elderberry, redbud, willow, red-osier dogwood, and silky dogwood.

Next, five shallow aquatic shorelines were selected for enhancement following a detailed assessment of site conditions and long-term planting feasibility. Landscapers considered soil conditions, available planting shelves for saturated and shallow-water species, shoreline width and slope, aesthetic value, and existing tree and shrub canopy cover.

Plantings

Nearly 3,750 plants, consisting of 31 different species, were planted along the water’s edge. An additional 1,250 plants, comprising 15 species, were placed in select upland buffer areas. Establishing this emergent native vegetation—such as swamp milkweed, cup plant, swamp rose mallow, and joe-pye weed—along the shoreline of St. Mary’s Lake provides important ecological and shoreline stabilization benefits. These deep-rooted, moisture-tolerant species help bind shoreline soils, reduce erosion from wave action and runoff, slow and filter stormwater before it reaches the lake, and improve nearshore water quality.

“Their upright growth along the water’s edge also creates valuable habitat and cover for insects, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife, while their showy, nectar-rich flowers support monarch butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators throughout the growing season,” Polotto explained. “Together, these plants create a resilient, biodiverse lakeshore buffer that enhances habitat value, improves aesthetics, and supports the long-term health of the aquatic ecosystem.”

Protecting the plants 

To help the newly planted vegetation become established, workers installed visible fencing and bright flagging, designed to discourage geese and other wildlife from consuming or uprooting the vulnerable plants during this early growth period. While these temporary protection measures may appear unsightly, they are purposeful and important to the success of the restoration. Look for the fences and flags to be removed in late summer or early fall, when the plants have had a chance to take hold along the shoreline.

“After the new plantings mature through the remainder of this year, the project will draw attention throughout the next growing season with colors that enhance the natural ecosystem of the lakes,” Polotto said. 

Originally published by NDWorks at ndworks.nd.edu on September 01, 2026.

To help demystify campus preparedness, we sat down with Michelle Woolverton, Program Manager for Emergency Management, to break down what Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) actually are, how they work behind the scenes, and what every student, faculty, and staff member can do today to stay safe.

1. When we talk about an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), what actually is it, and who on campus needs to know about it?

Michelle Woolverton: An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a building-specific guide that outlines what to do during different types of emergencies. It provides important information such as evacuation procedures, shelter locations, emergency contacts, and other building-specific guidance.

While building coordinators, faculty, and staff have specific responsibilities within the plan, everyone who works, learns, or spends time in the building should be familiar with the basic emergency procedures.

2. Most students, faculty, and staff think of emergency plans as just "knowing where the fire exit is." What other types of campus situations do EAPs actually cover?

Emergency Action Plans cover much more than fires. They include procedures for:

• Severe weather

• Hazardous materials incidents

• Medical emergencies

• Active violence

• Utility outages

• Other situations where knowing what to do can help keep people safe

They also identify designated meeting locations after an evacuation so departments can account for employees, and they outline key personnel who may have critical responsibilities during certain emergencies.

3. In an active emergency, chaos and adrenaline hit instantly. How does having a written, rehearsed plan change the way a person mentally reacts in a high-stress moment?

In an emergency, it's easy to panic or not know what to do. Having a plan that you've reviewed or practiced helps take some of the guesswork out of the situation. Instead of reacting out of fear, you're more likely to stay focused and take the right actions quickly.

4. Campus has everything from historic 100-year-old residence halls to high-tech research labs and massive venues like Notre Dame Stadium. How do EAPs adapt to such different physical spaces?

While the overall emergency management principles stay the same, every building has its own unique considerations. A research laboratory may have hazardous materials and specialized shutdown procedures, while a residence hall focuses more on resident accountability and evacuation. Large venues like Notre Dame Stadium require extensive planning for crowd management, emergency communications, and coordination with multiple agencies.

Every Emergency Action Plan is developed specifically for the building it serves through collaboration between the building's Emergency Action Plan Coordinator, Emergency Management, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).

5. If a student is sitting in a 200-person lecture hall or hanging out in their dorm section when an alert goes off, what are the first three things they should do?

1. Read the entire emergency notification carefully so you understand what is happening and what protective action is being recommended.

2. Follow the instructions immediately. Depending on the incident, that may mean evacuating the building, sheltering in place, or avoiding a specific area of campus.

3. Remain aware of updates through official University communication channels, such as ND Safe, emergency text messages, email, or the University's emergency website. Situations can change quickly, and updated information is important.

