Commencement Was Only the Beginning

by Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C.

Dear Members of the Notre Dame Family,

In my four years as president of Notre Dame, I have been tremendously thankful for the genuine and heartfelt interest that members of this community express for the mission, work, and aspirations of the University. I am humbled and energized by the strength of your feelings for Notre Dame.

This was most certainly the case this spring, as my decision to invite President Obama to address the graduating class and receive an honorary degree resulted in a passionate discussion within the Notre Dame community and on the national and international stage. The events surrounding Commencement generated a significant volume of correspondence, making it all but impossible to answer each phone call, letter, and email personally.

I hope you will oblige me, then, in taking this opportunity to thank all those who shared their thoughts with me and with others at the University. I have the deepest respect for those whose faith-filled convictions compelled them to voice their opinions. I am also very grateful that, whether they agreed or disagreed with my decision, the overwhelming majority of our students, alumni, parents, benefactors, faculty, staff, and friends were thoughtful, reasoned, and respectful in their responses.

Commencement was only the beginning of what I hope will be a vital engagement with the issues highlighted by this event. Over the next several weeks, I will be considering possible next steps that will allow the Notre Dame family to engage in a prayerful and meaningful way with these issues. In doing so, I will continue to listen to and value your voices.

Thank you, once more, for your candor, insight, and commitment to Notre Dame. I look forward to advancing this conversation, and I pray daily that Notre Dame remains a place of which you can be proud.

Yours in Notre Dame,

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President