Through my time at Notre Dame, I have grown in faith. As a naive freshman, I went from barely considering God in my daily life—only praying in times of need—to becoming a fully practicing Catholic. I enjoyed singing with peers at Mass, participating in late-night Grotto visits, volunteering for service events, and participating in the newly established dorm-chapel crawls!

Coming to Notre Dame, I heard the cliche that the people I would meet would become lifelong friends. Though I doubted this, I now know it to be true. Through the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club, my dorm, the Glynn Family Honors Program, and even WSND (Notre Dame Radio Station), I’ve come to know and trust people I will remain close with until I die.

Lastly, I’ve grown academically—so much so that I have committed to pursuing a PhD in Chemistry (Theoretical/Computational) at the University of Chicago starting this fall! The passion my Notre Dame teachers brought to their teaching and research convinced me to follow in their footsteps, commit to research, and strive to change the world.

I come from a mid-to-low-income household with truly no assets. Supporting my education would have required me to take out over $200,000 in loans over four years, putting me into an irreparable amount of debt. Your contribution to Notre Dame allowed me to live the last four years to the fullest and helped permanently shape my career path and trajectory to becoming a force for good. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting my journey.

Growing up, Michael’s best friend was the son of a local judge who, along with his father, was a proud Notre Dame alumnus. They introduced Michael to the magic of South Bend. He spent countless Saturdays with them, cheering on the Fighting Irish on TV and traveling to home games, where they shared a favorite tailgate spot right by the Leahy gate.

When his acceptance letter from Notre Dame finally arrived, it was a profoundly spiritual moment. It felt as though an angel spoke to him, saying this was exactly where he needed to be. Overwhelmed with emotion, he immediately withdrew his applications from all other universities—and even declined a subsequent acceptance from the Air Force Academy. He was going to be a Domer.

While his family was not in a position to fund his education, Michael was determined. He worked in steel mills in the summer and, during the school year, bought and renovated houses, which he then rented to fellow students. By the time he graduated, Michael owned 11 houses, which he sold to fund his first year of medical school.

That same resolve defined his approach to academics. Michael, enrolled in the pre-professional program, was advised during his freshman year not to take physics and biology simultaneously due to the difficulty. Unfazed, he took biology, physics, and organic chemistry all at once in his sophomore year. His defiance led to his being dropped from the pre-professional track, but after Michael earned straight As in those daunting classes, the program's head quickly reinstated him.

Michael describes his time at Notre Dame as “fantastic,” largely due to his role as a service commissioner in the Student Union. He was a natural problem-solver who never shied away from responsibility and always looked out for his peers. During move-in week, for example, he arranged for local vendors to set up shop at the Stepan Center, allowing students easy access to essentials for outfitting their rooms. And during the 1981 Sugar Bowl, Michael and his friend, who was the Social Commissioner, organized four buses to New Orleans so students could watch the Irish take on Georgia. They coordinated all hotels and tailgates and even acted as trip chaperones, ensuring everyone made it to the game and back safely.

He also used his position to champion equality for female students, who at the time did not receive laundry service like their male counterparts. Michael started a petition and took it directly to Fr. Hesburgh, who ensured that the women had laundry service starting the very next day.

The spiritual, philosophical, and theological foundations Michael received at Notre Dame continue to shape his life today. Because the University taught him to think critically and gave him so much, he has made it a priority to ensure that future generations receive the same world-class education. Michael’s giving history is nothing short of remarkable. He began donating to Notre Dame while in medical school, though he was making almost no money. In fact, he has made a gift to the University every single year since his 1982 graduation, with the sole exception of a two-year period when his service as a flight surgeon during the Iraq War kept him from receiving the usual mailed solicitations.

“I feel that every success I have had in life is due to Notre Dame,” he says, “and I owe it to Notre Dame to give back.”

To solidify this lifelong commitment, Michael has established a Charitable Remainder Trust with Our Lady’s University that will support undergraduate financial aid. Through his generosity and membership in the Badin Guild, Michael ensures that the angel’s whisper he heard as a high school senior will echo for generations of future students.

Thank you, Michael, for all you have done and continue to do for Notre Dame.

I am an economics and Italian major from New Jersey. I studied abroad in Rome, an experience that not only gave me a chance to use the language I’ve been studying here at Notre Dame, but which has also been truly transformational from a cultural perspective.

I hope you know that your kindness is not going unnoticed. I am incredibly honored that you found me worthy of this scholarship. I plan to get as much as I can from my time at Notre Dame.

