Alumni Association News & Notes

In recognition of his prolific contributions as an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Patrick Creadon ’89 is honored with the 2026 Rev. Arthur S. Harvey, C.S.C., Award.Creadon is one of only a handful of directors to have multiple films ranked simultaneously among the top 100 highest-grossing documentaries of all time. His debut feature, Wordplay (2006), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival a

In recognition of her athletic achievements and advocacy for improving access to athletics for the blind and visually impaired, Lori Miller ’97 is honored with the 2026 Harvey G. Foster Award.Totally blind since age two because of retinoblastoma, Miller has spent her life challenging expectations through athletics and advocacy. After earning dual bachelor’s degrees in history and American studies

In recognition of his devotion to Catholic education, ministry, and service to neglected and forgotten communities, Deacon Ned Berghausen ’08 M.Ed., is honored with the 2026 Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award.Berghausen’s commitment to service began as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005. While traveling in Thailand, he survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

Brig. Gen. Edward G. Burley, USA (Ret.) ’83 exemplifies the true citizen-soldier, having built parallel careers as an Army officer and a federal prosecutor with the US Department of Justice. After graduating from Notre Dame in 1983, Burley served as a paratrooper in the 82d Airborne Division before transitioning to the National Guard and Army Reserve to earn his law degree, balancing family life,

The University of Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized the 2026 recipients of four of its most prestigious awards during its fall gathering of the NDAA Board of Directors October 8–9, honoring alumni who have made lasting contributions to military and public service, athletics, and the arts. The association honored Brig. Gen. Edward G. Burley, USA (Ret.) ’83 with the Rev. William Corby, C.S.C.

The Notre Dame Alumni Association announced its 2026 Domer Dozen cohort, honoring 12 graduates ages 32 and younger for excellence in their contributions in learning, service, faith, and work—the core pillars of the association’s mission.The Domer Dozen program is the signature initiative of YoungND, the Alumni Association’s young alumni group. The 2026 honorees have excelled in medicine, public &

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,It’s been a bittersweet week. On Tuesday, I announced that, effective June 30, 2027, I will retire as executive director of your Notre Dame Alumni Association. It would be impossible to neatly sum up all that I’ve been thinking and feeling over the past few days and in the months leading up to this decision, but perhaps let me start here: Thank you.My 18 years at

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends, A few weeks before the world lost Dolly Parton, someone—I don’t know who—left a fabulous sticker on my desk that read “Dolly Vibes Only,” a message that means something a bit different to me now. Though we share a name, Dolly was a singular talent. She knew exactly who she was and, through her art and her actions, taught us all a little more about the human condi

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends,Tomorrow, we’ll welcome the Notre Dame Class of 2030 to campus and usher in the start of another school year. With it, the quiet of summer will give way to the classes and extracurriculars, dorm masses and cheering sections that breathe new life into our beloved University community each fall.I remember vividly the combination of nerves, anticipation, excitement,

Dear Alumni, Parents, and Friends, Each summer, I get to witness a curious dynamic that never gets old. Over the course of three weeks in July, we at the Alumni Association welcome nearly 400 parents, grandparents, and children back to campus for Family Volunteer Camp, a series of week-long opportunities to serve the South Bend community. The popularity of this unique program is striking—participa

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