News

SMC plans speaking series

With a pair of noteworthy speakers slated to visit Saint Mary's in February, the College has announced plans for the speaking series in order to give students and other interested groups time to read the book in question, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," director of media relations Gwen O'Brien said in a Nov. 13 press release from the College.

Police combat underage drinking

As tailgating officially ends with the close of the home football season, the Indiana State Excise Police will continue to target underage drinking in South Bend through the Intensified College Enforcement (ICE) program.

Championship lottery opens to students

The Notre Dame Athletic Ticket Office sent an email to the student body Sunday night detailing the process for entering the ticket lottery for the Notre Dame vs. Alabama BCS National Championship Bowl Game in Miami, Fla., scheduled for Jan. 7. 2,500 tickets will be randomly allocated to eligible full-time undergraduate, graduate and professional students at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College, according to the webpage linked in the email.

Dunkin' Donuts opens doors

Fast-food breakfast giant Dunkin' Donuts opened its first South Bend location last week, and the restaurant is already seeing success.

Gmail, other upgrades coming to SMC

Saint Mary's students who are frustrated with Zimbra or tired of not having Wi-Fi in their rooms can look forward to a series of technological advancements over the next few months.

Doctor plans to tour India

Dr. Subhash Basu, professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry, will embark on a speaking tour of India on Tuesday to discuss his current research on potential new anti-cancer drugs.

Project creates blankets for cancer patients

As the temperature outside gets colder, cancer patients across the Midwest will be a little warmer thanks to the blankets made during the seventh annual Aidan Project.

Students prioritize study abroad experience

While most students consider the Notre Dame campus their home away from home, more than half the undergraduate student body during fall 2010, spring 2011 and summer 2011 explored another home through study abroad. The Institute for International Education ranked Notre Dame ninth in percentage of students who study abroad with 59.7 percent of students participating during the periods of time analyzed, according to a University press release. Robert Norton, associate vice president for internationalization and a concurrent German and philosophy professor, said he is proud of Notre Dame's 40 international programs in 20 countries. "One of the reasons why we think it's so important to have a lot of students go abroad ... is that it's very important in terms of students getting to know not only other cultures but their own, as well," Norton said. "You get to see the American language and culture through the eyes of other people, and I think that's a very important step in learning to have sympathy and tolerance for people of other cultures when you begin to see yourself through the eyes of others." Norton said Notre Dame has been ranked among the top 10 schools with the highest percentage of students who study abroad for the past 14 years. "Notre Dame is willing to invest in study abroad in ways that other schools aren't," he said. "For example Notre Dame has for years paid for the airfare of students who study abroad, which is something no other peer institution has done." Notre Dame's interest in study abroad reflects the University's Catholic identity, Norton said. "The Catholic Church is the universal Church, and I think that people can understand what that means in real terms only when they go out into the world and begin to have the experiences that study abroad uniquely offers," he said. Norton said he is happy with the percentage of students who study abroad, but he encourages as many students as possible to take advantage of the University's resources. One especially favorable program is Notre Dame International's Global Gateways, buildings the University has purchased in cities such as Dublin and Rome to extend the classroom abroad, Norton said. "What we're doing is we're turning these Global Gateways not just into centers for study abroad but also places where Notre Dame as an institution resonates into the larger culture context of the place where they're situated," he said. Senior Amanda Williams studied in London in spring 2012 through the Notre Dame London Program, and she said the experience opened up new cultural doors for her. "You definitely dove right into everything because you were traveling extremely independently," Williams said. "Just being in London in the first place is a big cultural immersion, but traveling around Europe was also a cultural immersion, even just as far as getting off the airplane and having to find a bus." Williams said she enjoyed living in a "global center" and especially appreciated the good accommodations and knowledgeable professors the University provided for her. Most of all, Williams said she was grateful to became a true London resident. "There's a point when you're in London when you stop looking like a tourist, and I think when everyone reaches that point, you're definitely culturally immersed and getting something out of that," she said. "That was probably the best part - being a Londoner." Contact Tori Roeck at vroeck@nd.edu

