Belles attend orientation
By Berhan Hagezom
Saint Mary’s News Editor
From Wednesday to Sunday, incoming freshmen at Saint Mary’s College will be acclimated to their new campus environment through Belles Beginnings, an orientation program led by upperclassmen and faculty. The program features events that will help students familiarize themselves with different parts of campus life and make connections outside of the classroom.
Shay Jolly Schneider, associate dean of students, explained how Belles Beginnings helps to address questions or concerns students might have before classes start via staff-led discussions and small groups led by Welcome Week leaders, who were introduced to the program in 2023 to help build community.
“It’s important for our underclassmen, our first years, to see our upperclassmen as a part of the community and recognize that they aren’t in this alone … Everybody works together and really works to build what we want to see as one inclusive and connected Saint Mary’s,” Schneider said.
Mona Bowe, executive director of retention strategies, defined Belles Beginnings as an opportunity to meet students from across the
country and assist them in making Saint Mary’s their new home.
“It sets how the year and how the four years are going to go,” Bowe explained.
A more recent tradition established in 2020 at the College is Closing the Circle, where students do their first walk down The Avenue, inspired by the Opening the Circle event during Senior Week.
During the ceremony, the student body president, vice president and our student government association welcome new students Saint Mary’s and lead them down The Avenue.
“It’s a great opportunity to show our new students a guided path that others have walked in front of them and before them,” Schneider said.
She described it as an emotional experience for parents to see their students walking down for the first time with their peers.
She also explained that the more welcoming, transparent and responsive the college campus is to incoming students, the smoother the transition will be for them.
Education panels were held Thursday evening and continue Friday morning. Resources such as the “How Do I” factsheet and Belles
see “Belles” on page 2
SMC welcomes Class of 2029
By Berhan Hagezom
Saint Mary’s News Editor
Saint Mary’s College will welcome the class of 2029 throughout this weekend with 497 students enrolled out of 1,928 accepted. That is the largest number of freshmen at the College since 2007 and a significant increase from the 406 freshmen enrolled last year.
Within the class of 2029, 68 students were enrolled early decision. 21 are transfers from 19 different colleges and universities; 38% of transfers are from Indiana and 62% are from out of state. Two international students joined the incoming class,
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DEI Center renamed Notre Dame’s DEI Center has been renamed after Sister Thea Bowman.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025 | VOL. LX, NO. I
Notre Dame students arrive for Welcome Weekend
By Sophie Hanawalt Notre Dame News Editor
Freshmen and transfer students have begun to arrive for Welcome Weekend, Notre Dame’s annual orientation program that sets the tone for the Catholic mission and residential community that the University prides itself on.
This year, Welcome Weekend programming will run from Friday through Sunday, shortened by one day to account for
the shifting of the first day of class from Tuesday to Monday.
Discussing the change, Emily Orsini, the Program Director for New Student Engagement and Formation who leads the Welcome Weekend program, wrote in a statement to The Observer that “We’ve adjusted the schedule to make sure students still receive the essential Welcome Weekend experiences while having adequate time to settle in. Our focus is on quality rather than quantity, which
means we’ve prioritized the most meaningful and impactful events so that students can start classes feeling both grounded and connected to campus life.” Signature events of Welcome Weekend include a class photo on the football field, DomerFest, a social fest for students to connect with each other with food, music and games, a candlelit visit to the grotto, a welcome mass presided
see “Welcome” on page 4
Class of 2029 enrollment brings record yield rate
which is a smaller pool compared to previous years according to Sarah Gallagher Dvorak, dean of enrollment management and marketing. 35 states and territories are represented for the class of 2029.
The average GPA for the class is 3.9. 63% of the incoming class held a leadership position in high school and three-quarters of the class participated in community service.
In an email, Gallagher Dvorak discussed noteworthy accomplishments of the incoming class.
“We have a published author, many entrepreneurs see “SMC” on page 5
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welcome letter Fr. Robert Dowd encourages coversations across communities.
By Sophie Hanawalt Notre Dame News Editor
Roughly 2,100 newly enrolled members of Notre Dame’s class of 2029 and 208 transfer students, including those who have completed the Gateway guarantee transfer program at Holy Cross College, have begun to move into their new homes under the Dome.
64% of the prospective students who cleared the University’s record-low 9% acceptance rate chose to matriculate to the University, marking the University’s highest since the introduction of the Common App, vice president for undergraduate enrollment Micki Kidder said. The yield rate is up 2% from last year’s 62%.
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“The University is excited by the growing yield rate, and grateful for the opportunity to admit and welcome undergraduate students who understand, respect and embody its distinct mission. Students are finding a home at Notre Dame and we cannot wait to see all that they will accomplish,” Kidder said in an emailed statement.
86% of the 1,450 prospective students who attended The Rally admitted students’ days confirmed their enrollment.
82% of the class of 2029 identifies as Catholic and Kidder added that “all students beautifully articulated their understanding, respect and enthusiasm of the University’s distinct mission.”
Approximately 70% of the incoming class submitted an SAT or ACT score. The middle 50% score ranges were 14601540 for the SAT and 33-35 for the ACT, Kidder said. Kider said that the class of 2029 includes members who call each region of the United States and 82 countries home. Domestic students who self-reported as Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or two or more races make up 31% of the incoming class, a slight increase from 30% last year. International students make up another 8% of the class. At the beginning of his see “Enrollment” on page 5
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Women’s Soccer Expectations are high this year for a young, but extremely talented Irish squad.
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Lewis Hall St. Andre Committee members welcomed transfer students on Thursday, dressed as Lewis’ mascot, the chick. Freshmen will arrive Friday to join the transfers for Welcome Weekend programming.
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On July 11, Saint Mary’s Heritage and Research Center (HARC) announced Barbara Gordon as their first executive director. HARC’s historical record collections highlight the history of nine different women’s religious organizations, including the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
historical materials from affiliated congregations in the Midwest to the institution.
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Gordon has had more than a decade of experience in managing district libraries, most recently at Buchanan District Library and Cass District Library in Michigan. In these roles, she has promoted electronic accessibility and organized stable
Her educational background includes a Master of Library Science with a specialization in rare books and manuscripts from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and Bachelor of Arts in fine arts in drawing and painting from Loyola University Chicago.
In her new role, she will oversee the operations of the Center’s facility, including the Center’s hiring process. She will also create partnerships with the local community and region. She will also be relocating
In the press release, Gordon shared her excitement in working with the institution in order to “help preserve and share those stories in ways that keep these legacies alive, not only to inspire and inform the public, but also to support meaningful scholarly work. Making these collections accessible is key to understanding sisters’ contributions and the communities they’ve shaped.”
Monte Abbott, HARC board president and director of archives for the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, shared in the press release that the board
“We are excited to bring Barbara on board. Her previous leadership experiences will be key to building HARC from a small grassroots initiative to a professionally managed history organization,” Abbott said.
On July 26, a groundbreaking ceremony was held celebrating the 12,000 square feet facility that will contain the archives of women congregations throughout the region and celebrate their impact in their communities. A timeline is provided on the official website of the construction with photos and videos of the progress being made.
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Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees will have seven new members this year, as announced in a June 11 press release. The newly introduced group includes Saint Mary’s alumnae Christina Calhoun Augustine ‘96, Mollie Meehan Baumer ’90, Candace L. Novak Sabers ’96, Princess Mae Dela Rosa Visconde ‘18, rising Saint Mary’s senior Angelina Stupak and David M. Jones, a Saint Mary’s dad and Notre Dame graduate.
26 previous members remain on the board. Board members emeritus Rev. Paul V. Kollman and Anaís Y. Juliano ’25 completed their tenure on the board on May 31.
The Board of Trustees consists of a group of faculty, alumnae and community members chosen because their work has impacted Saint Mary’s. The group helps to facilitate important decisionmaking processes throughout the College.
Stupak, the only Saint Mary’s student trustee, explained that in her perspective, their responsibilities include overseeing the hiring of high profile staff and
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Beginnings orientation handbook will help students and parents to navigate resources.
Students can participate in a variety of activities through the Afternoon Adventures series on Friday, including a free trip to Generations AdventurePlex, a multi-level facility of amusement and entertainment attractions.
Two upcoming events aimed at helping freshmen relax include “A Fancy Night with RHA,” hosted by the Residence Hall Association
“To my knowledge, at least, we oversee the president and the president’s cabinet, hiring presidents, firing presidents, hiring executive staffing such like that. The board also plays a role in all policies that are inducted into the College [and] the board,” Stupak said.
Stupak learned about the student trustee position via an email sent by Noelle Warren, executive administrative assistant of student affairs, regarding qualifications to join the board, which included GPA, student involvement and general portfolio requisites.
“It’s a very rare position. Very few colleges have a student trustee and so that was even more frightful to know that there’s a lot of value in the position. I came back to campus [from her London study abroad program] and I talked to my boss in admissions, I talked to a few of my professors and I expressed my interest, essentially seeking their validation,” Stupak said.
She described that her connection and dedication to the Saint Mary’s community was crucial to highlight in her application,
on Friday, and a movie screening in O’Laughlin Auditorium later that evening organized by the Student Diversity Board.
Saturday will feature mandatory educational sessions, including the Panel on Belonging led by previous alumnae, along with the #BigSmickEnergy event held by student leaders to highlight life at Saint Mary’s. A new event on Saturday will include The SMICK Show, a game show which will help students get to know different departments and groups.
BelleFest, a Saint Mary’s event that leads into DomerFest at Notre Dame, is a way to help lift the spirits of students who plan on joining the later event
touching on her job as a student ambassador at the Office of Admissions, which helped her get to know a diverse group of the student body and gain a deeper understanding of the needs and interests of different students.
She shared that during board proceedings, she “might not make the decision that you’re happy with,” but will rather be “making the decision that will benefit everybody in the long run.”
She is hoping to increase strong communication between the trustees and leadership boards on campus in order to create stronger connections. She hopes to be involved with meetings of both larger organizations and smaller clubs across campus to learn more about them, their mission and how the trustees can better assist them.
“On behalf of the board, I would also really like to facilitate a partnership, or like a friendship, between the board and students and I want the board to be a resource to students in a way that t hey haven’t been before. All of our board members have skills and talents and experiences in a range of different things and I think that a lot of that can benefit our students,” Stupak said.
and provides “an opportunity to celebrate us as a unit before we walk over to Notre Dame together,” according to the orientation handbook.
On Sunday, freshmen through seniors participate in the convocation ceremony, which celebrates the start of a new academic year. Upperclassmen will be able to provide a small pin to incoming students as a symbol of their entrance into the College.
The Saint Catherine’s medal will be awarded during the ceremony to honor a junior or sophomore student for leadership and service.
Schneider and Bowe suggested that incoming freshmen reach
She is excited for this position and the opportunity to make students better informed about how she serves them.
“I think the more that students are aware that we have this kind of connection, the more that we can enact change and the better our community, our campus and our college can be,” Stupak stated.
She hopes to utilize her understanding of Saint Mary’s Student Government Association (SGA) from her time as the social concerns committee chair to grow understanding of the function of SGA amongst trustees, who sit in on SGA meetings. She hopes to encourage new committee chairs to embrace new ideas and build their own legacy in SGA.
