2016: Notre Dame Year in Review | University of Notre Dame

The year 2016 saw historic firsts and groundbreaking achievements from our faculty, students and for the University as a whole. The year began with a week of events that challenged the Notre Dame community to take the next step in becoming a more inclusive and diverse community. As the year drew to a close, those ideals took on new meaning as the campus gathered to reflect on a tumultuous election season. In between, our research enterprise marked new heights in both funding and in the opening of facilities that will become venues for achievement in the future. Below are selected stories that paint the picture of 2016 at Notre Dame.

University News

Grotto Candles, University of Notre Dame

Walk the Walk Week at Notre Dame: Let us march forward in love

It was midnight, and the snow and wind chill made for formidable conditions, but that didn’t deter some 1,000 students, faculty, staff and guests from gathering in the University of Notre Dame’s Main Building Rotunda for a candlelight prayer service to begin the University’s "Walk the Walk Week" in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reads from a pocket copy of the United States Constitution during a conversation with U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ann Claire Williams

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg speaks at Notre Dame

In a reflective, frank and often wryly humorous conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the justice offered insights into her upbringing, judicial philosophy and hopes for the future of the court.

Biden and Boehner to jointly receive Laetare Medal

Biden and Boehner jointly receive Laetare Medal

In recognition of their leadership, civility and dedication to our nation, Vice President Joe Biden and former Speaker of the House John Boehner received the 2016 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor accorded to American Catholics.

Father Jenkins leads University delegation to South America

Discussing the debates: The 2016 Notre Dame Forum

The University of Notre Dame examined the presidential campaign through the lens of debates past and present during its 2016 Notre Dame Forum. The event, entitled “Debating our Future,” was moderated by Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.

University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. and Archbishop Jean-Louis Brugues, Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, sign a memorandum of understanding for collaboration and exchanges between the Vatican Library and Notre Dame.

Notre Dame and Vatican Library formalize agreement

The University of Notre Dame and the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, or Vatican Library, formalized a unique agreement of collaboration and exchange. Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès, O.P., archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church, together signed a memorandum of understanding.

Father Jenkins signs ‘It’s On Us’ pledge

“It’s On Us” is an awareness campaign to help put an end to sexual assault on college campuses. Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. signed the pledge in October. The Notre Dame initiative began four months later and includes a video in which Father Jenkins and others appear.

Notre Dame to implement ‘ambitious, realistic’ sustainability plan

On September 20, University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., accepted a committee’s recommendations for creating a comprehensive sustainability strategy for the University that is at once “ambitious and yet realistic.”

Major Gifts

Dunne and Flaherty residence halls

Dunne and Flaherty families each make $20 million gifts for construction of two residence halls

Jimmy and Susan Dunne of New York City and Jay and Mary Flaherty of Los Angeles each made $20 million gifts to the University of Notre Dame for the construction of two new residence halls on campus. Dunne Hall for men and Flaherty Hall for women will opened in August.

Research

Newly discovered star offers opportunity to explore origins of first stars sprung to life in early universe

A team of researchers observed the brightest ultra metal-poor star ever discovered. The star is a rare relic from the Milky Way’s formative years.

Building a better phone

A team at the Notre Dame Wireless Institute is leading a three-year, $1.2 million investigation into how to improve the performance of cell phones while also reducing the potentially harmful radiation the phones expose our bodies to.

Notre Dame researchers to lead NSF Dimensions of Biodiversity study

University of Notre Dame biologist Jeffrey Feder will lead a team of researchers funded by a new $2 million grant from the Dimensions of Biodiversity program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine how when one insect shifts its season it allows others to follow and generates new biodiversity.

Notre Dame holds ribbon cutting for new Turbomachinery Laboratory

The University and its project partners unveiled a vision for the new Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory (NDTL), a high-powered research laboratory to analyze and advance the technology of gas turbine engines used for jet aircraft, power generation plants and the oil and gas industry.

Going green is for girls — but branding can make men eco-friendly

Studies show that men are not as environmentally friendly as women. Let’s face it, not too many “man caves” feature solar panels, recycle bins or posters of electric cars. It’s just not manly.

International

São Paulo

Father Jenkins reflects on past, present and future collaboration with Brazil in São Paulo speech

In a speech March 11 at the American Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo, Brazil, University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., discussed the importance of Catholic education in an era of corruption and injustice, the University’s vision for growth in the country and its research related to the Zika virus.

A transformative journey: Notre Dame experiences life at the border

A transformative journey: Notre Dame experiences life at the border

A dozen Notre Dame faculty members and community partners from South Bend went to Tucson, Arizona, to hear migrants’ stories during a four-day Mexican Border Immersion seminar in early January.

Father Jenkins leads University delegation to South America

Father Jenkins leads University delegation to South America

University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will lead a University delegation on a week-long trip to three South American countries in order to strengthen relationships and grow Notre Dame’s presence in academic, Church and government sectors there.

Faith

Notre Dame gathers for Interfaith prayer service following election

Notre Dame gathers for Interfaith prayer service following election

Following an acrimonious election season, the University of Notre Dame invited the campus community to take part in an interfaith prayer service on November 14 to pray for peace for the nation, wisdom for leaders and care for the most vulnerable.

Crossroads of America: Notre Dame in Cuba following Pope’s visit

Crossroads of America: Notre Dame in Cuba following Pope’s visit

Notre Dame students and scholars spent part of their fall break in Cuba to discuss the impact of Pope Francis' visits to South America and the United States.

Rev. Joseph Corpora to be appointed Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis

Rev. Joseph Corpora appointed Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis

Rev. Joseph Corpora, C.S.C., director of university-school partnerships for the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE), received a mandate from Pope Francis to be a Missionary of Mercy.

Carter Snead, director of Center for Ethics and Culture, named to Pontifical Academy for Life

Carter Snead, director of Center for Ethics and Culture, named to Pontifical Academy for Life

Carter Snead, William P. and Hazel B. White Director of the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethics and Culture and professor of law, was appointed to the Pontifical Academy for Life, the pope’s principal advisory group on the promotion of the consistent ethic of life in the Catholic Church.

Long Crescendo: Following the genesis of a handcrafted pipe organ for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Long Crescendo

Following the genesis of a handcrafted pipe organ for the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

From the Academy

Record 30 students and alumni win Fulbright Awards for 2016-2017

Record 30 students and alumni win Fulbright Awards for 2016-2017

Forty-eight current University of Notre Dame students and alumni have been recognized by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for grants taking place in 2016-17, with 30 finalists, eight alternates and 10 semifinalists named.

Grace Watkins and Alexis Doyle named Rhodes Scholars

Grace Watkins and Alexis Doyle named Rhodes Scholars

University of Notre Dame seniors Christa Grace Watkins and Alexis Doyle have been selected to the United States Rhodes Scholar Class of 2017. This marks the first time Notre Dame has had Rhodes Scholars in three consecutive years and the third time the University has had two in a single year.

Pamela Nolan Young named director for academic diversity and inclusion

Pamela Nolan Young named director for academic diversity and inclusion

Pamela Nolan Young brings more than 25 years of experience to the University in the areas of diversity and inclusion, equal opportunity, education and law.

Top Photos of 2016