Students speak to Catholic culture 

This semester, Notre Dame residential life is undergoing significant changes including demolitions, renovations, and new rectors in six residence halls.

The Fisher Hall men made their temporary home in Zahm Hall after Fisher and Pangborn Halls were torn down this summer. After the dissolution of Zahm House in 2021, the building has served as a “swing hall” where residential communities—most recently, Breen-Phillips—reside during renovations. The Fisher men will stay in Zahm until their new residence hall is completed by Fall 2026.

Notre Dame announced on Tuesday, August 27 that the new South Quad hall, to be built in place of Fisher, will be named for alumni John and Jill Coyle.

Andrew Sjurset, a junior in Fisher, told the Rover, “With the challenges that come from moving into a new setting and the uncertainty of the direction of our identity as a dorm, we have relied even more heavily on our traditions, our community, and our brotherhood with one another.” 

In addition to Fisher’s move, the Pangborn Hall community also entered an entirely new dorm.

Just three years after Pangborn was changed to a men’s residence hall, residents were relocated to East Quad’s newest dorm, Graham Family Hall. With a capacity for 262 residents, Graham currently houses 208 undergraduates, including around 110 returning residents, 20 transfers, and 80 freshmen. 

Liam Gibson, a Graham Family Hall Resident Assistant (RA), praised the new hall, saying, “The new facilities are beautiful and a massive upgrade from Pangborn. Our lounges are so much more spacious and comfortable and I can’t overstate how great it is to have an actual gym.” 

For many residents, the St. Augustine chapel is a highlight of the new building. Gibson commented, “The Pangborn chapel has a special place in my heart, but the Graham chapel really blows me away. I especially love the look of the curved wooden ceiling and stained glass.” 

On Friday, August 30, Bishop Rhoades celebrated Mass and administered the rite of consecration for the chapel. The full congregation included Tracy and Kerie Graham, the principal donors for the construction of the hall. Gibson said, “Tracy and his wife Kerie are so humble and have visited the dorm a few times already. I’m excited to see how they continue to stay connected with us throughout the coming year.” 

Gibson was happy to see so many of his fellow Graham residents at Mass. He said, “Mass attendance in general has been amazing in Graham. We’ve had multiple Masses where we’ve essentially packed out the chapel. … Pangborn also saw a really high percentage of residents attend Mass each Sunday, so I’m thrilled to see that continue.” 

Father Bill Dailey, C.S.C. remains rector of the Pangborn community in their new dorm.

In addition to the new dorm buildings for Fisher and Graham, residential staff has also undergone changes in the form of new hall rectors.

Six residence halls welcomed a new rector for the 2024–25 academic year: Alumni, Baumer, Duncan, Flaherty, Keough, and McGlinn.

Br. Dennis Gunn, C.F.C. took on the role of Alumni Hall’s rector. He told the Rover, “After thirty years in Catholic education, having taught at every level from elementary through graduate school, I cannot think of a finer ministry than that of being rector of Alumni Hall at the University of Notre Dame.” 

Br. Gunn went on to describe the essential attributes of the role: “Being a rector is a pivotal formational role that is deeply rooted in the charism of Holy Cross and finds deep resonance with the charism of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, of which I have been a member for thirty years.”

Another professed religious, David Murray, C.S.C., stepped up from assistant rector to rector in Keough Hall, taking over for Father Gabriel Griggs, C.S.C. David recently professed final vows to the Congregation of Holy Cross and was ordained a deacon, with his ordination to the priesthood set for this coming spring. Keough sophomore John Cummins told the Rover, “David possesses much of the same clarity of purpose and quality of judgment that made Fr. Gabe a great rector.”

Two new rectors have also taken up their posts at women’s residence halls. Elizabeth Greenop, rector of McGlinn Hall, and Luz Hernandez, rector of Flaherty Hall, both entered into the role after each received her master’s degree in theology at Notre Dame.

 Flaherty sophomore Bridget Healy told the Rover, “I am so thankful for Luz’s investment in building Flaherty’s community.” However, she expressed disappointment that Flaherty’s tradition of standing during the consecration of Holy Eucharist has continued during their dorm Masses. Healy said, “Luz’s study of theology for both her bachelor’s and master’s degree made me hopeful she would help Flaherty ground our liturgy in tradition.” 

Caleb Vaughan is a sophomore studying chemical engineering. If you’d like to hire him as rector of your residence hall, he can be reached at cvaugha2@nd.edu.

This article was corrected after publication on Sept. 11, 2024. Quotes were misattributed to Mr. Nolan Kyhl, instead these quotes are from Mr. Liam Gibson.
Additionally, it was incorrectly stated that Ms. Luz Hernandez and Ms. Elizabeth Greenop both earned Master of Divinity degrees, instead Ms. Greenop earned an MA in theology while Ms. Hernandez earned an MDiv.

Photo Credit: Notre Dame Residential Life

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