On Oct. 14, she will be hosting an AI seminar with fellow trustee Augustine to help students and community members learn about the ethics of AI, its effect on higher education and how to properly use it.
During the spring semester, she will help to plan the first Blessing of the Ring ceremony for juniors receiving their class rings.
Contact Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
outside of their comfort zone and not be afraid to ask for help while adjusting to their first year. They also recommend students create new relationships and recognize that other students are at the same stage as them.
“The best thing that you can do is, as soon as you think you need more support in connecting with people, or with your class or with your schedule, reach out to someone and ask for that help, because we’re here to help you. We can only help if we know what it is that you need,” Bowe said.
Contact Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
DEI Center renamed after Sister Thea Bowman
By Sophie Hanawalt Notre Dame News Editor
Notre Dame’s Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which has occupied the second floor of LaFortune Student Center since 2022, has been renamed the Sister Thea Bowman Center. The change was not accompanied by a press release.
In a statement to The Observer explaining the name change, University spokesperson Erin Blasko wrote, “Our efforts to build a Notre Dame community where everyone feels a sense of belonging are deeply rooted in our Catholic mission. At the heart of that mission is the recognition that we are all children of God. In naming a unit or initiative for someone, we ha ve an opportunity to honor those who have been inspired by faith and who continue to inspire us to respect one another as children of God. It is an affirmation of who we are and who we are called to be.”
The Sister Thea Bowman Center appears to maintain the same function as the previous Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It will continue to host the
University’s Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS), the Gender Relations Center (GRC) and the Office of Student Enrichment (OSE) as well as student groups PrismND and Diversity Council.
An “About” page for the Center makes no mention of its former name. Rather, it states, “In 2022, the Center was established to provide a welcoming environment where students can foster a culture of belonging and engagement at Notre Dame.”
The page goes on to describe the legacy of the Center’s new namesake, who was “a Black Catholic religious sister, teacher, musician, liturgist, and scholar known for her deep faith and steadfast commitment to human connection.” In 1990, Bowman was posthumously awarded the Laetare Medal, a Notre Dame-bestowed honor the University refers to as “the most prestigious award given to American Catholics.” She was the first African American to receive the honor and, in 2018, was named as a Servant of God by the Catholic Church, a step in the process of canonization.
“Her example serves as an inspiration to those who
strive to bridge divides and promote belonging and understanding within the Church and in society more broadly … To honor her extraordinary example and witness, we are proud to name the space on the second floor of the LaFortune Student Center the Sister Thea Bowman Center, and trust that it will continue to be a place rooted in hope and unity that inspires trust, reverence and a true sense of belonging among all who enter,” Blasko wrote.
Mentions of diversity, equity or inclusion are now absent from the description of the Center’s mission on the website, which reads, “Notre Dame’s ongoing commitment to student belonging is representative of the community the University strives to cultivate, the educational environment we seek to provide to Notre Dame students, and the moral character we hope students will develop during their time here.”
The Center’s renaming comes as institutions of higher education across the country are tasked with navigating executive orders, investigations and lawsuits from the Trump administration targeted at DEI
programs.
Dozens of other colleges and universities have similarly renamed or shuttered their DEI centers in recent months. The Chronicle of Higher Education has tracked these changes at 392 campuses across the country.
The name change comes after the University previously scrubbed mentions of diversity, equity and inclusion from other resources and webpages in February, as The Observer reported at the time.
In April, University
President Fr. Robert Dowd and Saint Mary’s College President Katie Conboy both signed a statement released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities which condemned “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” from the Trump administration into higher education.
Then, in May, Notre Dame received a letter from the office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita alleging that “Publicly available materials suggest that various aspects of Notre Dame’s operations may be governed by University policies that
treat individuals—including students, prospective students, faculty, staff, and job applicants—differently based on the individuals’ race or ethnicity; employ race in a negative manner; or utilize racial stereotyping.”
Rokita’s office requested that the University respond with details regarding their admissions and hiring processes, citing concerns about the legality of the University’s practices under the terms of their nonprofit designation. In the letter, Rokita wrote that his office would consider taking legal action against the University if they found the materials sent demonstrated evidence of noncompliance.
Rokita shared in an interview with WSBT that the University responded to his letter by his deadline of June 9.
Rokita’s office did not respond to a request for additional information by The Observer.
The University declined to answer whether the Attorney General’s inquiry p rompted the renaming of the Center.
Contact Sophie Hanawalt at shanawal@nd.edu
Indiana AG expands investigation into ND
By Henry Jagodzinski Assistant Managing Editor
Indiana attorney general Todd Rokita has expanded an investigation into Notre Dame’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices to determine whether the University is in compliance with civil rights laws and an Indiana statute regulating nonprofits.
Rokita first issued a letter to University President Fr. Robert Dowd on May 9 stating that, “Publicly available materials suggest that various aspects of Notre Dame’s operations may be governed by University policies that treat individuals—including students, prospective students, faculty, staff, and job applicants—differently based on the individuals’ race or ethnicity; employ race in a negative manner; or utilize racial stereotyping.” Rokita warned that such policies could be in violation of Indiana laws and result in legal action against the University.
In that same letter, Rokita alleged that Notre Dame may not be in full
compliance with “Students for Fair Admissions, Inc v. President and Fellows of Harvard College,” the landmark Supreme Court case which overturned affirmative action.
“Students for Fair Admissions marked a watershed moment in the advancement of civil rights in this country by making perfectly clear that no form of racial discrimination can be license in our higher education system. Yet it seems the University of Notre Dame may have met that moment and the Court’s decision with evasion, circumvention, and obstruction, rather than a good faith desire to respect the civil rights of students and faculty,” Rokita wrote.
Rokita specifically referenced Notre Dame’s 2033 Strategic Framework, which in part outlined the University’s co mmitment to diversity and inclusion.
“[T]he Framework stresses that ‘more needs to be done to recruit underrepresented students’ and that, while Students for Fair Admissions will
‘complicate’ the University’s efforts, it will ‘not deter’ the University from pursuing its goal of achieving what it considers to be the proper level of diverse representation,” Rokita wrote.
Rokita asked Notre Dame to respond by June 9 to ten questions at the end of his letter regarding the University’s admissions and hiring processes, along with other diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Rokita shared in an interview with WSBT that the University responded to his letter by his deadline of June 9.
The attorney general’s office announced in a press release Thursday that on Aug. 6, Rokita issued a second letter to Notre Dame, in which he stated that he found the University’s response to his previous letter insufficient.
“It is not an adequate response to my inquiry to offer an assurance that Notre Dame complies with civil rights laws but not to produce any of the materials requested by my letter that would allow for an independent assessment by my office of the
University’s compliance,” Rokita wrote.
Rokita also singled out specific practices he said Notre Dame failed to explain, including “racially segregated graduation ceremonies at Notre Dame and efforts to recruit faculty of a certain race.”
He made various allusions to religion which suggest that Notre Dame’s response to his inquiry referenced the University’s religious mission. Both Rokita’s office and the University did not respond to requests to share the contents of Notre Dame’s letter. Rokita’s office also did not respond to a request for comment.
“Notre Dame’s religious mission does not grant the University a license to discriminate on the basis of race,” he wrote.
In that same letter, Rokita said he had directed his office to prepare a civil investigative demand (CID), an administrative subpoena that can be issued before a lawsuit is filed and without court approval, to formally request information regarding Notre Dame’s DEI practices.
Rokita confirmed in the
press release that a CID had been issued to Notre Dame and said that the University had “failed to provide anything meaningful” in response to his May 9 letter.
In a statement to The Observer, University spokesperson Erin Blasko wrote, “As a faith-based institution driven by its religious values, Notre Dame strives to treat every member of our community in a manner consistent with our firmly held Catholic beliefs. At the heart of these beliefs is the recognition that we are all children of God, deserving of dignity and respect from one another. We are likewise committed to the rule of law. Accordingly, Notre Dame does not discriminate based on race or ethnicity. We are in receipt of the attorney general’s letter and will respond in due course.”
Rokita’s office is also investigating DEI practices at Butler University and DePauw University.
Contact Henry Jagodzinski at hjagodzi@nd.edu
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over by University President Fr. Robert Dowd and hall programming to introduce students to their new livein communities. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with their neighboring dorms through brother-sister dorm events and quad-specific activities such as West Fest, a barbeque for residents of West Quad dorms.
Students also attend academic programming such as the First Lecture Series, through which they attend a lecture on the topic of their choosing, and faculty pep talks, designed to help students get acquainted with academic life at the University and connect with classmates, faculty and staff.
Orsini wrote that students should expect “an enthusiastic welcome to the Notre Dame community.”
She explained how her team helps to ensure that students begin to feel connected to the University, noting that the moments in which this happens are often the ones that stick with them during their time at Notre Dame. Preparing for Welcome
Weekend is a year-round process. The University’s team, led by Orsini, works with students, hall staff and departments across the University to ensure programming reflects the University’s mission and meets the needs of students, Orsini explained.
“Training, logistics and planning begin months in advance so that when students arrive they feel welcomed and supported the moment they step on campus,” she wrote.
She noted that the Welcome Weekend team works closely with the Office of Undergraduate Education and other academic partners to “ensure we provide a holistic experience and orientation to Notre Dame as an academic community.”
The Welcome Weekend programming is supported by each dorm’s St. Andre Committee, teams of students who support the freshmen and transfer students as they settle into their homes. Throughout Welcome Weekend, these committee members are dressed as dorm mascots to greet students as they are unloading their cars, lofting beds, leading hall programming and accompanying the new students to their activities.
Orsini noted that the
presence of these student leaders in the hall is what makes the dorm communities feel so welcoming, writing, “This approach makes students feel known and supported from the very start.”
Molly Kenney, a member of Walsh Hall’s St. Andre Committee, shared why she applied to be on Walsh’s committee, saying, “I understand what it’s like to move far away from home and not know anyone. Last year, leaving home was really hard for me and it was the welcome weekend experience that made leaving feel okay.”
She noted that the committee members left a profound impression on her welcome weekend experience, sharing that they were “so humble and kind that my worries about leaving home immediately eased.” She knew immediately that she wanted to help incoming Walsh residents have the same positive experience that she did.
Welcome Weekend introduced Kenney to some of her closest friends and new home away from home, and she shared that the connections she made were what helped her adjust to college life.
Kenney explained that one
of Walsh’s dorm community traditions is assigning each committee member with five new students. Students then participate in different activities with these “family groups” to build lasting relationships among the new students.
Regarding what advice she would give to incoming students, Kenney shared, “I would encourage new students to get as involved as possible during welcome weekend… . In reality, it might be quite exhausting, but it’s only one weekend that can make a huge difference. Introduce yourself to everyone and you might meet your best friend.”
Orsini wrote for incoming students to, “come with an open mind and a willingness to engage. You don’t need to know everything right away. This weekend is about learning, exploring, and feeling a sense of belonging. Take advantage of the opportunities to meet new people, ask questions, and be present in the moment.”
She continued, “It’s also important to take care of yourself. Rest when you need to and know that you’re not alone in this transition and have so many supportive people around. Transitioning to college is a process, and so if
you don’t feel you have found your footing or your “people” within the first days of the semester, don’t worry! There are numerous opportunities in this first semester for new students to make connections and explore the many opportunities that Notre Dame has to offer.”