The story begins in 1975 with a relative’s providential career move. As a small-town Iowa native, Greg originally had his sights set on becoming a Hawkeye. However, when his uncle, Brother Leo Ryan, C.S.V., was appointed Dean of Notre Dame’s business school, Greg's life trajectory shifted toward South Bend and the Fighting Irish.

Greg spent four formative years in Howard Hall, under the watchful eye of rector Fr. Gene Gorski, CSC, honing the skills that would lead to a successful career in accountancy. While the education from professors like Ken Milani and Bill Nichols—among others—was world-class, it was the lifelong bonds he formed with his dorm mates that truly stayed with him.

Years later, the University would transform Greg’s life once again, this time as a matchmaker. Kathy was a lifelong Irish fan, and in 1993, a mutual friend in Sioux City decided that she needed to meet the local “novelty”: Greg, a real-life Notre Dame alumnus.

Their connection culminated in a moment many ND couples dream of. On the eve of the Oklahoma game, Greg proposed to Kathy at the Grotto, lighting a candle for the future they would build together. They married in 2001 and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, a milestone marked by shared values and a deep love for Our Lady’s University.

Like many alumni, Greg’s early giving was driven by a practical goal: maintaining access to the football lottery. But as the years passed, his perspective shifted from “What do I get?” to “What can I leave behind?”

“Over time, I reflected on the sacrifices my family made for me to attend, and the countless ways Notre Dame shaped my career and led me to Kathy,” Greg shares.

Today, the Harts are proud members of the Badin Guild and Sorin Society. Their decision to include Notre Dame in their estate plans is a testament to their gratitude. By making a planned gift, they ensure that the same spirit they found in Howard Hall and at the Grotto will be available to generations of students to come.

My time at Notre Dame has been nothing short of extraordinary. The opportunities available here are unmatched, and I have done my best to take full advantage of them. Whether through my coursework, extracurricular activities, or experiences like studying abroad, I have grown in ways I never imagined. I can confidently say that I do not regret a single moment of my journey at Notre Dame. The friendships I have made will last a lifetime, and the knowledge and experiences I have gained will shape my future for years to come.

Once again, thank you for your incredible support. Your generosity has truly changed my life, and I appreciate it more than words can express!

A percussionist in high school, Mark quickly became immersed in Notre Dame spirit as a member of the Band of the Fighting Irish as well as the Varsity and Concert bands. While his electrical engineering coursework was rigorous, Mark’s career path took an unconventional turn. Rather than following a traditional route, he sought out industrial chemical firms, recognizing that his specialized skill set would be a unique asset in that industry. His strategic intuition proved correct, leading to a position with Allied Chemical in Wyoming.

It was there that Mark met Monica. In the small town of Green River, Wyoming, they found themselves as the only young Catholics in their age group at the local parish. To the other parishioners, their union seemed inevitable—a match clearly made in heaven. After eight years in Wyoming, Mark and Monica, along with their infant daughter, Melissa, moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where Mark became a partner in a promising startup. As they rooted themselves in Texas, they welcomed their second daughter, Marie, and Monica completed her nursing degree. Then, in a final stroke of providence 39 years later, Mark and his partners sold their business in August 2019—timing the transition perfectly just months before the global pandemic.

Now residing in Owensboro, Kentucky, Mark and Monica enjoy being closer to their grandchildren and, of course, much closer to campus, where they can be found cheering on the Irish for every home game of the season. When asked what inspired them to establish a Charitable Remainder Trust with the University, Mark’s answer was simple, yet profound: “The University made me who I am.”

Feeling deeply blessed by the path laid out for them, they chose to give back so future students could have the same opportunity. We are profoundly grateful to Mark and Monica for their vision and generosity. Their legacy will support generations of Notre Dame leaders.

“Financial aid has truly opened the door for me to experience everything Notre Dame has to offer. From engaging classes to unforgettable dorm traditions, I’ve been able to immerse myself in the full ND experience without the constant stress of financial burden—and that means the world to me.

One of the most memorable parts of my time here was being part of Dunne Hall’s 2 West section. We won interhall football, which was such a highlight! The camaraderie, late-night practices, and thrill of game day brought us all closer together and really showed me what makes Notre Dame special—community, spirit, and pride.

I’m also enjoying diving into my coursework in strategic management, which has challenged me to think critically, collaborate with others, and prepare for a future in leadership. Being surrounded by driven classmates and supportive faculty makes every day meaningful.

Thank you again for your incredible support. Your generosity is not only helping shape my Notre Dame journey—it’s also inspiring me to make the most of it and give back in the future.”