6. Faculty and staff are often the default leaders in classroom or office settings. What is their specific role when executing a building’s EAP during an incident?

Faculty and staff play an important leadership role during emergencies. They help communicate emergency instructions, encourage calm behavior, assist individuals who may need additional support, and help guide occupants during evacuations or sheltering situations.

While first responders manage the emergency itself, faculty and staff help ensure that building occupants respond appropriately until emergency personnel arrive.

7. Tools like the ND Safe app and mass messaging alerts are central to Notre Dame’s safety setup. How do digital alerts tie directly into local, building-level EAPs?

Emergency notifications provide information about what is happening and what protective action should be taken. Building Emergency Action Plans provide the specific procedures for carrying out those actions within that particular building. Together, they help ensure that people receive timely information while also understanding exactly how to respond based on where they are.

8. How often are building EAPs reviewed or updated behind the scenes, and what kind of real-world feedback shapes those updates?

Emergency Action Plans are reviewed on a consistent basis to catch any updates that may be needed. Each building has an appointed Emergency Action Plan Coordinator who is responsible for updating the plan if personnel change or if anything changes within the building. Because they're familiar with the day-to-day operations of that space, they're in the best position to keep the information accurate.

Once updates are made, the plan is reviewed by Emergency Management and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) before it's published to the website for reference.

9. What is the single biggest misconception students or staff have about emergency preparedness on campus?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that emergency preparedness is solely the responsibility of Police, Fire, or Emergency Management. In reality, preparedness is everyone's responsibility. Knowing your building's emergency procedures, staying informed, and being prepared to act can make a significant difference during an emergency.

10. If a student only remembers one single action from this story to make themselves safer today, what should it be?

Take a few minutes to become familiar with the building you're in. Know at least two ways out, identify where you would go during severe weather, and make sure you have emergency notifications enabled. Those simple steps can make a big difference if an emergency occurs.

Take Action This Month

• Download the ND Safe App: Ensure your notifications are turned on to receive real-time campus safety alerts.

• Locate Your Exits: Next time you step into a classroom, lab, or office, spot your two nearest exits and nearest storm shelter area. View your building’s EAP.

• Learn More: Visit the Police and Emergency Management website to learn more about building safety procedures and campus resources.

Originally published by Molly Di Carlo at police.nd.edu on September 01, 2026.

On Tuesday (Aug. 18), Pope Leo XIV appointed two University of Notre Dame faculty members, Emmanuel Katongole and Clemens Sedmak, as consultors to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. University Trustee Kathryn “Katie” Koch, president and CEO of TCW, a global investment management firm, was also named a consultor.

Katongole, a professor of theology and peace studies and director of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion; Sedmak, a professor of social ethics and director of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies; and Koch are among 12 new consultors from around the globe—and the only three selected from within the United States. They have been appointed for a five-year term.

Consultors may be religious or laypeople and are chosen “from among the faithful who are distinguished by their expertise, proven ability, and prudence,” according to the Vatican’s announcement.

“These appointments are a tremendous honor not only for Emmanuel, Clemens, and Katie, but for the University as a whole,” said Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. “We congratulate them on their selection, and we are deeply grateful for the Holy Father’s recognition of their expertise and abiding commitment to the Church. We look forward to the ways their leadership and wisdom will guide the important work of the dicastery.”

Established by the late Pope Francis in 2016, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development supports the Church’s worldwide efforts in the areas of human dignity and human rights, economic justice, care for creation, migration, and displacement, as well as peace, conflict, and humanitarian crises.

Katongole, who came to Notre Dame in 2013, holds a joint appointment in the University’s College of Arts and Letters and Keough School of Global Affairs. A native of Kampala, Uganda, and a priest of the Kampala Archdiocese, he is the founder and president of Bethany Land Institute, a residential agricultural institute that works with young people to realize the vision, spirituality, and practice of Laudato si’ in Uganda. Before joining the Notre Dame faculty, he served as an associate professor of theology and world Christianity at Duke University and was a founding co-director of the Duke Center for Reconciliation. He earned a Bachelor of Divinity at the Pontifical University Urbaniana in Rome, as well as a master’s in religious studies and a doctoral degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

Sedmak, a concurrent professor of theology, holds a joint appointment in Notre Dame’s Institute for Social Concerns and the Keough School. His research focuses on issues of poverty, justice, and the Catholic social tradition, as well as a collaboration with Notre Dame colleagues on the Church’s role in acclimating refugees into Italian society. A native Austrian, Sedmak holds a doctoral degree in theology from the Catholic Private University of Linz and doctoral degrees in philosophy and social theory from the University of Innsbruck. Prior to joining Notre Dame, Sedmak served as the F.D. Maurice Professor for Moral Theology and Social Theology at King’s College London. He also held multiple positions at the University of Salzburg and was president of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Social Ethics in Salzburg.

