ND Today December 2007

ACADEMICS
   5 Questions with Robert Bernhard
UNIVERSITY
   Innovation Park Construction
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
  Straight from the Board
SPIRITUALITY
  Israel Travel Program 
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
   CSC Celebrates 25 Years
ATHLETICS
NOTEWORTHY 
  Improved Directory Search


Merry Christmas from the Alumni Association
   On behalf of everyone on the Alumni Association staff, I offer you and your family a sincere holiday wish: That you love and be loved. 
   Let us go forth to serve God, Notre Dame and each other. 
   
Merry Christmas!

Executive Director, Alumni Association
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Notre Dame Mourns the Death of Frank Eck
   
The Notre Dame Alumni Association joins the rest of the University in mourning the passing of Frank E. Eck, an alumnus, benefactor, and in the words of Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., “a true Notre Dame man.”
   
Frank died on Dec. 13 in Columbus, Ohio, of complications from open heart surgery. He was 84.
   
A 1944 graduate, Frank was forever dedicated to Notre Dame. His contributions to the University have totaled more than $35 million. In addition to the Eck Tennis Pavilion, the Frank Eck Baseball Stadium, and the Eck Hall of Law (which currently is under construction), Frank underwrote the Eck Center, which includes the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and the Alumni Association headquarters.
   
In this time of mourning, the Frank Eck portrait, which hangs just inside the east entrance of the Eck Visitors Center, has been draped in black to honor his passing.
   
To read the official University press release announcing Frank’s death, click here.
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Academics

Five Questions with Robert Bernhard, VP for Research
   In this edition of ND Today, become better acquainted with Notre Dame’s Vice President for Research Robert Bernhard. 
 [Full Story]
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Catholic Digest Names ND Professor a “Hero”
   
She may not have a red cape, but biological sciences professor Kristin Shrader-Frechette has been named one of 12 “heroes for America and the world” by Catholic Digest Magazine. Shrader-Frechette is joined by 11 other laypeople whose humanitarian work is “making a positive difference in their communities and beyond,” the magazine said in its October issue.  [Full Story]
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Celebrating Teaching Excellence
   
In October, more than 185 people from across the country traveled to Notre Dame to attend the Alumni Association’s “Excellence in Teaching” conference and to celebrate this year’s Outstanding Educator Award winner, Rob Barteletti ’71
   
The conference’s keynote speaker was Notre Dame Psychology professor F. Clark Power. In addition, Ann Anzalone, an education consultant, led a series of workshops that addressed the challenges teachers face in the classroom, helping to deepen their understanding of the teaching craft.  [Full Story]
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University

Spirit of Notre Dame Campaign Protects Residential Life
   When fellow Domers meet for the first time, they usually ask the same two questions: “What year did you graduate?” and “Where did you live?” Dorm life is elemental to the Notre Dame undergraduate experience. It always has been, ever since Holy Cross priests and faculty began residing alongside the University’s first students.   [Full Story]
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Rector Positions Open For 2008-2009
   
Accept the challenge. Become a rector in one of Notre Dame’s 27 single-sex residence halls and participate in a rich tradition of ministry at the heart of student life. Each hall is a community of faith and learning where students are encouraged to integrate the intellectual, spiritual and social dimensions of their education. A staff of graduate student assistant rectors and senior resident assistants supports this ministry.  [Full Story]
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Construction of Innovation Park to Begin in Spring
   When Innovation Park is completed in 2009, Notre Dame will have access to a technological incubator where entrepreneurs and researchers can develop and commercialize their projects.  [Full Story]
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Are you up for a Challenge?
   
Since its launch in November, the Notre Dame Annual Fund Community Challenge has already doubled the impact of nearly 2,500 alumni, parents and friends who made a gift to the University.  [Full Story]
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What Would You Fight For?
   
That was the question Notre Dame asked in a series of commercials it produced earlier this year. The seven commercials, which were shown during the football season, depicted the various causes ND fights for -- including peace, the environment, resources, human dignity and cures for diseases. 
   