International and transfer students will attend both signature Welcome Weekend programming and additional events geared towards helping ease the transition to Notre Dame. International students moved in on Thursday to attend International Student Orientation. Transfer students were welcomed to campus on Thursday and were greeted at a transfer welcome reception by Dowd in the evening.
Orsini explained that while the majority of transfer students have been placed in residence halls, the 15 female transfer students who were unable to receive a housing assignment have been invited to participate in Welcome Weekend through the Hall Connections program, which will place them with a residence hall for programming.
Contact Sophie Hanawalt at shanawal@nd.edu
August 19 - December 7, 2025
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term, University President Fr. Robert Dowd announced the Pathways to Notre Dame initiative, promising that Notre Dame would fully meet demonstrated need without loans for all undergraduate students and would expand its need-blind admissions to apply to international students.
Kidder noted the impact of this decision on the class of 2029, writing, “A growing number of families, particularly low and middle-income, now find Notre Dame more affordable. We have seen an increase in the socioeconomic diversity of the Class of 2029 compared to the prior year, directly related to the University’s commitment to ensuring that a Notre Dame education is affordable to all.”
Kidder added that the class’s international student population is the most economically diverse in Notre Dame’s history.
52% of the class of 2029 is receiving need-based financial aid.
Kidder expressed gratitude for the “faculty, staff, programs and teams that walk
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with incredible hearts who founded their own non-profit organizations, many students
the journey with admitted students before they confirm enrollment.” She noted that alongside The Rally, Rallies on the Road and personal outreach from students, alumni and faculty help prospective students see themselves at Notre Dame and ultimately boost the yield rate.
She explained that the class of 2029 is “particularly other-centered.”
“Of course, each member demonstrated tremendous academic preparation, but their zeal for Notre Dame’s mission and commitment to advancing the common good were particularly inspiring,” she wrote.
Savannah Gurnsey, an incoming Welsh Family Hall freshman from Petersburg, Illinois, shared in an email that she is “looking forward to just about everything.”
Gurnsey, who is undecided in the College of Arts and Letters, said she has wanted to go to Notre Dame her whole life. She said she chose Notre Dame for its community and Catholic identity, noting that after she toured, “there was nowhere else (she) wanted to go.”
She hopes Welcome Weekend will bring “a sense of what (her) life will be like
leading their own women’s empowerment clubs or programming at their schools and in their communities, many students doing important research throughout the country and around the world.
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in the next four years” and hopes to later get involved in undergraduate research and interhall sports.
Bailey McBride, an incoming freshman in Lewis Hall, said she is most excited for the community in her residence hall. McBride is studying computer engineering and said that she is looking forward to helping out with Lewis’s signature event, Lewis Hall of Pancakes.
McBride attended a Summer Scholars engineering program in 2024 that allowed her to live in a dorm. She said she fell in love with Notre Dame’s College of Engineering during the program and that she appreciates how freshmen are able to try out each engineering discipline before deciding on one as their major.
The 208 Notre Dame transfer students come from 30 states and 7 countries, Kidder shared.
Emily Orsini, program director for new student engagement and formation, said in a statement to The Observer that while most transfer students received residence hall placement, 15 female students were unable to receive a placement. These students have been
They’re made up of thespians, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, performers, and leaders who are making a difference in their communities,” she wrote.
She added that this year’s
invited to participate in residence hall programming through a Hall Connections program.
Last year, over 50 transfer students did not immediately receive housing assignments.
Sara Saad, a junior who transferred from Boston College last year, was one of these students.
Saad decided to transfer because she felt Boston College “lacked a sense of strong belonging and school spirit.”
On her experience as a transfer student, Saad said, “It started off a bit difficult because there weren’t enough spots in the dorms for me, so I had to be off campus the first semester. It was difficult to see everyone making connections in their dorm when I didn’t live in one.”
Ultimately, Saad said she found community through the drumline and moved into Lyons Hall in the spring, where she has enjoyed the community she felt she was lacking before and goes to dorm Mass regularly.
“For anyone who is a new transfer to Notre Dame, even though you’re not a freshman anymore, it still takes time to adjust to a new place with new people so have some grace for yourself
freshmen are similarly diverse to last year’s and mentioned a slight increase in the number of first-generation students students, up to 31%.
Nursing science is the most popular major for the class, followed by biology.
“Our direct entry into the nursing major, coupled with our state-of-the-art Center for Integrated Healthcare Education, continues to attract prospective nursing students from all over the country, and our focus on developing women in STEM, opportunities for undergraduate research, and solid outcomes have helped to build our reputation in our STEM fields, including biology,” Gallagher Dvorak wrote.
Recent strategies Saint Mary’s has employed to increase its appeal to prospective students include the launch of the Avenue Experience to help students build a professional career with proper support, strengthening research programs, increasing bachelor’s to master’s degree program opportunities and establishing stronger relationships between students and alumnae through the online platform, The Bridge.
Last year, issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) caused disruption for students attempting to apply to college. This year, many of those issues have been fixed.
“It was a much smoother year than ‘23-’24 which certainly helped make students and families feel more comfortable. Many more students
and enjoy every minute of being under the Dome,” Saad said.
Gracie Keough, a sophomore who completed the Gateway program at Holy Cross College last year, will live in Breen-Phillips Hall this year. She plans to major in medieval studies with minors in French and theology. Keough reflected positively upon her time split between Notre Dame and Holy Cross, saying in an email, “Being a gateway was super nerve wracking going into it but by the second week I had gotten into the swing of things and I had embraced both my Holy Cross and Notre Dame student identity. Gateway is such a one of a kind experience and I wouldn’t change it for anything, the friendships made and the community you join into — it’s the perfect freshman year experience.” She mentioned that she’s not concerned about the transition to life as a Notre Dame student and is excited for her classes this year along with getting involved in her hall community.
Contact Sophie Hanawalt at shanawal@nd.edu
were able to submit their FAFSAs, get their questions answered, and receive aid packages,” Gallagher Dvorak wrote.
This year, some returning students have expressed concern over the potential for over enrollment within the incoming class. Gallagher Dvorak said that the College has prepared for the larger number of students.
“Our strategic plan calls for increased enrollment growth and we’re incredibly excited that Saint Mary’s has become an even more attractive destination to students from all over the country. We’ve staffed up in some areas, added additional parking spaces, made other updates where appropriate, and have had a team of professionals meeting all summer to ensure we’re ready to serve this large Class,” she wrote.
Dvorak said that the incoming class represents an exciting period for Saint Mary’s and demonstrates the work the College has been doing to increase their enrollment.
“It’s been years since we’ve welcomed a firstyear class of this size. It speaks to the incredible work the College has been doing to provide the diverse experiences, prestigious academics, personal attention, exceptional programming and impressive outcomes that students and families are seeking today,” Gallagher Dvorak wrote.
Contact Berhan Hagezom at bhagezom01@saintmarys.edu
Dear students, I want to extend a warm welcome to each one of you. Whether you are arriving here on campus for the first time or returning after a summer away, we are truly glad you are here. Notre Dame’s mission is distinctive. We offer an undergraduate education that is second to none, and that is committed to educating the whole person. We cultivate scholarly excellence and advance
Dowd: Welcome home
human understanding through top-tier research and postbaccalaureate programs. And in all that we do, we ensure that Notre Dame’s Catholic identity informs our efforts.
As you know, the University has a rich history. Generations of Notre Dame graduates have been shaped by their experiences here, and they, in turn, have left their mark on the University. We invite you to do the same.
You are now part of the Notre Dame family, and you have a unique opportunity to help shape the University. Individually and collectively, you have extraordinary talents and gifts to share. I invite you to approach every day and each conversation as an opportunity to engage, learn and grow. Take time to listen to and engage with those whose perspectives and backgrounds might be
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Clark: Be virtuous,
different from your own, and be an active participant in building a community where every person experiences a true sense of belonging. You are Notre Dame, and we are better because you are here.
As we mark the beginning of a new academic year, I invite you to attend the Universitywide opening Mass of the academic year at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, in the Purcell Pavilion of the
scholarly
Joyce Center. I hope you will join me as we ask for God’s blessing on the coming year. All are warmly invited. Once again, welcome. Know that my prayers are with you today and in all the days ahead. Sincerely yours in Notre Dame,
Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. President, University of Notre Dame Aug. 13
Welcome back to a new year! I want to especially welcome those of you who are first year students. I pray that you will receive the same kind of Holy Cross hospitality that I experienced this past year. What you are about to embark on is so much more than a college education. As Sister Madeleva Wolff, C.S.C., the president at Saint Mary’s College from 1934 to 1961, would say when welcoming her first-year students, this endeavor is “soul sized.”
About a decade ago, the leadership at Holy Cross College, Saint Mary’s |College and the University of Notre Dame adopted a term that has become common parlance, “the tri-campus community.” I discovered in my first year that there is
truly no place like this tri-campus community anywhere in the country, and maybe even in the world.
Our common roots and heritage date back to early 19th century France when Blessed Basil Moreau founded the Congregation of Holy Cross. At a time of intense division and despair, Fr. Moreau and the young brothers, sisters and priests embarked on this educational enterprise to change the world, as disciples with hope to bring.
When Fr. Sorin and the six brothers who accompanied him stood on the hill overlooking St. Joseph and Mary lakes, he envisioned a university community that would go on to become one of the greatest forces in the
world ... and indeed, it has, as carried out by Notre Dame since 1842, Saint Mary’s College since 1844 and Holy Cross College since 1966. Together, we stand on this hallowed ground; together we learn through the lenses of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Catholic Social Teaching and our Holy Cross tradition, considering how we will make a difference in the world; together we can change the world!
In front of you lies an extraordinary opportunity to be formed as engaged scholars, courageous citizens, virtuous leaders and hopeful disciples. With this opportunity, and on this platform, you also have great responsibility. The most familiar line from Blessed Basil Moreau’s treatise on education, titled
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
“Christian Education,” written in 1857, states that “the mind must not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” From this mandate, the tri-campus community, in our own unique ways, seek to form our students in both virtue and scholarship balancing faith and reason, instruction and education, school and community, virtues and daily living, kindness and truth, justice and peace and between the human condition and the transcendent. For Moreau, these implied tensions prepare us to be “citizens in this world and for heaven” who possess “the competence to see and the courage to act” (Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross).
As you begin this
“soul-sized” endeavor, know that you are in my prayers. I look forward to meeting you in person and to walking this journey with you. I also ask that you pray for one another, for your faculty and staff, for the administrators and volunteers, for the donors and benefactors, for your parents and family, for the priests, brothers and sisters of Holy Cross, for the South Bend/ Michiana community and for the world. Let us collectively be disciples with hope to bring and continue the legacy as one of the greatest forces for good in the world.
Ave Crux, Spes Unica, Marco J. Clark President, Holy Cross College Aug. 20
Conboy: Embrace your differences
Dear Saint Mary’s Students, Welcome to the Class of 2029, transfer students, returning students and graduate students! In recognizing the power of Saint Mary’s, you join our amazing faculty and staff, as well as over 23,000 living alums who take pride in our history as a place that empowers women to lead and to succeed. In choosing Saint Mary’s, you will not only experience the centrality of our campus and curriculum in your educational experience, but also the unique identity and traditions of our tri-campus community: three sibling institutions
that share the 46556 zip code and so much more.