Koch, a Notre Dame alumna, was named a University Trustee in 2023. Prior to moving to TCW, she spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs in a variety of leadership positions, including chief investment officer of public equity. She graduated from Notre Dame in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and English.

Originally published by Carrie Gates at news.nd.edu on August 20, 2026.

The inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial, which runs January through June 2027, will feature more than 100 public events, including exhibitions, performances, community workshops, and guest artists slated to visit the South Bend area for a six-month festival of visual, literary, spatial, and performing arts. Most events are free to attend.

The biennial—thematically focused on the concept of symbiosis—is produced by the Notre Dame Arts Initiative and curated by Initiative Director Michael Schreffler and Managing Director Rebecca Struch.

“Notre Dame’s flourishing is deeply connected to the vitality of South Bend and its surrounding communities,” said University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. “The Arts Biennial exemplifies how the University’s commitment to the arts advances our Catholic mission by using creative expression to foster meaningful cultural exchanges and contribute to a thriving shared home.”

Highlights of the biennial will include a fireside chat with Maya Lin, a visionary artist and architect well-known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Zadie Smith, author of the acclaimed novel White Teeth, and Sougwen Chung, widely regarded as a pioneer of artistic human-machine collaboration and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, are two featured speakers at the Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good’s Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton Culture and the Public Good Symposium. Writer and photographer Cig Harvey will deliver the John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values’s annual Ruskin Lecture. Claudia Bernardi, internationally known for her work in the fields of visual art, human rights, and social justice, will join for a weeklong residency bridging Notre Dame and South Bend.

“The Arts Initiative is a powerful catalyst that energizes creative inquiry and practice across the University,” said Schreffler, a professor of art history and associate dean for the arts in the College of Arts & Letters. “A massive undertaking like a biennial festival is made possible only through sustained partnerships with the many faculty and staff who bring research and teaching expertise to our public arts programming.”

The DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and Raclin Murphy Museum of Art also announced some of their signature biennial programming in partnership with the Arts Initiative. The 96-member National Symphony Orchestra will perform, led by esteemed music director and conductor Gianandrea Noseda, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will perform at Notre Dame for the first time in nearly 20 years. The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art will unveil an expansive group exhibition of contemporary art, More Than: Artists in Collaboration for a Greater Good, which will remain on view to the public throughout the biennial.

Additional signature programming will be announced throughout the fall before the biennial’s opening in January.

“In our era of cultural fragmentation, the biennial’s inaugural theme of symbiosis is a radical invitation to re-examine our interconnectedness,” Struch said. “Together with more than 85 collaborating campus units and external organizations, we are actively cultivating an arts ecosystem rooted in accessible programming that brings people together.”

Alongside a roster of distinguished visiting artists, the biennial also features public arts programming connected to nearly 40 community and campus-led projects sponsored by the Arts Initiative. For some, this support helps enhance established contributions to the regional arts scene. Fischoff National Chamber Music Association, Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre and Department of Music, New Industry Dance Company, Performing Media Festival, Sacred Music at Notre Dame, Shakespeare at Notre Dame, South Bend Civic Theatre, and South Bend Symphony Orchestra are all participating to continue bringing live music, dance, theater, and experimental performance to the region.

For others, Arts Initiative support provides critical resources to help launch new partnerships or new programs. The Robinson Community Learning Center and Notre Dame’s Department of Art, Art History, and Design have teamed up to design and install public art at Eddy Street Commons, which will be unveiled during the biennial. The Acting Ensemble; Equity in the Arts, an initiative of South Bend Venues Parks & Arts; Merrimans’ Playhouse; South Bend Community School Corporation; and South Bend Museum of Art are each launching arts education programs focused on cultivating the next generation of artists and audiences. The biennial also features regional collaborations beyond South Bend, including with Elkhart County’s Goshen College Music Center and Michigan City’s Lubeznik Center for the Arts.

