A new, unprecedented national survey of African American Catholics by University of Notre Dame researchers reveals several significant insights into individual religious engagement and identifies several notable demographic trends facing the church. The survey was sponsored by the National Black Catholic Congress and Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life and Office of the President.

Notre Dame social scientists Darren W. Davis and Donald B. Pope-Davis, who co-authored the report, set out to test the validity of anecdotal accounts that African American Catholics were becoming increasingly disengaged from their religion. Read More

Stephen Ponzillo, director of community services and public policy for United Way of Tampa Bay in Tampa, Fla., has been appointed director of the University of Notre Dame’s TRIO programs, which currently include Talent Search and Upward Bound. Read More

Executives from McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, Bank of America and other major companies will be talking about what diverse individuals and teams contribute to their businesses when they address the fourth annual Notre Dame Diversity Conference April 8 and 9 (Friday and Saturday) at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

Organized by Notre Dame MBA students and presented by ACS, a Xerox company involved in business-process outsourcing and IT services, the conference is free and open to the public. However, attendees must register online, and the deadline is April 6 (Wednesday). Read More

For more than 40 years, the Department of International Student Services and Activities (ISSA) at the University of Notre Dame has hosted International Festival Week, a celebration of international heritage and culture. International Festival Week 2011 will take place from March 25 through April 2. Read More

Indiana Minority Business Magazine (IMBM) has honored Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, with a 2011 Champion of Diversity Award. Father Jenkins was one of 14 individuals, institutions and companies recognized by the magazine at a ceremony Jan. 14 in Indianapolis.

Father Jenkins and the other award recipients were cited as “leaders in their respective fields, not only because they excel at what they do, but also because they are inclusive,” according to Shannon Williams, president and general manager of IMBM. Read More

Martin Luther King Day will be observed at the University of Notre Dame with a prayer service Monday (Jan. 17) at 11:30 a.m. in the Main Building rotunda.

Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will lead the “Prayer Service to Honor the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Other participants will include Rev. Hugh Page, dean of Notre Dame’s First Year of Studies and associate professor of theology and Africana studies, and community leaders from the Michiana area. Music will be provided by Notre Dame’s Celebration Choir and members of the Notre Dame Folk Choir. A reception will follow the event, which is open to the public. Read More