As summer break draws to a close, we have eagerly anticipated your arrival on campus! Students are the animating force of our classrooms, residence halls, laboratories and social spaces. We are ready for you to make our community an invigorating hub of activity with your signature energy and intellectual curiosity.
In fact, I’ve been thinking lately about how Saint Mary’s is like a great recipe, and each of you brings some of the varied “ingredients.” When we bring
together people who have different backgrounds, experiences, beliefs or opinions, we create surprising and unexpected results. We stir up something new and delicious in our community and in ourselves. So, be adventurous with new flavors and new dishes! Be energized by difference — it will make our community and our world a better place.
At SMC, we promote an open-minded and open-hearted community — a Catholic community that promotes the common good and affirms everyone’s dignity. Take advantage of the many opportunities to grow and to expand
the boundaries of who you are. Explore your faith. Engage with new ideas. And take care of yourself by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This, too, will support your success — at Saint Mary’s and beyond! We know that your time here will be marked by great self-discovery: Education is a process of becoming, and as you accumulate knowledge and experience, you will gain the confidence to create a life of meaning and purpose.
In fact, Saint Mary’s itself is still “becoming.” We were founded by a group of trailblazing women, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and they
continue to be our inspiration. 181 years ago, they created Saint Mary’s to educate women, and they knew that empowering women would make a difference in the world. You are now part of that tradition, and it’s your turn to make history here. So, prepare for leadership, both on campus and in a world that needs you. I look forward to mixing up the ingredients with you in this evolving recipe. Best regards,
Katie Conboy President, Saint Mary’s College
As freshmen move onto campus, make new friends and settle into their dorms this weekend, their sights will inevitably soon be set on the start of classes and perhaps their professional ambitions.
Soon enough, assignments will begin to pile up, and stress will build. As this happens, students may be tempted to engage in an optimization game of sorts, aiming for maximum efficiency in their coursework and striving to up the marketability of their resume.
Students might feel the
Editorial: Pick up a book
urge to Sparknote their readings, brainstorm essay ideas with ChatGPT, multitask during lectures or find other “shortcuts” to learning. While in the moment, such an approach might seem necessary for academic survival or career prospects, it undermines the fundamental purpose of a college education.
These may be shortcuts to a decent grade, but they are not shortcuts to learning. In fact, they diminish students’ opportunity to fully engage in intellectual growth.
To adopt this mindset is
to take a constrained view of one’s education. It is to view it not as a means of broadening one’s mind, cultivating the skills of citizenship and growing in virtue, but rather as a game to beat. Assigned readings and essays are seen only as an obligatory burden to be efficiently checked off in Canvas, rather than opportunities to engage with great thinkers and ideas. Here, students have the opportunity to participate in discussions with leading academics and scholars, far
beyond what they had access to in high school. They should enter into the intellectual life of their university or college and take advantage of the immense intellectual opportunities that they have at their disposal for the next four years.
By Liam Kelly Editor-in-Chief
Welcome back to The Observer. As you open the page this year, you’ll probably notice a few changes to our paper. First and foremost, we’re excited this year to introduce our new logo, the end result of months of design and deliberation. For the first time, the logo includes the iconic Golden Dome in the “O,” grounding the paper in a sense of place and community. The classic text harkens back to past Observer logos, honoring the history of the paper in our 60th year of production.
From there, we set out to enhance the design of the rest of the paper, creating more visual consistency and emphasizing classical aesthetic choices. On the front page, our teasers now include essential information about the stories inside of the paper, allowing our readers to get the important information of the day simply by looking at the first page. New fonts have also given the paper a necessary refresh.
You may also notice that the
By Redmond Bernhold Opinion Editor
First-years, I feel your gnarly stomachache.
I, too, spent a Friday in humid South Bend unloading my parents’ black Suburban. Technically, I guess it’s been three Fridays. And I remember the moment just before stepping out of the car three years ago, when my mom turned to me and gave a much needed pep talk.
“Remember, you’re at Notre Dame,” she said. “You worked so hard to be here. You can do it!” You likely have been told
Viewpoint department has been renamed to Opinion. Beyond being a mere stylistic shift, the new name represents a shift in focus for the department — focusing on more serious pieces which take stands and contribute to debate and dialogue on campus. The Scene department will also shift focus this year, now featuring more humor and campus life content which might have once fallen under the old Viewpoint department. While much may have changed with the paper this year, with a new logo, page design, and a new office on the ninth floor of Hesburgh Library, our essential mission remains unchanged — “To uncover the truth and report it accurately.” We hope that these changes to the paper will only enhance our ability to fulfill this mission and help us reach new heights. To all new freshmen or to any student who might be interested, I encourage you to join The Observer. As the only independent, daily student newspaper at Notre Dame, Saint
Students should engage fully in discussions with genuine intellectual courage, humility and curiosity. They should go to lectures by prominent visiting academics. They should read books (slowly, not skimming). They should go to office hours and immerse themselves in professors’ subject of expertise.
Welcome back to The Observer
To incoming freshmen: These things might sometimes seem like a diversion or a distraction from your goals. But to miss them is to miss the opportunity to grow intellectually — the very purpose of going here. These aspects of your experience might not raise your GPA or add bullet points to your resume, but they will reap rewards far beyond these things. Four years here will fly by. Seize this opportunity while it is before you.
Mary’s and Holy Cross, we seek to serve the community with no bias or agenda other than to seek the truth. Our news pages break important stories and keep the community informed. In the Opinion section, leaders on campus discuss great ideas and engage in debate. Our scene pages provide a valuable outlet for expression in arts and
culture. And our sports section reports on some of the greatest collegiate athletic teams in the country.
Almost 60 years ago, a group of students dedicated themselves to bringing this paper to life, believing that a robust, independent student newspaper was an essential aspect of any great university. Today, even
Trust your choices
something similar today by a proud parent, encouraging hometown friend or wise usher. And they’re right. But during the next few weeks, you will likely confront a haunting concoction of uneasiness, stress, pressure and loneliness. (This is where you stop reading and take a breath.)
Some people meet lifelong friends today, but most don’t. Anticipate not enjoying all of your classes. Know that your life shouldn’t be figured out at this very moment. And perhaps don’t expect to ace every class, no matter how many APs or IBs
you excelled in. (You can still win a Nobel Prize.)
Not everything will go smoothly. You may show up to writing and rhetoric ridiculously early on Monday and wander around the dining hall for your first southwest saladw on Thursday. Trust me, we’ve all been in these situations. And with time, you’ll learn to accept something I wish I had learned earlier: Listen to your gut reactions and wait for your Notre Dame to crystallize. Easier said than done, of course. But with time, your angst will steer your purpose and help you
flee the queasy unknown.
You’ll know if sitting through gen chem is worth your time, which dining hall is better and who your friends are.
There are many spaces and people on campus to help discern your path. Engage with campus events, visit the Grotto, talk to your neighbors and — most importantly — attend football games. Don’t be afraid to spontaneously join clubs and change your major, if you know and feel it’s for the better.
One of the best decisions of my life was impulsively joining The Observer. It eventually
after two office changes, those students’ dream is alive and well and will continue for years to come.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Write to Liam Kelly at lkelly8@nd.edu
ruined the idea that I would be a physician, and I’m so glad it did. Remember, your short time at Notre Dame will fade. Game days will expedite weeks. Semesters will soon fade into the distant past. And the best way to seize this time — and find your Notre Dame family — will be trusting your intuition.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Contact Redmond Bernhold at rbernho2@nd.edu
LIAM KELLY| The Observer
Previously in South Dining Hall, The Observer is located in Hesburgh Library. The newsroom houses a conference room, production space and three offices.
‘Diciannove’ deserves respect it won’t get
By Christopher Cope Scene Copy Editor
“Diciannove” forces you to become intimately acquainted with the main character, Leonardo, a 19-year-old student who leaves his hometown of Palermo to study business in London. Before he even starts his classes, Leonardo decides to make an impulsive switch, enrolling at the University of Siena to study literature, where he finds the lectures boring. After receiving what is the American equivalent of a B- on an oral exam, he elects not to go to classes and begins a sort of self-study of Italian literature where his antisocial tendencies begin to be exacerbated.
One of the greatest merits of the film is its ability to simultaneously incorporate realism with autobiography — two terms that ought to go hand in hand but rarely do. Autobiography or autofiction, to me, is a genre of film and literature that is susceptible to multitudes of issues, including but not limited to: unproductive navel gazing, dishonesty and the laziness that (generally) comes with picking such a genre. Giovanni Tortorici, the director of “Diciannove,” manages to avoid these pitfalls as he courageously portrays himself as he was — a repulsive, tepid, antisocial, ungrateful, egomaniacal 19-year-old; furthermore, he forces you to spend the entire film intimately acquainted with him in his less flattering states. Tortorici’s primary concern seems to be the accuracy of his depiction, and the artfulness of the film flowed out of that goal rather than any manufactured telos.
To help increase the reader’s understanding of why I appreciate Tortorici’s execution of the autobiographical genre, I want to contrast this film with “Buffalo ‘66,” another semi-autobiographical
film, directed by the infamous Vincent Gallo. This film, while highly acclaimed, takes the opposite direction. The humiliations of the main character, Gallo himself, are either artificially replaced with the poor upbringing of onedimensional parents or are “humiliations” so socially accepted and “heartwarming/twistedly admirable” that they manipulate the audience into thinking Gallo is showing a sort of vulnerability, while he never actually deigns to drop the charismatic mask. Tortorici’s film doesn’t do this. His character’s mistakes are not softened or manipulated. Leonardo is banally, unattractively “evil” — evil’s most real manifestation. Even the potential “goodness” that this character has is not immediately accessible by watching, if accessible at all. At the end of the film, the supposed resurrection of his character, “the arriving-at-theage,” amounts to blind faith.
The viewer of the film never gets
that close to Leonardo’s thoughts. While emotional turmoil is expressed, and we get hints of internal monologue through various rants, Leonardo, as a thinker, is still mostly unknown. This partly has to do with the medium. Unlike “Catcher in the Rye” or “A Search in Lost Time,” where burgeoning artist first-person narrators have their penetrating insights illustrated, sensitivity cataloged and interior depth shown, “Diciannove” is limited to portraying Leonardo’s external, visual world. Still, despite the limits of the medium, Tortorici portrays interiority novelly. Moods are portrayed vividly through the beautiful music, vibrant tones of color and cinematography, and accompanying thoughts are gracefully implied indirectly through action, but often left ambiguous. Throughout, the viewer is invited to speculate about the reason behind unclarified actions — invited to psychoanalyze, before Tortorici partially does it for
us. The grand finale of Leonardo’s humiliations is at the hands of a man who can be inferred to be a psychoanalyst. The analysis is flippant but sharp and penetrating, and the final scene of the film implies it had some effect.
Addressing the apparent paradox at the beginning of the article could be approached in two ways. I could either take the weaker route in solving the paradox by proclaiming the beauty and ugliness are separated temporally in the film, i.e., are beautiful sections and ugly sections. Yet that answer is clearly unsatisfying.
