THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026 | VOL. LX, NO. 41
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Ostermann addresses criticism over appointment University defends promotion of Keough School professor to direct Liu Institute despite pro-abortion rights advocacy By Maria Alice Souza Maia News Writer
Associate professor of global affairs Susan Ostermann will lead the Keough School of Global Affairs’ Liu Institute of Asia and Asian Studies as director beginning July 1, an appointment sparking controversy due to her public advocacy for abortion rights. She will succeed founding director Michel Hockx, who led the institute since 2016. Keough School of Global Affairs dean Mary Gallagher appointed Ostermann with approval from University provost John McGreevy. In a column published in First Things, history professor emeritus Fr. Wilson Miscamble said her appointment “explicitly repudiated” the University’s statement in its strategic plan to “ensure that our Catholic character informs all our endeavors.” In 2022, Ostermann co-authored an op-ed with Tamara Kay in the Chicago Tribune titled “Lies about abortion have dictated health policy.” The article prompted a response by University President Fr. John Jenkins.
“Tamara Kay and Susan Ostermann are, of course, free to express their opinions on our campus or in any public forum. Because they choose to identify themselves as Notre Dame faculty members, I write to state unequivocally that their essay does not reflect the views and values of the University of Notre Dame in its tone, arguments or assertions,” he wrote in a letter to the editor. She has co-authored at least four other articles supporting abortion rights. In a statement to The Observer, Ostermann responded to the renewed criticism generated by her appointment. “As I step into this role, my primary focus is to serve as a steward for the Liu Institute mission in the context of the University’s larger mission, and a facilitator for our world-class faculty. I am fully committed to maintaining an environment of academic freedom where a plurality of voices can flourish. I have long worked with scholars who hold diverse views on a multitude of issues, and I welcome the opportunity to continue doing so. While I hold my own convictions on complex social and legal issues, I want to be clear:
my role as Liu Director is to support the diverse research of our scholars and students, not to advance a personal political agenda,” she wrote. “This commitment to academic inquiry and mutual respect is deeply rooted in my appreciation for Notre Dame’s identity as a global Catholic research university. I am inspired by the University’s focus on Integral Human Development, which calls upon all of us to promote the dignity and flourishing of every person. I respect Notre Dame’s institutional position on the sanctity of life at every stage and believe that by fostering a collaborative space that values rigorous inquiry, we contribute in important ways to global development and human well-being. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to ensure that the Liu Institute remains a place where truth is pursued with both excellence and integrity,” she wrote. Miscamble wrote in his column that several faculty members appealed to the administration to rescind Ostermann’s appointment. University President Fr. Robert Dowd, according to Miscamble, “seems reluctant to overrule the provost and dean.”
Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame
Susan Ostermann’s appointment to direct the Liu Institute has sparked controversy over pro-abortion rights op-eds she co-authored.
The emeritus professor said he has now brought the issue before the Board of Fellows to request they intervene. “I have contacted the twelve fellows of the University directly and asked them to exercise their fiduciary responsibility to uphold the Catholic character of the university. I pray they do so,” Miscamble wrote in a statement to The Observer. The Board of Fellows represents
the University as its highest executive body. According to its website, the board adopts University bylaws, elects members to the Board of Trustees and ensures “the University maintains its essential character as a Catholic institution of higher learning.” The body comprises six clerics of the Congregation of Holy Cross and six lay people. see “Ostermann” on page 4
ND professors’ political Coach Lou Holtz in donations skew to Democrats hospice care Observer Sports Staff
By Liam Kelly and Henry Jagodzinski Editor-in-Chief and
Assistant Managing Editor
Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame head football coach from 1986-1996, has reportedly entered hospice care. After rumors began circulating across message boards over the weekend, multiple beat writers covering Arkansas and Notre Dame football began reporting the news on Thursday evening. Holtz, 89, has had numerous health concerns spanning recent years. After suffering leg injuries in a car accident last winter, Holtz stated he would be “dragging his body along” to support the Irish in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game against Ohio State. He also made an appearance at September‘s showdown between the
Irish and the Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Arkansas, although he had to be assisted as he was honored in the media room and on the field prior to the game. Although the news has yet to be confirmed by national college football media, Kyle Sutherland, publisher of HawgBeat for On3 and Rivals, tweeted at 2:38 p.m. on Jan. 29 that he was able to confirm the reports. The Follansbee, West Virginia, native enjoyed a two-year playing career at Kent State before embarking into the coaching profession at age 23 in 1960. Holtz earned his first head coachingletter job with William & Mary in 1969, eventually jumping to the professional
A recent study conducted by The Observer analyzing Federal Election Commission data showed that political donations by Notre Dame professors to Democratic candidates and political action committees outnumber donations to Republican groups. The Observer reviewed publicly available data on contributions by Notre Dame professors to political candidates and political action committees from Jan. 1, 2023, through Jan. 27, 2026. The study excluded contributions from non-professor employees of Notre Dame. The data showed that 243 professors made political donations, representing just under 20% of all professors at Notre Dame, though the number may be slightly inflated due to the potential
inclusion of emiriti professors in the dataset. Of those who made political donations, 228 (93.82%) donated to Democratic candidates or causes,
while only 15 (6.18%) donated to Republican candidates or causes. A smaller but still considerable
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 6
SCENE | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 11
Hockey
Brady Koehler
University branding to remove Latin on academic mark to highlight Catholic mission.
Columnist Richard Taylor explores lessons from art in Keenan-Stanford lobby
The pop singer announces new album, ‘Aperture’ delivering perfection with lead single.
The Fighting Irish are back on the ice for a home-and-home series with Bowling Green.
The freshman phenom has made an instant impact since being added to the starting lineup.
Branding changes
HENRY JAGODZINSKI | The Observer
93.82% of recent donations made by ND professors have gone to Democratic campaigns. Data from the Federal Election Commission.
Christ the teacher
see “Donations” on page 4
Harry Styles returns
see “Holtz” on page 9
SPORTS | PAGE 12