From the President
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
Since its founding, one of Notre Dame’s greatest assets has been the boldness of its vision—the ability to see possibilities and connections where others saw only obstacles and fragmentation.
A year ago, we announced the largest construction project in Notre Dame history—a Campus Crossroads that will unite and inspire members of our campus community for decades to come. Before the year ended, we finalized plans, raised funds, and began construction on new buildings adjacent to the football stadium that will provide much-needed space in a central campus location for the academy, student life, and athletics at a projected cost of $400 million. We also began work on a new research building east of the library that will provide lab space for new discoveries in science and engineering. We announced the Keough School of Global Affairs, which along with the social sciences, will be housed in two new buildings on Notre Dame Avenue. Upcoming plans include two new residence halls to support student life and a new building for the School of Architecture.
Of course, it is what goes on in the buildings—not the buildings themselves—that are the real mark of progress. Nevertheless, more space for creativity, scholarship, and research will enhance our ability to work in service of our mission. Since its founding, one of Notre Dame’s greatest assets has been the boldness of its vision—the ability to see possibilities and connections where others saw only obstacles and fragmentation. These projects continue that boldness of vision and show our confidence in a strong fiscal foundation.
Notre Dame has a tradition of supporting ambitious goals with careful management of our financial resources. Our conservative fiscal policy demands that we maintain a sustainable rate of payout on the endowment and require full funding before we begin any construction. This report documents how these management principles have made it possible for us to become the preeminent Catholic research university in the world.
Despite some challenges which continue to impact higher education, Notre Dame has created new faculty positions to bolster our teaching and research, offered additional financial aid to meet the growing needs of undergraduates and their families, and enhanced staff support, libraries, and infrastructure to accomplish our educational mission. We feel confident that we will succeed because we have both a strong track record and a superb leadership team. We also share a commitment to a mission which provides a clear sense of purpose and direction as we pursue our goals.
In the early decades of Notre Dame’s history, most would have had a hard time imagining, even in their wildest dreams, what their school would become. Yet it has accomplished so much through the efforts of successive generations to envision and pursue a fuller, bolder realization for the University. Thanks to the collective contributions of our scholars and researchers, students, administrative leaders, benefactors, and alumni, we continue that tradition today and embrace a bold vision rooted in our history and distinctive mission. We are proud of our past and excited about the future.
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President