I hold rather that the depravity and uncompromising reality of the depiction of Leonardo is combined with narrative magic and artistic touch of the director to form a “transcendental” union that straddles the supposed contradiction.
A poetic explanation of this straddling will in this case be deferred to author Joris-Karl Huysmans’ articulation of the
appeal of an analogous work of art, Matthias Grünewald’s painting of Christ’s crucifixion:
“Never before had naturalism transfigured itself by such a conception and execution. Never before had a painter so charnally envisaged divinity nor so brutally dipped his brush into the wounds and running sores and bleeding nail holes of the Saviour. Grünewald had passed all measure. He was the most uncompromising of realists, but his morgue Redeemer, his sewer Deity, let the observer know that realism could be truly transcendent. A divine light played about that ulcerated head, a superhuman expression illuminated the fermenting skin of the epileptic features. This crucified corpse was a very God, and, without aureole, without nimbus, with none of the stock accoutrements except the blood-sprinkled crown of thorns, Jesus appeared in His celestial super-essence, between the stunned, grief-torn Virgin and a Saint John whose calcined eyes were beyond the shedding of tears.”
To conclude: I hold this film in high esteem, yet others have not and, I predict, will continue to not pay it the respect it deserves. There are two reasons for this: The first is that it’s in Italian and few people enjoy reading subtitles, especially when the format of this movie makes it so that subtitles are especially difficult to execute with poise; The second is because Leonardo’s repulsivity will necessarily turn people off from enjoying it.
Still, its content and depictions are relevant and the director’s artistic semi-experimental touch is interesting and unique. You should watch this film.
Contact Christopher Cope at ccope@nd.edu
The summer everyone turned crazy
By Marguerite C.J. Marley Scene Writer
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Season 3 is turning out to be a bit more of a train wreck than anyone could have expected. The shift from the first two seasons, which focused on the relationships between Isabella “Belly” Concklin and her family friends, brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, to the current focus on the upcoming marriage of Belly and Jeremiah, is a disappointment for many fans.
That’s right … get ready to watch a 21-year-old and a 22-year-old (both of who have yet to graduate college and start earning money of their own) whine and groan their way through how they’re ready for this next step, while almost everyone in their lives warns them that this is a bad idea.
Jeremiah has also just gone into $20,000 of debt to support an extra semester of college because,
apparently, this frat boy couldn’t be bothered to make sure he had all his credits before his last semester of his senior year. Yet he still insists on a $750 wedding cake (which has become a meme) and takes out a line of credit just because he can.
The entire cast seems to have overdosed on a cocktail of stupidity. Their actions are so absurd that it’s hard to take them seriously. Even though they all keep making absurd decisions (such as Belly quitting her waitressing job after three weeks to stay in the beach house after a fight with her mother), everything seems to work out for them. It’s like watching a show where a bunch of attractive characters make poor decisions, but somehow it all works out. If I wanted that, I’d be watching “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”
Even when Jeremiah and Belly share cute moments, they are often overshadowed by the reasons
this relationship seems doomed. When looking for apartments, for example, Jeremiah admits to opening a second credit card and admits to having bad credit. Then there’s an argument about how they can’t possibly live in one place because it sinks, and Belly needs her first apartment to be “perfect.” Truly two people who should be committing to each other for the rest of their natural lives (while Conrad mopes around the beach house like a Byronic hero whose fiancé just died of consumption)! And as someone who read the books and knows that Belly is ultimately made to end up with older brother Conrad, I really don’t know that she deserves Conrad. She’s flighty and spoiled, though not as much as her fiancé, and she still rushes into a marriage she’s not ready for, willing to drop her plans if it means being with a man.
The moment anything goes wrong, she becomes completely
overwhelmed. If you can’t stand the heat, Belly, maybe get out of the kitchen. This is not someone you want to be in a serious relationship with, Conrad. Go back to California and let these demons be demons.
The show’s community has grown to mock it entirely. TikToks that popped up on my feed were all about ridiculing the show’s absurd plot twists and character decisions. It’s like we’re all in on the joke together. We’ve formed a collective understanding of the show’s flaws, and it has become a shared experience.
As we are forced to watch the worst people making the worst decisions of their lives, episode after episode, it’s hard to find any redeeming qualities in the show. I often found myself questioning why I was still watching it. It was never Shakespeare but was nonetheless competently written. Despite the show’s shortcomings, I still hold a deep respect for Jenny
Han as a writer.
You might have read this over 700-word rant and wondered why any of it matters. It’s just a stupid teen show, but that’s just the thing: Teenagers are people, and they deserve good romance stories that don’t talk down to them and creators that don’t think that teen girls will watch anything just because it has two hot guys with abs. This show’s portrayal of romance does a disservice to its audience, shaping their expectations and understanding of what a healthy relationship looks like.
I started watching this show as a teen because it was good, swoonworthy fun, but now it’s just frustrating. I hold out hope that the show will find its way back to its original charm and regain my goodwill, but I will keep tuning in if only to watch train wreck after train wreck every week.
Contact Marguerite C.J. Marley at mmarley01@saintmarys.edu
ISABELLE RUTLAND The Observer
All’s fair in love and sheep breeding
By Peter Mikulski Scene Editor
Sometimes a summer in South Bend is a hectic thing. First, it’s reunion weekend, and boomers who can’t quite drink like they used to are nevertheless drinking like they can. Then it’s the soccer camps and softball programs, so the dining hall is swarmed with elementary and middle schoolers, and suddenly North Dining Hall starts to feel like fourth period lunch in a linoleumfloored junior high cafeteria. Next, it’s Notre Dame Vision — essentially the McGrath Institute for Church Life’s take on Vacation Bible School — so the quads are swamped with zealous high schoolers who have resting Carlos Acutis face and chatter away about just how much that evening’s Eucharistic Adoration affected them. Last, it’s the Summer Scholars, a cohort of Common App and LinkedInoriented zoomers who call to mind those studies about how our generation isn’t misbehaving enough.
Sometimes a summer in South Bend is a lonesome thing. The campers’ parents pick them up and drive them home. The football players wrap up their football player courses called stuff like “Shakespeare on Film” and “Descriptive Astronomy.” The dining hall closes, and now there’s an empty month before school starts. “Lonesome” is the best word for it. Country singers used to be obsessed with the word “lonesome.” To Hank Williams, everything was always “lonesome.”
Boredom is the mother of all invention, and eventually I got bored enough to head to the Indiana State Fair, which ran from Aug. 1–17 in Indianapolis. Specifically, I was heading to the Indiana State Fair’s “Farmer’s Day.” The event was sponsored by Corteva, Inc. (an Indianapolis-based agriscience business specializing in herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and nematicides) which, like Lexus, has a faux-Latin name. It’s a bad faux-Latin name at that, meant to evoke “heart” and “nature” but accidentally evoking the real Latin word “caterva,” which means “troop” — in classical Latin, usually a band of barbarians, and in medieval Latin, usually a horde of demons. Corteva, Inc. branding was posted everywhere. The 6,500-seat
arena, formerly named after Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. and the site of a 1963 gas explosion which slayed 81, is now the Corteva Coliseum.
Having left South Bend before dawn, I arrived at 8:15 a.m., parking on the lawn of the Indiana School for the Deaf. The fairgrounds were still sleepy. There were farmers heading to the livestock show which started at 8:30 a.m., and the carnies were starting to stir, but there weren’t many others. I was ogling at the stellar New Deal architecture, every column decorated with ears of corn and sheaves of wheat, every wall adorned with bas-reliefs of boys with hogs and girls with hens.
As I surveyed the landscape, I peeked into one of the animal pavilions. The cows and their keepers had vacated the premises, and a crew of burly men in yellow jumpsuits were sweeping up the soiled straw — yellow jumpsuits are the Indiana Department of Corrections’s standard uniform for “outside offender work crews.”
Slowly, the fair came to life. The Governor’s Cup harness races started at 11 a.m., attended by an even mix of young horse girls and elderly gambling addicts. The Still Kickin’ Cloggers (an all-seniors clog dancing ensemble from Indianapolis) performed at 3 p.m., and the Common Ground Urban Line Dancers at 6 p.m.
I grabbed a grilled cheese from the American Dairy Association of Indiana’s Dairy Bar, which is shaped like a round barn, and I washed it down with a cup of whole milk. I ate sweet corn and drank sour lemonade. There was a cheese carving by Sarah “The Cheese Lady” Kaufmann. There were exhibits of cookies and canned goods, of counted cross stitch and quilting, of woodcarving and beekeeping, of wildflower and gourd arrangements. There was an exhibit by the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana. In the hall of merchandise, there were flavors of Protestant I’d never heard of proselytizing with gusto.
The attraction that stole my heart, the attraction that had me sitting on a bleacher in a barn totally transfixed for four hours, was neither something flashy like “Reptiles Rule! LIVE Reptile Program” nor something as fascinating as “Live Chats pres. Indiana Soybean Farmers ($25 giftcard giveaway).” It was the sheep show.
This wasn’t the 4H competition, mere kid stuff — this was the open category, the pros. Why watch Little League when you can watch the MLB? I think I was the only one in the audience who was not either competing himself or related to someone who was, and I was one of a very few who was not wearing cowboy boots.
Suffolk after Suffolk and Dorset after Dorset in round after round, some
ewes and some rams, some young and some old, some “fitted” and some “slick” — sheep breeder speak for different styles of grooming. They were lined up in the ring for the judge to feel their bones, their muscles and their teeth (and sometimes to cup their testes) while their handlers constantly adjusted the stance of their legs and the posture of their neck and the set of their back to maximize their beauty. Even after four hours, I still had a poor grasp on what made one sheep better than others; my expectations about the rankings were consistently shattered. To be fair, the judge several times prefaced his rankings by reflecting upon the inherent subjectivity of the sheep breeder’s art to the crowd.
The sheep show, more than any other event, was an idyllic pastoral fantasia. Virgil’s “Eclogues” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6” aren’t about swineherds, harness races or cheese carvings — they’re all about shepherds.
X.com — Elon Musk’s “everything app” — is convinced that I’m a tradwife homesteader, or at least that I aspire to be, and it tailors my algorithm accordingly. Along with posts about raw cheese and how to handle butchering your meat goats with equanimity, I get pummeled with videos and articles from an outlet called Michigan Enjoyer. It’s a new-right sort of publication: “Michigan media
for those who relish the beauty of life here and are tired of apologizing for it … here to breathe vitality back into a state that used to overflow with it,” the website reads.
Their coverage of the Kent County Youth Fair (called “Want Resilient Kids? Put Them in the Fair”) leans hard into the pastoral fantasy of livestock shows. Michigan Enjoyers starts to sound like John Gay singing about “the pleasures of the plains” and “happy nymphs and happy swains, harmless, merry, free and gay” who “dance and sport the hours away.”
“If you want to raise kids with grit, confidence and a solid work ethic, forget the sticker charts and parenting experts — just put them in the youth fair,” the piece advises. Farm kids are free of all the ills of modern city and suburb. At the show, “Kids as young as 5 are independently caring for animals, hauling buckets, prepping pens and heading to early morning showings — all without parents hovering or reminding them what to do.”
