THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026 | VOL. LXI, NO. 2
Conboy contract extended to 2030
By Observer News Staff
Saint Mary’s President Katie Conboy’s contract has been extended by two years, an Aug. 12 press release stated. The decision was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, who cited Conboy’s continued work with Saint Mary’s Revere and Revise plan as central to the extension. “President Conboy has earned the full confidence of the Board through her thoughtful leadership, her unwavering commitment to the mission of Saint Mary’s, and her bold vision for the future,” Chair of the Board of Trustees Maureen Smith stated in the release. Smith highlighted Conboy’s work developing academic programs and structures such as the Prikkel Advising, Career and Experience Center and The Avenue Experience. With a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, Conboy oversaw the construction of the Center for Integrated Healthcare Innovation in Regina Hall, which houses departments such as nursing science,
speech-language pathology, social work, gerontology and autism studies. “Under Katie’s leadership, the College has achieved unprecedented success through a combination of enrollment, fundraising, and academic innovation, while remaining firmly rooted in its Catholic identity and the values that have defined Saint Mary’s for generations,” Smith stated. Smith pointed to the college’s financial growth as another reason behind the extension. Launched on June 6, the Ring Out, Ring True capital campaign has already raised $180 million in its development phase. According to Conboy, prior to this renewal, she had already gone through two renewal contracts: one on a three-year contract that would last until 2023 and the next a fiveyear contract that would last until 2028. Due to her accomplishments and initiatives, the Board went through the approval process see “Contract” on page 4
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Former Alumni rector dies after four-decade career By Mara Hall Associate News Editor
Fr. George Rozum, a Holy Cross priest who served as rector of Alumni Hall from 1978 to 2019, died Saturday after a short illness. Rozum’s 41-year career that made him the longest-serving rector in Notre Dame history. He was 87. Rozum was born on Feb. 1, 1939 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He grew up as an adoptee with his brother John and five additional siblings. He attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate studying philosophy, and graduated in 1963. According to his alumni profile, he resided in Farley Hall. However, he professed first vows on Aug. 16, 1961, prior to his undergraduate graduation. He professed final vows on Aug. 16, 1964 before earning a masters in Theology from Holy Cross College, Washington D.C., in 1967.
He was ordained in the Holy Cross order on May 5, 1968. From 1968 to 1976, Rozum was an associate pastor at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin and worked with several schools for the deaf. He returned to campus and spent a year in Moreau Seminary, followed by a year serving as an assistant rector in Holy Cross Hall. In 1978, Rozum began the role that would define most of his ministry at Notre Dame: rector of Alumni Hall. “When I walked in his door for the first time in August 1978, even though he had just arrived as rector, he popped up from the chair behind his table, and knew my name having studied it from a picture book,” Fr. Jim King, a 1981 Notre Dame grad who lived in Alumni Hall as an undergraduate and is now the rector of Knott Hall, said. King said that his book, “Known by Name: Inside the Halls Of Notre Dame” is
dedicated to Rozum. “It is the essence of any kind of ministry. You can’t minister to people if you don’t know who they are,” he said. “I wrote a note to the hall announcing Fr. George’s death and one of the things that I said in it was, perhaps it is appropriate that Fr. George passed away as we prepare to welcome our newest freshman, because that was such an important part of his ministry as a rector,” current Alumni rector Br. Dennis Gunn said. Gunn also noted that Rozum will be remembered as part of Alumni Hall Wake Week in the spring. Now a longtime tradition, Rozum started Wake Week in 1980. Wake Week involves a longtime rivalry with Dillion Hall, and former Dillion rector Fr. Paul Doyle remembers participating in contests with Rozum. “One of the featured see “Rector” on page 3
Mass punctuates welcome of new ND students By Matthew Morin Associate News Editor
on God’s glory and love, while the Gospel reading emphasizes Jesus turning to his disciples and asking them who they say he is. Quoting from Allen Levi’s bestselling novel “Theo of Golden,” McCormick said. “For anything to be good, there must be love in it.” McCormick advised incoming students to choose their paths based on a decision rooted in love, not necessarily one that is the easiest or guarantees success. This, McCormick said, is what St. Paul and the other saints did. “Choose the path of love, allow it to be your guide,” McCormick said. “The God, my friends, who receives everything, you can understand, is also the one who comes near to us, that desires to be known. I pray that during your time at the University, you may come to know that God more profoundly and deeply.” McCormick concluded by reminding students that despite inevitable hardship, “when you pursue a path of love, you find God.” At the close of the Mass, McCormick returned to speak to the
On Saturday, Aug. 22, members of the Notre Dame class of 2030 and transfer students were welcomed to campus with a first Mass in the Purcell Pavilion. University President Fr. Bob Dowd presided over the Mass, which began at 4:30 p.m. and was a central event of the Welcome Weekend programming. New students attending the Mass wore Welcome Weekend T-shirts and sat with their residence halls. Fr. Brian Ching, rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, began the Mass by welcoming everyone in attendance. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you all this afternoon, especially all of our newest Notre Dame students along with their families and friends as you begin your time here at Our Lady’s University,” Ching said. The readings for the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass came from the Book of Isaiah, St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans and Matthew’s gospel, read by deacon Mel Tardy, academic adviser in the Office of Undergraduate Education.
Following the readings, assistant vice president of Campus Ministry Fr. Pete McCormick gave the homily, in which he addressed the excitement and anxiety that new students might be facing beginning their time at the University. “Some of you are thrilled to be here, some of you are overwhelmed and most of you are some
combination of the two,” McCormick said. McCormick assured the class that while students may wonder if others in their class have everything all worked out, “the answer is absolutely not.” He continued, “They don’t. They won’t, and it won’t be for a while.” Addressing the readings,
McCormick addressed the theme of belovedness and all people being beloved children of God. “Never allow it to feel overwhelming, but trust that God will give you the grace and the strength and the wisdom necessary,” McCormick said. St. Paul, McCormick said, addresses the theme of meditating
NEWS | PAGE 3
OPINION | PAGE 6
SCENE | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 9
Women’s soccer
2026 schedule
Holy Cross College welcomed students arriving to the new Holy Cross Hall on Friday.
A welcome letter from Fr. Robert Dowd offers a message for students for the school year.
A fantastic return to the beloved cartoon show provides an appealing taste for audiences.
No. 8 Irish Notre Dame women’s soccer team gains its first win over Murray state, 3-0.
Ellie Collins pushes back on the criticism on this year’s slate of Notre Dame football games.
Holy Cross dorm
MARIELLA TADDONIO | The Observer
The first Mass was held at Purcell Pavilion on Saturday. It inducted the Notre Dame class of 2030 and transfer students, beginning at 4:30 p.m. University President Fr. Bob Dowd looked over the evening Mass.
President’s Letter
New ‘Avatar’ film
see “Mass” on page 4
SPORTS | PAGE 11