Alum starts sustainable clothing company

Chris Yura, a 2003 Notre Dame graduate, is revolutionizing clothing production through his company SustainU, which is dedicated to changing the way clothing is made to improve the environment, reinvigorating America's manufacturing sector and educating the world about how clothing can positively impact people's lives.   A native of Morganstown, West Virginia, Yura said he came to Notre Dame to play football as a fullback, and that experience changed the way he looked at clothing. "The thing that struck me most at Notre Dame was The Shirt," he said. "When I ran out of the tunnel and the whole student body was wearing the same shirt, it was such a powerful symbol of unity." After graduation, Yura said he went to Miami for his first job and was soon scouted by Ford Models to be a fashion model in New York City. "I listened to people talk about where they were getting the clothes and how they were made," he said. "The clothes were coming from third world countries where they did not have enough water to properly make a product, for example. It did not help anything economically or socially ... This got me thinking about making a product that really was better, as opposed to just seeming better." To learn more about how to make clothing, Yura said he began to write down terms relating to clothing that he heard and then went to the library and did research on those terms. As a sociology major at Notre Dame, Yura said he learned about the devastating job losses that occurred in North Carolina after the North American Free Trade Agreement outsourced manufacturing jobs outside of the United States. "When I was in NYC, I wanted to find factories in this area that were still manufacturing," Yura said. "What I found was that not only were there factories that had the infrastructure and trained workforce to produce products but they had also pioneered recycled fiber technology." Yura asked if he could intern with such factories and learned how to sew, cut and manufacture clothing, which led him to forming SustainU three-and-a-half years ago. "My parents took out a third mortgage on their house to get collateral to help me start the business," Yura said. "We have factories centered in Tennessee, South Carolina and West Virginia." The company's mission is to promote social, economic and environmental sustainability, Yura said. The company makes clothing solely made in the United States and from 100 percent recycled materials. For example, the company recently made T-shirts in Bristol, Tenn. for Bonaroo, an outdoor music festival in Tenn., all from recycled materials. Yura has spoken about SustainU three times at the White House, and even earned a meeting with President Barack Obama, he said. "I'm going to talk with the president about different issues that are facing us about green technology," he said. "We will talk about trying to stimulate different parts of the countries that used to make clothing by investing in these areas. It makes so much sense for our country." Yura said the most rewarding part of his job is the opportunity to advance progressive goals. "We invest in young ideas that are progressive and that can help turn our country around," he said. "We present a different way of doing business." Contact Katie McCarty at kmccar16@nd.edu  

Aidan Project supports patients

This Saturday, students can help support pediatric cancer patients in the South Bend community with the Aiden Project. Aidan Fitzgerald, a Notre Dame alumnus who contracted testicular cancer in 2006, started the Aidan Project to help pediatric cancer patients in need. He is now in remission, sophomore Circle K member Emmie Mediate said. The event, which was started in 2006 and is hosted by Circle K and Knott Hall, began as a way to provide local cancer patients with blankets.   "Aidan began the project after spending time struggling with cancer and feeling afflicted with cancer as a youth," Mediate said. Junior Mitchell Lopes, coordinator of the event for Knott Hall and participant for three years, said the idea was to create blankets from pieces of fabric. The blankets are sent to various local hospitals, he said. "Aidan was looking for a way to give back that was logical, practical, and something that he felt he could undertake with his fellow students at Notre Dame," Lopes said. Each blanket is coupled with a "Get well" or "Merry Christmas" card, he said. Since the event started in 2006, is has grown considerably. Lopes said at least half the residents in Knott Hall have participated in the event in the past. "At first, the project was small, but it quickly grew," Lopes said. Nearly 2000 service hours are worked in preparation and during the event, with approximately 400 individuals participating in the event last year, Mediate said.  Members of Circle K, Knott Hall, the Kiwanis Club and the South Bend community have united to put on the event in the past. "It's our biggest event of the year, so it means a lot," Mediate said. Lopes said as the event has grown, a t-shirt sale has been added to provide additional fundraising.  Last year, the event raised $1500 from making 434 blankets and selling t-shirts. "Our goal this year is to make 500 blankets and raise $1800," Lopes said. As a joint effort between Circle K and Knott Hall, the event resonates in different ways for participants.    "The event has a special significance for myself as I have lost a close family member to cancer," Lopes said. "However, I believe the theme resonates with many guys in the dorm who simply feel the desire to pay forward the blessings they have been given". For Mediate, seeing the patients receive their blankets is the most meaningful part of the event. "The best part of the project is being able to deliver the blankets to the hospitals, and see how much of an impact you are able to have on an individual's well being, especially as they are in the hospital with cancer," Mediate said. The event takes place in South Dining Hall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  To support the cause, students can make blankets or "Get well" cards.   T-shirts will be sold for $10 and can be purchased either at South Dining Hall or from the Facebook event '2012 Aidan Project.'  The shirts will also be sold in North Dining Hall on Friday. Contact Peter Durbin at  pdurbin@nd.edu

