Alumni Association Awards
Rex Rakow ’82MSA, director of the Notre Dame Security Police Department since 1985, was presented the James E. Armstrong Award for distinguished service to the University shortly before his death March 7 after a long illness. He joined the NDSP in 1979 as assistant director, having previously been director of campus safety at Albion College in Michigan. Rakow, 55, served as president of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators from 1993 to ’94. He earned his bachelor’s degree in police administration from Indiana University and completed the FBI National Academy’s management training program in 1983.
Sheila O’Brien ’77, ’80J.D., of the Chicago area will receive the Rev. Edward F. Sorin, CSC, Award at the Reunion All-Classes Banquet on June 2. The award is presented annually to a distinguished graduate who has rendered outstanding service to Notre Dame. A judge for 20 years, O’Brien was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1994. She is a member of the advisory council for the Notre Dame Law School and assists recent law graduates in obtaining judicial clerkships and jobs in both the public and private sector. She was one of the first recipients of Notre Dame’s “Women of Achievement” awards in 1995. Chair of the alumni schools committee of the ND Club of Chicago, O’Brien is also active in the new Notre Dame Alumnae Leadership group. She has served as secretary of her law school class since graduation.
Michael J. Kennelly ’85 will be presented the William D. Reynolds Award during the Blue-Gold game, April 21, for dedication to the lives of youth. Kennelly is the chairman and founder of HFS Chicago Scholars, a nonprofit corporation created to help economically disadvantaged Chicago high school students who show academic and leadership promise achieve their educational goals by providing mentoring and financial support. Through Kennelly’s leadership, HFS has raised millions of dollars over the last 15 years to provide scholarships, tutors and mentors for thousands of students. He is one of the founders of Huron Consulting Group.
Patrick Schneidau ’00, ’00MBA, of Houston, Texas, is recipient of the 2007 Young Alumni award, to be presented May 3. As past treasurer and president of the ND Club of Houston, his dedication and leadership have benefitted the club’s financial organization, doubled its dues-paying membership base and expanded club activities across all areas of club involvement. While an active participant in all Houston club events, Schneidau also organized and led the Vocare Retreat for young alumni. Schneidau is director of Solutions Consulting for PROS Pricing Solutions.
Jacquie and Barry Ryan ’62 will receive the Family Exemplar Award on November 8 in recognition of their volunteer service in providing Sunday dinner to homeless persons in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, since January 2003. The Ryans initiated and continue to facilitate the meal program at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick with the assistance of their sons, Matthew ’88 and Daniel, and granddaughter, Allysa ’09SMC (daughter of Michael ’85). They supervise 18 weekly volunteers from the parish and the Notre Dame Club of Harrisburg in the preparation of 300 meals. The Ryans also staff the meal service, greeting guests and making donated clothing available.
The Notre Dame Club of Houston was honored with Distinguished Club award for their involvement in assisting the family of Notre Dame baseball coach Dave Schrage while his wife, Jody, who recently died, was receiving cancer treatments in the Houston area. For information on the alumni club hospital ministry program, visit ndsenioralumni.org/hospital.html.
Chuck Lennon Honored for 25 Years
On January 25, Chuck Lennon ’61, ’62M.A., was surprised with a tribute dinner in celebration of his 25th anniversary as executive director of the Alumni Association. Establishment of the Charles and Joan Lennon Endowment for Excellence was announced at the event. Alumni contribution to the fund have reached $275,000 to benefit the Alumni Association and its programs. For more information and photographs from the event, visit alumni.nd.edu/Lennon_25years.html.
Pray at ND
The recently launched website at pray.nd.edu/ provides access to Notre Dame’s spiritual resources and offers a daily prayer and Gospel reading, a video of campus, Grotto prayer requests, campus retreat schedules and words of inspiration.
Month of Service to Honor Father Hesburgh
In honor of the 90th birthday of Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC, on May 25, the Alumni Association has designated May 2007 as a month of service.
Class and club officers, and other alumni group leaders can register for a group service project through “ND Month of Service” at alumni.nd.edu/commserv. The website also includes a detailed biography of Father Hesburgh and a video of him discussing Notre Dame alumni dedication to community service.
Notre Dame Family Hall
Fisher Hall on campus will serve as Notre Dame Family Hall this June and July. Room rates are $25 plus tax per week nights; $30 plus tax per weekend night, with an additional $10-15 for children’s rooms. Visit alumni.nd.edu/ndfamilyhall.html or call 574-631-8807 for more information.
Reunion ’07
Alumni Reunion takes place May 31–June 3 for the undergraduate and law classes of 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002; architecture grads from class years ending in 3 and 8; all 50 Year Club alumni; Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame; the first female graduates; and master’s of divinity graduates. For more information, registration and lists of registrants by class, visit reunion.nd.edu.
A half-day seminar during Reunion ’07 is designed to assist alumni during career transitions. Executive search recruiters will discuss how to best utilize recruiters, manage expectations and network with other ND alumni. The seminar will take place Thursday, May 31, from 1 to 5 p.m. and costs $25. Register at reunion.nd.edu. For more information, contact Kevin Monahan ’94 or Marc Burdell ’87 at the Alumni Association, 574-631-6000.