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February 2021

Mortaza Saeidi-Javash (Graduate Minor in Peace Studies)

Published: February 26, 2021

"Peace studies provided me with a better perspective on the importance of my engineering research and its impact on people's lives," Saeidi-Javash said. "Knowing that my research may have such a tremendous impact encourages me to explore more and be a force for good."

New concurrent faculty member - Dr. Cara Ocobock

Published: February 25, 2021

Gender Studies Program

Dr. Cara Ocobock is an assistant professor of anthropology and the director of Notre Dame’s Human Energetics Laboratory. Her research program integrates human biology and anthropology, with a focus on the interaction between anatomy, physiology, evolution, and the environment.

ND Founders Profile #56: Following Her Life Plan Worked until this Alumna Became a FouNDer and Launched a New Plan

Published: February 24, 2021

Melanie Lux

As a teenager in Nairobi, Kenya, Olivia Barnard had her life plan on paper: study business at a leading institution in the United States, get a consulting job with McKinsey & Company, earn a Master of Business Administration degree, and become a CEO.

How the liberal arts instilled curiosity, boldness, and fearlessness in a history and Japanese student — and carried her from USA Today to Hollywood red carpets

Published: February 23, 2021

Carrie Gates

For Arienne Thompson Plourde ’04, the first step toward a successful journalism career was to study history and Japanese. Although it might seem an unlikely combination for an aspiring journalist, it gave her a strong foundation to build on — and just as importantly, four years to study what she loved. “For me, I always knew that I wanted to be...

Notre Dame students participate in virtual internships in Mexico

Published: February 22, 2021

Anne Plecki

Under normal circumstances, the fall and spring semesters would see hundreds of students traveling across international borders to live, study, and work abroad. Although the pandemic prevented these experiences from occurring in person, it didn’t halt collaboration between Notre Dame faculty and local partners all around the world.

Alumni Spotlight: Anselme Mucunguzi '18 is Building a World-Class E-Commerce Support Service

Published: February 19, 2021

Gene Stowe

Even as he was completing a master’s degree in physical chemistry at the University of Notre Dame in 2017, Anselme Mucunguzi had decided that his future was in technology entrepreneurship rather than science and engineering. ESTEEM gave him the combination of business acumen and computer programming skills that empowered him for the new career.

Notre Dame consumer psychologist recognized as leader of ‘next generation of marketing academics’

Published: February 18, 2021

Carol Elliott

University of Notre Dame marketing professor Emily Garbinsky was chosen as a Marketing Science Institute (MSI) 2021 Young Scholar, a select honor intended to identify likely leaders of the next generation of marketing academics.

Meruelo Family Center for Career Development, Hesburgh Women of Impact partner to mentor undergraduate women

Published: February 17, 2021

Siobhan Loughney

Hesburgh Women of Impact (HWOI), an organization of Notre Dame alumnae dedicated to celebrating and supporting female leadership within the University, is hosting a mentorship program in partnership with the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development. The program matches undergraduate women with an alumna in their field of interest to guide and support them in career related preparation and goals...

Diversity training prepares volunteers to spread equality with action

Published: February 15, 2021

Carrie Rulli Stone, Internal Communications

ND staff get behind the Diversity and Inclusion workshops, led by Eric Love, as Diversity Education Volunteers. Left to right are Marty Harshman, Torence Witherspoon,…

Bringing support and treatment to veterans in need

Published: February 15, 2021

Maura Sullivan Hill

Col. (U.S. Army Retired) D.J. Reyes ’79 serves as an advocate for fellow veterans in Tampa's Veterans Treatment Court.

New concurrent faculty member - Dr. Michael C. Rea

Published: February 25, 2021

Gender Studies Program

Dr. Michael C. Rea is Rev. John A. O’Brien Professor of Philosophy as well as Director of the Center for Philosophy of Religion. He also serves as the faculty advisor for FeministND, a student club.

Edison Lecture: Towards Intersectional Equity in Complex Sociotechnical Systems

Published: February 25, 2021

Joan Fallon

Dr. Katlyn Turner (ND ’12) will deliver a Notre Dame Engineering Edison Lecture, “Towards Intersectional Equity in Complex Sociotechnical Systems,” on March 17 at 4 p.m. EST. This virtual presentation is free and open to the public.

'They Didn't Fail Because They Had Each Other'

Published: February 23, 2021

Rowland, Ashley

Nineteen Kellogg undergraduates took part in a program offering virtual international projects during the University of Notre Dame’s recent winter session. Through Kaya Responsible Travel, students collaborated on projects related to microfinance, health, and education with organizations in Uganda, South Africa, and Ecuador.