Bucolic images of perfect lives led in the countryside are nice for poetry and symphonies, but let’s not pretend 4H is a messianic solution for Generation Z and Generation Alpha’s problems. Fairs are fun, but like everything else in America, they’re subject to the cultural disintegration and corruption Michigan Enjoyer claims is in need of fighting.
FFA kids are making Instagram Reels and saying “aura.” At the Indiana State Fair, I even heard one say “rizz.”
Two women sat in front of me at the sheep show. One kept falling asleep, her limp head and neck falling back into my knees. The other was complaining about how swine showmanship competitions just aren’t the same anymore, spoiled by money and changing tastes. “Back then you raised your hogs, didn’t buy ‘em,” she kvetched.
“Yep,” her drowsy neighbor affirmed.
State and county fairs are good because looking at lambs and eating funnel cake is a nice way to pass an afternoon. There’s no need to make them into something they’re not, into “Triumph of the Will” B-roll.
Contact Peter Mikulski at pmikulsk@nd.edu
ISABELLE RUTLAND The Observer
PETER MIKULSKI The Observer
In the Indiana Arts Building, there’s a hall of fame for past entrees in the Miss Indiana State Fair contest. Kimberly Downey from St. Joseph County placed in the top 16 this year.
PETER MIKULSKI The Observer
Eight Dorset sheep are judged in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, south of the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand and one of seven on the campus.
2025 Notre Dame football season preview
By Ben Hicks Associate Sports Editor
For the Notre Dame football program, 2024 proved to be an incredible ride encompassing the lowest of lows and nearly the highest of highs. In early September, fans and national pundits alike questioned whether third-year head coach Marcus Freeman was the man for the job following a shocking home defeat to Northern Illinois. Just three months later, the entire college football community would be crowning him as the coaching profession’s rising star after he orchestrated a wild transformation culminating in a National Championship Game appearance. But the confetti falling that chilly January evening in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium would be scarlet and gray instead of blue and gold.
While it was certainly a successful campaign for the Irish, the rabid, often insatiable fanbase still yearns for its first national championship since 1988. The truth is the only measurable improvement from a year ago would be to capture that elusive national title. So how do you accurately measure success in 2025 for a Notre Dame group with an abundance of fresh faces in key positions?
After Riley Leonard exhausted his eligibility and was selected in the fifth round of April’s NFL Draft, the headlining story all off-season in South Bend centered around the quarterback battle. The first truly open competition for the Irish in nearly a decade began as a three horse race in spring ball, before redshirt sophomore Kenny Minchey and redshirt freshman CJ Carr showcased their abilities in the Blue-Gold Game. Fan favorite veteran Steve Angeli then transferred to Syracuse, where he would be named the starter on Aug. 18, paving the way for a two-man battle throughout the summer and into fall camp. Speaking on Sunday prior to having announced a decision, Freeman said, “They’ve both been playing really well. We have two guys that have been battling all camp and the thing
I love is that both have gotten better. That’s the whole point of having a competition.” Although he would go on to declare that there would be no timetable on the competition, an official social media post just 36 hours later confirmed that Carr had won the battle.
Although he has yet to attempt a pass in a collegiate game, Carr is uniquely equipped for success as he is handed the keys to offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s stacked unit. The 6’3” Michigan native will be protected by one of the deepest offensive lines in the nation.
Sophomore left tackle Anthonie Knapp and redshirt junior left guard Billy Schrauth return to protect Carr’s blindside, while Ashton Craig will be back in action at center after an injury sidelined him for the final 13 games of last season. Both Schrauth and redshirt junior right tackle Aamil Wagner were voted team captains on the offensive front, while the unit is rounded out by redshirt sophomore Sullivan Absher who fills in at right guard for the injured Charles Jagusah.
Carr also possesses a reinvigorated stable of weapons on the perimeter. He can flash his arm strength and accuracy while targeting a variety of options. The receiving corps is led by junior Jaden Greathouse, who enjoyed a breakout College Football Playoff performance with 105 yards and a touchdown in the semifinal win over Penn State, as well as two touchdowns in the loss to Ohio State. Classmate and dual-sport star Jordan Faison returns in the slot, where his athleticism should open up a multitude of route combos for a more pro style attack. Transfers Malachi Fields (Virginia) and captain Will Pauling (Wisconsin) have each posted seasons of over 800 yards and five touchdowns and should add a veteran presence and reliability to a pass-catching group that thinned out toward the end of 2024. Senior Eli Raridon will see a majority of the tight end reps early with junior Cooper Flanagan still recovering from an Achilles injury.
With Carr being much more of a pocket passer than the powerful
run-first Leonard, Denbrock’s ground attack will be exclusively running back oriented. Luckily, the Irish have a host of talented rushers. It may not be Four Horsemen level depth, but the Irish possess some stallions, spearheaded by the nation’s best in junior Jeremiyah Love. The St. Louis product galloped for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago, including a school-record 98-yard touchdown run and 13-game touchdown streak. He is joined by the bruiser redshirt junior Jadarian Price, who broke numerous tackles en route to 746 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago. Love and Price are complemented by sophomore Aneyas Williams, a threat out of the backfield as a pass catcher, as well as the agile senior Gi’Bran Payne, who returns after missing all of last season with an injury.
Switching sides, despite losing All-Americans Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, Freeman is confident in the group of fresh starters in the box. “They’re deep. We have a lot of guys that we are confident in. Some that have played and some that haven’t,” he noted. Veterans Gabe Rubio and Jason Onye will hold down the interior, with redshirt juniors Junior Tuihalamaka and Joshua Burnam rushing off the edge. Captain Donovan Hinish and Sugar Bowl standout Bryce Young will also contribute as Boubacar Traore returns from injury.
Captain Drayk Bowen anchors the linebackers, with Jaylen Sneed and Jaiden Ausberry also expected to take leaps. In the secondary, new defensive coordinator Chris Ash will have to replace the production of cornerback Benjamin Morrison and safety Xavier Watts, both of whom rallied Notre Dame’s aggressive, man-centered coverage over the prior two campaigns. Ash has the personnel, namely cornerback Leonard Moore and safety and captain Adon Shuler, to continue to prioritize back-end pressure and takeaways in his first year in South Bend.
Junior Christian Gray also returns to the secondary, with highly
touted Alabama transfer DeVonta Smith expected to slide in at nickel. Replacing Watts will be junior Luke Talich, after the Wyoming native turned in a strong spring game and fall camp.
Special teams also continues to be prioritized in Freeman’s regime, with standout Mitch Jeter relaying the placekicking duties to North Carolina transfer Noah Burnette.
Aussie James Rendell will continue to punt, but freshman Erik Schmidt will also be an option, as he was rated the consensus number one punter and kicker in the class of 2025.
Turning to the schedule, the Irish will open the season away from home against a quality opponent for a fourth consecutive year under Freeman. Week one marks the revival of the storied “Catholics vs. Convicts” rivalry from the 1980s against Miami. Both sides are ranked in the preseason top-10 ahead of a Sunday night clash in Hard Rock Stadium that will finally pit Hurricanes signal-caller Carson Beck against the Irish after he missed last year’s Sugar Bowl while a member of the Georgia Bulldogs.
A week two bye follows before Texas A&M travels to Notre Dame Stadium for a primetime home opener, with the Irish looking to sweep the series following last season’s impressive 23-10 week one win at Kyle Field. The Aggies enter year two of Mike Elko’s reign ranked 19th after returning the most offensive production of any SEC squad, including running back Le’Veon Moss and quarterback Marcel Reed.
After clearing arguably the two toughest hurdles on the slate, the Irish will welcome Purdue up I-31 for another edition of Northern Indiana’s greatest rivalry. Week five presents another road test as Freeman’s crew will enter hostile territory in Fayetteville for a Noon battle with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
October begins with a three-game homestand, initiated by a clash with the third and final ranked Irish opponent, Boise State. The Broncos are the lone 2024 CFP participant on Notre Dame’s schedule, but star
running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty has since departed to the NFL. A formidable NC State side is sandwiched between Boise State and Notre Dame’s greatest rival, USC. The continuation of college football’s longest tenured intersectional rivalry has garnered much debate and discussion this offseason, as Trojan boss Lincoln Riley considered ending the annual meeting due to the Big Ten’s nine-game league slate. Regardless of the future, the Irish and Trojans will meet for their usual mid-October showdown in South Bend with Notre Dame aiming to capture the Jewelled Shillelagh for the third consecutive season.
After a week idle, the team travels to Chestnut Hill looking to extend its winning streak in the Holy War to ten. Notre Dame and Boston College are the only two Catholic universities still competing at the top tier of intercollegiate football, and both were also coached by Hall of Famer Frank Leahy. The Notre Dame-Navy rivalry returns to South Bend the next week, with a trip to Pittsburgh to follow. The home portion of the schedule concludes with Angeli and Syracuse in town for Senior Day, before a trip to Palo Alto for Stanford closes the season.
When the Irish get things underway in South Beach next weekend, they will be betting favorites in all 12 regular season contests and expected to win comfortably in all but their first two games. Notre Dame may go 12-0, Jeremiah Love could very well claim the Heisman Trophy in December, but for a program who didn’t participate in bowl games from 1926 to 1968, success will be determined by performance in the postseason. While the expectations and noise surrounding Notre Dame football will always persist, regardless of the roster and no matter the coach, Freeman insists that motivation comes from within: “We better be self-motivated. The target [on our backs] doesn’t mean much.”
Contact Ben Hicks at bhicks2@nd.edu
GRAY NOCJAR THE OBSERVER
Sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore dives at Tyrik McDaniel in Notre Dame’s 27-17 CFP First Round victory against Indiana in Notre Dame Stadium on Dec. 20, 2024. Moore was named the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in the 2024-25 season after tallying two interceptions and 11 PBUs, and is one of the most highly-touted defensive players in the nation entering 2025.
Gold medals and draft picks headline the summer
By Tyler Reidy Associate Sports Editor
As Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross sports have gone quiet over the past few months, professional opportunities and individual accolades have taken center stage. Here’s a rundown of this year’s biggest summer headlines around tri-campus athletics.
Hidalgo, Ivey bring home gold
The faces of the Notre Dame women’s basketball program represented the Irish well in July, capturing gold in two different competitions. Rising junior guard Hannah Hidalgo led off in Chile, leading the United States National Team to the gold medal in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. After tallying 16 points, seven
rebounds, four assists and two steals in the final game against Brazil, Hidalgo was named to the AmeriCup’s All-Star Five team.
Two weeks later, Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey claimed her second gold medal as a USA Basketball assistant at the FIBA U19 World Cup. She now has back-to-back years atop the international stage after securing gold at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup.
Irish get the call in NHL, MLB Drafts
Each of the two Big Four sports that drafted over the summer featured Notre Dame prospects, beginning with the National Hockey League at the end of June. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected incoming freshman forward Will Belle in the fifth round (137th overall). The Irish enter
the 2024-25 season with seven draftees on their roster, and their next drafted player will be their 100th in program history.
In mid-July, two more of Notre Dame baseball’s brightest stars found new homes in the MLB Draft. Right-handed pitcher Rory Fox first went to the New York Yankees in the sixth round after pitching to a 3.58 ERA across 14 starts during the 2025 season. The 20th and final round of the draft saw the Seattle Mariners pick up shortstop Estevan Moreno, who led the Irish with 14 doubles and ranked second on the team in home runs (10) and runs batted in (43) this past year.
