Student Stories
Notre Dame endeavors to be a place where each student can grow individually in both mind and heart, and become a part of something larger than themselves. By celebrating the unique gifts each student brings to our shared community, student life is enriched immeasurably.
The stories below share just some of the ways Notre Dame students are celebrating and taking advantage of the wonderful diversity on our campus – through both scholarship and development and formation outside the classroom.
The Institute of International Education ranks Notre Dame seventh among doctorate-granting universities for undergraduate study abroad participation during the 2018-19 academic year.
Students receive University of Notre Dame Library Research Award
This annual award is earned by undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in research skills by using a breadth of library resources and services for their course assignments, research projects, and creative endeavors.
New initiative supports international students unable to return to campus
Notre Dame International has launched a new initiative to better support international students unable to return to campus for the current academic semester and beyond.
Francie Shaft thought her theology and Japanese majors would never intersect — until she went abroad. Now the connections keep appearing.
Francie Shaft has discovered intersections between her theology and Japanese majors through her classes and research — both on campus and in Japan. Those opportunities would not have been possible, she said, without the support she found at Notre Dame. “Notre Dame wants you to start pursuing what you’re passionate about, even as a freshman. If I didn’t have these people...
Statement by Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., on Pope Francis elevating Archbishop Wilton Gregory to cardinal
"We offer Archbishop Gregory our warmest congratulations on his elevation to cardinal by Pope Francis and assure him of our prayers and support."
Notre Dame president expresses concerns over proposed homeland security changes for international students
In a letter to the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., registered his concerns with proposed changes to the department’s policy that would make it harder for international students to enroll in U.S. universities.
Bridging the Divide speaker series adds event with Pete Buttigieg
Bridging the Divide is free and open to all members of the Notre Dame community as well as the public. Past events included "Exploring Racial and Social Injustice and Inequality in America," and the series will also tackle “The 19th Amendment and the Myth that All Women Vote the Same” among other topics.
Asian cultural events drew enthusiastic audiences in 2019-20
The three biggest cultural events sponsored and co-sponsored by the Liu Institute in 2019-2020 saw enthusiastic capacity audiences. …
A Topologist, an Educator and an UndocyAlly Join the ILS Faculty Fellows
This fall, three leaders from the Notre Dame community have been appointed Faculty Fellows of the Institute for Latino Studies. …
Hispanic Heritage Month Reminds Us 1000+ ND Students are Latinx
Over 14% of incoming undergraduates self-identify as Latino/Hispanic students, making over 1000 of the 8731 undergraduates at ND Latinx, not including international and DACA students. The Institute for Latino Studies, the employee resource group AdelanteND and the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame (HAND) are observing Hispanic Heritage Month in a number of ways through Oct. 15.
Exploring a new language leads history and political science senior to valuable research and international experiences — and a third major
Having studied Spanish in high school, Liam Karr wanted to branch out and explore something new in order to fulfill the Arts & Letters foreign language requirement. Arabic, he decided, would complement his history and political science majors and help him better understand a region that is crucial to U.S. foreign policy.
Peter S. Gonzales, ND ‘16 and JD ‘19, joins ILS Advisory Council
Peter S. Gonzales, a commercial litigation associate at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Chicago,…
Liu Institute’s “Justice and Asia” funding opens with new opportunity for undergraduates
The Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies has opened its annual call for proposals for research on the theme “Justice and Asia.” Additionally, the Institute is providing separate funding for proposals by undergraduate students, either individually or collaboratively, to examine race and ethnicity in Asia.
Greg Bourke signs contract with Notre Dame Press to publish memoir, “Gay, Catholic, and American”
Greg Bourke (ND ‘82), one of the plaintiffs in the landmark United States Supreme Court decision Obergefell vs. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, has signed a contract with University of Notre Dame Press to publish his memoir. The book, “Gay, Catholic, and American: My Legal…
Notre Dame files formal comment with Department of Homeland Security
Three University of Notre Dame leaders have filed a formal comment on behalf of the University urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would make it harder…
Lilly Endowment awards Notre Dame grant to advance student mental health
The University of Notre Dame has been awarded $2.5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to advance a holistic approach to student mental health that promotes well-being, resilience and restoration for students and caregivers alike.