Sale benefits Nepali youth

Shopping for Christmas presents can be stressful and overwhelming. Shopping for Christmas presents while also supporting education in Nepal is rewarding. Today, Badin Hall is hosting "A Conscious Christmas," a sale benefiting Hope Initiative. The sale will take place from noon until 5 p.m. in the Badin Hall large social space. The sale will feature handicrafts and gifts handmade in Nepal by fair trade artisans. Sophomore Badin Hall president CristinPacifico said the sale is an annual tradition, benefiting Hall fellow and design professor Ann-Marie Conrado's Hope Initiative. "Basically, we put this sale on every year and all the proceeds, everything we sell goes directly to Nepal and it funds Ann-Marie's Hope Initiative, which is an orphanage house she set up in Nepal," she said. According to the Hope Initiative website, the mission of the organization is "to uplift individuals in developing countries by focusing on transformative education for youth and adults alike. Hope gives individuals the tools they need to create change in their own lives to escape poverty and dependency." The money helps send the children living in the hope house to school, Pacifico said. "They [the kids] tested into one of the best schools in Nepal and that is where they are at school right now," she said. "Ann-Marie comes in and we try to have regular Skype sessions with the kids. It's just a great opportunity to get to purchase some really beautiful goods but also do it in a very responsible way." Pacifico said the handicrafts are the hard work of Nepali women and their families. "You can bring back beautiful gifts for your family and it's an awesome thing to see that you are helping people," she said. The Conscious Christmas is not the only event Badin holds to support Hope Initiative, Pacifico said. "All the other signature events, all the money we raise also goes to Hope Initiative," she said. "When we come back from break we also have the Polar Bear Plunge, which is a bit more chilly. It's for the more daring." Wednesday night, girls in Badin Hall were able to Skype the hope house children before they went to school. The children living in the house and attending school are SuryaKandel, Rajesh Nepali, SurackshyaPariyar, SushilaBK, Karan Gurung and SabinPoudel. The children in Nepal told the Badin Hall residents how school was going and sang a song in Nepali. When the girls asked if they could send anything to Nepal, the children asked for notebooks and pens. However, Poudel said a PSP [PlayStation Portable.] Freshman MaddieCaballero said she stumbled across the Skype session Wednesday night. "I fell in love," she said. "The kids were so cute and they had so much honesty in their eyes.  They were just so happy to see you." Freshman Kristina Techar also got to Skype with the kids. "It was very interesting. ... I was expecting kids who were younger," she said.  "But it was nice to have kids who were older because you could really talk to them." Techar said she was surprised to hear the children ask for what they needed, not what they wanted. "When we asked them what they wanted us to [send] them, instead of saying things like hair bows, they asked for things that they needed, for example a science notebook," she said. Caballero said she was excited for the sale Friday and to get involved. "I will probably be wearing the [Badin Hall] frog suit and hold up a giant sign and be really enthusiastic about the 'Conscious Christmas,'" she said. Contact Anna Boarini at aboari01@saintmarys.edu

