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Alumni Community
Beth Morgan Cunningham ('97) is back with the Notre Dame women's basketball program as the associate coach, following a successful coaching career at Virginia Commonwealth University. Known as the all-time leading scorer for the Fighting Irish, Cunningham returns home after significant achievements, including multiple postseason appearances and developing players into professionals. Her experience in building a program aims to enhance the team's success under the guidance of hall-of-fame coach Muffet McGraw.
Mendoza News
The Notre Dame chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma has been recognized as a 2011-12 Premier Chapter after inducting 92 students, achieving an impressive acceptance rate of 87 percent. This designation allows the chapter to qualify for the BGS Matching Funds Scholarship Program in 2013-14. Led by Professor Ramachandran Ramanan, the chapter serves a large membership and consistently invites the top academic performers from various student classifications to join.
Class Notes
Recent accomplishments from alumni showcase their diverse paths and impactful roles. Cheryl Booms is consulting for a firm dedicated to fundraising for Catholic institutions, while Gerry Dohrenwend is now the executive director of Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County. Other highlights include Kirk Reich's promotion in procurement at AK Steel, singing success for Jenny Stapf at a White Sox game, and Jason Shanks' progression to CEO of Catholic Charities Detroit. Additionally, there are updates on awards for alumni contributions, significant summits like that of Mark Leveck and Tyler Norrish on Mt. Rainier, and Iris Huang
Mendoza News
Since its inception in 2000, the IrishAngels Network has expanded to over 350 members, including Notre Dame alumni and supporters, who have dedicated significant volunteer time to the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship. To clarify its mission, the network is now split into two distinct groups: the IrishAngels Investing Organization, focused on financial investments in Notre Dame ventures, and the Irish Entrepreneurs Network, which continues to support the educational initiatives of the university in entrepreneurship.
Modmarket, founded by Rob McColgan and Anthony Pigliacampo in Boulder, Colorado, focuses on serving fresh, whole foods using locally sourced ingredients. Initially successful with a steady growth model, McColgan reflects on the importance of continually evaluating real estate opportunities as the business expands. Meanwhile, Pablo Nava discusses his organization, Por Fin Nuestra Casa, which aims to provide affordable housing in Mexico via shipping containers. Recognizing the challenges posed by local drug wars, he advises against moving hastily into market opportunities without considering better alternatives. Elizabeth Scharpf's Sustainable Health Enterprises works with women in developing
First Person
Christians are called to live out their vocation in the context of their lives, a theme echoed by St. Francis de Sales. A retiring theology professor reflects on his 40 years in academia, emphasizing that being a theologian involves a continuous conversation about faith and understanding. He notes the challenge of communicating ancient truths in a modern world filled with secular perspectives and highlights the journey of faith as a quest for deeper understanding rather than definitive answers.
Mendoza News
Ann E. Tenbrunsel received a Distinguished Faculty Award during halftime at the Notre Dame-Miami football game, honoring her work in business ethics and her role as director of the Institute for Ethical Business Worldwide. Juan M. Rivera was presented with the Lybrand Certificate of Merit Award for his noteworthy research on international operations budgeting, while Jeremy Griffin earned the Outstanding Auditing Dissertation Award for his impactful dissertation on auditing decisions amid uncertainty.
Michael Soenen's journey exemplifies the lessons of resilience and learning from failure in entrepreneurship. After his first venture, Consolidated Commerce, struggled to gain traction with large corporations, Soenen founded ClearTrial, focusing instead on mid-market pharmaceutical companies. This strategic shift proved successful, leading ClearTrial to become a key player in clinical trial software before its sale to Oracle. The ongoing conversation around failure in business culture emphasizes the importance of understanding mistakes as pivotal learning opportunities, a sentiment echoed in recent literature on the subject.
Alumni Community
Share your thoughts! Letters from readers play an essential role in Notre Dame Business, and contributors for the next issue will have a chance to win a signed copy of "The Chapels of Notre Dame." Recent letters express gratitude for inspiring stories about relationships and experiences with notable figures, observations on the complexities of U.S. manufacturing, and the impact of experiential learning in nonprofit education. Readers are encouraged to submit their comments to continue the conversation.
Editor's Letter
Life presents challenges that can shake us to our core, but finding solace amidst despair is possible. Karen Hildebrandt's journey through her husband Larry's cancer diagnosis exemplifies the strength found in love, faith, and family. This issue of Notre Dame Business weaves in stories of resilience, including DeAnn Swinton's reflections on letting go as her son Matthew seeks independence, Caitlin Crommett's nonprofit to help hospice patients fulfill their final wishes, and insights from entrepreneurial alumni on learning from business failures. These narratives remind us of the human spirit's incredible ability to endure and thrive.