Kristen Millares Young to read from acclaimed novel about culture, race, storytelling for Hispanic Heritage Month
Deep questions about culture and race lie at the heart of Kristen Millares Young’s debut novel, Subduction.…
Across three continents, research and languages are the keys to Ugandan undergrad’s success in economics and global affairs
Whether he’s studying in Uganda or France, South Africa or South Bend — or speaking English, Luganda, French, or Swahili — Trevor Lwere has one topic at the forefront of his mind. No matter where he is, the economics and global affairs major is driven to investigate what different cultures and perspectives can teach each other about forming the best...
Notre Dame Police Department issues equity in policing report
In collaboration with a group of Black University of Notre Dame students, and after receiving suggestions from them as well as from faculty, staff and alumni, the Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) has developed a report that includes acknowledgement of past problems, a commitment to equitable policing…
Observer story: Panel discusses Uyghur humanitarian crisis, steps for activism
By Dane Sherman The Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies hosted an engaging panel Monday with experts…
Welcome Aboard
In a new partnership among the University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Navy and Holy Cross College, deserving students will have the opportunity to enroll as midshipmen in Notre Dame’s Naval ROTC program after their initial year of college coursework.
ND Law students win asylum case through National Immigrant Justice Center Externship
Amid COVID-19 cancellations and challenges, Melvin Hydleburg and Zahraa Nasser, both second-year students at Notre Dame Law School, argued and won an asylum case last month through the Law School's National Immigrant Justice Center Externship.
Student-athletes promote healthy habits among local Head Start students
Notre Dame Athletics is partnering with the South Bend Community School Corp. (SBCSC) to promote healthy habits among students at Studebaker Elementary School, home to the district’s Head Start and special needs programs for children ages 0-5.
Notre Dame adds 24/7 telehealth access to support students’ medical and mental health needs
As part of the University of Notre Dame’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all enrolled students now have free and immediate access to medical and mental health visits through TimelyMD, a telehealth company that specializes in higher education.
Notre Dame partners with Fulbright COMEXUS to strengthen ties between US, Mexico universities
The University of Notre Dame and partners are now accepting applications for the Becas Fulbright-García Robles COMEXUS Mexico Studies Chair, which funds a senior scholar from a Mexican university to be in residence for a semester.
Recent Grads use Latino Studies as Springboard for Law Careers
The field of Latino Studies is marked by its intersectionality:…
The Snite Museum of Art Announces Important Acquisitions to its Mesoamerican Collection
The Snite Museum of Art announces five gifts to the Museum’s distinguished Mesoamerican collection. Mr. William. J. Gallagher Jr. ND’1950, was one of the original lenders of Pre-Columbian objects to the Snite Museum of Art when it opened its doors in the fall of 1980. These early loans from the Gallagher Family were foundational objects to the development of...
Notre Dame Introduces Leprechaun Class of 2020-21
Notre Dame Athletics | September 30, 2020 The University of Notre Dame cheerleading program announced its Leprechaun lineup for the 2020-21 school…
“Everyday Religion” class delves into religious diversity
When one encounters the rich diversity of the world’s religions, working to understand different faith traditions can promote tolerance, interreligious dialogue, and peace.
This was the idea students explored during the second session of “Everyday Religion in a World of Many Faiths.” The class, offered by the Ansari Institute, meets online Thursday evenings and is free and open to the public.
Women’s soccer collects 1,111 pounds of food for Food Bank of Northern Indiana
The food comes at a critical time for the food bank, which is experiencing increased need in the community because of the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. It also coincides with Hunger Action Month, a month devoted to education and action around hunger in the U.S.