The Independent Newspaper Serving Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s Volume 45: Issue 39
Tuesday, october 25, 2011
Ndsmcobserver.com
Jenkins to Memorial honors Declan Sullivan serve on Family, friends gather for dedication of spot to commemorate former student’s life board for debates By SARAH MERVOSH Managing Editor
By MEGAN DOYLE News Editor
University President Fr. John Jenkins was elected to the Board of Directors for the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), which has sponsored all U.S. presidential and vice presidential debates since 1988, according to a University press release. Michael McCurry, coJenkins chair of the commission, said Jenkins is the first university president to be elected to the Board. “We try to bring interesting and prominent people on the commission to add to the work that we do,” McCurry said. “I think everyone agreed that Fr. John was someone who would bring this extraordinary integrity to the process and someone who is genuinely committed to dialogue on these issues.” The non-partisan, non-profit commission’s purpose is to provide oversight and guidance for the fall general election debates between major candidates for the presidency, McCurry said. “[We try to] design a format that really tries to get the maximum dialogue between the candidates,” McCurry said. “How do
see JENKINS/page 6
It was a place junior Declan Sullivan crossed dozens of times performing his duties as a student videographer for the football team. It was a place the Sullivan family chose as a meeting point after Notre Dame football games. It was a place within sight of Sullivan’s fatal accident almost one year ago. Now, it is a place of memorial. About 75 people gathered Saturday afternoon before the football game against USC to dedicate a memorial to Sullivan, who died last October after a scissor lift from which he was filming football practice fell. A plaque, two benches and some trees now sit between the Guglielmino Athletics Complex and the LaBar Practice Field. Sullivan’s mother Alison addressed the group gathered to honor her son’s life. “We didn’t envision anything that could be more perfect,” Alison said. “I think if [Declan] could see this, he would be in awe. He would say, ‘Gee, this is amazing. I love this. It’s epic.’” The group chuckled at the use of the word “epic,” a word that Declan strived to embody in his life. “He always wanted to be epic, and I think he would look at this and say, ‘Indeed, it is epic,’” Alison said. University President Fr. John Jenkins led the ceremony and asked God to bless the memorial. “Lord God, we ask your blessing,” Jenkins said. “May it be a place of memory, a place of prayer, a place of consolation and a place of hope, so that all
who spend time here remember Declan and be inspired by his life.” Jenkins then joined members of the Sullivan family and Vice President for Student Affairs Fr. Tom Doyle in sprinkling holy water on the memorial. Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick also presented the Sullivan family with the flag they helped raise at the opening football game of the year, and representatives from video services gave the family a framed photomontage in the shape of the Notre Dame monogram. Inscribed on the plaque is a poem written in honor of Declan and a shamrock logo with Declan’s initials inside. Alison said both components are particularly meaningful. The poem was written by a family friend and refers to Declan’s life as “never ordinary.” Alison said Declan often quoted a line from the movie “American Beauty” when a minor character said, “There is nothing worse than being ordinary.” “That was kind of his mantra,” Alison said. “The refer-
PAT COVENEY/The Observer
Above: Sullivan’s parents and sister attend a dedication ceremony for a memorial in his honor Saturday. Below: A plaque between the Guglielmino Athletic Complex and the LaBar Practice Field commemorates Sullivan’s life. ence in here to ordinary is something I think Dec would really get a kick out of.” Alison said Declan would also appreciate the shamrock logo. “From the time Declan was a little boy, he was enamored with shamrocks,” she said. “It’s very significant because it’s a symbol that he really liked.” Jenkins told The Observer
the memorial was an opportunity to honor Declan’s memory. “The loss of Declan was a tragedy to all of us in the Notre Dame family,” he said. “This [dedication] was a chance for all of us to come together in a place dedicated to his memory, to memorialize it and to give thanks for his life.”
see SULLIVAN/page 6
Students disheartened after home night game loss By ADAM LLORENS News Writer
ASHLEY DACY/The Observer
Notre Dame fans cheer during Saturday’s game against the University of Southern California. The Irish fell to the Trojans 31-17 during the first home night game played in Notre Dame Stadium since 1990.
Inside today’s paper
The football team’s new helmets shone bright gold under the Notre Dame Stadium lights Saturday night, but many students left the stadium feeling lackluster after the Irish’s 31-17 loss to the Trojans. Senior Paul Lively said campus energy before the game was electric because of the later kickoff time. “The parking lots were really packed before the game, and all of the fans seemed to be having a great time with those few ex-
tra hours of tailgating,” Lively said. “It was also great to see the alumni and other fans on their feet for most of the game.” While fans were more energized for the game, Lively said he became frustrated once he got in the stands. “It was a disappointing result because it seemed like we were the better team on paper going into the game,” Lively said. “[Dayne] Crist’s fumble on the goal line really changed the outlook of the game as going from a possible tie game to down 14 points is hard to
see GAME/page 7
Students serve in Appalachia page 3 u Viewpoint page 10 u Umphrey’s McGee review page 12 u New hockey arena opens page 24