THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 | VOL. LXI, NO. 4
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
New permanent rectors announced for 5 halls By Observer News Staff
from Fr. Bill Dailey C.S.C., who held the role since Graham Family Hall’s inception in 2024. Wieboldt did not respond to request for comment.
Following the departure of four rectors at the end of last year and another interim rector position that needed to be replaced, five people begin the permanent rectorship position at the University of Notre Dame starting this academic year. Dunne Hall: Collins Hess According to his Notre Dame biography, Hess is a 2020 graduate of Auburn University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in software engineering. Upon graduation, he entered the seminary in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, studying theology and philosophy at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. “During that time, Collins ministered to a variety of people in numerous pastoral assignments throughout Alabama and Ohio, where he especially enjoyed building friendships, fostering community, and teaching and leading discussions on philosophy and theology,” the biography read. He spent a year in a pastoral assistant role teaching moral theology at a Catholic high school through Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood, Alabama. Hess is the third rector of Dunne
Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame
Five new rectors begin terms. Clockwise from top left, Collins Hess for Dunne, Dennis Wieboldt for Graham Family, Keenan Bross for Keenan, Sammie Van Norstrand for Walsh and Lucia Sgroi for Ryan Hall.
Hall, having assumed the role from Fr. Eric Schimmel C.S.C., who held the position for six years. Hess did not respond to request for comment. Graham Family Hall:
Dennis Wieboldt ‘26 Stated in his Notre Dame biography, Wieboldt received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston College. He graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 2026.
Sexual assault reported at SMC in residential dorm
By Observer News Staff
“Dennis arrived at Notre Dame in 2023 as the first student to concurrently pursue a J.D./Ph.D. in history,” his biography read. Before being the rector, Wieboldt was an assistant rector in Graham Family Hall. He assumes the role
Keenan Hall: Keenan Bross ‘26 Specified in his description, Bross joined Old College Undergraduate Seminary in 2016, where he earned a bachelor’s in physics and philosophy. His profile in the Congregation of Holy Cross indicates he received his bachelor’s degree in 2020. In 2026, he graduated from Notre Dame with a Master of Divinity, during which time he served as an assistant rector in O’Neill Family Hall for at least the 2025-2026 school year. His biography reads, “During his time in formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross, Keenan worked in parish, education, and outreach ministries both at home and abroad in Chile, Mexico, Bangladesh, and Tanzania. He hopes to serve as a bridge between Holy Cross priests and brothers around the world, especially through the ministry of education.” He professed final vows on Saturday and is expected to be ordained a priest this spring. Bross assumes the role from see “Rectors” on page 3
Rockne Rally canceled for 2026 By Observer News Staff
Saint Mary’s College director of Campus Safety Phil Bambenek informed students of a report of sexual assault at a residence hall via email on Friday evening. The report was made on Thursday evening around 11 p.m. According to the email, the Belles Against Violence Office, Office of Harassment Education and Response and the St. Joseph County Police Department are investigating the incident. “The survivor of the assault reported that she had been with the suspect on a date. The suspect has been identified and is not a member of the tri-campus community,” the email stated.
Bambenek listed on-campus resources, such as OHER, BAVO, the Center for Faith, Action and Ministry and the Health and Counseling Center. BAVO, the counselors at Holy Cross College and ordained ministers in CFAM were listed as confidential resources. The document also included a list of law enforcement agencies from Saint Mary’s, the University of Notre Dame, the St. Joseph County Police Special Victims Unit, the South Bend Police Department and the St. Joseph County Police, along with local and national hotlines and organizations. For questions or concerns, Bambenek directed students to reach out to BAVO
or the Saint Mary’s Campus Safety Department. To share information on the incident, Bambenek directed students to the St. Joseph County Police Special Victims Unit. This is the first incident of the 2026-2027 school year to be reported via a Timely Warning Notification system, which The Observer previously reported is employed by Campus Safety only after an incident has been resolved. During the 2025-2026 school year, three sexual assault and sexual harassment incidents were reported via this system. An additional incident, which was not considered under the notification system, was reported off-campus.
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 6
SCENE | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 9
London theater guide Four captains named
ND men’s soccer
For their 11th annual signature event, team members and hall leaders reflect on the activities.
Staff members share why you should join and work for their respective departments.
Scene writer shares how to make the most of studying abroad by exploring London theaters.
Marcus Freeman selected four captains for 2026, including two offensive and two defensive.
Notre Dame beats Harvard in a 3-1 with a home comeback to win its first game of the season.
Dunne Funne Runne
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For over five and a half decades, Dillon Hall has been hosting a rally ahead of the first home game. Originally known as the Dillon Hall Pep Rally, it has since shifted locations from the Dillon patio to South Quad in front of the Rockne Memorial and has subsequently been renamed the Rockne Rally. “Due to staffing and logistical considerations of the Jim Gaffigan show occurring at the same time, Athletics will not be putting on the Rockne Rally this year,” Claire Cunningham, associate athletics director for communications and strategy, wrote in a statement to The Observer. “While we are disappointed
in the cancellation of the Rockne Rally, a long-standing campus-wide tradition that involved thousands and all different cultures, we are excited to sponsor different events this fall,” Dillon president sophomore William Negus wrote in a statement to The Observer. “We are looking forward to continuing this tradition in the future,” Negus added. Gaffigan’s performance was announced to students on April 21, originally scheduled on Sept. 11 in Purcell Pavilion. This is not the first time the pep rally has been canceled. In 2008, Dillon rector Fr. Paul Doyle called it off citing insufficient preparation — to the dismay of some residents. The Dillon Hall rector did not respond to requests for
SPORTS | PAGE 9