“Walk the Walk” is more than a week, it’s an invitation

Published: February 23, 2021

NDWorks

“Walk the Walk” is more than a week to recognize Notre Dame’s efforts to be a welcoming and inclusive campus …

Walk the Walk Week Prayer Service

Published: February 22, 2021

Notre Dame News

This year, since we are not able to gather in person, we encourage…

Liu Institute expands "Justice and Asia" call for proposals, implements rolling deadline

Published: February 19, 2021

Christine Cox

The Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies is extending and expanding its annual call for proposals for research on the theme “Justice and Asia.” Additionally, funding is available for related lectures. Proposals for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2021.

Research examining the practice of subscriber discounts wins ‘Best Paper’ award

Published: February 18, 2021

Carol Elliott

Subscription-based service providers routinely offer discounts to pacify angry customers when there’s been a service failure. But that strategy may backfire in the longer run, according to University of Notre Dame marketing researcher Vamsi Kanuri.

Restorative Justice through Nature: Elsa Barron '21 and Karli Siefker '21

Published: February 16, 2021

Natalie Ambrosio '17

Notre Dame seniors Karli Siefker and Elsa Barron have developed an environmental education curriculum, weaving in environmental justice, climate change and sustainability, for DePaul Academy in South Bend, which is a residential school for teenage boys in the criminal justice system.

Staff member paints piece for Chinese New Year

Published: February 15, 2021

NDWorks

The Chinese New Year, known in China and East Asia as the Spring Festival, starts this Friday, Feb. 12.

Clara Villatoro Huezo (Master of Global Affairs, International Peace Studies, '22)

Published: February 15, 2021

Matthew Macke

"I grew up in a country that experienced conflict--and a lot violence post-conflict--so what peace means and how to respond with peace is a puzzle I’m still working on," Villatoro says. "With the Master of Global Affairs focused on International Peace Studies, I’m trying to respond to the questions I have had my whole life."

New affiliated faculty member - Dr. Calvin Zimmermann

Published: February 25, 2021

Gender Studies Program

Dr. Calvin Zimmermann is an assistant professor of sociology. His current research examines how systems of race, class, and gender shape children's social relationships in early childhood, with a particular emphasis on Black children in school and family settings.

Ingrid Rowland creates an exclusive documentary of the Basilica of Saint Clement in Rome

Published: February 25, 2021

Costanza Montanari

Ingrid D. Rowland, professor in Rome for the School of Architecture and Department of History, shot an exclusive documentary in English on the Basilica of Saint Clement - Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano.

A conversation with Mike Brown '01

Published: February 23, 2021

NDWorks

Mike Brown ’01, regional director, athletics advancement, development, recently shared a Gospel reflection with FaithND readers in the context of Black History Month. Here, he takes a moment to share beyond his reflection.

A Clearer Path Out of Poverty

Published: February 22, 2021

Colleen Sharkey

Many Catholics call on St. Anthony of Padua when they lose something, praying he will help them find their car keys or their wallet. Diana Morrison lost something too, and it was devastating. The life she had known for decades ended after her husband walked out. She was laid off from her well-paid…

Untapped Resources: The Office of Student Enrichment

Published: February 19, 2021

Sarah Price

Hidden on the second floor of LaFortune Student Center is the Office of Student Enrichment (OSE). Aimed at providing a more inclusive and open environment for all Notre Dame Undergraduates, OSE is a God-sent resource for our low socioeconomic status students. Seeking to enrich the Notre Dame experience for all, this untapped resource has many opportunities for funding, mentorship, and guidance.

Danielle Merfeld (ND ’94) elected to National Academy of Engineering

Published: February 18, 2021

College of Engineering

Danielle W. Merfeld (ND ’94) vice president and chief technology officer, GE Renewable Energy, General Electric Co., has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Election to the Academy is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.

Isaac Duncan, BFA '97

Published: February 17, 2021

Dept. Staff

Isaac Duncan III, a Brooklyn, New York native and Afro-Cuban descendant, received a BFA degree in 1997 from Notre Dame, and a certification of secondary art education from St. Mary's College. In 2004, he completed his Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture at the University of Kentucky.

Senior art history major Meg Burns awarded Luce Scholarship

Published: February 16, 2021

Carrie Gates

Notre Dame senior Margaret “Meg” Burns, an art history major from San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a 2021–22 Luce Scholarship. The scholarship provides a stipend, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia, with a goal of enhancing the understanding of Asia among potential leaders of American society. Burns is Notre Dame’s 10th Luce Scholar in total and its third...

U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo to speak at Notre Dame

Published: February 15, 2021

Arts and Letters

Joy Harjo, the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States and the first Native American to hold the position, will speak at Notre Dame on Monday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. The online event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

'What impact can I make?' Engineering alumnus Seun Odun-Ayo '20 works toward inclusion at Microsoft

Published: February 12, 2021

Grace McDermott

Six years ago, Seun Odun-Ayo '20 was a high school student in Missouri debating whether he would even go to college. Today, Odun-Ayo is a software engineer at Xbox. He is using his Notre Dame computer science degree to make a real impact in the world.