Connie was an only child whose father dreamed of having a son to send to Notre Dame. Nevertheless, Connie fulfilled that wish when she was accepted in 1974, just two years after the University opened its doors to women forged a place for themselves. Connie recalls that although they entered a university with a male-dominated history and culture, they forged a place. Their small numbers and shared experiences allowed the women in her cohort to form deep friendships that made their time at Notre Dame special. Another highlight for Connie was her involvement in the Band of the Fighting Irish. In fact, she was the first woman to be a member of the band’s drum-line.

Shortly after graduating with her Bachelor of Science, Connie accepted a job in a pharmaceutical laboratory in New Jersey. There she met Steve while on a blind date in a bowling alley, set up by one of her coworkers.

Steve graduated from Rutgers University in 1977, and while he has remained a loyal fan of his alma mater, he has also found a home at Notre Dame. Their daughter Vickie, desiring a university where she could openly practice her faith, graduated from Notre Dame in 2013 and married a fellow alum, Kameron Mayne ‘11, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 2019.

Connie and Steve, now married for forty-three years, feel a strong affinity for promoting education and are committed to giving back to their respective alma maters through philanthropy and volunteer work. They have established a scholarship at Notre Dame which their bequest will help fund and they hope that their story will ultimately serve as an inspiration to others who have considered giving. “Hopefully we can help to make a Notre Dame education affordable for someone, so they can have the same opportunities we have enjoyed.”

Thank you, Connie and Steve, for all you do to make Notre Dame a home for young men and women, today and tomorrow.

Iskandar
“I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine, the very place where Jesus was born. Growing up there often felt like living inside a biblical narrative: when I walked the same streets Jesus once walked, Scripture came alive.

When I discovered Notre Dame during an online college search, its strong Catholic identity stood out to me. I sensed that here I could nourish both my mind and my soul. Coming to Notre Dame has meant being able to live my faith openly within a community united in Christ.

Through my studies in engineering, I want to combine my love for STEM, design, and creativity to build systems that enhance accessibility and opportunity for all. Even more important, I aspire to build bridges between communities before I build bridges of steel and stone. Engineering, to me, is ultimately about people, not just concrete.

My Notre Dame journey has already given me opportunities to live out that mission. I am active in the Students Activities Office (SAO) and Campus Ministry, as a Transformational Leadership Program (TLP) student, and as a McInerney Fellow. I also work as a video editor and assistant with the Alumni Association, where I edit videos that capture the Notre Dame spirit and keep alumni connected. One highlight was giving a campus talk on “finding light in the darkness” at a community night event for Campus Ministry, where I shared my own story to encourage others to cling to hope even in their most difficult moments.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of Notre Dame’s benefactors. Without financial aid, I would not have been able to study in the United States. Their kindness inspires me to be a force for good today—not just someday—by helping others access education and hope. Their support calls me to pass on the same gift of opportunity and to advocate for education in communities like mine. I carry with me the assurance of Romans 8:11: The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. This truth reminds me—and those I meet—that we are called to be light for one another, to keep the salt of the earth from losing its savor, and to trust that new life can spring even from the hardest ground.”

Luna
“I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine—the very place where Jesus entered our world as the Prince of Peace. From an early age, I felt this paradox deep within me. Daily life carried reminders of tension and limitation, but I discovered freedom in art. Dabke, the traditional Palestinian dance I practiced, became my voice.

Even as a child, I dreamed of an education that would widen my world. During high school, I learned about the University of Notre Dame. Something about the name, Our Lady, stirred my heart. Just as the guiding star led the Magi to Bethlehem, I felt that Our Lady herself was guiding me to Notre Dame. My family and I trusted that God’s plan was larger than any fear, inspired by the faith and obedience of our Mother, the Virgin Mary. Because my parents believed in education and in me, I was able to begin a journey that would forever change all our lives.

If I, Luna, were a major rather than a person, I would be architecture. From childhood drawings to long nights of studio work, I have always found peace in shaping space. An architect holds a brush to open whole new worlds, designing places where people can meet, pray, and flourish. I paired this with a minor in real estate so that I can understand buildings and properties in their full social and economic life. Together, these studies let me imagine not only beautiful structures but vibrant communities. Notre Dame welcomed me with opportunities that would have been impossible without financial aid. Without the generosity of donors, I would not be here. This support has already borne fruit in countless ways. I spend long nights in the architecture studio, progressing from painting simple fruit to drafting plans and classical columns. On game days, I stand shoulder to shoulder with thousands of classmates, singing in praise of Our Lady. I will never forget my first home game: even in defeat, we were united in hope, and I felt part of one family.

My time at Notre Dame continues to nourish both artistry and faith. Through Transpose Dance Collective, I continue to grow as a dancer and help other young women to express themselves. As an International Ambassador and McInerney Fellow, I extend the same welcome I received, helping new students find a home away from home. Nights praying the rosary at the Grotto with close friends strengthen my conviction that, as 1 John 3:1 proclaims, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” To live as God’s child means loving peace, loving others, and offering help as God first loved us.

