University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., hosted his first Community Leaders Breakfast on Thursday, June 27.
The breakfast, an annual tradition, provided more than 250 community leaders with the opportunity to get to know Father Dowd, who started in his role on June 1, and to connect with partners from various sectors throughout the South Bend-Elkhart Region, including nonprofits, healthcare, churches, government, banking, real estate, and education.
Tim Sexton, associate vice president for public affairs, served as the event’s emcee. Offering the opening prayer was the Rev. Canneth Lee, senior pastor of Kingdom Christian Center and a South Bend Council member representing the 1st District.
Sarah Mustillo, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, offered remarks on Notre Dame’s commitment to addressing mental health issues in the community, as well as the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic, soon to be located in South Bend and serving community residents and Notre Dame students.
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion with University leaders. This year’s panel, titled "Collaborations with the Region and Notre Dame," covered a wide range of topics and featured Father Dowd, and Executive Vice President Shannon Cullinan. Sexton, as emcee, addressed questions submitted by guests to the panelists. Topics covered included new construction on campus and in the surrounding area, Notre Dame’s commitments to sustainability, collaborative initiatives between Notre Dame and community leaders, and the University’s plans to support downtown development.
Attendees were also introduced to BeyoND, an initiative from the Office of Public Affairs that highlights ways Notre Dame is engaged with, invested in, and committed to the region through community partnerships.
In closing the discussion, Father Dowd reiterated the University’s commitment to continued collaboration across the region. “We want to continue to engage the community in the most thoughtful, respectful and mutually enriching way possible moving forward,” he said. “I’m really excited, and I think we have some great momentum.”
Following the panel, the benediction was offered by Laurie Nafziger, president and CEO of Oaklawn, which offers mental health and addiction services for children, adolescents and adults in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
