Alumni Association News & Notes

Edited remarks from Alumni Association executive director Dolly Duffy ’84 at the presentation of the 2026 award:A proud Notre Dame alum and parent, Ximena Navarro's commitment goes far beyond her own family. For decades, she has been the heartbeat of the Notre Dame Club of Bolivia, championing the ND spirit in South America while serving in a variety of roles, including her current role as club co

Edited remarks from Alumni Association executive director Dolly Duffy ’84 at the presentation of the 2025 award:The 2025 Volunteer of the Year is someone whose commitment to Notre Dame has spanned more than four decades and continues on in her work with the Notre Dame Club of Jersey Shore: Maureen Staub of the Class of 1978. Staub began as the admissions volunteer coordinator with the club before

For her enduring contributions to architecture and to places of learning and community at Notre Dame and beyond Melissa DelVecchio ’93 was honored with the 2026 Rev. Anthony J. Lauck Award.As a Partner at RAMSA (Robert A.M. Stern Architects), DelVecchio is the design lead for many of the firm’s most complex academic and institutional projects. Her work synthesizes tradition with invention, reinfor

In recognition of his humanitarian work bringing medical care and supplies to underserved regions throughout the world, Dr. Ralph Pennino ’75 was honored with the 2026 Dr. Thomas A. Dooley Award.After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, Pennino attended medical school at Georgetown University. He subsequently completed a residency in general surgery at the Universit

For his distinguished service to the University through his dedication and creativity as a leader of the Notre Dame Band, Dr. Sam Sanchez ’98, ’06 M.A. was recognized with the 2026 James E. Armstrong Award.As the Associate Director of the University of Notre Dame Band, Sanchez has designed all of the marching shows for the Notre Dame Band for the last 26 years. He designed the pregame “Leprechaun”

For her leading work in mental health research and advocacy supporting neurodivergent youth and their families, Kelly Battle Beck ’08 was honored with the 2026 William D. Reynolds Award.Beck has dedicated her life to improving the lives of people with disabilities. She competed on the Fighting Irish women's swimming team before sustaining a brain injury after her sophomore year—resulting in a life

For her years of dedication in service to Our Lady’s University and her embodiment of the Notre Dame spirit, Pamela Jobin was honored with the 2026 Dr. William P. Sexton Award.In 1987, Jobin began her journey with the University of Notre Dame greeting customers at the counter of St. Michael’s Laundry. She was one of the happy faces of the laundromat for 24 years until her retirement in 2011. After

In recognition of his leadership in higher education and his impact on historical scholarship through his written works, Michael T. Benson ’11 MNA was presented with the 2026 Rev. Robert F. Griffin, C.S.C., Award.Benson serves as 27th president and professor of history at West Virginia University. During his nearly 25-year tenure as a university/college president, Benson has earned two master’s de

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,Just last week, the Alumni Association welcomed more than 3,600 alumni and their families back to campus for another incredible Reunion celebration. It’s always a special weekend at Our Lady’s University, but if you’re part of this community, you know that a Notre Dame reunion can often happen in the most unlikely places.For my son, Kieran Fangman ’23, his own reu

In recognition of its unique place in Notre Dame history and its contributions to the University over five decades, the Notre Dame Class of 1976 was honored with the 2026 Rev. Edward Frederick Sorin, C.S.C., Award on June 6 at the Alumni Association’s annual Reunion celebration.The Sorin Award is conferred on a graduate or graduates who have rendered distinguished service to the University. It was

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,Earlier this month, I sat across from Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman as he invited his mom, Chong, on stage. We were in South Korea, where she had grown up, and on the eve of Mother’s Day, Coach Freeman watched with utter admiration as she spoke to a full ballroom of alumni, parents and friends from eight clubs and 10 countries from around the reg

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of hosting 350 members of this community for our annual Alumni Association Leadership Conference. These alumni, parents, and friends are active leaders in their Notre Dame clubs, classes, and groups—volunteers who return to campus each year to share ideas, celebrate successes, and learn from campus experts as we carry out our

This Saturday (April 25), the Notre Dame Alumni Association will host the fourth annual Notre Dame Global Day of Service, with thousands of alumni, parents and friends across the world prepared to come together in service in the name of Our Lady.As of Wednesday (April 22), more than 150 service projects had been registered with pledged participation from 120 Notre Dame clubs, as well as alumni gro

Adriana Holguin '00  Remarks from Dolly Duffy ’84, Executive Director of the Notre Dame Alumni Association and Associate Vice President of University Relations, as she presented this year's award:It is now my privilege to introduce an award that recognizes the incredible work of our volunteer network. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented each year at Leadership Conference to shine a spotli

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association honored several outstanding alumni and staff at its annual board of directors meeting in April. Throughout the year, the association presents awards in six key areas that reflect the University’s commitment to excellence: the arts, athletics, service to the Alumni Association, service to the country, service to humanity, and service to the University

2009: Mr. Paul A. Geary Jr. '65 Established in 1995, the Richard A. Rosenthal Award is conferred on a former board member for exemplar activity and support of the Alumni Association. The 2009 Rosenthal Award winner is Paul A. Geary Jr. ’65With this award, Mr. Geary is honored for his exemplary activity and support of the Alumni Association. Mr. Geary was president of the ND Club of Philadelphia fr

2016 Honorary Alumnus For his nearly five decades of serving drinks and conversation at the Morris Inn, Patrick Murphy — universally known as Murf — has been named an honorary alumnus, joining a distinguished group whose ranks include Ara Parseghian and Lou Holtz. Murf started as a busboy at the Morris Inn at age 15 and continued to work there even after he was drafted and stationed in Maryland, b

2005: Kenneth "Ken" Ho Sung Kwak '62A simple and very humble man, Ken refused a nomination to receive Notre Dame's Distinguished Alumnus award in the summer of 2005. In September 2005, Ken passed away in front of the Notre Dame bookstore as he was carrying materials to the Alumni Office in preparation for the annual APA of ND mini-reunion that weekend and the APA of ND Board meeting the following

2019: Joe Newman ’36 & Peter Schivarelli ’71  For a lifetime of service, Joe Newman ’36 was honored with the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award. As a parent of a child with special needs, Newman, a South Bend native, helped to found Logan Center in 1950. The center supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they, and their families, can achieve their desired quality of

2016: Dr. Gu Yijian ’50 M.S.,'85 Hon. Ph.D. Born in China in 1922, Dr. Gu Yijian ’50 M.S.,'85 Hon. Ph.D. graduated from Zhijiang University in 1947 with B.S. in chemistry and opted to continue his advanced study in Organic Chemistry at Notre Dame. He graduated with a Master’s degree from the University in 1950.After finishing at ND, he returned to China and joined Harbin University of Industry as