Looking ahead, I hope to design churches and buildings that glorify God’s beauty. I want to create sacred spaces that gather people into that larger family and to help others express their faith freely and confidently. In every design and every project, I want to be a force for good, building communities of love and hope.

None of this would be possible without the donors whose generosity opened Notre Dame’s doors. Their gifts did more than fund an education; they gave me a new horizon and the courage to share light where darkness tries to reign. My prayer is to return that gift many times over: by shaping beautiful spaces, mentoring future students, and reminding everyone I meet that God’s love can raise new life even from the hardest ground.”

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for your support of my education. It means a lot to me that you have provided me with a scholarship. Being at Notre Dame for the past two years has been a dream come true. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I love going to Notre Dame so much that I tell anyone and everyone who will listen. This past February, I was hired as a tour guide! After my first tour, I revealed to the group that they were my first tour, and one of the dads replied with, "Really? How many first tours have you given?" I thought that was a very nice compliment.

That's not the only way I talk about Notre Dame—I am also an ND Listens caller! Being a part of our student engagement center has been an absolute joy for me this past year. I enjoy connecting with alumni, parents, and friends of the University. So many people love Notre Dame, and it's meaningful to hear about what makes this community so special. It never feels like work!

In the classroom, I am learning a lot. I feel very inspired by my peers and our professors. I've come to realize that there is a deep level of care at Notre Dame. The students care about their education and doing good in the world. And the professors genuinely care about their work and want to see us students succeed. It makes me want to work hard, and I love it! I am thrilled to further enhance my education by studying abroad in London this fall. That will be an experience of a lifetime! I know I am being set up with tools to be successful when my time at Notre Dame is done.

Once again, thank you so much for your support in fueling my Notre Dame experience. It is because of scholarships like yours that I am able to attend this incredible institution. Please know I am absolutely making the most of my time here. Although I'm only a sophomore, I'm not ready to graduate!”

Mary Alice Nielson ’84, Bob and Alice’s youngest daughter, recalls how her parents instilled in each of their seven children the importance of faith, family, and especially service. Bob and Alice were long-time supporters of the University before establishing their charitable remainder trust. Bob, who earned his degree in electrical engineering from Notre Dame, had long desired to fund a professorship in that discipline. Their initial gift to their charitable remainder trust grew over the years, thanks to the performance of the Notre Dame Endowment.

This past October, the University celebrated the appointment of Gregory Snider, the first Robert W. and Alice M. Bauchman Professor in Engineering and Chair of Electrical Engineering.

Thank you, Bob and Alice, for the foresight you demonstrated by creating the first charitable remainder trust at Notre Dame, not only elevating this faculty position but also ensuring that future generations of young men and women pursuing electrical engineering have access to world-class academics.

Meeting Teresa, we knew we were being called to honor Mara’s memory. The Buddie Family Scholarship in Memory of Mara Fox is our answer, our prayer to ease some of her mother’s pain, and our gift to future students from Mara’s high school.

In 2013, our family added a son when our daughter Melissa married Denes Veres. Denes was a shot putter on the track team, a Big East champion, and a school record-holder for over 10 years. Fate (and the good Lord) truly smiled on us when Denes was awarded a grant-in-aid to attend Notre Dame. His college career was enhanced by his coach, mentor, and friend, Adam Beltran. Adam even served as a lector when Denes and Melissa were married at Sacred Heart Basilica.

Sadly, Adam succumbed to cancer in 2023 after a long and courageous fight. The Veres/Buddie Family Memorial Track and Field Grant-in-Aid in Honor of Adam Beltran will give future high school track athletes the chance to attend the University while preserving the memory of a great Notre Dame man. And, with any luck, maybe some other fortunate parents will be able to add a track star to their family as well!

Our parents greatly valued Catholic education. In 1980 and 1981, we graduated debt-free. Most students today are not so lucky. The gifts our parents gave us, along with the courage of Teresa and Adam, inspired us to find a way to help future students experience the University that helped shape us into who we are.”

Thank you, Jim and Elaine, for putting your trust in Our Lady’s University through your planned gifts.

After attending Fordham Prep, a Bronx, N.Y., Jesuit high school, Charlie came to Notre Dame in 1958. His decision to attend Our Lady’s University was driven mainly by the reputation of its science department, which was then considered the best at any Catholic institution. He majored in chemistry, minored in music, graduated in 1962, and subsequently earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Princeton.

