THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING NOTRE DAME, SAINT MARY’S AND HOLY CROSS ESTABLISHED 1966
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 | VOL. LX, NO. 38
Shooting leaves one dead near Notre Dame campus Staff Report The South Bend Police Department responded to a shooting at the intersection of Michigan Street and Angela Boulevard Sunday at about 7:20 p.m. The second of two press releases from SBPD stated police found a 21-year-old victim in a vehicle at the scene, who they transported to a hospital in critical condition. He later died from his injuries. The victim was identified in a third press release as Jacob Patchen, a South Bend resident. In their first press release, the SBPD advised people to avoid the area, as it remained “an active scene.” Students and other members of the Notre Dame community, many of whom were returning to campus for their first day of classes Monday, did not receive any communications from the University regarding the incident. A University spokesperson provided the following written statement on the shooting: “As always, we work closely with our partners in local law enforcement to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, staff
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
SOCO launches new justice minor By Lucy Loes News Writer
SOPHIE HANWALT |The Observer
SBPD officers investigating the scene of the shooting at the intersection of Angela Boulevard and Michigan Avenue 10:51 p.m. Sunday.
and visitors. We also realize that violence anywhere in the community is unacceptable and a concern to us all. With respect to Sunday’s incident, we determined early on that there was no threat to the campus community. The South Bend Police Department is currently investigating the incident, and given their jurisdiction in the matter, we refer all questions to them.”
The spokesperson continued, “We encourage members of the campus community to practice personal safety, to take advantage of resources such as the ND Safe App, and to contact the Notre Dame Police Department if they feel unsafe or encounter an unsafe situation on campus.” see “Shooting” on page 2
Freeman’s football program opens up hectic 2026 season Observer Sports Staff
This semester, the Institute for Social Concerns is launching a new minor: justice and society. Co-directed by professors Connie Snyder Mick and Dan Graff, the curriculum is designed to weave together the theoretical study of justice and its practical application, specifically focused on ensuring that students have the research skills to effectively grapple with justice questions and foster change. Inspired by both Catholic social teaching and Fr. Hesburgh’s legacy, the justice and society minor is aimed at students who seek to be changemakers in the world. “We believe that a commitment to justice is a fundamental lens through which to understand, experience and, indeed, change the world. Whether pursuing a degree in engineering or English, students gain a foundational understanding of justice with which to enhance their degree. The minor forms leaders of consequence through a constructive collision of perspectives where business and biology majors
grapple with wicked problems, bringing their unique expertise to the table,” Suzanne Shanahan, the Institute’s director, wrote in a statement to The Observer. The new minor is replacing the poverty studies minor previously offered by the Institute. For current poverty studies students considering continuing with the new minor, co-director Graff affirmed that the minor still encompasses poverty issues. Instead, he said, the new focus allows a broader perspective on the topic and a larger commitment to true action. Snyder Mick suggests that this evolution reflects the new faculty expertise. “The Justice and Society minor represents the research interests of all the faculty at the Institute for Social Concerns. We’ve had some wonderful new hires recently and this approach adds their expertise in technology, environment, and migration to our longstanding attention to labor, incarceration, and poverty,” Mick wrote in a statement. see “Minor” on page 2
Dowd announces new forum theme By Zack Pohlman Associate News Editor
to introspect and ref lect, kind of refine your values,” Blaschko said. “But as a community, it’s also distinctively important because what we think a good life consists of together, really shapes how we treat each other, it shapes the community that we’re a part of, what we’re striving for.” While he was not consulted on the theme, Blaschko said he was very excited when he received the email and learned about the Forum. According to him, Notre Dame is in a unique position to provide an answer to this question. “I think it’s worth asking why Notre Dame sees this as the guiding question for this year,” Blaschko said. “I’ll
Since Notre Dame football unknowingly concluded its 2025 campaign in the early morning hours of Nov. 30 in Palo Alto, California, the program has dominated the college football news cycle with multiple headlining stories. Despite the primetime 49-20 victory over Stanford, the Irish were omitted from the College Football Playoff, and then in an equally surprising decision opted not to participate in a postseason bowl game. Both decisions sparked intense debate within the college football landscape, and depending on varying perspectives, either reaffirmed Notre Dame’s status as whiny or signaled the continuity of the program’s feud with mega conferences and ESPN. But even as the calendar
turned to 2026 and only in-state foe Indiana and heated rival Miami remain alive in the CFP, the Fighting Irish have continued to take the top headline in football news. From declining
the interest of nearly every NFL team with an opening, to a disputed legal incident to his role in signing the number two
NEWS | PAGE 4
OPINION | PAGE 5
SCENE | PAGE 7
SPORTS | PAGE 8
SPORTS | PAGE 12
Faculty discuss Venezuelan history, current events and what this means for international law.
Columnist Richard Taylor argues escaping from the online life is important for the soul.
Bradley Cooper’s latest foray as a director includes funny and heartfelt reflections to marriage.
Irish travel to Penn State looking to improve on their 0-10 Big Ten record this weekend.
Notre Dame’s hot start not enough to topple Louisville in top-25 showdown at home.
ND on Venezuela
DECLAN LEE | The Observer
Marcus Freeman looks on before Notre Dame’s win at Boston College on Nov. 1. The 40-year-old enters his fifth full season in 2026.
Dumb phones
see “Freeman” on page 11
‘Is This Thing On?’
“What Does It Mean to Live a Good Life?” Philosophers and academics have been pondering the question for centuries, and Notre Dame will take its turn at answering it in 2026. In an email to the campus community Thursday morning, Fr. Robert Dowd announced the 2026-27 Notre Dame Forum theme. The theme will sound familiar to Notre Dame students who have taken God and the Good Life, an introductory philosophy course taught by professors Justin Christy and Paul Blaschko. “Asking what it is to live a good life, I think as an individual, is incredibly important. It’s important
Hockey
see “Forum” on page 2
Women’s basketball