On June 1, Fr. Dowd officially became the University of Notre Dame’s 18th president.
Over two months ago, I wrote my first column in light of his Sept. 13 inauguration. I claimed that the Notre Dame family must bestow faith for his presidency to materialize monumental change. I believe that, so far, significant change has transpired.
During his formal inauguration address, Dowd mentioned three goals in which Notre Dame can build more bridges, a common theme throughout his speech. To create more roads to and from Notre Dame, the University is need-blind and loan-free for domestic and international students. Additionally, graduate students now receive health plans that include coverage for spouses and dependents. Finally, he explained Notre Dame’s technology and innovation center in downtown South Bend, in addition to future plans that bridge the University to the greater South Bend community.
More recently, on the institution’s educational requirements, the Dowd administration is reforming the two-semester Moreau first-year course requirement. Now, the second semester course will be taken “later in the undergraduate educational experience,” according to the University. The course started in 2015 under Fr. Jenkins’s administration.
Looking at Dowd’s speech, his motif of bridges is representative of his presidency thus far: he has effectively and significantly connected and sustained the legacies of his predecessors. He has furthered Notre Dame’s footprint in the South Bend community and continued to uplift students on campus.
To achieve these specific academic, financial and service-based initiatives, there is undoubtedly confidence bestowed by the greater community. The support from alumni, faculty, staff and students upholds the tradition of the Notre Dame family — to promote being a force for good and educating students’ mind, heart and soul.
To continue integrating communities and the Notre Dame mission, Dowd — and the holistic University — must resist the ideological diffusion that has been sparked by the recent election.
During his speech, Dowd hinted at this notion, before the election even transpired. In his speech, Dowd emphasized Notre Dame’s ethical and faith-based education, which further strengthens the college’s commitment to the common good and friendly intellectual discourse.
In light of the election, similarly rigorous colleges have begun to feel the effects of the election ripple throughout their communities. Notre Dame has, too.
On November 8, there was a protest during Florida governor Ron DeSantis’s lecture on the future of the conservative movement. Last Friday, Notre Dame hosted a panel to analyze the results of the election; at this event, Dowd stressed the importance of maintaining faith in one another, regardless of political ideology.
“No democracy will survive without norms of mutual respect, norms of compromise in order to get things done, norms that help us to focus on the common good,” Dowd said.
In light of the election, the Notre Dame community also maintained its Catholic character to provide a political dialogue and prayer service, which Dowd hosted.
The culmination of these events is representative of Dowd’s term, where he has lived up to the strength and commitment to Notre Dame’s mission.
Dowd’s duty to uphold the University’s operations and ethos will likely foster more bridges between people.
“I believe the bridges we must build require a strong foundation so that we don’t get swept away by fast-moving currents or buckle under pressure. We are blessed to have that moral foundation here at Notre Dame,” Fr. Dowd said in his inaugural address.
I have no doubt that Fr. Dowd will continue to execute his role and the University’s mission in the way he has already done since his inauguration and the election.
Even in times of polarizing despair, there is still faith at Notre Dame. There is still hope at Notre Dame. There is still change at Notre Dame.
“To build bridges is to be ‘in imitation’ of Our Lady. To embody the very spirit of Notre Dame,” Dowd said in his speech.
Redmond (Reddy) Bernhold is a junior studying biochemistry and journalism. He originally hails from Minster, Ohio but calls Siegfried Hall his home on campus. When not writing, he explores South Bend coffee shops and thrift stores. You can contact Reddy at rbernho2@nd.edu.