The year of Jacob Modleski
Since April, it feels as if each passing month has unlocked a new feat of greatness from Jacob
Modleski. After winning the first individual ACC title in Notre Dame men’s golf history to cap off the spring, Modleski finished inside the top 25 at the NCAA Championships in late May. His accolades didn’t stop there, carrying into June with All-ACC Team recognition. Most recently, at the beginning of this week, Modleski was selected to compete for Team USA in the prestigious Walker Cup. Only ten players represent the United States in the event, which pits the top American amateurs against those of Great Britain and Ireland. This year’s Walker Cup will take place on Sept. 6-7 at Cypress Point Club in California.
Chukwu shines with Canada Soccer
Among the many massively talented sophomores of Notre
Dame women’s soccer, one in particular has found eyecatching international success as of late. Forward Annabelle Chukwu, a native of Ottawa, has already made a big mark on Canadian women’s soccer. After passing the great Christine Sinclair to set the Canada Soccer record for goals scored for national youth teams last fall, she put two more feathers in her cap during the summer.
On June 8, she scored the winning goal in extra time to earn Canada the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship crown. Later that month, she received her call from the Canada Women’s National Team and made her senior debut against Costa Rica on the 27th.
Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
2025 Notre Dame volleyball season preview
By Charlie Morris Sports Writer
The Notre Dame volleyball team will enter its fourth year under head coach Salima Rockwell, looking to improve upon a 5-15 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024. That mark was bogged down by their inability to close out road games — the Irish went 2-9 away from Purcell Pavilion — and had an 11-game losing streak throughout October and November. For all their struggles, the Irish did start 8-1 and treaded water in ACC play with a 6-6 record at home.
In 2025, the Irish were picked to finish 12th in the Preseason ACC Volleyball Coaches Poll released on July 31, earning 126 voter points. They landed just nine points shy of ninth-place Virginia and eight back of 10thplace NC State, who both finished well behind eighth-place Florida State (180 points). Those placements are relevant because in 2024, the first year featuring the expanded 18-team ACC, a whopping nine programs from the conference qualified for the NCAA Tournament, with Virginia barely missing out as the would-be 10th. Coaches predict Notre Dame to be neck-and-neck with the North Carolina State Wolfpack, a school that played an NCAA Tournament game one year ago, for a spot in the top 10 in 2025.
The 12th-place ranking is also relevant because it would mark a three-place jump from 2024, as Notre Dame concluded the year in 15th. No other program moved as many as three spots from their final placement last fall, meaning the ACC coaches as a group believe that Notre Dame could be the most improved team in the conference.
The coaches also released their All-ACC Preseason Team over the summer, which only saw
eight of the 18 programs represented (44%). Notre Dame was one of them thanks to rising star Morgan Gaerte. The sophomore outside hitter stands at 6-foot-5 and spent most of the 2024 season climbing the depth chart, eventually overtaking then-senior Sydney Palazzolo as the top offensive weapon for Notre Dame. With Palazzolo’s graduation, Gaerte is primed to take on a significant workload.
Behind her, the hitting rotation is wide open. Senior Lucy Trump re-established herself as a serviceable rotational piece last year after struggling in 2023. Junior Ava Lange did not play a set in 2024 due to injury, but is healthy once again heading into 2025. Junior Sydney Helmers transferred from Texas after playing zero sets for the 2023 National Champions across two seasons. Three of the five incoming freshmen are also outside hitters — Chichi Nnaji, Sophia Thornburg and Mae Kordas. Competition for attack chances will be fierce.
The other two players in the class of 2029 could very well step into starting roles instantly. Maya Baker comes in at setter, replacing both Ella Sandt and Phyona Schrader. Her competition will come from junior Lily Fenton and senior Harmony Sample, who could also see increased roles in 2025. Freshman Maya Evens looks to be the primary libero right out of the gate, although junior Alyssa Manitzas will certainly mix in as well. Incumbent seniors Cailey Dockery and Maisie Alexander should continue to see most of their opportunities as service specialists at that position.
Sophomores Anna Bjork and Grace Langer return to form a reliable middle blocker duo. Bjork paced the Irish with a .294 hitting percentage in her freshman campaign, while Langer recorded 85
blocks to just eight blocking errors. Notre Dame opened their season with an exhibition match against preseason No. 8 Wisconsin on Aug. 17. Despite losing in four sets, the Irish managed at least 20 points in each of them. Their first match that will affect their record is on Friday, Aug. 29, as they welcome Santa Clara to Purcell Pavilion for the Catholic Challenge. They host Villanova two days later to conclude the weekend-long event. The Irish will be looking to defeat both schools for the second consecutive season. ACC
play opens up when Syracuse and Boston College visit South Bend on Sept. 26 and 28, respectively. Early-season wins will be important for Rockwell and her group, as the middle portion of their conference schedule is extremely tough once again. The Irish will have to win some games as underdogs and keep their heads above water on the road if they want to exceed their 12th-place prediction and improve on last s eason’s performance.
Other programs in the ACC
anticipate Notre Dame will be much improved from just one year ago, but their mix of consistent home-court success, youth and healthy depth chart competition could push them even higher. The best-case scenario is entering “fringe playoff team” territory. The worst-case scenario is another disastrous midseason flop, causing fans to worry the much-anticipated “next step” may not be as imminent as it seems.
Contact Charlie Morris at cmorri27@nd.edu
ND VOLLEYBALL
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
How many pairs of shoes did you bring to school?
Jake Slovensky Sophomore Knott Hall “10.”
Collins Trainor Sophomore Knott Hall
Johnny Tighe Sophomore Knott Hall
Brandon Na Sophomore Knott Hall
Cooper Hallman Sophomore Knott Hall “13.”
SOCIAL MEDIA POLL
Have an idea for a poll? Email dstangel@nd.edu
What is the best dining hall in the tri-campus area?
A recent poll conducted by The Observer had a response of 410 individuals conducted via Instagram. The results showed that the majority of people, 44%, believed that South Dining Hall is the best dining hall in the tri-campus area. The dining hall is undergoing construction, but will continue to operate. The second-most liked dining hall was North Dining Hall with 30% of the votes, followed by Saint Mary’s Dining Hall at 23%. The lowest rated dining hall was Holy Cross College Siegfried Dining Hall at 2%.
THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
Want your event included here? Email news@ndsmcobserver.com
Friday
“The Phoenician Scheme” Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
7 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Saturday
Holy Cross Women’s Soccer vs. Northwestern Ohio Saints Field, Pfeil Center 3 p.m.
Sunday
“King Lear” Performance DeBartolo Performing Acts Center
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday
StoryWalk National Project Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park All Day
Tuesday
Opening of the Academic Year Mass Purcell Pavilion, Joyce Center
5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
PHOTO
MARY TADDONIO The Observer
Construction of the Main Circle at Notre Dame began in spring break of last year and will remain in development until September of this year. The new monument will honor the history of women at Notre Dame.
North Dining Hall
South Dining Hall
Saint Mary's Dining Hall
Holy Cross College Dining Hall
2025 Notre Dame women’s soccer season preview
By Chris Dailey Sports Writer
It’s championship or bust for the Notre Dame women’s soccer season in 2025. Despite their youth, the Irish are not lacking any bit of experience.
Led by a superstar sophomore class, Notre Dame boasts the best young core in the nation. At the forefront of that contingent is AllAmerican Izzy Engle. The ruthless forward notched 19 goals last season, good for the second-highest total in the nation. Engle’s sublime technical ability is paired with elite speed and a clinical nature in front of the net, creating a test for any defense she goes up against.
However, Engle is by no means alone in the attacking third.
Classmates Lily Joseph and Ellie Hodsen scored eight apiece last
year, while Annabelle Chukwu chipped in with three. Servicing all of these goals was the creative midfielder Grace Restovich. Her 11 assists placed her 11th in the country.
Each forward brings an exciting new element to the attack. Joseph’s power, Hodsen’s tenacity and Chukwu’s composure inside the 18 all shine whenever they take the pitch.
Engle and Restovich were able to strengthen their chemistry throughout the offseason, as the dynamic duo suited up for the U19 U.S. Women’s National Team on several occasions. The pair went overseas and played against Spain, the Netherlands and England in the L’Albir Women’s International Tournament.
Despite the class of 2028 clocking in with five of the top six points
tallies on the roster in 2024, they are complemented by several veterans expected to assume leadership roles this fall.
One of those players is 2024 First Team All-ACC honoree Leah Klenke. The senior centerback firmly established herself as one of the top players in the best conference in college soccer last season, despite missing the first seven games of the year due to playing at the U20 World Cup. Klenke was a brick wall in the back, and also was able to progress the ball into the attacking third. Her versatility will be on full display this fall.
Fellow senior Laney Matriano is also expected to play a key leadership role this fall. Matriano logged the most minutes of any player last fall with 1,846 and started all 22 games for head coach Nate
Norman’s talented midfield. With another talented freshman class incoming, headlined by the highly touted Tessa Knapp, the Irish’s depth has only grown more. Notre Dame has rightfully earned their preseason No. 2 rank in the country following a triumphant run to the NCAA Quarterfinals nine months ago, but the glitz and glamor of the high expectations are evened out by a grueling schedule.
The Irish have dates scheduled with reigning national champions North Carolina as well as preseason No. 1 Duke and No. 3 Florida State.
Their gauntlet doesn’t end there.
The Irish will close the season with away games against preseason No. 15 Virginia Tech, reigning national finalists Wake Forest and a very potent Pitt side.
Norman will have to utilize his
team’s depth wisely if the Irish are to compete for a top spot in the ACC. Between his talented crop of forwards, sublime midfield and veteran-led defense, Norman has the tools to turn this young Notre Dame team into a College Cup team.
Norman also has the right mindset. He has repeatedly mentioned that the Irish will be embracing an underdog mentality. If that’s the case, the Irish aren’t just another top team in the conference, they are the team. To get by Notre Dame will require near-perfect execution. It’s now up to the Irish to live up to the hype, with all eyes on this 2025 squad to become the program’s first College Cup team in 15 years.
Contact Chris Dailey at cdailey2@nd.edu
2025 Notre Dame men’s soccer season preview
By Chris Dailey Sports Writer
The air will feel a little different this year at Alumni Stadium as the Notre Dame men’s soccer team takes the pitch with a new look.
The Irish will be without their former big three of Matthew Roou, Bryce Boneau and Joshua Ramsey. The trio, consisting of a forward, midfielder and defender helped lead the Irish to a national championship appearance in 2023. Roou scored a remarkable ACC-leading 14 goals in 2024. His incredible senior campaign was capped off by being named ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Cemented by 34 career goals, Roou is tied for 10th on the Notre Dame all-time scoring list.
Both Boneau and Ramsey delivered key moments of their own. Boneau was named AllACC Third Team in 2024 after
notching a career-high eight assists in the fall while Ramsey’s tough-nosed defense won over the hearts of the Irish faithful.
Since graduation, Boneau and Ramsey have signed professional contracts with Huntsville City FC and Lexington SC, respectively. Amazingly enough, they are not the only members of last year’s squad to turn to the professional ranks.