Though he has remained friends with his Notre Dame roommate, Charlie maintained little connection to his alma mater, with perhaps one exception—he has leveraged his studies as a music minor toward music service at Mass in several of his home parishes.

All of that changed when Charlie attended his 45th and 50th reunions in 2007 and 2012. After serving in Reunion and Sunday Mass choirs in the unique ND environment, his greatly enhanced enthusiasm for liturgy has shaped his activities ever since. This experience has kept him in close touch with Campus Music Ministry ever since, participating in every Reunion and Sunday Mass choir except for the two COVID interruptions.

Charlie also reconnected with the communications staff in the College of Science Dean's office. These relationships continue to this day as well and have played a major role in Charlie's ND activities, including participation on several College of Science Open House staffs. The Science reconnect took an unusual turn in 2018, when together they formed the College of Science's Holy Half team - "Sneakers and Beakers." Charlie remains a regular participant in the Holy Half, though these years, limiting it to the 10K option.

Today, there is a beautiful working tie between ND's Campus Ministry and Charlie's home parish of St. Brendan the Navigator, in Cumming, Ga., where Charlie continues as director of music for the Hispanic ministry. Still learning at ND, Charlie takes what he gains musically and transfers it to St. Brendan's choristers. He still marvels at how the younger singers and instrumentalists pick up so readily on ND's choral techniques! He's shown here with the Very Rev. Matthew vanSmoorenberg, St. Brendan's pastor.

According to Charlie, he continues to create more cherished memories during these last 18 years of his involvement with Notre Dame than in the five decades previous.

To encourage future generations to follow their passions, Charlie has provided his rebuilt Steinway 1889 grand piano in his planned giving. It has been maintained as a performance instrument for 55 years and is intended to continue in use as a teaching and performance instrument at the University. We are forever grateful for his generosity in giving tomorrow’s students the chance to experience the beauty, education, and community that have made such a difference in Charlie’s own life.

Jean Erickson knew she wanted to attend college away from the East Coast, so she followed her older sister to Saint Mary’s College. During her time there, she met Francis J. Smith. Smitty—as friends and family know him—had been a Notre Dame fan since age six, when his dad took him to see Frank Leahy’s Fighting Irish. Years later, his father’s friend, president of the First National Bank of Chicago and a University alumnus, encouraged Smitty to apply.

Jean and Smitty graduated in 1964, married, and settled in Smitty’s hometown of Manteno, Illinois. Over the next six decades, they would play outsized roles in strengthening their community's economic, educational, and political life, including Bishop McNamara, a local catholic school. When the school faced declining funds and enrollment, the Smiths devised fundraising campaigns and strategic initiatives that not only kept the school in operation but ensured that it could serve students regardless of their ability to pay.

It is fitting that their four children, all Notre Dame graduates, would establish the Francis and Jean Smith Scholarship. In honor of Jean and Smitty’s selfless example, the scholarship provides financial aid to students in need, especially those who demonstrate an interest in public service or social justice. One of the Smith children recently designated a gift to the scholarship as part of their estate plan, ensuring that their parents’ story will continue to inspire Our Lady’s students to make a difference and reach their God-given potential for generations to come.

In 1965, Lance began his studies at Ithaca College. There, he met the love of his life, Mary Louise Mackenbach. From St. Marys, Ohio, Mary had come to Ithaca for its renowned physical therapy program. Lance completed his studies in three years and graduated in 1968 with a B.A. cum laude in International Relations. Mary graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, magna cum laude, in 1969. They were married soon after in Mary’s hometown.

Lance had been accepted to the graduate programs at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins, but a chance meeting would change those plans—and the course of his life. Lance was presenting a paper on international relations at a conference, and his audience happened to include Father Theodore Hesburgh. Father Hesburgh, impressed by Lance’s work, invited him to study at Notre Dame.

Subsequent to that fateful meeting, Notre Dame honored Lance with a full scholarship and a graduate teaching stipend. In May 1970, Lance completed his M.A. in Government and International Studies. While her husband was busy with his graduate studies, Mary used her education to help autistic and schizophrenic toddlers at Trade Winds, a prominent Easter Seal Clinic, in Gary, Indiana.

Lance credits his time at Notre Dame with shaping his moral and ethical compass. He made it his goal in life to use his strengths to further the common good. Notre Dame was also the first place that Lance and Mary lived together. Because of its impact on them, they have made arrangements to be buried together at Our Lady’s University.