Alum named U.S. Ambassador

Geneva to Quebec City, Lisbon to Maputo, Rabat, Geneva, Port-au-Prince and Guayaquil. Ambassador Douglas Griffiths, a member of the Class of 1986, has traveled the world as a part of the United States Foreign Service corps, representing U.S. interests abroad. President Barack Obama appointed Griffiths to his current post as American ambassador to Mozambique in March of this year. Griffiths said his skill set allowed him to contribute to the advancement of U.S. interests in global health, refugee and migration affairs, but of all his time in the corps two periods stand out. "I was fortunate to work on the South Africa desk at the State Department just after Nelson Mandela's election and during the transition to democracy. I had front row seats for an exhilarating moment in history and had the honor of working closely with an inspiring group of South Africans," Griffiths said. "Serving as Deputy Chief of Mission and acting Ambassador in Haiti during its own return to democracy was another high note." "Although my family was evacuated due to violence and instability, it was a privilege to lead a dedicated group of Haitians and Americans at the Embassy who brought essential services to the Haitian people in difficult conditions." From 2006 to 2009, Griffiths served as the principal officer at the consulate general in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and since 2009 Griffiths has been the deputy permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.  Griffiths said this time in Geneva was formative and allowed him to explore his interests in international humanitarian development. "It was particularly rewarding to advance U.S. interests in global health, refugee and migration affairs and economic development," Griffiths said.  "I enjoy the challenge of multilateral diplomacy, negotiating complex agreements with a constantly changing constellation of interlocutors." January will mark his 25th year in the Foreign Service, but his desire to serve others originated much earlier, Griffiths said. "I studied government at Notre Dame and spent a year in Angers, [France], so Notre Dame gave me great formal preparation for the Foreign Service. ... Notre Dame's emphasis on service very much guided my career choice," Griffiths said. "I learned of the Foreign Service through a dorm-mate who was registering to take the Foreign Service exam. ... Diplomacy has been a perfect match for me, I love changing jobs every two to three years as we rotate around the world." As American Ambassador in Mozambique, Griffiths said he works to build a prosperous, stable and democratic Mozambique "I lead an embassy of over 100 American and Mozambican colleagues joined by almost 200 Peace Corps volunteers," Griffiths said. "We have an ambitious development cooperation program in Mozambique and we are making impressive strides in fostering economic growth, reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS, stimulating rural development and improving education. "Mozambique has had a decade of impressive economic growth, therefore we are working hard to improve the prospects for American companies here, leading to job creation in both countries." The goal for the American Embassy in Mozambique is to help the people recover from a long war waged to win independence from Portugal and a brutal civil war, Griffiths said.   "With enormous reserves of coal and natural gas, Mozambique is on the brink of significant economic development. ... Our goal is to help Mozambique invest those resources productively in their people," Griffiths said.  "Despite economic growth and investment development in the major cities, human development indicators remain very low.  We're collaborating closely with Mozambican officials and private and faith-based organizations to ensure that economic growth translates into improved living standards." Griffiths said the collaboration with American partners is particularly strong, because all involved parties want to attract American companies to Mozambique to create jobs in both countries. Griffiths is based in Mozambique's capital, Maputo.  He mostly interacts with senior government officials, business people, opinion leaders and other representatives of civil society.  Communicating with community leaders is very easy because the embassy-workers and national partners all speak Portuguese, Griffiths said. "It is easy to form strong partnerships," Griffiths said.  "However, when traveling up country only the most educated people speak fluent Portuguese, so we depend on local partners to communicate in the 13 main indigenous languages.  My wife Alicia has started studying Shangana, the dominate language in Southern Mozambique.  I'll start in the new year, once I'm finished shaking off the vestiges of Spanish from my Portuguese." Griffiths said he also makes an effort to travel to the development cooperative sites so that he can see the results of decisions for himself. "Last month I drove north to visit some of our aid projects," Griffiths said.  "At every site we were greeted with songs of celebration ... with relatively small investments we are transforming lives and communities.  I feel very fortunate to see these tangible contributions of American foreign assistance and to feel the gratitude of our partners." His family has assimilated into the country very easily, Griffiths said.   "The climate is just about perfect, and the capital Maputo is charming.  Mozambique is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and spectacular savannahs," Griffiths said.  "Our two teenaged daughters, true global nomads, are delighted to be back in an area where community service can be an important part of our lives." Contact Nicole Michels at nmichels@nd.edu

