Michael Bradley, Executive Editor
As an employee of the Law School’s Kresge Law Library and as the son of a law professor, I spend a fair amount of time in the law school. Much to the chagrin of the many law students who chafe at the very thought of undergraduates invading their hallowed spaces of operation, I study and eat in the Eck Commons frequently.
The heart of the Commons, located in the well-known archway below which students walk as they head east of Main Circle, is the Crossings Cafe. The woman responsible for making Crossings run smoothly and pleasantly is its director of Cafe operations, Mrs. Kim Furlong.
Furlong submitted an online application for the Crossings position, and was hired in 2010. When the school year began in the newly reconstructed Law School, she quickly realized how much she would enjoy her new job.
“Moving into the new space was a terrific experience!” Furlong said in an interview with The Rover. “I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful environment to work in!”
Speaking of environment, Furlong is no stranger to South Bend. She has lived here since junior high school and has been happy to raise her family here.
“I have been married to my husband Robb for 28 years,” Furlong said. “We have four children. Emily is married and lives in Louisiana, Rob who we lost two years ago, Evan who is a sophomore at Saint Joseph High and Cole, a student at Holy Cross [grade] school.”
Furlong herself is a St. Joseph’s High graduate and took classes at Indiana University – South Bend. Apart from having worked at multiple restaurants over the years, including Jeremiah Sweeney’s, Steak and Ale and Chili’s, she also operated her own home business selling Pampered Chef kitchen products and worked for many years with her husband’s Spice of Life business, a family-owned restaurant and specialty grocery store.
Family has always been important and a priority to Furlong. “During my younger years I was able to be a stay-at-home mom doing my jobs during the evenings or while [the kids] were in school,” she said. “For that I am very grateful.”
When asked about her favorite Crossings job aspect, Furlong didn’t hesitate.
“The best part of my job is the students!” she gushed. “The Law School students are the most considerate, polite and friendly [students] on campus.” Furlong also sang the praises of her coworkers. “I definitely depend heavily on my undergraduate staff!” she continued. “All of them look out for me and I do the same for them. They are all my kids!”
“My bosses…are the best to work for. They definitely make my job one I want to come to every day,” she concluded.
When asked about her least favorite job aspect, Furlong replied, “the only part of my job that I have a hard time with is the early hours. I am here at 6:30 A.M. That’s early for a night owl like myself.”
Furlong complements her work and family time with a unique hobby: skeet shooting.
“I love to skeet shoot,” she exclaimed. “My boys are both on a local team. I started shooting this year myself and I found out why they enjoy it. This is a sport that you can start at any age, and practice enough without hurting yourself, to get good at,” she continued. Furlong even started a ladies’ shooting league at her shooting club, at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Albion, IN.
“We have such a good time and are learning to safely handle a firearm,” she said of her club. “Learning new things is empowering and makes you feel younger.” Furlong truly treasures her time at Notre Dame and appreciates all that the university has been for her.
“[Applying to the Cafe position] was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!” she said. “Notre Dame was very supportive [when son Rob passed away]. I plan on working for ND until I retire. It is a great place to work for.”
Asked to offer her advice to students, Furlong shared wisdom gleaned from her own life experiences.
“Work towards your goal but remember a goal is not written in stone,” she counseled. “[Goals] can and should change as your life does.”
“I believe God does have a plan for our lives and as it unfolds, we see the reason we have to endure certain things,” she reflected. “Hindsight is 20-20, but the only one with the whole plan is God. Make the best decisions you can at the time and enjoy every minute you’re here, it goes by so fast!”
Furlong is certainly making the best of her time here at Notre Dame, and enjoying every minute of it.
Michael Bradley is a junior philosophy & theology major who has shelved enough law library books to last a lifetime. Contact him at mbradle6@nd.edu.