Jacob Bartlett’s impressive freshman campaign earned him a homegrown deal with Sporting KC. Since then, the Kansas native has appeared in 24 games for Sporting, including two against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Needless to say, the Irish have lost a lot of talent from last season. They will now turn to several players who featured sporadically throughout last year to take on larger roles.
Energetic forward and sophomore Stevie Dunphy appeared
in 15 games off the bench for the Irish, scoring his lone goal of the season in Notre Dame’s 2-1 win over Clemson. Head coach Chad Riley will look to Dunphy to fill in for Roou up front. Between his work rate and last year’s production, there are reasons to believe Dunphy can do just that.
Dunphy won’t be the only sophomore expected to take on a bigger role. Will Schroeder played in 16 games last fall, recording one start. A midfield standout at the MLS NEXT level in high school, Schroeder’s 6-foot-2 inches frame makes him an imposing challenge for opposition to knock over. A versatile midfielder, Schroeder can fill any role in the midfield and thrive.
These young players will have to learn from the Irish’s older players. Captains senior defender Mitch Ferguson and junior midfielder Wyatt Lewis have
been called upon as the locker room leaders of the squad.
Junior forward Jack Flanagan will be seen as the go-to option around the box. His four goals in 2024 lead all returners. Senior winger KK Baffour dished out five assists.
Those veteran pieces do not include two graduate transfers Riley brought in during the offseason. As reinforcements for the defensive unit, graduate student defenders Diego Ochoa from Boston College and Martin Von Thun from across the street at Holy Cross College arrive as seasoned veterans of the college game. Ochoa has played in the USL Championship on an amateur deal with Loudoun United, while Von Thun leaves the Saints as arguably the most decorated player in program history.
Notre Dame has perhaps an easier schedule than last year.
They are set to face only four pre-season top 25 teams in Pitt, Indiana, Virginia and Wake Forest. Although each matchup poses a test, this season is considerably a lighter load than that of last season. The Irish are looking to improve upon a 7-5-5 record last season that ended in heartbreaking fashion against Stanford in the ACC Tournament. With a few different bounces of the ball, the Irish could have very likely had double-digit wins, but soccer is not a game of hypotheticals. Notre Dame is looking to play their brand of soccer and, most importantly, close out games. If all of Riley’s new puzzle pieces come together, there is no reason why the Irish can’t show signs of competitiveness in a very crowded ACC.
Contact Chris Dailey at cdailey2@nd.edu
University releases new football leprechaun logo
By Grace Tadajweski Assistant Managing Editor
On Thursday, Aug. 21, the University launched a fresh take on the classic Fighting Irish leprechaun on the Notre Dame football Instagram account. Donning green eyes and, most notably, lacking raised fists, the new leprechaun wields a football in his left arm.
The design was released via an Instagram reel showcasing the design’s sketching process, alongside retro Notre Dame motifs. The reel depicts three process sketches, each
based on shots of Notre Dame football players, Raghib Ismail ‘90, Manti Te‘o ‘12 and Kyren Williams ‘21, before revealing the final design, similar in design to a shot of safety Xavier Watts ‘24. The reel was followed by an Instagram post that featured a short description below the new leprechaun design. Now pinned on @ndfootball’s Instagram, the post stated that the Notre Dame leprechaun represents the Fighting Irish spirit, while the pictured design “represents Fighting Irish Football.”
While the University was once represented by Irish
terriers, the leprechaun has maintained its role of official mascot for 60 years. With that said, according to the University’s standards for athletic branding, the blue and gold Notre Dame monogram is the school’s primary athletic brand asset, different from the single-colored Notre Dame monogram used for University branding.
The leprechaun is an element of athletic spirit
branding and represents Notre Dame’s “underdog mentality.” Three of the University’s past leprechaun designs have been “retired” from general use and now reside in the “Vintage Vault,” reserved for special use only.
The football leprechaun mark is the first of many sport-specific leprechauns to join the leprechaun design currently in use. A Fighting Irish press report indicates
that designs will be released throughout the school year and future seasons to accompany each varsity sport. With the launch of the football leprechaun mark, the Fighting Irish online store also released a navy Under Armor polo branded with the design. According to the site, the polo is “almost gone!”
Contact Grace Tadajweski at gtadajwe@nd.edu
Irish football fall camp impressions and updates
By Dan Huss Sports Writer
Notre Dame football began its fall camp on July 31. Coming off a magical run to the national championship last season, the Irish entered camp with big questions to answer following the departures of defensive coordinator Al Golden, four defensive captains and starting quarterback Riley Leonard. Chris Ash will look to fill Golden’s shoes and will have a deep and talented defensive roster to do so. Among that group, several new leaders have emerged to step into the captain positions previously filled by Leonard, Jack Kiser, Rylie Mills, Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison. However, one question rose above them all: Who would be Notre Dame’s quarterback?
Practice impressions
The opening practice was the only practice with full media availability. It was a limitedcontact session as players got reacclimated. The subsequent practices had availability limited to the first 30 minutes and featured player warmups and
position-specific drills.
The key day-one focuses were turnovers and safety Tae Johnson. During 11-on-11 work, sophomore CJ Carr and junior Kenny Minchey had their struggles with decision making.
Minchey delivered a ball over the middle, which was intercepted by sophomore safety Adon Shuler. Carr had lapses of his own, including an ill-advised deep ball that was picked off by Johnson. Moments later, Carr tested the freshman again. This time, he came down with an impressive leaping grab to intercept him once more.
The practice concluded with a two-minute drill. The Minchey-led drive resulted in a three-and-out that featured some completions short of the sticks. The Carr-led drive saw an explosive downfield connection to redshirt freshman wide receiver Micah Gilbert that advanced the ball into the red zone. This was followed by a shortyardage pass, which was bobbled and intercepted by sophomore corner Karson Hobbs.
Days two and three focused on the running backs and wide receivers. Junior Jeremiyah Love
and freshman Nolan James Jr. stood out during footwork drills. Love showed exceptional technique, highlighting one of many reasons he is regarded by many as the top running back in the country. James Jr. also looked ahead of schedule in his development. It would not be surprising to see the freshman get some playing time this season despite being in a deep and talented running back room.
Among the pass-catchers, senior Wisconsin transfer Will Pauling made a strong case for being a mainstay in the wide receiver rotation. He earned recognition from head coach Marcus Freeman, who praised the attention to detail Pauling puts into his reps.
“I love the way he practices,” Freeman said. “I love the way he approaches the game. He is a dog. He practices at a level that I’m like, ‘Okay, some people need to see the way Will Pauling practices.’”
Freshman Elijah Burress proved to be a well-rounded receiver, showcasing footwork and speed that won him oneon-ones against opposing defensive backs. In the Aug. 17
press conference, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock lauded Burress’s elite skillset, but said the freshman still needs more time to learn the playbook.
Several battles continued after the first few weeks of practice. Who will be the second safety alongside Shuler? Freshman Johnson, graduate transfer Jalen Stroman and junior Luke Talich have all made strong cases. A rotation seems very possible, similar to last season with Shuler and Rod Heard II. Who will start at right guard? The talented freshman Guerby Lambert looks to be gaining an edge on sophomore Sullivan Absher. These questions may not be answered until the Irish take the field in week one.
Long-awaited answers
Chief among the many unanswered questions coming into fall camp — who will be the starting quarterback — finally has an answer. The team announced Tuesday, Aug. 19, that Carr will lead the offense in Hard Rock Stadium after winning a competitive battle with Minchey.
One day before, the team also announced its six captains: junior Drayk Bowen, junior Donovan
Hinish, senior transfer Pauling, junior Billy Schrauth, sophomore Shuler and junior Aamil Wagner. The process for becoming a captain requires nominating yourself in front of the entire team.
“It’s important that our captains are leaders, right? They’re leaders, and they’re expected to solve problems,” Freeman said. “If you want the opportunity to be named captain, here’s the responsibilities. Come on down, right?” He added, reflecting on the 2024 season, “Some guys came that you weren’t expecting. Some guys didn’t come that you were expecting.”
The absence of Love from the list is noteworthy, as is the inclusion of transfer Pauling. One thing is certain: The Irish will have no shortage of experienced leaders on the field in 2025.
Opening up with No. 10 Miami on the road and No. 19 Texas A&M two weeks later was always going to present a challenge. That said, if this year’s fall camp is any indication, there are plenty of reasons for confidence.
Contact Dan Huss at dhuss@nd.edu
FOOTBALL
A bet on talent: Carr to start week one for the Irish
By Noah Cahill Sports Editor
At half past noon on Tuesday, Aug. 19, head coach Marcus Freeman announced CJ Carr as their starting quarterback for the season opener in Miami. To most people surrounding the program, the sophomore was presumed the eventual starter following the departure of Steve Angeli in the transfer portal. However, after three weeks of fall camp, the final decision felt unexpected. From the beginning of camp, junior Kenny Minchey proved that the quarterback competition in South Bend was far from a pre-determined one. Carr’s nightmare first day, where he threw three interceptions, would
prove to be part of a concerning theme across the following weeks. While Carr’s seductive arm talent had emerged several times since arriving in South Bend, from downfield dimes in the spring game to sideline shots in practice scrimmages, a failure to protect the ball put his chance at the job in jeopardy. But more than Carr’s mistakes, Minchey proved to be better than anyone had anticipated. Sound decision-making and dual-threat capability were the formula for Riley Leonard and Notre Dame in their hard-fought week one victory on the road against Texas A&M last season. Minchey offered a similar skillset, one that offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has grown accustomed to building around,
with Leonard last season and Jayden Daniels before him. Entering a hostile Hard Rock Stadium against No. 10 Miami will prove a similarly tall task to the Aggies in 2024. In the days leading up to Sunday’s jersey scrimmage, it seemed like Minchey would be carrying that burden.
The much-anticipated press conference following the scrimmage left everyone waiting. A decision, however, had to be made in the coming days as preparation for Miami began. In finally choosing Carr days later, Freeman and his staff surprised many. Like in week one, when he chose to line up an offensive line with six combined starts against ferocious SEC pass rushers in front of over 100,000 Aggie faithful, Freeman was betting
on talent. The implications of his decision extend far beyond the outcome of Sunday night’s contest. It is a decision made with an eye on the national championship. His risk one year ago paid off, and then some. Notre Dame’s run to the title game was overwhelming evidence of it. In the grand scheme of the season, the team’s ceiling appears higher with Carr. Bolstered by an elite defense, explosive rushing attack and stellar offensive line, the week one result should be relatively unaffected by the quarterback decision. The game plan on offense will not change. Hand the ball off. Don’t turn it over. But that won’t be enough against the elite teams. When it comes time to face the Ohio State
and Texas teams of the world, they will hope to present an offense that has evolved into something greater — something they hope Carr can unlock.
With far more talent at the receiver position than in past seasons, the potential for that evolution is tantalizing. An offense with a legitimate downfield passing attack would be a sight to behold in South Bend. It is one that fans haven’t seen in some time, even in the team’s best seasons. CJ Carr is an investment. The program, both on and off the field, has invested in him. Marcus Freeman has invested in him. Time will tell if that investment pays off.
Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill2@nd.edu