Supported projects also reflect the biennial’s commitment to global artistic exchange. A guest artist residency with internationally prolific Chinese theater director Wang Chong will culminate in the English-language premiere of his acclaimed Lying Flat 2.0, an immersive, participatory theater work that integrates live-feed video projection and real-time use of AI. Qhapaq Qolla, one of the most influential dance troupes in the Peruvian Andes, will make its US debut in a weeklong residency at Notre Dame. A collaboration with Ukrainian Catholic University and ICONART Gallery in Lviv, Ukraine, brings an exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian sacred art and iconography to campus, and a collaboration with Notre Dame Global launches a new artist exchange program between Mexico City, Dublin, and South Bend.

For more information about the artists and events featured in the inaugural biennial, visit artsbiennial.nd.edu. Subscribe to the biennial newsletter and follow the Arts Initiative on Instagram and Facebook (@artsnotredame) for additional program announcements.

Contact: Erin Blasko, director of media engagement, 574-631-4127, eblasko@nd.edu

Originally published by Notre Dame News at news.nd.edu on August 18, 2026.

Notre Dame’s Data, AI, and Computing (DAC) Initiative outlines a multi-year, campus-wide effort to position the University as a trusted leader in emerging technologies. The Initiative convenes discussions and action for research, education and impact across colleges, schools, centers, and disciplines in support of Notre Dame’s broader strategic framework.

Directed by Nitesh Chawla, the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and the Lucy Family Director for Data & AI Academic Strategy, the DAC Initiative brings together several existing University strengths under a unified institutional structure. This new framework includes the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, the Scientific AI Initiative, and specialized labs in residence spanning fundamental research and interdisciplinary applications, also guided by the dimensions of responsible, inclusive, safe, and empowering (RISE).

Additionally, research software engineers and data scientists from the Center for Research Computing and the Applied Analytics & Emerging Technology Lab will form a new Deployment, Operations, Modeling, and Engineering (DOME) unit to support data and AI research across the University.

The effort reflects both the accelerating pace of AI adoption and the growing need for universities to prepare students for an economy and society increasingly shaped by data and computation.

“Data and AI-driven technologies are transforming nearly every sector of society,” said David Go, vice president and associate provost for academic strategy. “Notre Dame’s distinctive strength lies in combining technological fluency in these emerging tools with a Catholic intellectual tradition that integrates faith and reason for the common good.”

At the center of the Initiative’s educational efforts are the DAC curricular activities, which explore how data, AI, and computational approaches could be integrated into curriculum and learning across undergraduate and graduate education. The work includes evaluating new interdisciplinary courses and degree programs that complement existing offerings, as well as ensuring support for faculty innovation and establishing long-term structures that allow curricular growth to scale across departments and colleges.

During an Initiative-hosted Industry Leaders Roundtable, University faculty and industry professionals convened to discuss the urgent need for graduates to have technical fluency combined with durable skills like adaptability and communications to navigate an increasingly AI-driven career pipeline.

“Through our conversations with industry leaders, we’re hearing a consistent message: AI is becoming part of nearly every role and every industry,” said Corey Angst, the Jack and Joan McGraw Family Professor of IT, Analytics, and Operations. “That’s why Notre Dame is expanding opportunities for students to build AI and analytics skills while also strengthening the critical thinking, communication and ethical judgment that employers continue to value most.”

The University's expanding AI curriculum includes a new undergraduate minor in AI Analytics in Business, launching through the Mendoza College of Business in fall 2026.

Signature programs such as the Interdisciplinary Training and Research for Ethical Data Science, Research, Analytics, Data Innovation, and New Technologies, and the AI Leaders of Tomorrow provide students with technical data science training alongside opportunities to examine the ethical and societal dimensions of emerging technologies.

Beyond curriculum development, the Initiative supports a research ecosystem of working groups spanning RISE AI, foundational methods, AI-enabled science and engineering, computational social science, health, and digital humanities. Several of these working groups also contribute to research discussions that work to leverage AI to reduce poverty, improve sustainability, address health access, and promote democracy.

“Data, AI, and computing are already shaping the future,” said Chawla. “Through the DAC Initiative, we’re helping shape that future with purpose by uniting expertise across disciplines to advance discovery that serves society, prepare students for an AI-enabled world, and ensure that technological progress remains responsible and deeply human.”

For more information about the Data, AI, and Computing Initiative, visit data-ai-computing.nd.edu.