After leaving Notre Dame, the couple moved to New York City. Lance returned to working on Wall Street, while Mary continued her education with graduate studies at Rutgers University. It was during this time that Father Hesburgh, Don Keough, Bill Sexton, Father Joseph O’Hare from Fordham, and Father William J. Byron from Catholic University conspired to put Lance on the board at UNICEF. In these early years of his career, Lance also continued his studies at Harvard’s Kennedy School under Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith. He later attended executive management programs at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking (today part of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania).

In 1973, Mary and Lance welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer Michelle Cunha, followed in 1976 by her sister, Heather Allison Cunha. Lance and Mary are now blessed with five beautiful grandchildren: Micah, Olivia, Alexander, Emory, and William.

Lance's 35-year career in international banking and consulting took him to more than 65 countries. He counseled governments, nations, central banks, global financial institutions, and multinational companies on financial, banking, business, and risk management strategies. He rose to senior levels in the banking industry and, later in his career, was recruited by Arthur Andersen and Deloitte.

Mary devoted her time to their two daughters while contributing greatly to their community, wherever they lived. A tireless philanthropist and volunteer, Mary leveraged her education and passion to help underprivileged children and those with speech and hearing disabilities. She is also an avid gardener, photographer, and bridge player and, from time to time, enjoys golf.

Over the years, Lance worked on various US federal and state committees. He also co-authored banking legislation such as Delaware’s Financial Center Development Act of 1982 and the International Financial Center Development Act of 1985. Lance also traveled abroad on official trade missions. In the private, public, and academic sectors, he participated in conferences on international finance and global risk and lectured at several prominent universities, including the University of Notre Dame. He was an adjunct professor of global risk management at the Mendoza College of Business, Emory, Ithaca College, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, the London School of Economics, and Tokyo University.

Along the way, Lance has given back to a number of causes by serving on prominent international boards and as a Global Ambassador for UNICEF. Appointed by President Reagan, Lance worked alongside Lee Iacocca as a staunch supporter and spokesman for the Statue of Liberty–Ellis Island refurbishment project. Lance was a Founder of the Statue of Liberty Museum and is a lifetime supporter of Ithaca College. He received Ithaca College's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

In 2004, while he was a Partner with Deloitte, Lance was forced to retire at age 59. His heart was failing due to a virus contracted somewhere in his global travels. For nine years, Lance struggled with heart failure. In the fall of 2013, Lance entered Emory University Hospital with end-stage heart failure. There, in Emory’s Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), he waited nearly three months on life support. On New Year’s Day 2014, Lance received the miraculous gift of a heart transplant. In his 2016 book, Resolute: My Quest For A New Heart, Lance tells the remarkable and emotional story of his difficult journey and his utter determination to live. Since his heart transplant, Lance and his wife have been ardent supporters of Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Georgia Transplant Foundation.

As long-time Sorin Society members, a planned gift to Notre Dame had been in Lance and Mary’s hearts for some time. Lance cherishes what his Notre Dame education gave him, and having the opportunity to teach at the College of Business further motivated the couple to find ways to ensure that the same education was available for future generations in both Mendoza and the Keough School of Global Affairs.

Thank you, Lance and Mary, for all you have done for Notre Dame and the countless communities you have touched.

“I have always believed that God puts us through difficult times to remind us of his devotion and love. It was during my study abroad experience in Puebla, Mexico, that I was given a beautiful reminder of God’s presence in my life.

My friend Ethan and I met during this period. We bonded over life goals and common struggles, and he often asked about my experience being married (he was contemplating proposing to his girlfriend of five years). As we grew closer, I invited him to join me, my wife, and another friend of ours for Mass. He was not Catholic, but he agreed and continued to join us for the rest of the semester. Afterward, we would all gather for dinner and talk about that week’s homily or readings. This time together each week truly strengthened our friendship.

Close to the end of the semester, Ethan asked me about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process at Notre Dame. My wife went through this process our freshman year, so I was very excited to shower him with information. But what he said next was something that has stayed in my heart to this day. He told me he had attended Catholic schools his whole life but had never been fully convinced to join the faith. He said that the witness of my marriage and our new friendship revealed to him what a love centered around Jesus Christ can create. Tears immediately filled my eyes. In that moment, I realized God had used a time of struggle and hardship to do something great. Today, weeks away from Easter, I am proud to serve as his Sponsor in the OCIA process. I cannot wait to see him washed in the saving waters and sealed as Christ’s own forever. Now, our friendship has the ability to last even into eternity.

You always hear about the relationships that come out of one’s time at Notre Dame, but ours is unlike anything I would have expected. Ethan is more than just my friend. He is my brother in Christ. He is my brother in this Notre Dame Family. I love him dearly as if I have known him my whole life, and I know that this will only grow. I am awed and inspired by his dedication to discerning the faith, and I look forward to supporting him every step of the way as we continue the journey to eternal salvation.”

