Presidential Inauguration events to include weeklong Habitat project in South Bend

The University of Notre Dame will partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County to break ground on five new homes in South Bend as part of events surrounding the official inauguration of Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., the University’s 18th president.
Public events and activities surrounding Father Dowd’s inauguration will kick off on Sept. 12 (Thursday) with a special symposium, the first in this year’s Notre Dame Forum series. The inauguration ceremony is open to the community and will be held in Purcell Pavilion on Sept. 13 (Friday) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. For a full list of events, visit president.nd.edu/inauguration-events/.
Work on the Habitat homes, involving framing and other tasks, will take place Sept. 16 to 20 (Monday through Friday) both on campus and along Harrison Street in South Bend, on the city’s near northwest side.
As many as 1,000 volunteers, including students, faculty and staff, will assist with the project, which aligns with the University’s commitment to community engagement as outlined in its strategic framework.

The homes should be ready for move-in sometime next year.
“Notre Dame’s continued flourishing is inextricably linked to the vitality and prosperity of our local community and this region. An important part of that is ensuring that all people, regardless of background, have access to safe, decent, affordable housing and the financial, social and emotional benefits that come with it,” Father Dowd said. “I am pleased to join with the entire campus community in this important project, and look forward to further strengthening our partnerships in South Bend and surrounding communities in the future.”
Led by the Office of Public Affairs, the project also involves the Office of the President; the School of Architecture, which is working with students to design the homes; and the Notre Dame student chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which will manage student participation in the project.
Based in South Bend, Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is a nonprofit organization that works to build homes for low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Future homeowners must be able to pay an affordable mortgage and agree to partner with Habitat for Humanity by attending homeownership classes covering basic home maintenance, budgeting, financing and understanding local ordinances. Additionally, they work alongside volunteers to build their own homes.
“Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County has been helping individuals and families in the South Bend area realize the dream of homeownership for nearly 40 years,” said Tim Sexton, associate vice president for public affairs. “As we mark this next chapter in Notre Dame history, we are excited to join them in that mission.”
“We are honored to host Inauguration Build 2024 and look forward to many more years of partnership with (Notre Dame) to help make sure everyone in our community has a decent place to live.”
Notre Dame is a longtime supporter of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, both directly through land and other donations and indirectly as a source of volunteers.
Just last year, the University donated to the organization four lots south of campus, with two homes under construction there and two more planned. It also facilitated a $250,000 gift to the organization — $50,000 per year over five years — from an undisclosed alumnus.
The School of Architecture, meanwhile, is in the middle of a five-year partnership with the organization to design and build affordable homes in South Bend and Mishawaka.
Jim Williams is the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County.
“The mission principles of Habitat that call us to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, advocate for affordable housing, promote dignity and hope and support sustainable and transformational development all align with the values of the Church and the University,” Williams said. “We are honored to host Inauguration Build 2024 and look forward to many more years of partnership with the University to help make sure everyone in our community has a decent place to live.”
Originally published by news.nd.edu on July 23, 2024.
atLatest Research
- ND Law's Black Law Students Association Celebrates Black History Month and the Pursuit of Justice2024-2025 BLSA Executive Board For almost 50 years, the United States has designated the entire…
- New study abroad program in Panama is excellent match for students interested in sustainabilityPanama is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and one of the few countries that is carbon negative. Additionally, it is a transit country, with migrants continually coming from South America to pass through the Darién Gap. Last year, Notre Dame Global introduced a new summer study…
- Notre Dame named America’s Best Large Employer by ForbesForbes has named the University of Notre Dame as America’s Best Large Employer for the first time, leading 700 other organizations with at least 5,000 employees. Notre Dame has appeared on the Best Large Employer list six times, most recently as the 20th-ranked employer and top educational…
- Lieberman wins public interest award from the American Chemical SocietyMarya Lieberman, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has been selected to receive the Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest for developing low-cost Paper Analytical Devices (PADs) used to identify substandard medicines.
- Sara Berger named as new IBM director of the Notre Dame–IBM Technology Ethics LabSara Berger, IBM director of the Notre Dame–IBM Technology Ethics Lab…
- University of Notre Dame wins award for excellence in campus internationalizationIn recognition of its outstanding commitment to internationalization both on campus and across the globe, the University of Notre Dame has been selected to receive the 2025 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization. Named for the late Sen. Paul Simon, a longtime proponent of international education, the award is given by NAFSA: Association of International Educators to honor excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of university and college campuses.