Letter from the President
Among the great strengths of Notre Dame is that it is a place that is always evolving and growing. The signs of this are all around us—in the highly talented students we attract from around the globe, in the world-class scholars who teach and conduct groundbreaking research, and in the ways our campus continues to evolve to ensure that those who study, teach, live, and work here have the necessary facilities.
As the Campus Crossroads project begins to take shape, it is joined by several other new projects that collectively make up perhaps the most significant expansion in terms of new building construction in our University’s history. These new facilities include McCourtney Hall, which will be home to collaborative research between the College of Science and College of Engineering, as well as Nanovic Hall and Jenkins Hall, which will house, respectively, the social sciences and the new Keough School of Global Affairs. The first new college opened by the University in nearly a century, the Keough School will prepare students for effective and ethically grounded professional leadership in government, the private sector, and global civil society.
“This expansion is a reflection of the bold vision that animates us—to offer a superb undergraduate education, be a preeminent research institution, and to ensure always that all our activities are informed by our distinctive Catholic mission.”
In all of this, it is important to note that our progress does not occur in a vacuum, nor is it the result of chance. Rather, this expansion is a reflection of the bold vision that animates us—to offer a superb undergraduate education, be a preeminent research institution, and to ensure always that all our activities are informed by our distinctive Catholic mission. The realization of this vision requires much more than new buildings, of course. We continue to attract the very best faculty across the various disciplines, our research funding has increased dramatically, and we have significantly expanded our financial aid offerings to talented students who choose to come to Notre Dame. Our ability to maintain fiscal strength is due to our conservative policy relative to the rate of payout on our endowment and funding of new construction. This report details the University’s standing in this regard and, as such, is in its own way a symbol of the growth we see manifested on our campus.
The landscape of higher education is always challenging, and it is our duty to stay vigilant amid an economic climate that is volatile at times. We should feel confident that our leadership team is prepared to adapt to changing circumstances, and we should be emboldened by our shared history and mission. Rooted in our identity as a Catholic university, Notre Dame has continued to thrive because we are committed to meeting the challenges before us, to embracing new opportunities on the horizon, and to being a force for good in the world. Thank you for the many ways you participate in and contribute to the mission of Notre Dame.
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President