Notre Dame Club of Miami prepares for game

Bill McCaughan, Jr., president of the Notre Dame Club of Miami, said he wouldn't respond to calls or emails about a potential Irish berth into the BCS Championship Game in his city before Saturday's USC game. "I'm really superstitious so when people started contacting me about planning, I didn't respond," McCaughan said. But as soon as the defensive line held the Trojans on the one-yard line on fourth down late in the fourth quarter, eliminating any chances of a USC comeback, the preparations began. For the first time since 1988, Notre Dame held the perfect 12-0 record and would have a shot at the national championship. And for McCaughan, the days leading up to Jan. 7 will be hectic in anticipation for the big game. "We had a meeting with board members on Tuesday to go over everything," he said. "We began figuring people will get in town either on Jan. 3 or 4, the Thursday and Friday before Monday's game." McCaughan, a 2004 alumnus of the University, said one of the club's 700 members is in the process of putting together a travel guide for the entire weekend to send to alumni and students. Preparations are also underway for those fans who aren't able to snag a ticket to the big game. "The Notre Dame Club of Miami has partnered with Monty's on South Beach to provide a site for a game watch for those not going to the game," McCaughan said. "Monty's is also providing drink specials and food specials to Irish fans all weekend." In addition to hosting Notre Dame students and alumni, McCaughan said Monty's would also provide other events. "On the Sunday before the game, they will be hosting a pool party starting at 1 p.m.," he said. "There will be live music, drink specials, raw bar, bag pipers and other things all at their bar and restaurant right on the water and will be going until close." McCaughan encouraged fans to frequently check the Notre Dame Club of Miami's Facebook page for updates with events around Monty's and transportation to and from the site of the game, Sun Life Stadium. "Miami is such a spread-out city and the commute is around 40 minutes to Sun Life Stadium from South Beach, about a $120 cab fare one-way," McCaughan said. "We could look to set up a bus service to the stadium from the South Beach area." Among the most frequent questions asked to McCaughan thus far deal with an official Notre Dame Club of Miami tailgate and ticket availability. "It's just too expensive to hold an official tailgate," he said. "And we believe we will not be receiving any tickets from the University." The club does not have a rough estimate on the number of alumni and students traveling to the Magic City for championship weekend, but McCaughan said nearly every family member and friend of his is looking for a place to stay. "A lot of places are all booked up," he said. "I have at least 12 people staying at my place, including one of my former roommates and cousins. "They are going to be fighting for pieces of the floor, maybe sleeping out on the balcony." McCaughan said the club usually doesn't draw many people to the game watches, but this year was different. "We had 100 people at a local bar wake up early to watch the Navy game," he said. "One guy got so excited during the game, he jumped up and shattered a glass chandelier at the bar. "People have been fired up all year." Contact Adam Llorens at allorens@nd.edu  

Golden memories

It's been 24 years since the Irish last won a national championship in football, but 1989 Notre Dame alumni who were seniors during that undefeated 1988 season feel unmatched excitement once again as the University's current unbeaten squad prepares for the Jan. 7 BCS National Championship Game in Miami.

Alumni urge University to condemn Ugandan bill

A group of Notre Dame graduates are promoting a petition encouraging the University to officially condemn a proposed anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda.

Graduate leads in outer space

Commander Kevin Ford, who recently took command of the International Space Station (ISS), chose one simple phrase for his sound check Tuesday morning:

Belle belts it on 'The Voice'

While many students occupied their time this past semester studying abroad, working an internship or balancing homework and other extra-curriculars, one Saint Mary's student spent the last several months living out her dream as a singer.

Chairs update on semester progress

Because of the new Senate structure established this year, student government department chairs no longer attend the weekly meetings to give updates from their various committees.  However, at Wednesday's meeting, each department head came to give an update on each group's work so far this semester.

Club celebrates lives of Riley kids

Alumnus works dream job as sports agent

When Brian Murphy first told his parents that he had landed his dream job as a sports agent, they weren't entirely impressed.