news

ND startup, CrossPaths, seeks to become a Marriage Pact rival

By Jane Miller · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Two Notre Dame students teamed up to create a matchmaking algorithm, seeking to compete with Marriage Pact. Between allowing participants to pay 5 dollars to chose between two potential matches and the prospect of selling anonymized data about Notre Dame students, the team hopes to make this venture a successful one.

Rhoades, other bishops, call on ND to rescind Ostermann appointment

By Observer News Staff · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend said professor Susan Ostermann’s public advocacy for abortion rights should disqualify her from leading the Liu Institute.

Holy Cross College’s President Clark to continue presidency until 2030

By Berhan Hagezom · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Holy Cross College President Marco Clark has been approved to remain as president until 2030. He reflected on the path forward for the College in light of the recent announcement.

Married professors find love in the lecture hall

By Andrew Poulton and Annelise Demers · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Married faculty members at Notre Dame say collaboration, communication and community support help them balance academic careers and family life.

Construction continues on the Heritage and Research Center at Saint Mary’s

By Sophie Lewandowski · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

The construction is expected to finish in four to six weeks, with an opening ceremony expected in May for congregation members and a later official opening of the center for students in the fall.

University updates housing selection process for Gateway, transfer students

By Lucy Loes · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Following advocacy from previous Gateway students, Notre Dame has introduced a new housing process that gives Gateway students greater choice in their sophomore housing.

Saint Mary’s student named drum major of Notre Dame Marching Band

By Mariella Taddonio · Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Ortiz-Morales’ selection highlights Saint Mary’s representation in the Notre Dame Marching Band and the rigorous audition process required to become drum major.

Sheedy program connects liberal arts and business

By Maria Alice Souza Maia · Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

The Sheedy Family Program brings together students interested in integrating liberal arts education with business through coursework, mentorship and shared experiences.

OBBBA reshapes student loan policy

By Soledad Castellanos · Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

“Some families and some colleges and universities may have to make some significant adjustments, but on the whole, these do not strike me as dramatic changes.”

ND course offers experiential learning through grantmaking

By Ada Duru Ak · Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

Once a week, students meet for Philanthropy and the Common Good, an experiential learning class that centers on student-led grantmaking to local nonprofit organizations.

Former vice president of TPUSA speaks out on recent newspaper feature - 13

Saint Mary’s TPUSA vice president steps down, members react

By Aynslee Dellacca and Berhan Hagezom · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Saint Mary’s TPUSA former vice president shares what led to her departure from the chapter.

ICE operations spark debate among ND community, Minnesota natives

By David Murphy · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Students and faculty weigh ICE’s enforcement practices against Catholic teaching on human dignity, migration and the rule of law.

Ten-year-old Mishawaka resident shot, killed Saturday afternoon

By Observer News Staff · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

10-year-old Sophia Burks was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in Mishawaka.

Saint Mary’s opens new dorm for seniors and graduate student housing

By Soledad Castellanos · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Lourdes Hall will house seniors and graduate students as space in the current dorms is reserved for increasing numbers of incoming freshmen.

Ernest Morrell, Notre Dame professor, passes away at age 54

By Matthew Morin · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Morrell served as the Coyle Professor of Literacy Education and worked in the English and Africana studies departments in the College of Arts and Letters

Immaculée Ilibagiza leads this year's annual Catholic speaker series

Rwandan genocide survivor encourages radical forgiveness in annual speaker series

By Juliet Powell · Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Notre Dame's annual Catholic speaker series hosted author Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor, who described her introductions to apparitions of Mary and how she found resilience and strength during and after the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Guest speakers discuss recent and previous immigration policies

Guest speakers contextualize immigration trends and policies in dialogue discussion

By Will Prisco · Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Arizona State University political professor and the deputy director of Alianza Americas discuss the recent immigration raids occurring across the nation and its historical ties to 9/11 and late 20th century policy decisions and acts.

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Notre Dame peace experts discuss Trump’s Board of Peace

By Mara Hall · Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

President Trump has created a new Board of Peace, unveiling a logo that looks strikingly similar to that of the UN. Professors from Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies weigh in alongside Notre Dame College Democrats and Republicans on the state of international peacebuilding.

Holy Cross announces Alex Jones, founder of Hallow, as 2026 commencement speaker

By Observer News Staff · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

Alex Jones, CEO and co-founder of Hallow, will deliver Holy Cross College’s commencement address at their 59th commencement ceremony.

Two professors cut ties with Liu Institute over Ostermann appointment as Trustees meet

By Liam Kelly · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

Professor Diane Desierto and emeritus professor Robert Gimello resigned from their roles as fellow and emeritus fellow in the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies. The Board of Trustees met on Wednesday and Thursday of this week for their annual winter meeting.