Miss the commercials when they appeared on TV? You can watch them online, courtesy of www.nd.edu. The complete series has been archived and can be accessed from the homepage. Click here to watch.
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Straight from the Board
Message From Notre Dame Alumni Board President-Elect Ceyl Prinster’76  [Full Story]
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Board Meeting Minutes Now Available Online
   
In the September issue of ND Today, Alumni Board President Richard A. Nussbaum II ’74 said an alumnus suggested we post the Board meeting minutes online.  As a result, the minutes from the Nov. 8-10 meeting are now available. To read them, click here.
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NDAA Event Mixes Business with Pleasure
As ND students prepare for job searches and vocations after graduation, the Alumni Association helped prepare them for one of the most important aspects of their professional careers: the business dinner.  [Full Story]
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Vote for Your Alumni Reps 
   
The 2008 Alumni Board election begins in January, and it’s your opportunity to choose among fellow graduates who will represent you on important alumni issues. Each director will serve a three-year term on the Board (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011).
   
The Alumni Board of Directors plays an important role in communicating alumni views and opinions to the University administration and setting policy for the Alumni Association. In addition, the Alumni Board president and president-elect serve on the Notre Dame Board of Trustees. 
   
Look for the election ballot in Notre Dame Magazine this January. The ballot and the candidates’ bios will be in the Class Notes section of the magazine. You also can access the bios and personal statements online at alumni.nd.edu/election
   
There are three easy ways to vote: 
      ·   Log on to alumni.nd.edu/election 
      
·   Call 800-668-0764 
      
·   Mail the paper ballot from Notre Dame Magazine 
   Remember: You can vote for all positions in all geographic areas. 
   Voting for the 2008 election will be open from Jan. 15, 2008 through March 12, 2008 at midnight EST.
   Thank you for your participation!
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Sign Up For the 2008 Florida Fling
   
Join the ND Alumni Association and the ND Club of Tampa Bay for the 2008 Florida Fling, which will be held Feb. 8-9 at the Saddlebrook Resort, just north of Tampa.  [Full Story]
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Alumni Ski Trip in Park City
   
Join ND Alumni Travel on our first annual alumni ski trip March 12-16, 2008.  We’ll spend three full days in Park City, Utah where we’ll ski (and snow board) at Park City Mountain. 
   
You can try your hand at other outdoor activities including cross-country skiing, skate skiing, and backcountry skiing. Additionally, casual evening events are planned at various venues throughout Park City. 
   
Register early to insure space is available. For a complete itinerary and trip price, visit Northwest Voyageurs’ website.
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Explore Kenya on a Safari
   
Every July, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras migrate from the Serengeti to the greener pastures of Kenya. And every July they are followed along the route by hungry predators such as lions and leopards. You too can follow the Great Migration – one of the most impressive natural events worldwide – this summer as ND Alumni Travel and biology professor David Lodge take you to Kenya for an expedition to its grasslands and riverbanks.  [Full Story]
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Interested in Marketing?
   The Alumni Association is looking for a new director of marketing, a role that is responsible for the development and ongoing administration of the affinity and sponsorship programs of the Alumni Association.  The director also oversees the sale of Notre Dame alumni merchandise through the Irish Shop (the online alumni store) and other channels. In addition, this position develops and implements marketing and promotional campaigns to increase awareness of and participation in the Alumni Association’s programs and services. The marketing director also serves as the branding expert within the Alumni Association.
   
To apply for the position, go online to http://jobs.nd.edu and see requisition #020070487 or contact Erin Putt at 574-631-5903 or putt.5@nd.edu.
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ND News from Around the Globe
   
The December issue of ND Global, The European Edition, is now available. In this edition, you can find out what’s happening with Domers in Europe with “Europe Alumni Notes,” read about the 2007 ND Geneva Convention and update your ND contacts in Europe. To read about these topics and more, click here.
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Spirituality

University President Announces New Israel Travel Program
   
This month, Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., announced the first program in an important new initiative for the University, the Notre Dame Adult Travel/Learn Program. This program, Three Faiths One Land: Exploring the Holy Land, will be offered April 28-May 6, 2008, at the beautiful Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, Israel.  [Full Story]
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Christmas Blessing From New Alumni Chaplain
   
With great enthusiasm, the Alumni Association welcomes Rev. Steve Gibson ’66, C.S.C., as our new Alumni Chaplain.
   
Fr. Steve is a remarkable homilist and a person blessed with immense creativity who is beloved by young and old. The co-producer of the pray.nd.edu music videos, Fr. Steve also has been the director of Fatima Retreat Center for 19 years.  [Full Story]
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Lenten Retreat for Family and Friends
   
The winter beauty of the Notre Dame campus is an ideal place for spiritual reflection during the Lenten season. 
   
From Feb. 22-24, 2008, bring a family member, a friend, or come alone, and connect with others drawn by the Holy Spirit. Experience music that fills your soul, prayer and ritual that bring you hope and reflections that bring sense to the struggle and questions in your life. 
   