Thank you, Carlos and Ethan, for sharing this story. We are grateful that you are part of the Notre Dame family.

When it came time for high school, Paul was sent to live with another uncle, a priest who was the principal of a Catholic high school. During his senior year, Paul hitchhiked with some friends to Notre Dame. This experience left him desperately wanting to attend the University even though he did not have the five-dollar application fee. A kind campus priest counseled him to apply anyway, and not to worry about the fee.

Ultimately, Paul was admitted, and he quickly immersed himself in college life. He became active in the Knights of Columbus, helped organize the Bengal Bouts, and was a student prefect (precursor to today’s RA position), all while working multiple jobs to pay his tuition. In 1948, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to marry, start a family, and have a successful career in education and public service.

Upon Paul’s passing in 2013, Jan and her family established the Paul A. Corey Scholarship in his memory to honor him and the value he placed on a Notre Dame education.

Jan recalls the stories her father often shared about his college years. But at that time, Notre Dame was an all-male school, so she didn’t consider attending. Then, in 1972, Notre Dame became co-ed, and Jan set her sights on her father’s alma mater. During a mock trial experience in high school, Jan discerned that she wanted to become a lawyer and knew that the school her dad loved would well prepare her for this career path.

Just like her dad, Jan found a home at Notre Dame. Her four years on campus provided strong critical thinking skills that have guided her throughout her life. Frequent opportunities to attend Mass, participate in retreats, pray at the Grotto, and take classes exploring spiritual values and social justice issues strengthened her faith.

In the spring of her second year, Jan met her future husband, Jeffrey, who was a senior at the time. They became engaged and were married upon her graduation in 1982. Jan went on to earn her law degree, and the couple eventually settled in Lima, Ohio, where her husband established himself in his family’s manufacturing business. They joyfully welcomed and raised two sons.

Jan’s love for Notre Dame has evolved in the years since. She became a Notre Dame parent when their eldest son, Matthew, was accepted in 2008 and again in 2014 when her youngest son Mark was accepted into the graduate school. Both of these experiences reinforced her appreciation for Notre Dame’s mission to educate mind, body, and spirit, as well as its role as a preeminent Catholic research institution.

As a witness to how advances in science had impacted her father’s ability to walk, along with the complexities of Mark’s cancer research, in 2015 Jan and her husband chose to establish the Janet C. and Jeffrey A. Hawk Professorship in Life Sciences. Then, following Jeffrey’s unexpected passing in 2017, Jan and her sons wanted to honor his love of Notre Dame, his experiences in the Mendoza College of Business, and their shared belief in minimizing the financial barriers to education. She and her sons created the Jeffrey and Janet Hawk Family Scholarship in his memory, with preference given to business students who have demonstrated ethical leadership.

Jan and her husband became Badin Guild members in 2011, when they established the Jeffrey A. and Janet C. Hawk Charitable Remainder Unitrust. She uses the earnings from that investment to make further gifts to Notre Dame. Jan also made the University a beneficiary of an IRA. Jan cites the example of philanthropy set by her parents, who believed in giving of their time, talent, and treasure, as well as that of her in-laws, who made investments in Notre Dame’s Institute for Social Concerns early in Jan’s marriage to Jeffrey.

Jan has given generously of her time both on and off campus. She has served on Notre Dame’s Science Advisory Council and is a current member of the Business Advisory Council. She has also been active in various leadership positions in her community; she volunteers with the United Way of Greater Lima and serves on the Community Review Panel and board for the Children’s Developmental Center of Lima. She is also Chair of the Lima Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees which supports projects at Lima Memorial Hospital.

Thank you, Jan, for everything you and your family do for Notre Dame.

In the fall of 1954, Joe arrived on campus. As he later recalled, Joe only saw his father cry twice in 92 years of life—the day he left his son at Notre Dame and the day his wife, Joe’s mother, passed away. 

At that time, Notre Dame was an all-male school of approximately 5,000 students with a campus roughly half its current size. Perhaps the most shocking difference between the 1950s and today is that classes were held on Saturdays—even when there was a home football game! And although the women from Saint Mary’s were able to attend Notre Dame football games, they had to sit in a different section than their male counterparts.

Joe remembers having more supervision on campus than living at home. Students were required to be in their room by 10:00 p.m. on school nights, and the lights across campus were turned out at 11:00 p.m. In addition to the rector, residence halls housed a priest on each floor. Students were not allowed cars, and a strict dress code was enforced: collared shirts, pants, and leather lace-up shoes or loafers. School dances were held on the second floor of LaFortune, but you still had to be back to your dorm by midnight.

