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University names new executive director of Jerusalem program
Observer Staff Report | Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Daniel Schwake has been named executive director of the University of Notre Dame at Tantur in Jerusalem, Notre Dame International (NDI) announced in a press release Wednesday. This newly-established role between the Jerusalem Global Gateway and Tantur Ecumenical Institute aims to help the University in its “strategic vision … to become the premier global Catholic university in the Holy Land and beyond,” the press release said.
According to the release, Schwake‘s responsibilities will include “the strategic and managerial aspects of Tantur” as well as carrying out the “academic vision and strategy” of both Tantur and the Jerusalem Global Gateway.
The development comes as the University seeks out a greater presence in the Middle East.
“It is an exciting time for the University and our efforts in the Holy Land, as we reimagine the role Notre Dame can have in the Middle East,” Angie Appleby Purcell, associate director for strategic initiatives at NDI, said in the release. “While the Tantur Ecumenical Institute will continue to be a leader of ecumenical encounter, dialogue and research, Notre Dame International is also expanding the University’s academic footprint in the region through the Jerusalem Global Gateway. A growing number of faculty from varied departments and disciplines are using Tantur for research opportunities, to gather global scholars for academic conferences and to encourage students to study in Jerusalem.”
Before accepting this position with Notre Dame, Schwake spent more than 10 years in the fields of financial services and consulting, the release said. His most recent job was as a principal, or associate partner, at strategy consulting firm Oliver Wyman. According to the release, he worked on a wide array of issues during his time at the firm and is fluent in four languages.
“The experience and skills he has earned as a consultant for top executives across Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, backed by his academic background and deep roots in the Holy Land make him the ideal leader to help forward and deepen Notre Dame’s mission within the region,” Appleby Purcell said.
The release said the Jerusalem Global Gateway is one of five global gateways NDI operates throughout the world, with four other locations in Beijing, Dublin, London and Rome. In addition to its global gateways, NDI also operates six global centers in Hong Kong, Mexico City, Mumbai, Santiago, São Paulo and Kylemore Abbey in western Ireland.