Contact: Brandi Wampler, associate director of media relations, 574-631-2632, brandiwampler@nd.edu

Originally published by Christine Grashorn at news.nd.edu on July 29, 2026.

Recycling Expansion

With the exception of some specialty locations, toters have been established as the standard for collecting single-stream recyclables and landfill waste in centralized locations. In some spaces within buildings like Duncan Student Center and DeBartolo Hall, waste cabinets have been established to encapsulate toters. Standardized recycling with paired landfill bins continues to expand across campus. This fall, the following locations will be updating outdated infrastructure and expanding paired recycling and landfill locations:

• Carole Sandner Hall
• Select office suites in Duncan Student Center:
  • Career Center
  • Residence Life
  • Rec Sports
• Galvin/Freimann Hall
• Hayes-Healy Hall
• Hurley Hall
• McCourtney-West
• Nieuwland Science
• Remick Family Hall
• Stinson-Remick Hall of Engineering

Alongside expanding recycling to new locations, new, updated labels will be white and blue, a traditional standard for recycling, and landfill labels will be black and white. Across hockey and basketball athletic spaces, waste receptacles are also receiving new labels to make proper disposal quick and intuitive for fans and event attendees.

How the campus community can participate

Thanks to the collective action of the campus community, in the past year, Notre Dame has increased its recycling tonnage by 34 percent! While the University has progressed in its recycling efforts, there is still work to be done. Notre Dame Sustainability is currently partnering with departments across campus, like Building Services, Facilities Design & Operations, Hospitality, and Stadium Operations, for climate action planning strategies to make further reductions in the amount of waste sent to the landfill. While this collaborative work is happening, you too can support the recycling program on campus to influence an even greater impact:

• Familiarize yourself with how to properly sort your waste by referring to the A-Z Recycling Directory. The general rule of thumb is: yes to recycling aluminum, glass, paper, and rigid plastics.

• Familiarize yourself with recycling practices in your building. Where applicable, utilize your personal desk-side bin to collect recyclable materials and identify the centrally-located recycling toter near your office, classroom, lab, or dorm. Note that across campus, some toters are nestled within cabinets, like in the first floor of the Duncan Student Center. See example photo below.

• If you’re planning an event, request recycling bins by submitting an AiM work request using the “Recycling” tile to request temporary event bins. Note: To access AiM, you must be connected to Eduroam or the campus VPN.

• Cardboard, while it is accepted by our recycling servicer in the toters, takes up considerable space that disallows other high-value materials from being collected. Please break down cardboard boxes and place them in the separate cardboard carts available throughout campus. If you have a significant amount of cardboard that needs to be picked up, submit an AiM work request using the “Recycling” tile.

• If you do not have a toter in your building or office, or you would like to request a desk-side bin, submit an AiM work request to ask that recycling be added to your location. Note: Submitting a request does not guarantee receipt of a toter. Requests will be reviewed with the designated building contact for that location.

• For tailgating on football game days this fall, utilize the recycling and landfill barrels throughout the lots. The student Green Team will again be distributing plastic bags at key locations, including new blue bags for recycling and black bags for landfill.

Stay up-to-date with the newest recycling information and other news from Notre Dame Sustainability by subscribing to The Green Ambassador.

Originally published by Olivia Farrington at green.nd.edu on August 14, 2026.

To prepare staging areas, the following parking lots will begin closing at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16:

• Dorr Road Student Lot – Partial Closure

• Rugby Student Lot – Full Closure

• Walsh Architecture Student Lot – Partial Closure

Vehicles must be moved from these lots by noon on Monday, August 17. Any vehicles remaining after that time will be issued a citation and may be impounded at the owner's expense.

Additional Lot Closures

Bookstore North Lot
The designated move-in staging area (shown below in red) will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18.

Fischer Faculty/Staff Lot
ADA parking spaces, reserved parking spaces, and EV charging stations will remain accessible throughout Move-In Week. The general parking area within Fischer Lot will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, and will remain closed until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23.

All other faculty/staff and student parking lots will remain open and available for normal use.

For additional parking information during Move-In Week, please visit the University's Move-In parking webpage.

For information about student arrival procedures and residence hall access, please visit the Residential Life Move-In webpage.

Thank you for your cooperation as we welcome our students and their families to campus.

Originally published by Molly Di Carlo at police.nd.edu on August 10, 2026.