Despite the structure of campus life, Joe was blessed with countless opportunities to witness and be formed in his Catholic faith. One year, his classmate Frank Leahy Jr. invited Joe to have Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Just before it was time for dinner, Frank Sr. turned off the football game and took out his rosary. Everyone knelt in prayer together. Moments like these, which he experienced throughout his time at Notre Dame, became a beacon by which Joe would navigate life. He learned to live for God, how to follow the teachings of the Gospels, how to be a good husband and father, and how to treat others with respect and dignity. 

Bolstered by so many examples, Joe’s commitment to his faith remains strong. He prays to Mary as much as he prays to Jesus, knowing that Our Lady is always listening. It is a testament to his faith that Joe considers serving during Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to be one of the most defining moments of his time as a student. Joe was very nervous that he would falter. But by the grace of the Holy Spirit, he performed his duties with no mistakes. This, Joe says, was his greatest moment at Notre Dame.

Over the years, Joe has made many generous gifts to the University as Notre Dame helped to form his beliefs and values, and gave his life a sense of meaning and direction. To ensure future generations can have similar experiences, Joe has contributed to the University in various ways, including the Joseph A. Bisignano Scholarship. As a member of the Badin Guild, his planned gifts will provide additional funding for this scholarship.

Joe’s philanthropy extends to his love of art as well. He has donated 55 prints by Mauricio Lasansky, one of the fathers of 20th-century American printmaking, from his personal collection to the University’s art museum. To celebrate this special gift, the Snite Museum of Art held a special one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring works by Lasansky and his son Tomás.

In recent years, Joe has spent his time giving back to the Des Moines community as a substitute teacher. Known to the students as Joe B., he can be found teaching an array of subjects in middle and high school.

Thank you, Joe, for sharing your wonderful Notre Dame story. Your commitment to the University’s mission is an inspiration.

Howe was a big transition for Mike but, as he puts it, “They straightened me out.” Mike loved his time at Howe. While strict and demanding, it brought Mike a degree of independence, which left him well-positioned to apply and be accepted at Notre Dame. In fall 1969, Mike moved into Cavanaugh Hall, his home for the next four years.

Mike made the most of his time at Notre Dame both academically and socially. Each week, he spent Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon focused on his academic work, leaving his weekends free to enjoy being a young man on campus.

After receiving his juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University, Mike worked at his uncle’s law firm in LaPorte, Indiana. He was recognized by a local judge for his willingness to represent children, a practice that eventually took a heavy emotional toll. In May of 1985, however, Mike attended an alumni weekend at Howe. His interaction with the cadets—young men who were flourishing—rejuvenated and inspired him to give back to his high school alma mater; he even served for a time as chair of the school’s board of trustees.

Mike was also inspired to support Notre Dame. Throughout his career, he made annual gifts to the University and was a member of the Sorin and John Cardinal O’Hara Societies. When Howe closed in 2019, Mike decided to make a more substantial commitment to Our Lady’s University in the form of a bequest supporting a scholarship and the O'Hara Society Forever Fund.

Speaking of his time at Notre Dame, Mike said, “I am what I am because of Notre Dame; it was not just the education, but also the people you meet.”

Thank you, Mike, for your faith in Notre Dame’s mission.

At times, Bob found that Notre Dame could be “rough,” being a men’s only school. But, the summer after his sophomore year, Bob reconnected with Sandy, a former classmate from Daytona. Sandy had just finished her freshman year at Tulane University. It did not take long for Bob and Sandy to decide to get married, but they agreed to do so after she finished school. Sandy, who had been studying painting since the age of nine, graduated from Tulane in 1958 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Bob himself had graduated the year before and immediately joined the Navy. He had arranged for a two-day leave to marry Sandy, but his ship—then stationed in Norfolk, Virginia—was ordered on an emergency deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. Luckily, his commanding officer permitted him to come home to be married at noon on a Saturday, so long as he was back onboard by six o’clock that evening. They made it happen; Bob and Sandy recall sneaking out of their wedding reception so that Bob could make it to the airport on time!

After Bob left the Navy, the couple made Daytona their home. They raised six children and have been happily married for 66 years. Sandy kept up her painting and was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2022 for her work capturing the natural landscapes of Florida, which had been a significant part of her youth.

When asked why they give to Notre Dame, and in particular why they have made a bequest, Bob and Sandy shared that three of their granddaughters had been diagnosed with ALH, a rare autoimmune disease. Inspired by the University’s focus on finding cures for similarly rare ailments through the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, the couple decided to create a lasting legacy of support for this life-changing work.

Thank you, Bob and Sandy, for your faith in Our Lady’s University and for being part of the Notre Dame family.