In Principio v16 no1 (2005)

ENDOWING NOTRE DAME FOR THE FUTURE The University of Notre Dame Australia is a private Catholic University, presenting a new dimension of university education in Australia. Unique in its approach, Notre Dame is not only striving to provide excellence in education but also to enrich the lives of its students and those with whom they will come into contact. Each of the courses requires students to complete core units in Ethics, Philosophy and Theology with the overarching aim of graduating students that are highly skilled, strongly motivated and committed to community service. Funding the University is achieved primarily through student fees and the very generous support of many private individuals who believe in the mission and values of Notre Dame. A contribution or bequest to the University is an investment in our future leaders and our community. Your support will make a difference. If you would like to know more about Notre Dame, please contact Michelle Ebbs in our Community Relations Office on (08) 9433 0610. FREE PUBLIC TOURS Free Public Tours are available on the Fremantle Campus every Friday at 11am. They are a wonderful opportunity to see first– hand the recycling that has been undertaken in some of the West End's most historic buildings and to hear the story of Australia's only private Catholic University. To book your place, please call the Community Relations Office on 9433 0692 or visit Notre Dame's reception at 19 Mouat Street, Fremantle. Alumni Association President ., Toby Hicks The University of Notre Dame (US) was founded in 1842 by a group of priests sent from France to help teach in the schools throughout the Catholic archdiocese in Indiana. By 1843 the first church was built on the school's current campus in South Bend, a small log, two storey building used for both sleeping quarters as well as religious services. The school suffered from a lack of funds and in 1843 had only five students at the start of the school year. By 1846 the school had suffered three serious fires all of which damaged the wooden buildings slowly being erected. In 1847 the school suffered an outbreak of "consumption" which took the lives of a number of religious staff and students. Through these challenges, the small University survived. It was not until after the 1920's, some 70 years after it opened that Notre Dame began to garner national attention as its football team started to win national championships. It was a further 40 years after that, some 110 years after it originally opened, that Notre Dame began to develop a national reputation throughout the United States as a strong academic institution. These stories remind us in many ways of the challenges that have faced Notre Dame Australia in its early years (although thankfully not as dramatic). They are a reminder a lso that despite these challenges, with time and dedication to exceilence, you can prevail. This must be the belief that carries Notre Dame Australia through the next phase of its development. Our University does not currently enjoy the same national reputation of Notre Dame in the USA, it does not have the alumni base of UWA, nor have prime ministers or other Australian icons graduated from its classrooms. However, by remaining true to the goals and mission of the University and establishing a dedication to excellence in all areas, including in our lives post-graduation, the University will continue to grow and thrive. Its growth through the short time it has been open is already testament to what can be achieved in the future. In other news, it gives me great pleasure to welcome two new members to the Alumni Committee. Robert Boston and Meneesha Michalka have both agreed to give their time to the Committee this year. Robert recently returned from two years in Melbourne and is a lawyer working in project financing at Mallesons while Meneesha, also a lawyer, is currently working in the litigation team at Freehills. Both of these new members bring dedication to excellence in their professional and personal lives and will be welcome additions to the Alumni Committee.