To learn more about the retreat, contact Kathleen M. Sullivan ’82MA, ’87PhD at 574-631-6724 or sullivan.6@nd.edu. The registration fee is $179 (housing not included).
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Center for Social Concerns Celebrates 25 Years of Service
   
As the Center for Social Concerns prepares to mark its 25th anniversary, ND Today celebrates the Center’s dedication to spearheading the University’s commitment to community-based learning, service and research.  [Full Story]
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Join Habitat for Humanity For a Week of Service
   
About 80 percent of Notre Dame students participate in community service projects during their years at the University – and that tradition doesn’t end with graduation. In February, alumni can lend a helping hand to rebuild the gulf coast region with Habitat for Humanity and the Alumni Association.  [Full Story]
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Make Your Next Family Vacation A Wonderful Learning Adventure!
   
From June 21 – July 1, 2008, learn Spanish, participate in a unique volunteer program, and experience the culture and magnificent beauty of Costa Rica – all at a great price!  [Full Story]
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Athletics

Notre Dame Leads Nation in Athlete Graduation Rates
   
Notre Dame tops the list of schools with the highest percentage of student-athletes that graduate within six years, according to the NCAA’s 2007 analysis of graduation rates. The NCAA figures, released Oct. 3, track the graduation success rate — the percentage of student athletes that graduate from the school within six years of enrollment — at 318 Division I colleges and universities across the country.  [Full Story]
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Athletic Compliance Newsletter Now Available
   
The Notre Dame Athletic Compliance Office has released its November 2007 newsletter, which will keep Notre Dame's staff, alumni, student-athletes and faculty up to date on the latest news concerning NCAA rules and regulations. 
   
The November issue highlights issues such as hosting alumni functions, the December recruiting schedule and the National Letter of Intent early signing period.
   
To read the newsletter, click here.
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Football Ticket Lottery Eligibility 
   
Alumni and special contributors must make a gift by Dec. 31, 2007, to receive a football ticket lottery application for the 2008 season. That means gifts made through the mail must be postmarked on or before Dec. 31. Gifts may also be made online at supporting.nd.edu until midnight on Dec. 31. To view minimum gift guidelines and more, click here.
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Noteworthy

Highly Effective and Cost Efficient 
   
Network with Notre Dame alumni, share your common values and faith, reduce stress, increase productivity, find time for things that matter most, and renew your spiritual core. You can do all this and more with the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People seminar at Notre Dame. 
   
What’s more, you can receive a 50 percent discount ($755, not including housing and meals) by taking this premiere leadership seminar at ND from March 11-13, 2008. (The program costs double if taken through the Franklin-Covey public program.) 
   
For more information or to register for the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People seminar at Notre Dame, click here.
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Directory Search Made Simple
   
Ask and ye shall receive! When alumni requested a simpler way to search for classmates through Irish Online, we responded. And now, thanks to the Irish Online’s Quick Search feature, it’s possible. 
   
All you need to do is select the “Directory Quick Search” tab in the Irish Online menu, and you can search by name, home city or state, ND club, class year or residence hall.
   
Not yet registered for Irish Online? Register now to access the site’s many social and networking benefits.
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Congratulations Irish Online Winners
   
ND alumni who registered for the new Irish Online from June 20 – Sept. 30, 2007 were entered into a drawing for the chance to win exciting prizes. Congratulations to the lucky winners:
   
Week-long trip for two to the Italian Riviera and Tuscany provided by Go Next
      
Eric Sauer ’05 (Madison, WI)
   
Premium IBM X60 ThinkPad® tablet PC provided by Lenovo 
      
Aaron Wallace ’94 (Fairfield, CT)
   
Notre Dame Golf Bags
      
Dennis Deane ’72 (Detroit, MI)
      
Kevin Gallagher ’73 (Pittsburgh, PA)
      
Margaret Roberts ’77 (Scottsdale, AZ) 
      
Susanne Strotman ’94 (Park Ridge, IL)
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What Did You Love About Christmastime at ND?
   
Carols on the quads. Snowy prayers at the Grotto. Decking out your dorm in Christmas finery. What did you love best about Christmastime at Notre Dame? Share your memories, and see what others have to say.
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Save the Date!
   
Remember. Renew. Reconnect. That’s the theme for Reunion 2008, and it’s coming soon. Mark your calendars for May 29-June 31, 2008.
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